May have found my BMW "357i" donor....
- Thread starter Shockwave
- Start date
The missing link
LS1 swap. The 3 series I believe is lighter then a Vette, and you could build it to run circles around a comparable year M3. Hell, the thing would strip the paint and blow the doors off an M3.
The best of both worlds, and meets both my passions...European refinement with Detroit Iron...
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
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- Oct 28, 1999
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From the swap article:
Why not add the best parts of these "pony cars", the American V8 drivetrain, into a more sophisticated chassis, like a German sports sedan? We have been keeping a sharp eye on the market prices of many BMW models, especially the E36 BMWs. After extensive measurements, it is obvious that the factory BMW 2.5-3.2L, crossflow head Inline-6 engine is MASSIVE in height, length, and width. With an iron block and uber-long crank, it is also one heavy mutha. Hell, a lightweight V8 swap could LOSE weight in this car! This is not unheard of - Ford 302's with aluminum heads, swapped into Datsun 240-280Z cars, can lose a few pounds. Cross-flow head Inline-6 engines are not at all space or weight efficient.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
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Originally posted by: Shockwave
The missing link
LS1 swap. The 3 series I believe is lighter then a Vette, and you could build it to run circles around a comparable year M3. Hell, the thing would strip the paint and blow the doors off an M3.
The best of both worlds, and meets both my passions...European refinement with Detroit Iron...
I doubt it. You would be increasing the weight on the front of the vehicle quite a bit which will completely change the handling characteristics of the vehicle. Not to mention the problem of putting the power to the ground. You would have to swap a Corvette rear end if it could even be done. Talk about a money pit and a hassle. You'll NEVER get the money invested back out.
I say you're crazy.
Hmm, I guess I'm wrong. Just read the link.
Interesting.
NutBucket
Lifer
- Aug 30, 2000
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Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: Shockwave
The missing link
LS1 swap. The 3 series I believe is lighter then a Vette, and you could build it to run circles around a comparable year M3. Hell, the thing would strip the paint and blow the doors off an M3.
The best of both worlds, and meets both my passions...European refinement with Detroit Iron...
I doubt it. You would be increasing the weight on the front of the vehicle quite a bit which will completely change the handling characteristics of the vehicle. Not to mention the problem of putting the power to the ground. You would have to swap a Corvette rear end if it could even be done. Talk about a money pit and a hassle. You'll NEVER get the money invested back out.
I say you're crazy.
You never get the money back out of modding cars. Everyone and their mom knows this. If you read the thread the LS1 may be the same weight, if not lighter, then a BMW inline 6. It seems that the guys in the article are using a M3 differential as well. I wouldn't doubt if this did run circles around a M3.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,590
- 986
- 126
guess you didn't read the article.Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: Shockwave
The missing link
LS1 swap. The 3 series I believe is lighter then a Vette, and you could build it to run circles around a comparable year M3. Hell, the thing would strip the paint and blow the doors off an M3.
The best of both worlds, and meets both my passions...European refinement with Detroit Iron...
I doubt it. You would be increasing the weight on the front of the vehicle quite a bit which will completely change the handling characteristics of the vehicle. Not to mention the problem of putting the power to the ground. You would have to swap a Corvette rear end if it could even be done. Talk about a money pit and a hassle. You'll NEVER get the money invested back out.
I say you're crazy.
Hmm, I guess I'm wrong. Just read the link.
Interesting.
I think its the best idea I've ever seen. My big concern would be traction and tire size. gonna need some serious rubber to hold that thing on the road.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,590
- 986
- 126
Originally posted by: spidey07
guess you didn't read the article.Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: Shockwave
The missing link
LS1 swap. The 3 series I believe is lighter then a Vette, and you could build it to run circles around a comparable year M3. Hell, the thing would strip the paint and blow the doors off an M3.
The best of both worlds, and meets both my passions...European refinement with Detroit Iron...
I doubt it. You would be increasing the weight on the front of the vehicle quite a bit which will completely change the handling characteristics of the vehicle. Not to mention the problem of putting the power to the ground. You would have to swap a Corvette rear end if it could even be done. Talk about a money pit and a hassle. You'll NEVER get the money invested back out.
I say you're crazy.
Hmm, I guess I'm wrong. Just read the link.
Interesting.
I think its the best idea I've ever seen. My big concern would be traction and tire size. gonna need some serious rubber to hold that thing on the road.
I'm reading it right now. Looks pretty good to me. I concede!
Too bad I just sold a very clean '94 325i...I could have kept it and done something like this to it...
My "mechanic" is my father. He's FAR more versed in this type of stuff then me. Also, he has a pit, every tool God has put on the face of the planet and plenty of room to do it. Lastly, it'd make a kick ass father/son project IMO.
Otherwise, yeah they put an M3 rear end in it to handle the power. Otherwise, except for looking like a butt load of work I think it would make a fantastically enjoyable car on the cheap. Like I said.... German refinement with Detroit Iron.
I'd probably do the LS1 cause its got a bit more huah! out of the box. Although I think it may be a bit pricier so I could very well end up on the 302 route.....
Otherwise, yeah they put an M3 rear end in it to handle the power. Otherwise, except for looking like a butt load of work I think it would make a fantastically enjoyable car on the cheap. Like I said.... German refinement with Detroit Iron.
I'd probably do the LS1 cause its got a bit more huah! out of the box. Although I think it may be a bit pricier so I could very well end up on the 302 route.....
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