Next project ideas

[rickpaw]

Guys,

Do you think late 80s bmw e30 will make a good candidate for a next project car (track/daily driver)? It will get an LS/t56 swap definitely. I've ran across several on craigslist for cheap, and best of all no rust.

[gearheads78]

One my bucket list is a Infinty G35 with an LS swap. They are so fun to drive but the motors are turds and make no power unless you rev them to 5K
A torque monster stoked LS would make in the perfect car IMO

[ADiCarlo]

Originally Posted by rickpaw

Guys,

Do you think late 80s bmw e30 will make a good candidate for a next project car (track/daily driver)? It will get an LS/t56 swap definitely. I've ran across several on craigslist for cheap, and best of all no rust.

I started to read this and got scared cause I thought you'd want to keep the factory m20 motor. I've worked on them before and there over engineered piles of s**t. Love the chassis hate the motor.

Space is kind of tight so i see some tunnel mods in your future. Does it have to be an LS swap?

FYI it's been done before Andy Hately in Formula Drift is running one - full tube chassis in front - I've seen this thing in person and it's pretty well built:

[rickpaw]

Thanks guys. It's been done before, with e30 and e36 models. In fact, there are swap kits available commercially, so I'm not treading uncharted water. Reason I'm thinking LS swap because 5.3 engines are widely available and cheap, and the sound of a v8 in a small sedan is kind of cool.

[CamaroMike]

Go for it, it will be fun car you can throw around. Widebody would be icing on the cake

[WSSix]

I'm with Mike on this one.

Of course, you could boost a V6 like the 3.8 and maybe have something really different yet great too. I'd go for it regardless. Just keep weight down as much as possible.

[Evan Iroc-Z]

I agree with WSSix. You can use the old 109 block (Buick GN motor) or you could go with what a lot of people are leaning towards (myself included) the 3800 Series II or III that is found in every 90's-10's GM sedan available. The L36/L26 NA motors are around 9.5:1 compression and can handle 15-20 lbs of boost in stock form. The L67/L32 supercharged motors can handle more since the pistons have better ring landings.

You can get those motors all day long complete with harness and computer for $400.

The best part is the amount of space you will have available and you will still be able to mount up a manual transmission. Not the best comparison to a BMW, but here is my 3rd gen Camaro with it mounted up.

[BMR Sales]

Do It!

[WSSix]

I'm not sure how it would fit but to just stoke the fire some more, the 4.2 inline six from GM shares many design features with the LSx platform. There's a fair amount of support out there for them. A turbo 4.2 would be a rocket ship. I believe they are all aluminum too. Just do it though. It'll be cool if it's light weight and fast.