LS3 V8 conversion

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Fri 27 Jun, 2008 19:38

First off here is a picture of my car just before the work started.
Its a black / black 1999 Z3 M S50 Roadster.

I decided to purchase a V8 engine from the states so I ordered and paid , then waited for this pallet to arrive.

When it arrived I got Robbo to open it not really sure what to expect.
However I was very pleased to recieve this

The delivery was very complete = LS3 V8 6.2 .Tremec T56 6 speed gearbox + full wiring loom inc ecu. Also included was brand new accessories maf injectors sensors starter alternator etc =very impressed.
Having had a while to think where to go next I decided to upgrade the cam + rods and springs

The car is now in the work shop, and is currently at this stage

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Fri 27 Jun, 2008 19:42

Now its at this stage

topfuelking · Post by **topfuelking** » Fri 27 Jun, 2008 23:15

Andrew330Ci · Post by **Andrew330Ci** » Fri 27 Jun, 2008 23:43

That is going to be AWESOME!

pingu · Post by **pingu** » Sat 28 Jun, 2008 02:15

Takes me back to my college days

. Except, then it was Minis and Metros. It takes real bravery to do what you're doing. Hat's off to you.

Can't wait to see more.

PhoenixCoupe · Post by **PhoenixCoupe** » Sat 28 Jun, 2008 03:52

I assume you bought the engine direct from GM?
They do some very interesting engines - from memory, the top rated one puts out over 700bhp...

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Sat 28 Jun, 2008 07:17

I actually bought the engine via an advert on ebay, I made lots of enquiries to the company which included ringing thier bank to check on them etc. I must say they were very helpful. The company in Birmingham that are doing the conversion had a lot to do with the spec because this is what they specialise in = LS conversions.
The owner Craig Taylor knows his stuff and as I said before as turned out some stunning cars. Inone of my photo's there is a silver grey Mazda RX7 that craig built, this one was built for a race series called TIME ATTACK it produced 550bhp and 509ftlb of torque at 2500rpm. the owner of that car took me round the race track at angelesy = how fast, it felt like my body was being crushed when it accelerated.

BenZ3-2.0 · Post by **BenZ3-2.0** » Sat 28 Jun, 2008 07:44

amazing! what are you doing with the original engine?

321bhp · Post by **321bhp** » Sat 28 Jun, 2008 10:16

looks awsome,what kind of increase in bhp will that have over the original 321bhp,and 0-60 times,are you going to road run it or track it,how much extra on your insurance will that be

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Sat 28 Jun, 2008 11:29

What a great looking Z3 and will be awesome, can't wait to see the finished result.

Why does that second pic make me smile so much, I thought smoking in the workplace was a thing of the past lol.

stu · Post by **stu** » Sat 28 Jun, 2008 17:35

Fab project!

Can't wait to hear it and see it go!

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Sat 28 Jun, 2008 18:37

I made a mistake on the power of the grey Mazda RX7 it actually made
594 BHP + 609 FTLB of torque.
As mentioned before I'm selling the original engine = gearbox -wiring loom-inc ecu etc - complete with all ancillaries = airbox - starter - exhausts - etc etc.
The insurance will be slightly less than what I pay now but the car will be classed as a competetion car ( search me why its less but insurance say its ok ). I'll be using the car on the road + maybe do a trackday or two.
And finally the chuffing Billy in the photograph is the infamous Robbo = manufacturer of the finest cup of tea in the land, he as been known to tell the odd fast story in his day. ( the older he gets the faster he was ) I think I'll include a few photo's of Robbo in his natural habitat. Robbo used to spanner for fast boy in the motor cycling world, now he makes tea - his eyes and hearing are'nt what they used to be.

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Sat 28 Jun, 2008 18:53

Today's activity has been to try the engine and gearbox in =

this is easy when you have the knowledge and correct equipment ( Robbo was making the tea at this stage ).

Also tried the brakes for size

So lots achieved today = Craig is pleased with progress and the look of thing like engine mounts + routes for the exhaust, although not really an issue because he is going to make the headers bespoke. aircon compressor will be sourced from compressortech in Birmingham and gearstick position problem as been solved by an other of Craig's contacts.

stu · Post by **stu** » Sun 29 Jun, 2008 08:45

Lovely to see such a box fresh engine going in. Top work!

tuxman · Post by **tuxman** » Mon 30 Jun, 2008 09:19

Looks absolutely stunning !!! has your man had any experience with converting porsche 968 to LS ??

PhoenixCoupe · Post by **PhoenixCoupe** » Mon 30 Jun, 2008 12:14

tuxman wrote:converting porsche 968 to LS ??

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Don't spoil a good 968 please...

exdos · Post by **exdos** » Mon 30 Jun, 2008 13:06

Please don't tell me that you intend keeping the suspension.

What modifications are you going to do to strengthen the diff mounts, rear boot floor and transmission to cope with all the power?

Deano1712 · Post by **Deano1712** » Mon 30 Jun, 2008 13:33

Its great to see the commentary, thanks for posting. Ls3 is a super engine and the car is going to be awesome. Im hoping to do this one day to my car.

Several in the US have performed the conversion. You can even buy a E36 conversion kit (for $5k!) to fit LSx. Did you think of using that?

exdos - I think he is fitting a twin eared diff cover, and the transmission is T56 6-speed

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Mon 30 Jun, 2008 20:18

I don't think he has done a 968 but this is a common conversion in the states because we have spoken on the subject before, kits are available for the 968.Exods read my earlier posts and your questions have been answered.
I have not seen an e36 kit advertised but I think I'd rather have a person convert mine on a car specific basis.

tinker-27 · Post by **tinker-27** » Mon 30 Jun, 2008 23:23

we will be fitting a twin rear mount diff casing and strengthen the boot floor,i am having nitron make some bespoke suspension for the car, and poly bush the arms etc, we will also do some other strength mods that i see are needed .it will have a stronger front and rear anti rollbar, i was going to do a 968 for my self but did a rx7 instead .

Deano1712 · Post by **Deano1712** » Tue 01 Jul, 2008 08:29

Link to the E36 Vorshlag kit:

http://www.vorshlag.com/index.php?cPath=1_4_63

Its expensive! You can buy bits of it though, like the headers etc.

partybish · Post by **partybish** » Tue 01 Jul, 2008 10:57

That's an amazing project you've taken on there. Looks like you've made good progress already. Can't wait to see the updates to this thread!

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Tue 01 Jul, 2008 18:42

Deano thanks for the link, interesting, however very glad with the route I'm taking.
Thanks to everyone for the support and encourageing words I can't wait.
more photo's soon.
Remote gear change arrived today so did the twin diff mount case.

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Wed 02 Jul, 2008 19:22

Took the suspension to NITRON in Oxford today, the place is very impressive.
Pete took time to show me around + show examples of the products they procuce also discussed what I wanted and how he could achieve the best system for me,very very impressed, he says I can collect my original stuff end of next week. ( Craig needs to move the car around the work shop) more info on suspension in the near future.

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Wed 09 Jul, 2008 18:47

Latest up date = engine mounts + gearbox mounts designed manufactured and in place.

Gearbox cross member

And here is the big problem of the gear stick being in the wrong place completely cured ... How perfect is that ??

All brackets have now been fully welded polished and gone to be powder coated.
Here's photo of the engine + box fitted on its mountings - note that Craig as used the genuine BMW rubber mounts so as to maintain the anti vibe + quiteness as intended by BMW. ( trick )

Next task is to move the ABS system and start making room for the exhaust manifolds as mentioned before these will be hand made and designed by Craig.

senna · Post by **senna** » Thu 10 Jul, 2008 20:39

BEAUTIFUL! BEAUTIFUL! BEAUTIFUL! JOB
Love what you have done, Slightly easier with the metal floorpan of a Z3.
I am planning an M5 (E39) conversion in a Z1, the major problem will be the floorpan for me.

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Tue 15 Jul, 2008 18:03

The Prop came back from manufacturers on saturday

And the powder coaters returned engine -gearbox - cross member also.
Front ARB + poly kit ordered Nitron are still working on suspension, I have asked for the Eibach spring and top mount upgrade front and rear.

texasjohn · Post by **texasjohn** » Tue 15 Jul, 2008 20:22

Wow!

Absolutely manic! Watching the thread with interest...

stu · Post by **stu** » Tue 15 Jul, 2008 20:23

So what are the plans for shake down and first outings?

Would love to see this.

Awesome work and very quick too!

Who's insuring? Flux?

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Tue 15 Jul, 2008 21:36

Have'nt changed insurance yet but its on the list to sought v soon.
The test run can't come soon enough but I'm expecting to have to wait a while for everything to come together. ie suspension = roughly 6-8 weeks
but should be able to use the car on standard set for a while, I will need to run the engine in anyway. And get used to the power

stu · Post by **stu** » Wed 16 Jul, 2008 08:31

I'm sure the stock suspension will be waaay too soft.

Any chance of it appearing at the Big BMW Car Club show at Gaydon (just down the road from you)?

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Wed 16 Jul, 2008 19:02

That is my target so you never know. ( Mr Taylor if your reading this ).

bikealarmblair · Post by **bikealarmblair** » Wed 16 Jul, 2008 20:48

snatch wrote:That is my target so you never know. ( Mr Taylor if your reading this ).

He's the least of your worries/problems

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Wed 16 Jul, 2008 21:17

Introduction time everyone. = introducing BLAIR the god like master of wiring looms. hopfully he will work out the wiring system.
I wonder which icon will be attached to further post about BLAIR.?
Hopefully none of the following.

Calm down sparks you will get your chance.

bikealarmblair · Post by **bikealarmblair** » Wed 16 Jul, 2008 21:36

snatch wrote:Introduction time everyone. = introducing BLAIR

Hi

snitch wrote:Calm down sparks you will get your chance.

I'm sure it'll be fine

whiteminks · Post by **whiteminks** » Wed 16 Jul, 2008 21:37

Hi BAB and welcome!

Never mind the electrics, we just love your forum name

.

Care to explain?

bikealarmblair · Post by **bikealarmblair** » Wed 16 Jul, 2008 23:25

whiteminks wrote:Hi BAB and welcome!

Never mind the electrics, we just love your forum name .

Care to explain?

Yeah its no secrete

fitting Bike (motorcycle) alarms is my main business & Blair is my name.....

///M_aniac · Post by **///M_aniac** » Wed 16 Jul, 2008 23:28

Wow. This is gonna be something!

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Fri 25 Jul, 2008 21:29

The latest update is - Craig has moved the ABS pump which now looks like a factory fitment

Here is the engine fully installed without the aid of chains hoist ropes or safety nets, It should be the last time it needs to be fitted !

The next job on the agenda is to manufacture the heat shields for the ABS pump just be for the design / manipulation of the exhaust headers.
Whilst this is going on Technical Tim steering and geometry expert is working on a revized steering arm.
So without further a do I will await the return of Blair from his dirty weekend to start the wiring ( Blair which project ) or woman are you working on next??

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Fri 25 Jul, 2008 21:39

Here's a little bonus ball - Craig's own car

He's taking it to the dyno on tuesday for set up and print out, I'm going with him so report back on his and the other 2 cars he has built soon.

bikealarmblair · Post by **bikealarmblair** » Mon 28 Jul, 2008 00:55

snatch wrote:So without further a do I will await the return of Blair from his dirty weekend to start the wiring ( Blair which project ) or woman are you working on next??

Hmm well may have a little more time on my hands than I expected it seems if you send a group text to several people (girls in this case) they apear to be able to know there not the only one to get that 'special' text & also know who else your sending 'special' texts too......

So the only project I'll be working on any time soon is this one

BAB

tinker-27 · Post by **tinker-27** » Tue 29 Jul, 2008 22:28

ran the mazda today and here is what it did

estocks · Post by **estocks** » Tue 29 Jul, 2008 23:55

estocks · Post by **estocks** » Tue 29 Jul, 2008 23:56

komis · Post by **komis** » Wed 30 Jul, 2008 11:19

Christ!

Wonder what the dyno reading on your car's going to look like!

snatch · Post by **snatch** » Wed 30 Jul, 2008 12:34

There was also a standard 6ltr which made 467bhp + a 5.7 with cam heads and throttle body which made 509bhp Mine is a new LS3 with new type heads uprated cam and 6.2 =

BHP.

SpunkyM · Post by **SpunkyM** » Wed 30 Jul, 2008 13:55

That is some good power there. What I just don't believe with these plots is 150bhp loss in the transmission at high rpm. I mean that's about 93kW of power - the entire thing would be glowing white hot if it was dissipating that in heat!

Don't get me wrong - all the dynos seem to extrapolate flywheel bhp in the same way, but it seems a whole order of magnitude out to me.

475bhp at the wheels is the figure that counts and that is very impressive in itself.

namatjira · Post by **namatjira** » Wed 30 Jul, 2008 17:17

Hi,

The losses are not just transmission but also diff, wheel bearing assembly etc. Basically everything mechanical and anything that changes the direction of rotation will 'drag' the HP down.

BMW normally assume on their own //M drive trains a loss of 17% from flywheel to diff. at peak HP revs. but their engines and drivelines are probably a bit more efficient than US components so on this setup I would guess a 20% loss is more likely.

Having seen the cars above (I went for a look see on the weekend) I can say that Craig's work appears excellent and he knows his stuff. Went for a spin in the passenger seat of his red devil as well. Wheeee !!!! like being in a horizontal bungee jump.

Going to get Craig to do mine as well I think.

c_w · Post by **c_w** » Wed 30 Jul, 2008 18:28

Are you going to sell me your Supercharger kit?

namatjira · Post by **namatjira** » Wed 30 Jul, 2008 19:03

Hi c_w,

I suspect my SC kit is not going to be available for sale till maybe January. Then I will likely be selling lots of parts, engine, etc., that I will be changing. If you don't mind waiting till then then we should talk about it in January.

Cheers

zroadster.net

LS3 V8 conversion

LS3 V8 conversion

684 bhp

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