LS1 / T56 DD e28 BMW Build

L_N_Love · Post by **L_N_Love** » May 02, 2012 11:21 PM

Yeah... this fellow knows what he is doing.

Blackey1693 · Post by **Blackey1693** » May 02, 2012 11:26 PM

I can see quite clearly you have some experience years over me. I'm all ears on any advice I can get. I've been dying to get this swap On the road but I want to get all the information on it I can first. My first question has to be why are there only several wires running to the fuse box, what do that go to, and what colors go to what.

jakeb · Post by **jakeb** » May 03, 2012 7:35 AM

Well the wires that actually connect to the BMW fuse box are for....starter, oil pressure, water temp, alternator exciter, fuel pump, and power to main relay. Then there is a bundle that will go to another fuse box to power the engine circuits, injection/coil 1, injection/coil 2, maf/o2/reverse lockout, evap valve, AC relay, fan relays, fuel pump, etc

Then there is a bundle that goes into the car...tach, econ gauge, CEL, OBDII port, etc.

The colors really don't mean much becasue I ran it all myself......

If you do do the same project get ahold of me if you need help with the wiring or want a plug and play harness.

Blackey1693 · Post by **Blackey1693** » May 03, 2012 8:22 AM

how much would you offer a plug and play harness for? No point in going through a headache when all I have to do is plug it it.

jakeb · Post by **jakeb** » May 03, 2012 10:14 AM

Price would depend on what all you want and if you want a reworked harness like I did or a brand new harness. I am looking into getting all the connectors, etc etc to make brand new harnesses. I sent you a PM and we can discuss details of what you might want.

jakeb · Post by **jakeb** » May 04, 2012 6:33 PM

Well I was hoping to have it running today but that didn't happen. Worked on it all day but ran out of time. It's getting closer and closer though.

My list...

Engine harness off, fully wrapped. I went through and checked every pin just to be sure.

Harness back on the engine

Where it ties into the chassis

GM fuse box all wired up

I got some used GTO fuel rail covers....they need a little trimming to fit. They will get repainted and the GTO will get shaves off. Should they be black or silver? Or something else?

Other things that got done today but really no pictures to show...
new radiator is in, lower radiator hose is done, upper rad hose is ready, heater hoses just need a couple more clamps, brake booster line hooked up, power steering lines ready to go... I think that is it

I should be able to work out there tomorrow a little bit but I doubt I will have it ready to start Coming soon tho.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » May 04, 2012 6:52 PM

Blau M-i-t Weiss

(damn auto-corrects)

jakeb · Post by **jakeb** » May 13, 2012 7:36 PM

It's running!!!
Video is pretty boring but this was the first start.....running smooth. Still have to finish a few things before it can be driven.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDydIYsUalA

A few pics of the exhaust painted and back on the car.

Also picked this up for my wife yesterday.....I am thinking it will get a 60 degree GM v6.....around 200hp or so.

67 volvo amazon

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » May 13, 2012 8:14 PM

jakeb wrote:It's running!!!
Video is pretty boring but this was the first start.....running smooth. Still have to finish a few things before it can be driven.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDydIYsUalA

That's impressive.

jakeb · Post by **jakeb** » May 13, 2012 8:49 PM

thanks!

A little bit more finished.
AC lines all crimped and installed

Looks like it belongs there.....Still unsure if I like the covers or not.

I like that they cover up all the coils and what not....I think I will like them better when they are repainted black.

I still need to find a new home for the cruise servo because the cable isn't long enough...well it is but the cable has to stretch over everything.

Ted in T.O. · Post by **Ted in T.O.** » May 13, 2012 9:10 PM

I'm impressed!

Looking forward to see it on June 30th Jake. I'm sure all those that come to Tedfest this year will enjoy the mating of NA and German engineering. Be prepared to answer question in between beers and Dianna's cookies Jake.

Cheers. Tedster

jakeb · Post by **jakeb** » May 13, 2012 9:18 PM

I am really looking forward to Tedfest!! Oh man, Beer and cookies!

535is-pa · Post by **535is-pa** » May 13, 2012 10:41 PM

jakeb wrote:I am really looking forward to Tedfest!! Oh man, Beer and cookies!

its beautiful

i might just have to make it up there this year, hopefully in an e-type....

Mab1957 · Post by **Mab1957** » May 14, 2012 9:40 AM

Jake,
Your project is great fun, keep up the good work and the posts.
I like the covers. An insert on black covers with crossed flags and ///stripes would set them off nicely.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » May 14, 2012 9:49 AM

Mab1957 wrote:Jake,
Your project is great fun, keep up the good work and the posts.
I like the covers. An insert on black covers with crossed flags and ///stripes would set them off nicely.

...and/or the appropriate in cabin declaration;

I wonder if he ever fixed that shifter!

shagrath · Post by **shagrath** » May 14, 2012 10:18 AM

LOVE IT

skip535i · Post by **skip535i** » May 15, 2012 10:06 AM

Holy cow, dude. That's some truly impressive skill ya got there. I hope you'll get this finished and keep giving us lots of porn!

jakeb · Post by **jakeb** » May 15, 2012 11:28 AM

thanks guys!! It has been great fun doing the swap.
No pictures from yesterdays work but....
Torqued the front wheel bearings, installed the brake master cylinder and lines, trimmed the engine covers some more.

I still need to decide if I am going to have the cruise control cable lay over the engine from the drivers side or if I should move the cruise servo.

I was able to get a set of e34 basket weaves with worn tires from a friend to use while I refinish my style 5s. I should be driving the e28 by this weekend.

pstl_pete · Post by **pstl_pete** » May 15, 2012 12:17 PM

Amazing work!! Being a fellow LS swap (in a different chassis) owner I can say you will absolutely love this car.

Couple of quick questions for you:
Did you use a custom AC setup? Or re-use the BMW parts like the condensor? I'm looking at options for my 240's AC and am not sure what the best method of attack is, all custom or reusing as much of the OE stuff as I can.

Will you be able to make the stock tach and speedo work with the swap? I know I had to use a dakota digital box on mine for the speedo.

jakeb · Post by **jakeb** » May 15, 2012 12:21 PM

thanks! I am really excited to start driving it. I am thinking I will really like it too.

I want the AC to be COLD with r134a so I upgraded the condenser to a newer cross flow type. I then made new lines that go from the GM compressor to condenser to drier and back to the stock evap in the car.

I am having the GM PCM control AC, fans, etc

The BMW speedo runs off a sensor in the diff.....completely separate from the engine stuff. Yes the speedo works...after a reflash with HPTuners.

Eddie in TO · Post by **Eddie in TO** » May 15, 2012 12:32 PM

Man oh man, this is one crazy sleeper. Can't wait to see the machine and meet the man behind the madness.

Keep up the great work Jake!

BTW...you're going to love Dianna's cookies...YUMMY!!!

jakeb · Post by **jakeb** » May 22, 2012 8:48 AM

First time off the lift in 5 months..first time moving under it's own power. It needs an alignment really badly...also need insurance and a plate but it drove around the block a few times. I love the way the clutch feels and the trans shifts. Very happy I had the trans gone through.

I live in a residential area (25mph) so I really wasn't able to get on it much. But when I did it put a smile on my face for sure.

Hoping to get an alignment today and plates tomorrow and start driving the thing!

A few pictures.
back on the ground

Location of shifter...I need a new boot. I might make a different selector so I can use a newer style BMW shift knob and also bring it just a tad higher. But this will work for now.

Another engine bay shot....

Duke · Post by **Duke** » May 22, 2012 9:07 AM

Congrats!!

Ohhhhh what a feeling huh!

skip535i · Post by **skip535i** » May 22, 2012 9:17 AM

YIKES! Looks great. I'll bet that's a HOOT to drive.

shagrath · Post by **shagrath** » May 22, 2012 9:28 AM

I am in love. I bet it's nuts to drive!

MicahO · Post by **MicahO** » May 22, 2012 9:32 AM

Simply incredible work Jake. Watching the detail you put into the wiring was inspirational, as has been your work in overall fit and finish. The final product is beyond. I do hope to see it in person someday.....

jakeb · Post by **jakeb** » May 22, 2012 9:37 AM

thanks guys, it feels great to finally have it on the ground

leadphut · Post by **leadphut** » May 22, 2012 8:13 PM

impressive to say the least!

Congratulations!

jakeb · Post by **jakeb** » May 22, 2012 8:43 PM

Got the car aligned today....drives a lot better. Hoping to find some time tomorrow to get tags so it is legal to drive.

Gave it a quick wash today after months of dust and grime in the garage.
These tires are a little too tall so it will look a little different but you can get the idea...

The paint it mostly dull....My cousin who does paintless dent repair and some amazing things with a buffer said he thinks he can bring some of the shine back. I will probably paint it next summer....still unsure if it will stay silver or change to black.

A few of the interior.

The guys at the alignment shop were blown away. I actually did most of the alignment as the rear is all adjustable now. Makes everything easy when it is all brand new.

Oh yeah...while driving to the alignment place I got on it a little bit....holy shit!

Snakeyestx · Post by **Snakeyestx** » May 23, 2012 5:05 PM

That was an incredible build thread, but I have to say.. that looks REALLY tight fitting... do you have room to change the serpentine belt?

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LS1 / T56 DD e28 BMW Build