Blunttech e12 LSx / t56 swap

[jakeb]

Before tedfest Steve from Blunttech dropped off his e12 at my place for a LQ4 swap among other things. Here are a few details on the build so far....

LQ4 iron block truck engine (6L LSx)
T56 6 speed
spax springs
billy sports
adjustable rear camber/caster subframe
fully rebuild suspension, front and rear.

I took a few pictures while I had it out of the garage today.







Tired m30






I have another car to finish and then I can dig into the e12. Hoping to be able to start next week sometime.[/url]

[unt0uchable]

How much different will this beast be than your e28 swap? Seems like it's fairly close in comparison, but that's coming from me, who knows really hardly anything about swaping ls engines into these cars, lol. Should be fun to watch though!

[jakeb]

It should be fairly similar but will have a few differences. The suspension is different from the e12 to the e28 as well as the brake booster so both might affect the placement of the engine.

[mooseheadm5]

Subframe is also very different, and there is different drag link to contend with. Firewall curvature is also a bit different.

[1st 5er]

Subscribed.

I didn't see "paint and body work" on the above list.

[jakeb]

nope...he likes the paint just how it is.

[1st 5er]

If the strut bar won't work with the LS, tell him you know someone...

[L_N_Love]

Cool project! Will be watching the progress.

[scarey013]

Paul is right, subframe and draglink are different. It will be interesting to see how this combo fits in that area. Booster issue is easy enough to contend with.

It's been done before, but will you rack or no-rack, that is the question!

Cool project. Watching and listening.

[BluntTech]

Subscribed.

I didn't see "paint and body work" on the above list.

lol gonna leave it as is Sherman i love the patina

[1st 5er]

Subscribed.

I didn't see "paint and body work" on the above list.

lol gonna leave it as is Sherman i love the patina

That's what I heard.

I like mine too.

[leadphut]

predicting some win here.

[slimdevil27]

"patina"



No more wash and wax for me.

Judging by jakeb's last build thread...subscribed

Excellent work BTW.

[a]

Seeing the finished product was impressive . Another subscriber.

[BluntTech]

"patina"



No more wash and wax for me.

.

lol that is exactly true. Getting lazy in my old age. I have enough shiny ones to care for

[jakeb]

Engine came out today....





I am 95% sure that the booster is going to have to go. I am going to go with a GM hydroboost setup.

[1st 5er]

Engine came out today....





I am 95% sure that the booster is going to have to go. I am going to go with a GM hydroboost setup.

This is what we've been waitin' on.

[scarey013]

Yep, and a Tii should fit.

[jakeb]

Engine and trans are sitting in the engine bay. It would not go in with the e12 steering components. I happen to have some e28 parts sitting around and they are the same distance from ball joint to ball joint but the tie rod connects at a slightly different location. But...the center track rod drops down and back a little bit so it allows the engine to go back and down a bit more.

The drivers side exhaust and brake parts are going to be CLOSE!! The manifold will have to face forward and loop around and out the passenger side. Hydrobooster is also going to be close. It looks like I should be able to offset it closer to the inner fender to gain some more room.

A few pictures.







clearing steering link

[jakeb]

Picked up the GM hydro boost and started laying it out. Waiting on exhaust manifolds before I can make the mounts.

A couple pictures
hydroboost separated from the GM bracket


Starting to see how it will fit.




I will start making a new bracket tomorrow...

[1st 5er]

Picked up the GM hydro boost and started laying it out.

Very interested in details for my planned S38B36 swap.
Moar details as they materialize, Please and Thank You.

[mooseheadm5]

Why not just use the BMW hydroboost? You can pretty easily lengthen and offset the mounting for the assembly to clear the head.

[Jelmer538i]

^^ and it fits on the E12 bracket.

[jakeb]

The reason to try/use the GM hydroboost is it matches the power steering pump, has a built in surge thingy, they are easy to get, fairly cheap, and I was able to get one locally.

Things are still a little up in the air tho...

[jakeb]

It's really hot in my garage right now so I move a little bit slower... I was also waiting on a set of exhaust manifolds to try.

Made a test bracket from wood to mount the hydro boost. Should work out nicely once it is in metal.





I will make an adapter to mount the BMW master.


e12 vs e28 steering bits, e28 on the top. It is all in the car now...helps a TON! The engine would not fit with the e12 stuff, e28 and I have lots of room now.



The only clearance issue is when you turn allll the way left the bolt on the pitman arm off the steering box touches the trans/oil pan. I might be able to push the engine back just a little bit more to get around this, or raise it up a little bit or....trim the trans just a tiny little bit.



I am pretty sure this is about where it is going to end up.




Passenger side exhaust is no problem


Drivers side not so much...I was hoping to use a passenger side manifolds flipped and exiting out the front. But it won't clear. So I will just have to make one. Not that big of a deal. I happen to have a set of flanges. It will be 1.5" off the ports and then goto a 2" or maybe 2.5" common runner.

A Couple pictures of that area.




I don't have any 1.5" bends right now but this is a 1.25" to see how it will work.



Hoping to have the engine mounts made on Monday.

[mooseheadm5]

Or you could do a rack conversion.

[jakeb]

I don't think there is enough room. The track rod is really close to the trans already.

[Bill in MN]

If the e28 gear will fit there's a good chance an e21 power rack will work.

[mooseheadm5]

You may be able to tuck a rack in place of the track rod. Just a thought. It might give you more room for exhaust.

[jakeb]

It's hot as hell today but I got some done early this morning. I am spending time on this and another project I am finishing up(76 turbo m42 2002) and trying not to sweat to death.

Engine is in it's final location. Engine mounts are made..... Still need to make the trans mount but I need to get the rubber mount for the trans.

The funny this is making the mounts themselves really took no time at all. Maybe an hour total. The time consuming part is moving the engine back and forth and getting things just where I want them.

The engine sits really low, oil pan is just above the subframe (no picture right now). There is almost 3" between the water pump pulley nose and the radiator. I was able to push the engine back just a little bit more and now the steering arm is clearing without any trimming.

Drivers side exhaust manifold shouldn't be to bad to make. Routing the pipe around to the passenger side might be a little trickier. Just really tight....might have to make the sorta an oval in one spot.

On to some pictures.









Nothing from below yet....maybe tomorrow. Calling for even hotter temps tomorrow. I really need to find an AC unit for the garage.