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LS1 / T56 DD e28 BMW Build
Posted: Dec 06, 2011 1:41 PM
by jakeb
I am just about to start my swap but thought it was time to put together a build thread. I bought the e28 at the end of the summer after selling my practical e46 AWD wagon. I bought the e28 without a motor but a bunch of suspension goodies already done. LS1/T56 was the plan from the beginning.
I recently picked up a wreck 99 z28 with 55k miles. Just about done parting it out....this really was the best was to go to make the swap inexpensive.
I am a school teacher and the plan is to get most of the swap done over my break which begins in just under 2 weeks. Or at least the engine in, mounted, and most of the fab done.......so the heavy lifting work.
I have done a bunch of engine swaps but this will be both the first in an e28 and with an LS1.
Not many pictures yet but I normally go overboard with pictures...
Here is one of the car it is going in, 85 528e, red sport interior, euro bumpers, bunch of suspension mods.
And the LS1/t56 that is going in...pretty much stock, other than bigger TB, SLP Maf, SLP under drive pullys, the headers will not fit so they will be coming off
This car will have everything as it would from the factory, ac, cruise, etc etc. I may try to use all the AC stuff from the camaro, other than the parts in the dash.
I am pretty excited to get going, it should be fun!! I have this thread here and LS1tech. I will do my best to update it at both places
Posted: Dec 06, 2011 1:43 PM
by skip535i
Posted: Dec 06, 2011 1:49 PM
by jakeb
Here is what the camaro looked like when I got it..

Posted: Dec 06, 2011 1:50 PM
by shagrath
Subscribed!

Posted: Dec 06, 2011 2:12 PM
by 535is-pa
man its great to see something happen to my old car, i hated seeing it sit there untouched. somehow water got into the gas and trashed the engine. i believe someone put water in my gastank and my neighbors car...... i just never had time to do anything with the car after this, and the car sat there untouched for over a year untill jake bought it. this is the cars 2nd motor swap. it was a nice 528e that ran like crap with a trashed pacific blue cloth interior.
it used to look alot better and im sure it will again soon.
my photobucket forsale add pics have pretty much the cars history in it:
http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l301/ ... or%20sale/
good luck with swap jake!
Posted: Dec 06, 2011 3:26 PM
by Eddie in TO

Cool. 2 LS1+Turbo builds!!!
http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=99348
You guys are crazy! ...in a good way

Posted: Dec 06, 2011 3:34 PM
by Bimmerguy2002
Please finish this project so you can stomp an M5

Posted: Dec 06, 2011 4:16 PM
by mattur
Wow

this is putting two of my favorite cars together, my GTO and former 533i! I couldn't imagine how fun that would be. Good luck with the build and hope to see updates!!
P.S. Where are you located? I'd love to see it when finished.
Posted: Dec 06, 2011 4:36 PM
by jakeb
Oh it will get finished....needs to be running by the end of January/feb. Expecting our first child(son) in feb/march and right now I dont have a car with a back seat. Ha!!
Oh I'm in Michigan...2hours north of Detroit.
Posted: Dec 06, 2011 4:47 PM
by clongo
Goodluck with the swap! This is something i may consider down the road once Todd starts offering parts to make the sawp a bit easier.
Posted: Dec 06, 2011 5:20 PM
by leadphut
Posted: Dec 06, 2011 6:14 PM
by scott s
This should be fun

Posted: Dec 06, 2011 8:44 PM
by chevale
Subscribed.
Please keep 528e badge! It will be fun.
Posted: Dec 06, 2011 8:58 PM
by mtnman533
Bimmerguy2002 wrote:Please finish this project so you can stomp
a Tiger 
Fixed that for ya...
I will be watching the very closely!
Posted: Dec 06, 2011 9:00 PM
by Duke
mtnman533 wrote:Please finish this project so you can stomp
a Tiger 

better lose A LOT of weight first.
I am talking with the owner of this Tiger -

That runs this -
He also has a 347 very similar to mine and he is giving me all his secrets as he has run his car at least 100 times down the track.
Posted: Dec 06, 2011 9:22 PM
by mtnman533
I stand corrected

.
Posted: Dec 06, 2011 9:23 PM
by Duke
mtnman533 wrote:I stand corrected

.
Thank you sir. He tells me I am very close, just some tweaks. Back to he regularly scheduled thread.
Posted: Dec 06, 2011 10:41 PM
by jakeb
thanks guys!! It should be fun.
I plan to make a jig for the mounts I make and offer them to others if there is any interest.
Posted: Dec 07, 2011 12:54 AM
by Eddie in TO
I smell a road trip to Toronto for Tedfest 2012!
We'd love to see both E28 monsters show up and a Tiger of course...

Posted: Dec 07, 2011 6:31 AM
by djazz
jakeb wrote:thanks guys!! It should be fun.
I plan to make a jig for the mounts I make and offer them to others if there is any interest.
Exactly what I want to do for a daily driver. I'll be in touch re: mounts.
Any other plans for the engine?
Good luck.
dj
edit: Still have the center console on the Z? If it's the same as 2000 I'm interested. Cubby lid is crap on one end and cupholders on the other with cracks in between.
Posted: Dec 07, 2011 7:42 AM
by jakeb
thanks all!!
No other plans for the engine right now. A LS1 is stock form is a lot of power to begin with. If I get bored with the power I can always upgrade later. First step is to get it in the car and running.... I want it to be very factory like, ac, etc etc
Posted: Dec 07, 2011 7:56 AM
by shagrath
chevale wrote:Subscribed.
Please keep 528e badge! It will be fun.
^THIS
Posted: Dec 07, 2011 10:10 AM
by Duke
jakeb wrote:A LS1 is stock form is a lot of power to begin with. If I get bored with the power I can always upgrade later. First step is to get it in the car and running.... I want it to be very factory like, ac, etc etc
Very smart man you are.......work all the bugs out then think about more power.
I recommend a supercharger as you will not need to touch the exhaust system.
Posted: Dec 07, 2011 10:36 AM
by leadphut
chevale wrote:Subscribed.
Please keep 528e badge! It will be fun.
x2
Posted: Dec 07, 2011 12:04 PM
by 535is-pa
leadphut wrote:chevale wrote:Subscribed.
Please keep 528e badge! It will be fun.
x2
id say +1 too but its been badgeless for a very long time. there really isnt much left of the 528e part of the car.... its a 535is and a euro car smacked onto a clean shell.
Posted: Dec 07, 2011 5:11 PM
by T_C_D
Is this the same Jake that sold me the "clean" 525it?
Posted: Dec 07, 2011 5:12 PM
by Duke
T_C_D wrote:Is this the same Jake that sold me the "clean" 525it?
Here we go boyz!

Posted: Dec 07, 2011 6:46 PM
by wkohler
I have a tail light off that car.

Posted: Dec 07, 2011 6:48 PM
by T_C_D
wkohler wrote:I have a tail light off that car.

I only lost $1000 on that car. It was the very last car I bought sight unseen! Never again.
Anyway, good luck to the OP. LS1 in an e28, what a great idea. haha
Posted: Dec 07, 2011 7:15 PM
by jakeb
Yes same jake.
No need to get into it car was sold as-is, and I even gave you some money back in good faith.
Let's stay on topic. Good luck with your build. Excited to see more than one LS1 e28.