A Good Chassis, and a Divisive Engine. The American M3.
Discussion
Megaflow said:
Do you have any idea what failed first? Usually holes in the side of blocks means the big end has failed, but that looks more like a rod failure on the shank, or the piston.
I don't know to be honest. A gudgeon pin and half a rod ended up outside the engine. So I'd assume it was that?Anyway I drank a beer and accidentally bought some wheels.
Legit TE37s. As far as street wheels go, I think I'd struggle to top these. Will refurb bronze or mag blue and reapply the stickers idk.
IdiotRace said:
Looking good m8, does the subframe and steering rack move any when the new motor is installed? No changes to suspension/steering geometry?
If I may chip in as I have a similar car already. The only change to mine was a custom steering rod from wheel to rack. This is to help navigate round the exhaust manifold which is all bespoke. LS steering pump is piped onto stock rack. Mine had all the abs and brake pipes moved also to make room. Then it's custom engine mounts, gearbox mount, prop, wiring and all hoses. My retains original rad but has no air con.While it is just the block in there it looks like the LS1 takes up less space than the S54!
Kudos to the engine destruction! I have to ask though ; which oil did you used to use in your M3? I know on mine changing the viscous coupling from the wrong part a German Swedish and French place supplied to a previous owner to a new one made the oil temps come down a good 10 degrees. On Track I don't recall mine going beyond 105ish.
The above is more of something for me to consider.
Kudos to the engine destruction! I have to ask though ; which oil did you used to use in your M3? I know on mine changing the viscous coupling from the wrong part a German Swedish and French place supplied to a previous owner to a new one made the oil temps come down a good 10 degrees. On Track I don't recall mine going beyond 105ish.
The above is more of something for me to consider.
SebringMan said:
While it is just the block in there it looks like the LS1 takes up less space than the S54!
Once all the gubbins are attached to the front it is quite tight. The standard LS1 pulleys are very chunky. I have very little room between them and the radiator fan. I can take some pics of mine.IdiotRace said:
Looking good m8, does the subframe and steering rack move any when the new motor is installed? No changes to suspension/steering geometry?
Thanks gentle Brett. I don't believe so, no. But I will confirm next time I'm over there. No changes to geo, although I am tempted to speak to motorsport24 and get some of their porno GTR subframes and arms before I speak to the lovely lads at Intrax and set up the final damper spec. I really don't know when to stop 
SebringMan said:
While it is just the block in there it looks like the LS1 takes up less space than the S54!
Kudos to the engine destruction! I have to ask though ; which oil did you used to use in your M3? I know on mine changing the viscous coupling from the wrong part a German Swedish and French place supplied to a previous owner to a new one made the oil temps come down a good 10 degrees. On Track I don't recall mine going beyond 105ish.
The above is more of something for me to consider.
The bulk of the weight does sit a lot further back. It's a lighter engine too. Gearbox is heavier than S54 box, but it's sat in the middle of the car so not too much hassle.Kudos to the engine destruction! I have to ask though ; which oil did you used to use in your M3? I know on mine changing the viscous coupling from the wrong part a German Swedish and French place supplied to a previous owner to a new one made the oil temps come down a good 10 degrees. On Track I don't recall mine going beyond 105ish.
The above is more of something for me to consider.
Haha thanks!
I ALWAYS used the recommended castrol edge 10w60 M car stuff! God knows. The blue crank makes me wonder if the previous owner ever had a re-manufactured crank put in.
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