1995 BMW M3/LS2/T56

GG Allin

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Feb 27, 2012
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So the idea came up about two years ago, a friend I were B.S.ing about cars and I said, M3 with LS1. Friend said great idea. I said it's been done many times. Back then I knew nothing about what was involved so it just remained as an idea. Then back in November of 2010 I was sitting on Oakton between Busse and Elmhust roads waiting for a car in front of me to turn left. I look in my RVM and see a Monte Carlo? Lumina? coming and I knew "this dude ain't stoppin'". Got hit fairly hard.

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So my insurance company totaled the car, I bought it back and had $5800 difference to find another M3. I found a rust free '95 in Lexington and was able to get it for exactly $5800. Free M3! It's a car that had been in California up until 2009. High mileage, but who cares, everything is getting replaced anyways in my mind.

The day I bought it.

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Over the winter of 2010 into the spring of 2011. I replaced every nut, bolt, bushing, spring, shock, strut, & mount on the front and rear suspension. A lot of the good parts from the 95 went on my 98. Everything on the 95 was going to be new.

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In March of 2011 I found a conversion kit for sale locally that consited of headers, engine & trans mounts and a Hyroboost barke set up with a modified pedal assembly.

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Got the car put back together around June of last year and at the same time I found a LS6 long block on eBay for $1200. It was from an '05 CTSv with 50K miles. Turns out the CTSv oil pan would clear the BMW subframe.

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Once I had the car back on the road I put the engine and trans up for sale. Figured I'd enjoy the car until someone bought them. Plus it's easier to prove the engine is good if you can let them drive the car. The motor and trans sold quick.

At Road America last summer.

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Engine and trans coming out in July 2011.

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Will Continue.
 

GG Allin

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Feb 27, 2012
763
583
ORD
So last summer, fall & winter I started gathering parts that I would need to complete the engine and swap. I still don't have everything I need but the list is small now. I sent the heads out to AES and had a 5 angle valve job done. They replaced the valve springs with PRC .650's. I went with the MS3 cam from TS&P. Some thought has crossed my mind that that cam might be a little too big. Aside from that & Katech rod bolts, the motor is stock, internally.

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Intake, TB & Fuel rails.

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More progress.

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Shifter hole cut larger to accommodate the T-56.

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T-56 from a GTO with MGW Shifter. The GTO T-56's have shorter gears than the F-Body T-56's.

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GG Allin

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Feb 27, 2012
763
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ORD
So fast forward to about a month ago. I have 95% of the parts on hand and I'm learning how to assemble the fly wheel, pressure plate and clutch. I'm using all stock LS7 stuff.

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At this point the engine compartment has been resprayed also, (didn't like the way it looked). And the front suspension has been completely removed. This will make putting the engine in much easier.

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GG Allin

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Feb 27, 2012
763
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Now time to explain my biggest f*** up. While trying to mate the trans to the motor (mind you' I've never done this before) I was having trouble getting things snug. Best I can guess is the input shaft on the trans was not lining up with the pilot bearing. I tried with the bell housing on the trans then with the bell housing on the motor. What I should have never done was try to draw the trans in to the motor the last 1/4 inch using the bolts. Cracked the f***ing block!

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GG Allin

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Feb 27, 2012
763
583
ORD
The plan was to find another LS6 block and swap all of my internals over. Sounds easy and cheap enough. So I did. That night I found an LS6 block from an '04 Z06 on LS1 Tech for $500. A bit of a premium, but it was available NOW! Bought it had it shipped up to where I work. This was about two weeks ago. I drove it over to AES and agreed on a price to take my internals and swap them to the new block. A few days go by and I get a call from them. They said one of the cylinders "is barrel shaped" and they they said there is no way to hone it out. After going over my options, re-sleeve block or buy new block from GM. I thought I'd go with a new block from GM. They're about $950 and there would be no more drama. Before committing to that AES said. "let us see what we have here we can probably put together an aluminum 6.0 using some of your parts". I figured why not? Turns out they have everything on hand and are currently finishing up my new LS2 short block. It should be done early this coming week. Sent a message to the who sold me the LS6 block. I want my money back but I'm not holding out a lot of hope. Have not heard back from him.
 

GG Allin

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Feb 27, 2012
763
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ORD
LS2 with MS3, reworked heads and Fast intake? Yeah, that thing is going to scoot! Awesome build and keep the updates coming :fy:

I went with the 233 239 cam from TS&P. It's slightly smaller and slightly less aggressive. I was gonna get to that once the LS2 starts going back together. I'm gave the MS3 to a buddy who's been helping me with the build.

Texas Speed 228R 228/228 .588/.588 Camshaft

Not sure why the link says 228R.
 

GG Allin

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Feb 27, 2012
763
583
ORD
I can't speak for a manual 100%, but on an automatic the issue you're describing is typical if the converter isn't on the input shaft completely. Personally, my bets are on the clutch not being fully seated. I'd check before trying to install on engine #2.

Not sure what you mean by seated. I installed the flywheel, then using the crappy plastic alignment tool that came with the clutch I centered that over the flywheel. Then I torqued down the pressure plate over the clutch. What ever happened, believe me, that is a mistake I will make only once.
 

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