blunttech LQ4 / T56 E12 Swap

I have this build posted on the BMW forums but I come here a lot too so I will post it here as well.

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.

Im rubbing my hands together in anticipation. Get going!

That should be fun.

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.

Would an e28 BMW hydroboost setup be easier to install? Since you're putting in a GM engine I suppose it could go either way.

I haven't talked to Steve for a while, I'm a little surprised he's going this way with his latest project...he usually tends toward boosted e30s.

yeah he has a boosted m52 e30, a very pretty s14 02/M2

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

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...

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.

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.

Following this with great interest, but I'd also love to see how you're fitting things together with turbo M42 in the 2002. I have a 2002 and an M42, and have been contemplating things like packaging...

Check my site out at www.classicdaily.net. There are some of my past m42 projects on there. I also sell mounts and have a walk through document showing the entire process.

Not much work in the garage today...it's 100degrees outside.
Started to make the trans mount and at least the engine is supported on it's own now. Starting to make lists of parts. Driveshaft is measured and can be ordered now.

Also able to lift it up and check under it a lot easier. One more spot in the tunnel that I need to pound out and then there will be around 1/2" all the way around the trans.

some pictures

Nice work! Here and on the 2002. Man, that turbo is a tight fit with the M42.

This thread reminds me how much I really like the look of E12s...

haha yeah the turbo is REALLY tight to the inner fender well

I had to roll it off the lift yesterday and thought it was a good time to see how it sits. Mind you the hood isn't on it and it is missing a fair amount of things from the engine but it actually sits higher in the front then it did with the m30.

Spent some time today working on the drivers side exhaust manifold today.

Been ordering parts and working on the suspension. I need the driveshaft to finish the trans mount and then I can make the exhaust...and move ahead with things.

Front suspension is all apart..springs should be here tomorrow so I can get all that put back together. No pics really...pretty boring stuff to see there.

Dropped the rear subframe....a lift really makes it a quick and easy job.

Camber adjusters installed

Subframe ready to go back in...new trailing arm bushings, subframe bushings, ST sway bar, diff mount, and the adjustable camber.

Also got the filter/regulator in place. Will swap out the intank pump tomorrow more than likely.

Suspension is just about done. Car is sitting down on all 4 again.

Billy sports and Spax springs

Back on the ground. The old suspension was a combo of blown shocks, cut springs, and ____.

Just to compare a little bit.... with m30

old suspension and LSx

New suspension and LSx

It should drop a bit more once everything is put together and it moves around to settle a bit.

Waiting on the driveshaft now and then I can move ahead with the exhaust, etc etc

I was waiting on the driveshaft and then was out of town for a long weekend. Got back at the car today...

Driveshaft in, clears everywhere except at one spot on the subframe. Broke out the plasma and was able to open it up just enough.

You can sorta see where I had to clearance the subframe.

Transmission mount is made..well tacked up and holding at least. Still have to add a little gusset on the passenger side and clean it all up.

Started on the exhaust...it is a tricky task getting around everything from the drivers side back to the passenger side. I had to order one more bend and a few band clamps...nothing else will really fit.

From the top

It's coming along....the exhaust is more than likely one of the more time consuming things. Just because there are so many things to get around. Hoping to have the bend and clamps tomorrow and then thursday I can finish the exhaust.

Also picked this up last week for my wife...

jakeb wrote: Also picked this up last week for my wife...

Nice! Where did she ask you to put it down?

RossD wrote: Nice! Where did she ask you to put it down?

haha, in the kitchen!

More progress on the exhaust... Two 2.25" pipes coming from the passenger side is way way tight. But there is 1/4" or so clearance at any given point.

Passenger side how they snake around...

I really liked this joint so I had to take a picture. I make all my cuts with a sawzall. Now this was an angle cut on one side and straight on the other. It was the first cut and I normally just mark one side and go for it.

Same pipe..

There will be another hanger up in the front...but it is all tacked together

Still need to extend the tail pipe out. It's going to be a straight 4" exit.

Cam showed up today as well!

jakeb wrote:

RossD wrote: Nice! Where did she ask you to put it down?

haha, in the kitchen!

well, at least she knows her place...

AngryCorvair wrote:

jakeb wrote:

RossD wrote: Nice! Where did she ask you to put it down?

haha, in the kitchen!

well, at least she knows her place...

haha yup that's right!

Added another mount up front and a couple braces between the pipes to keep things where they need to be.

Found a 3" to 4" adapter (had to go to the diesel place)

Here is how the BMW master cylinder will bolt up to the GM hydro boost...

From top to bottom....BMW master cylinder, plate to bolt to MC, adapter pin, short piece of pipe, plate to bolt to hydro boost, hydro booster, plate to bolt to firewall.

Plate to bolt to firewall...this one is centered but the one currently on the hydro boost is offset some.

Pin to go inside the MC plunger....nice to have friends with CNC lathes.

All stacked up...plates will be welded to the pipe.

I am using as many of the truck accessories and have to move some things around. There will be a bracket that bolts off the head and two spots on the water pump to hold the alternator. Also need to make a new bracket for the tensioner.

Debating adding another idler to allow a bit more belt wrap on the crank pulley. Leaning towards using the idler rather than not.

with...

without

Very cool!

Is there a handy way to say "I need this belt but XXXXmm long"?

Very curious to hear your impressions of the hydro-boost when it's done. I still think it would be incredibly tidy to have an electric power steering pump that runs on demand and an accumulator for the booster, thus having only the alternator and (maybe) water pump running directly off the engine. And that assumes a car needing P/S...