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FrankenCoupe

After a catastrophic engine failure on track, I decided to take advantage of the situation and build what I have been dreaming of for 5 years.  The BMW motors are very capable but I am from a time when asphalt ripping torque was king.  Both the S54 and S52 engine coupes I've run are a blast, but holding my foot to the floor 70% of the time and driving like I am in a momentum car has left me wanting more.  I've thought about a small block Chevy engined coupe since 2003.  A fellow by the name of Hanson proved the concept in a Z3 a couple years ago.  His Z3 roadster is powered with a LS1 and is driven on the street.  My project in some ways will be easier since street manners and systems integration is a nonissue.  In fact I removed the remaining wiring harness last week. 

Yes there are still many take off parts in the garage.  You can see what's available here. http://www.pbfut.com/GarageSale/listings.htm  Many of you have purchased and helped the cause.  I am truly grateful.

Basic setup will be an LS2 motor from a 2006 GTO.  I am hoping to mate a Richmond Gear 6 speed transmission I've had since new.  I purchased the tranny 12 years ago for a 72 big block Corvette project I eventually sold prior to completion.

I am not sure how much I will document.  It is so hard to find time to post entries to a site like this.  But for now, here goes.

I found this engine posted for sale on a LS engine web site.  It was in Florida.  I am in California.  I posted a request on Bimmerforums Z3 site requesting assistance with checking the engine out.  45 minutes later, I had the arrangements made.  Got to love the power of the Z3 brotherhood and the internet.  The deal nearly went south a couple times but finally I was in possession 12-4-08. 

My dog Coda is always close by and keeps me calm when the frustration level begins to rise. 
Projects like this have many opportunities to loose it
.

Engine bay mostly cleared for the new bullet.  Notice no brake MC, booster, or ABS pump

New brake, and clutch master cylinders and pedals
The angle make it look like they are low but are in fairly
good position.  Need to raise them about an inch. 
Within adjustment limits I think.

A few more shots of the LS2 on the stand as it was shipped to me.

Inevitably, the question comes up regarding the rear pan seams.  I never had problems with the S54 and that thing saw a lot of track.  I really think the early install at about 10K miles made the difference.  This car had some issues at some point in time.  It was hit at both ends some time in it's life.  Though straight, seams throughout the car have popped.  I addressed the rear pan during the initial build.  I added a triangle into the rear support.  It ties to a plate that attaches directly to the differential.  No more movement at all.

I took part in a group buy on a new radiator.  Size is questionable for the LS motor.  The thing is, thicker radiators are not always more efficient.  I'm a bit skeptical, only time will tell.

5-25-09  OK it's been way too long since I updated.  I have not spent very much time on the car at all.  Work and a buying a little project house for mom set me back big time.  I was able to put an hour in here and there fabbing parts of the motor, tranny and shifter mounts.  Doing so made the jobs not feel difficult or frustrating.  I think my biggest frustration was getting the holes in the plat that mounts to the block in the correct location.  It took me a few tries before I was satisfied.  I am pleased with the results.

My first step was to see if I could effectively re-route the steering column so as to make room for off the shelf headers.  Customs are nearly $1000 in the area and frankly, I just wanted to see if I could do the entire job myself even if it meant giving up a bit hear and there. 

Funny how you look past the dirt until you take pictures.  I power washed the hell out of this car after the S52 blew up.  Amazing how that oil just keeps finding it's way back out of cracks.

Off the shelf block huggers slide right in.

Motor mounts were surprisingly easy to put make.  Since using solid mounts is not an issue and preferred for tack it also made the job more simple.  No comments about the welds.  I know they are not the prettiest.  The small piece bolts to the front subframe.  Leaving it loose makes aligning the bolt holes on the end of the mount to the connector very easy.  I can place the engine in the car in under five minutes.  With tranny attached.

The transmission was pretty tight.  I originally had the motor and tranny lower but it place the pan too close to the ground.  Raising put the tranny up in the tunnel higher.  The tunnel pinches down some up high and it caused the linkage to just touch.  A 5lb sledge and a few whacks fix that problem.  The shifter location of the Mcoupe is 7 inches aft of the location I had a mount for...  Some scrap plate and angle made easy solution to the problem.  I used the angle to stiffen the plate so the shifter is rock solid.  For those wondering, that is not a t56.  It is a Richmond Gear 6speed.  I bought it new 14 years ago for a project that sold before completion.  In a way, it is easier since locating the shifter was nothing more than lengthening the shift rods and modifying the shifter mount.

Fits like a glove.