"160i" 6.0l Motor Swap Build - @ls1series

[highbrowed]

This thread is to document the swap of a 6.0L Chevrolet small block into my 2009 135i.

Once the motor is in and running I will work on adding a turbo into the mix.

My goal is reliable horsepower. I want to be able to drive to the track, do 9s, and drive home.

Before:
5/14/21 - DocRace 6266 kit. Spun a rod bearing even though I was meticulous with maintenance and religiously changed the oil with Motul every 3k miles. #n54woes ��

Time for a new frontier..




After:
5/15/21 - n54 is almost ready to come out.





Update: 5/21/21 - New motor is on the way. Donor vehicle is a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD.





Update: 5/22/21 - N54 delete mod complete





Update: 7/14/21 - Engine block prepped and painted. VVT delete and LS3 cam and timing setup swap complete. All new LS3 accessories, and engine will be getting an LS3 intake manifold, throttle body, and exhaust manifolds once in the car. Also took some time to clean up the BMW ZF 6-speed.






Update: 7/17/21 - Lots of things happened today. Mounted the ZF to the LS with the PMC adapter. Decided to throw the motor into the car.




























Update: 7/27/21 - Almost ready to start wiring.












Update 9/3/21 - Wiring is finished. Made the connection between car and motor as OEM as possible via a Deutsch connector and some solder. Looking forward to tuning this week.








Update 9/8/21 - Engine is running, and it sounds mean with only test pipes and turndowns. The driving experience is very visceral, like a Viper. More videos to come once the tune gets dialed in.

Update 9/11/21 - Was able to get a base tune on the car and take it for a spin today. Overall I'm very pleased with the instant low end torque. Will be an excellent drift missile.

Stay tuned for more power adders in the near future.

[highbrowed]

INTERIOR/EXTERIOR

Update 10/7/21 -

Now that the motor is in and running, I started working on some interior and exterior mods.

I noticed an uptick in underhood heat after moving to the 6.0l, so I decided to install a TrackSpec center hood louver. This is made for the e9x M3 however it matches the 1-Series body lines perfectly. Adding the vent brought down coolant temps by 5 degrees.











Cutting the hood reminded me of an old Simpsons episode ��




I really like the look of the LCI headlights, so I designed decals which mimic the eyebrow, and installed them on the car.






I decided to tint the 3rd brake light as well.






I also installed an Alcantara flat bottom steering wheel w/blue center stripe.




I'll be switching to 1M body panels on in the future but IMO this looks pretty good for now.



Update 12/15/21 - Since the 135i emblem no longer applies, I added one that's a bit more fitting.

Meet the 160i.

[highbrowed]

Reserved.

[highbrowed]

Reserved.

[TM9030]

[houtan]

Sweeeet!! Subd

[Petro135]

Great timing. Im looking at another 135i. I want to use the engine to build for my car and drop an LS in the new one. Ive been researching this. Will be following!!

[ferocity02]

What's going in? LS2?

[highbrowed]

Originally Posted by ferocity02

What's going in? LS2?

L96, Gen 4 low compression iron block truck motor with LS3 heads.

[ferocity02]

Originally Posted by highbrowed

LY6, Gen 4 low compression iron block truck motor with LS3 heads.

Any reason not to use an aluminum block? That will save you around 75lb in the front end, better weight distribution too. LS2's aren't hard to find. They can handle the boost with proper supporting mods.

[highbrowed]

Originally Posted by ferocity02

Any reason not to use an aluminum block? That will save you around 75lb in the front end, better weight distribution too. LS2's aren't hard to find. They can handle the boost with proper supporting mods.

Iron block is more stout and lower compression (and cheaper). I'm not too worried about extra weight, just trying to keep the budget low as I have other priorities in life that come before car stuff.

[Clayn5x]

jeez excited to see this thing run for the first time! How much power do you want to make?

[r0nd3L]

Fun project!

What's the status of the N54 that's coming out? Blew it up?

[highbrowed]

Originally Posted by Clayn5x

jeez excited to see this thing run for the first time! How much power do you want to make?

Not sure on the exact number., but I've always wanted a 9-second street car since Fast and Furious lmao

Originally Posted by r0nd3L

Fun project!

What's the status of the N54 that's coming out? Blew it up?

I spun a rod bearing probably due to a leaky injector. I was religious about oil changes every 3k miles and never ran with low oil.

I'll crack open the pan this weekend and confirm for sure. I think the N54 is coming out today.

[ShocknAwe]

Nice. Fabricating all mounts or using one of the LS swap kits

[highbrowed]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Nice. Fabricating all mounts or using one of the LS swap kits

Using mounts from LSE90.com and PMC adapter to adapt the BMW ZF 6-speed to the LS.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by highbrowed

Using mounts from LSE90.com and PMC adapter to adapt the BMW ZF 6-speed to the LS.

What's your solution for the dme communication and accessories like radio aircon etc?

[highbrowed]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

What's your solution for the dme communication and accessories like radio aircon etc?

They all work without the DME. I'm using a Holley Terminator X Max to control the engine in place of the DME.

[ferocity02]

Would a 6L80E fit? The ZF six speed will be your weak point if you want to add more power. There's plenty of proven upgrade options for the GM transmissions, not so much for the ZF.

[highbrowed]

Originally Posted by ferocity02

Would a 6L80E fit? The ZF six speed will be your weak point if you want to add more power. There's plenty of proven upgrade options for the GM transmissions, not so much for the ZF.

It'll fit but I want a 6-speed manual. The BMW ZF has the same torque rating as a T56, so it's apples to apples, and it's more cost effective to use the BMW transmission with an adapter. A good used T56 can be quite expensive.

I'll just roll with the ZF until it breaks.

[ferocity02]

Oh gotcha, I was thinking the ZF 6HP21, not the manual. Good choice!! Less electronics to mess with too.

[r0nd3L]

Originally Posted by highbrowed

Not sure on the exact number., but I've always wanted a 9-second street car since Fast and Furious lmao




I spun a rod bearing probably due to a leaky injector. I was religious about oil changes every 3k miles and never ran with low oil.

I'll crack open the pan this weekend and confirm for sure. I think the N54 is coming out today.

Ugh, sucks! I'm on the lookout for a block to use as a core, let me know if you will be selling yours. I'm on the other coast by the Gulf.