Motor swap time?

Mar 14, 2017
418
346
0
Minot, ND
Ride
2010 135i
Way ahead of you man
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Mar 14, 2017
418
346
0
Minot, ND
Ride
2010 135i
Its a 3rd gen LS L33. 5.3 aluminum block. LT4 is a new gen small block. Mounting points won’t be the same most likely. But the L33 is a significantly better engine to make power with if you’re on a budget. The stock bottom end LS 1/4 and 1/8 mile record holder uses an L33 and many cars right behind that record do as well.
 

The Convert

Captain
Jun 4, 2017
1,487
1,052
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Its a 3rd gen LS L33. 5.3 aluminum block. LT4 is a new gen small block. Mounting points won’t be the same most likely. But the L33 is a significantly better engine to make power with if you’re on a budget. The stock bottom end LS 1/4 and 1/8 mile record holder uses an L33 and many cars right behind that record do as well.
Interesting. I don't know shit about domestic motors. Just like the fact that the LT4 has that instant torque from the sc and that it makes 650/650 in stock form. Fluid changes are all the maintenance it would need and it would have stock reliability.
 
Mar 14, 2017
418
346
0
Minot, ND
Ride
2010 135i
Interesting. I don't know shit about domestic motors. Just like the fact that the LT4 has that instant torque from the sc and that it makes 650/650 in stock form. Fluid changes are all the maintenance it would need and it would have stock reliability.
Lot of stock bottom end LS engines out there making ovet 1000 HP. LT4 is way too overpriced for the numbers. You could get a used HCI LS7 if you wanted to spend less and make those numbers NA
 
Mar 14, 2017
418
346
0
Minot, ND
Ride
2010 135i
@Steven@ClarkPerformanceFab what made you go with the 5.3 rather than a 6.0l? Just cost to stay with an AL block vs iron?
Iron block is actually cheaper. There are 5.3 aluminum and iron blocks available. The bore is the tricky part when pushing boost into an aluminum block. The aluminum L33 5.3 has a 3.78” bore so there is a lot more meat between cylinder walls to prevent any cracking vs something like a 6.2 LS3 with a 4.065” bore. Not as big of a deal with something like an all motor 427 with a 4.125” bore. But when you start boosting the engine with a turbo and a much harder torque hit the thin cylinder walls can cause some problems. The stock bottom end L33 is notorious for being able to hold over 1000 HP. With a forged rotating assembly the block itself can get closer to 1300 without new sleeves.
 

langsbr

Captain
Apr 5, 2017
1,266
771
0
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07 335i 6MT e90
Yeah, I figured an iron block LQ4 would be cheaper, and still give you a 4.00 bore. There's a ton of guys boosting them as well as the 5.3. Heck, even the 4.8 has a good following now.

What are your plans on the motor? Stock bottom end with heads/cam and big turbo? Wouldn't you want to at least do rod bolts if aiming for 800+?
 
Mar 14, 2017
418
346
0
Minot, ND
Ride
2010 135i
I’m doing all ARP bolts but they aren’t necessary. I’ll be reusing the pistons, rods, and crank. ARP head, main, and rod bolts. Tick stage 3 turbo cam. Upgraded rockers, pushrods, dual springs. Single PTE 7675. LS1 intake manifold (since I already have one laying around) and holley fuel rails. Holley HP EFI ECU and I’ll be reusing the PR stage 3 pumps I already have in the tank. Already have 6AN feed and return lines and an aeromotive fuel pressure regulator.
 

langsbr

Captain
Apr 5, 2017
1,266
771
0
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07 335i 6MT e90
Should make for a nice combo - 800 - 850 whp ish? You gonna run a t56 or does someone like collins make an adapter to run the ZF?
 

Panzerfaust

Lieutenant
Jul 3, 2018
637
438
0
Chicago
Ride
E92 335i
I definitely think their drift car is cool and I'll be peeping Steven's build because it's unique among the E90 world + I'm a sicker for DIY and unique builds, but tbh this is never something I'd personally consider. I owned an LS3 powered car and while the exhaust note + N/A tq is obviously awesome personally I find the N54 more interesting and fun.

LS powered cars are good for making easy HP on a budget (which is why half the cars you'll see at a strip any given day are either old GM cars or LS-swapped) but there's no new ground to break there and imo it's more impressive for an inline 6 to make 800hp than for a giant American V8 to do it. The biggest thing I'm envious of is all the surrounding options LS cars have to make them quick, but we're slowly getting more of them so OP you have shouldn't be too envious imo!
 

The Convert

Captain
Jun 4, 2017
1,487
1,052
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I was already thinking the same as @Steven@ClarkPerformanceFab and found out that there is a company that got our DCT to work with an LSx. I'm really debating a built N54 vs a LS build.......
Go LS and do a build thread on it. I'm about to put my oem turbos back on and sell my motiv kit to start heading in the LS/LT direction. As an individual/consumer, why try to blaze a trail when you can taken a proven path for cheaper.
 
Mar 14, 2017
418
346
0
Minot, ND
Ride
2010 135i
I think that the LS is still trailblazing since I’m pretty sure I’ll be the first E82 in the world with one. I know there is the 135 hatch drift car in the UK with one and a few E90s with them but nobody has an E82 yet to my knowledge. Also, the crank hub issue to me was a game changer. I had spent every dollar necessary to prevent any issues occurring. No expenses were spared. But that crank hub is just shitty engineering on BMWs part. I’ve already been out two race seasons now with the car because of failing turbos or stupid N54 tuning issues. This crank hub issue was just the final straw after a long line of problems. After about $20k and two years of fighting I gave up on it. At least this next season I’ll actually be able to make a pass with the L33.
 

The Convert

Captain
Jun 4, 2017
1,487
1,052
0
Ride
335
I think that the LS is still trailblazing since I’m pretty sure I’ll be the first E82 in the world with one. I know there is the 135 hatch drift car in the UK with one and a few E90s with them but nobody has an E82 yet to my knowledge. Also, the crank hub issue to me was a game changer. I had spent every dollar necessary to prevent any issues occurring. No expenses were spared. But that crank hub is just shitty engineering on BMWs part. I’ve already been out two race seasons now with the car because of failing turbos or stupid N54 tuning issues. This crank hub issue was just the final straw after a long line of problems. After about $20k and two years of fighting I gave up on it. At least this next season I’ll actually be able to make a pass with the L33.
Putting the motor in the car is a new thing, but that motor is fully sorted. That is more of what I mean. And getting away from all the short comings of the N54 are a huge bonus. That's why I like the LT4. Sure it's costly right now, but it's a lot of power and 100% oem and untuned at those power levels.
 

langsbr

Captain
Apr 5, 2017
1,266
771
0
Ride
07 335i 6MT e90
Putting the motor in the car is a new thing, but that motor is fully sorted. That is more of what I mean. And getting away from all the short comings of the N54 are a huge bonus. That's why I like the LT4. Sure it's costly right now, but it's a lot of power and 100% oem and untuned at those power levels.

For BIG power, I'd avoid the DI stuff right now. A proper turbo 5.3 can easily do 1000+ HP. There was a guy that posted his, as he calls it "twin ching chong turbos" on a 6.0 in a full size chevy and he ran a 9.78 @ 118, lifting at the 1/8. That's pretty stout.