IMO, BMW engine swaps are only interesting reading. Too much cost, too much pain and not enough gain.

In the old days BC (Before Computers) it was easy to swap any engines into any cars, but with the use of computers in modern day cars, it is getting harder and harder. Besides the engine management computer, you have a computer for the transmission that must be able to talk to one another. Before the engine even starts you have a security module that must be able to tell the engine that the engine is authorized to start. So if you swap over the engine you are also looking at swapping over a lot of other modules to make the engine run.

Yeah, that looks "Straight Outta Ghetto". I can't imagine those hood rats being able to get the modules talking over CAN bus much less modules that aren't even there anymore. I would love to see the dash. I bet it is lit up like a Christmas tree.

I'm sure a Chevy doesn't have an EWS system on the Engine control module. If you swap out a Chevy engine control module you can get it to run, but you will need to swap out the tranny and transfer case since the TCM will not be able to talk with the Chevy ECM. Swap out the tranny and ECM you will need to either modify the drive shafts or swap in a Chevy 4x4 drivetrain.

If you want an LS1 in an SUV plenty of Chevy trucks that you can buy.

The reason I posted that 2nd video was because it actually had an underside shot. I didn't try to really go over it but it might show what is or isn't left of the factory stuff if someone is curious enough.

Well if you have a BMW with a broke engine. A lot of times that LS swap ends up being cheaper than rebuilding that BMW motor.


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[QUOTE=snik;1129080]Well if you have a BMW with a broke engine. A lot of times that LS swap ends up being cheaper than rebuilding that BMW motor.


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That could be the case if the LS engine were a plug and play swap. As it is whatever you saved buying a cheaper engine will get devoured by the expense to make the LS functional and integrated with BMW electronics. There might be a chance the LS swap would be a good idea if there was an aftermarket conversion kit.

This has promise.

LSx – BMW gearbox adapter KIT - ABC-Clutch

upallnight summarizes some of the key challenges. VERY modern cars are integrated systems - which (to keep it simple) means that a swap involves swapping a propulsion system (with all of the wiring and components with it) from the donor vehicle to the recipient vehicle. I"ll give a few examples:

early 70's BMW - swap from auto to manual transmission. Essentially mechanical, aside from dealing with the car's neutral interlock system. Been there, done that.

mid 90's BMW (1995 E34 touring). - swap from auto to manual transmission. Mostly mechanical, but managing the car's neutral interlock system and reprogramming the engine ECU as it no longer has the automatic transmission to communicate with. Been there, done that.

More recent: Look at two good examples (not necessarily BMW)

(1) Modern Toyota XJ updates to diesel or other conversions. They explain the significant electronics / coding / etc. that is involved.

FJ CRUISER DIESEL | Diesel Toys® |TOYOTA DIESEL CONVERSION EXPERTS

(2) Mercedes Benz update a 190E (baby Benz) to a modern diesel engine.

https://www.wired.com/2009/09/mercedes-diesel-swap/

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...a-1992-190e-26

Go even more modern and it is more complex. It's not impossible, but it simply requires different skills.