Putting a V8 Where it Doesn't Belong

The ultimate BMW Z3?

This 1998 BMW Z3 originally had a 1.9L 4-cylinder making a boring 138HP @6000RPM. That's not very much. The Z3 M -quick for its time- makes 240HP (before it eventually got the S54 making about 300HP). This Z3 has parts from both and the engine of neither. It has the bodywork of the Z3 M, the differential of an E30, and the engine from a Corvette. A built LS1 sits where the little 4-banger used to live. The result is quite a thing.

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--MODS--

Engine -
Vorschlag engine mounts
2001 LS1 longblock - 63xxx miles
C5 Corvette fuel rail covers
LS6 intake manifold
LS6 timing chain
Lunati VooDoo camshaft
Lunati valve springs
TSS pushrods
3.5” intake with K&N air filter
1 ⅞” headers with 3” collectors
Dual 3” exhaust merging into a single custom 2.5” out
Custom power-steering lines

Transmission -
Vorschlag transmission mount
2001 T56 6-speed transmission
Monster Stage 2 clutch/flywheel
Custom clutch line
2005 Pontiac GTO offset shifter
Hurst shift knob
Custom driveshaft
E30 BMW LSD rear end
Rogue Engineering dual-ear differential cover
E30 axles

Cooling -
ProCool radiator
Pusher fan mounted in front of the radiator

Exterior -
M-Roadster front bumper, side mirrors, side gills.
I-6 rear fenders (wider than the base model fenders)
BMW M 17” wheels
HID headlight conversion
Clear side-markers

Interior -
M-Roadster heated/power seats
M-Roadster leather door skins
M-Roadster leather center console
M-Roadster floor mats
M-Roadster leather-trimmed door panels
M-Roadster rear view mirror
M-Roadster door sills
Momo steering wheel

Electronics -
STRI 60mm oil pressure and coolant gauges
AEM UEGO wideband mounted in the gauge cluster
BMW M-Roadster gauge cluster
JVC headunit
Kicker F+R speakers

Tuning -
2001 PCM
Car tuned on EFILive

Chassis/braking -
Bilstein shocks
Ground Control coilovers
Randy Forbes rear subframe reinforcement kit
Hard Dog roll bar
Ireland Engineering urethane bushings all around
Racing Dynamics front and rear sway bars
Brembo big brake kit up front
Drilled rear rotors
Stainless, braided brake lines
Custom rear control arms
DINAN rear camber kit
Custom steering shaft

NEW SHIRTS!

[throwaway]

I've missed the people's cars. Love seeing what mods people can do. This is awesome! More like these please! 😁😁

[kleinbottled]

True words of wisdom from Zack. "Pizza will never be played out and the LS will never be played out either."

[RealRaynedance]

"The body of a German, and the heart of an American. Like this guy from Austria."

10/10 Zack.

[jackc]

"On a long enough timeline... everything gets an LS"

-Mr Regular.

[CelicaDragon]

Finally a modified/engine swapped car again!

[RDMcK]

My dad had an LS swapped z3 for a few years. Now that he's gone, I'd love to find it and have it back. Was a ton of fun to drive.

[AkioWasRight]

The sound just does not compute. It's like looking at Emilia Clarke but hearing Ja Rule.

[sholehan]

If the owner is reading! Ref overheating: you might have a giant radiator but you don't appear to have any undertray or ducting. Radiators work by flow, and flow only occurs if there is a pressure differential across them. With no undertray, the pressure in your engine bay (behind the rad) won't be much less than the pressure in front. Have a go at modding and refitting the OE undertray to reduce the pressure behind and adding some ducting in front of the rad to increase the pressure.

[bentremy]

I’ve never heard you this animated before. It sounds like a kid Christmas morning who got everything they wanted plus the stuff you thought your parents couldn’t does. Awesome review.

[calebcourteau]

Zach is the man. I love his wit and analogies.

[JDsHouseofHobbies]

I love how it's pretty much stock on the outside. No one would suspect anything until the engine starts.

[kyleflowers]

The stock PS pump for most LS applications is beyond overkill for most other steering racks. It leads to super light steering. A restrictor in the system drastically improves feel.

[HigeYatsu]

Are we not gonna talk about the NSX being chased by an NB Miata at 12:14?? Haha.

[gsmith]

This makes so much sense. Nailed it with Cobra reference. Great vid

[harmanrao]

Did it need the LS?..No..but is it better with an LS?...Yes lol

[amberheardsbumpyknuckles]

Modded machines are TST'S wheelhouse... Keep it up, bruhs!

[bigdolan]

This is good shit Zack! Whatever this new formula is that you're using, sign me up. These past few videos have been so fun.

[thegopodude]

Loved the video Zack! Especially the intro - The hook, the delivery was great, big like :)

[alexs]

Z3 is beautiful. I own a 08 Z4 and can’t wait to get a Z3

[bubblelex]

The german cobra! Perfect description Zack!