Sounds like a lot of work - time is money too...

But...

I'm technically not able to start this project until my lease is up on my current car (August 2014).   I was going to take a small loan to buy the car (looking for a blown motor S2000, actually) and saved for the powertrain.  I guess if I go L33, I could slowly build the motor and parts needed over the next year, so time isn't too big of an issue.

So....  a few other questions...

If I get an L33 out of an early 2000's truck, do I have to source all the sensors, PCM, and harness out of an LS1 car?  What can be saved?  I would want to switch to an LS1/LS6 intake manifold (unless there is something better for the same price), and would need fuel rails and injectors...  how does all that mess with what wiring harness I can use?

Got an interesting scenario...

I had a 93 LSx powered FD and I loved the hell out of that car, but it had some quirks.  It was an LS1 with 5.3L built heads (higher compression) and a mild cam with a 114 LSA.  I didn't like how lumpy it idled and all the crap that goes with that (power steering, A/C, and brake issues when there is no vacuum at idle).

I'm in the process of planning an LSx Honda S2000 build and am not liking the prices I'm seeing for LS2's.  I have a few requirements:

1) I may want to eventually register it in my home county, meaning the engine has to be newer than the car (so 2004 and up)
2) I want a rock solid smooth idle (relatively of course).

I figured a 6L LS2 would be the best bet (within a budget of <$6,000 for engine/trans complete pullout).  More displacement = more smooth power, but the prices are up there.

Then I went on eBay and searched for L33's.   It looks like an L33 with all the accessories (no trans) can be sourced for ~$1,000-$1,200.

What would be the average cost to freshen a 100,000 mile L33 in order to run a centrifugal blower at low boost (5-6psi)?  The goal is 400-500whp.

Would it make sense to do a basic blown L33 build (that I can upgrade down the line to better heads, intake manifold, built internals, etc when I want more power) over putting in a bone stock LS2?

Figure I can source a T56 for $2,000 fairly easily.  If my budget is $6,000, that would leave $4,000 to buy a complete L33 pullout, convert the parts needed to swap (oil pan, injectors, etc)... could I still budget a bolt-on blower at low psi (a non-intercooled kit)?

Love it!  I miss mine... had almost the exact same car.  Mine went 11.9@116 with only ~330whp, with some slicks this thing should be in the LOW 11's, high 10's.

Put some E85 in this bitch and run 30psi...  the turbo is good for it   might need some larger injectors though..

Your gas mileage could probably be fixed with a milder cam.  Get something with less overlap and the car will idle smoother and get better gas mileage.

.... and of course the tune...

And if what I've seen from BMW tuners holds true, it should be available for a bargain price of 20k dollars for the kit + tune.

I remember seeing guys on Bimmerforums thrilled about their 8000 dollar turbo kit...  and 385 RWHP.   Someone did have a sweet 30k dollar 800 RWHP kit.   Yeah...

Anyway, this is a very nice looking car.   GLWT.

The preliminary numbers point to $6-$7k for the complete kit.  Gotta remember, it's on completely stock fuel system and longblock.

If you already have a meth kit, that's ~ 400 *extra* whp for $7k.  Sure there are cheaper platforms out there, but that doesn't sound like to terrible of a deal to me for a $50,000 stickered car.

Hi!

I've seen a handful of E46 3-series out there running with LS1 swaps....   I think the ultimate roadster would be a Z4 with that swap.  They're relatively cheap, and share the same underpinnings as the 3-series.  Plus, you can practically STAND in the engine bay and work on it... it's CAVERNOUS.

I'm a service advisor for a BMW dealership and all of our techs LOVE working on Z4's because everything is easy to get to.

What are the chances you guys might develop a subframe for the Z4?   The Z4M's have a really strong LSD diff that holds up to the HPF 600whp turbo kits that could be a direct swap over so no rear diff cradle/8.8 swap necessary (?).

I'm dying to do a final project car before the fiance and I have kids.  The only thing I haven't built is a monsterous convertible.  It would have to be a car that was MADE as a convertible first, so it's not loosey goosey, so either an S2000, a Miata, or a Z4 would be ideal.

Whaddayathink?

How's the transmission feel? Can you manu-shift it with no ill jerks?

? Not sure what you mean, this car does not have an "auto-manual" mode or paddle shifters or anything like that.  Just your standard PRNDL automatic.  I can honestly say I've never tried to shift it manually.