GM LS V8: Engine Swap with a BMW ZF Gearbox into the BMW E30, E36 and E46

An LS in a light BMW means a lot of power for sensible money. Many people assume straight away that they will need an American T56 gearbox. Not necessarily, because with our adapter plate the BMW ZF gearbox stays in the car. The videos show LS swaps into the E30, E36 and E46.

LS swap into a BMW E30: fitting the PMC Motorsport adapter plate to the ZF gearbox. Episode one: an LS V8 in a classic E30 that keeps the BMW ZF gearbox, the money it saves, firewall and front subframe modifications and choosing the starter.

Why a BMW gearbox and not a T56

In the E30 video the author is mainly counting the money. The BMW gearbox is cheaper and much easier to find in Europe. The crew building the E46, on the other hand, is surprised how small the German gearbox is next to such a big V8. They also praise the machining of the adapter plate, because both units line up on the same axis straight away.

What to prepare

• An adapter plate and flywheel for the ZF gearbox you have in the car (from the M50, M52, M54, S50, S52 or M57 engines).
• A clutch rated for the torque of the V8. The author of the LSX video goes into this in some detail.
• A starter: the author of the E30 video explains how to choose one.
• In the E30, firewall and front subframe modifications as well.

More LS videos with a BMW gearbox

PMC Motorsport adapter plate: LSX engine to a 5-speed BMW ZF gearbox

An install guide for the PMC plate that mates a GM LSX to the ZF gearbox from a BMW E39, from prepping the engine to choosing the clutch.

LS swap into a BMW E36: installing the PMC Motorsport swap kit

An LS powered E36 build: fitting the gearbox adapter plate, flywheel and clutch from the PMC Motorsport kit.

Mating a Chevy LS engine to a BMW gearbox: the PMC Motorsport kit in an E46

Jimmy Oakes and his crew mate an LS to a BMW ZF gearbox and praise the CNC machining, which centres both units perfectly.

Parts from the videos

Adapter plates and flywheels for mating a GM Chevrolet LS to BMW gearboxes:

• Adapter kit GM Chevrolet LS - manual 5-speed BMW M50 S50 M52 S52 M54 ZF-5- 240mm / 9.45"
• Adapter GM Chevrolet V8 LS 6-bolt - BMW M50 S50 M52 S52 M54 ZF-5 5-speed - 184mm / 7.25" (S)
• Flywheel GM Chevrolet LS - BMW M50 S50 M52 S52 M54 S54 ZF5 Getrag 420G - 240mm / 9.45"
• Adapter Kit Chevrolet V8 LS - manual 5-speed BMW M57 ZF GS5-39DZ - 240mm / 9.45"
• Flywheel GM Chevrolet LS - BMW M57 GS5-39DZ - 240mm / 9.45"
• Gearbox adapter GM Chevrolet LS - BMW Manual M57N N54 N57 N47 / automatic DCT 8HP

FAQ

You will find more install videos of our parts on the PMC Motorsport videos page.