This has been on my mind for while, mainly out of curiosity and interest. How do you all feel about LS swaps into our beloved machines?
Does it ruin the character?
Make it more appealing?
Sacrilege?
Personally, ignoring all the BS internet opinions on LS swaps, I think it's a better engine than the S54 for this application.
Before I get stoned, let me explain.
The S54 is a maniacal, high strung, race motor that need a little more attention to detail than an M54. It revs to the moon and sounds like nothing else. I do enjoy the fact that it retains the BMW spirit, but I'm not a purist...
So let's make a mutt. The LS provides gobs of torque and a flat, predictable power band. It's reliable, sounds beastly, can make an asston of power, parts are cheap, etc.
The cost is probably close with a fully sorted S54 swap vs a complete LS swap for our chassis. (Probably should verify that first)
So why not??