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Thread: Blackknight530i Next E39 Project! 2003 525iT 5-speed

  1. #1
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    Blackknight530i Next E39 Project! 2003 525iT 5-speed

    Hey Guys,

    So, I'm not one to sit idly by and not have another project after just finishing my 6-speed swap on my 530i sedan, so I picked up a new project car.

    The craigslist ad for the car was actually sent to Brian (Redshift) while he was looking for a new company vehicle, but he was more interested in doing a M3T conversion, so he told me about the 525iT. I looked at it and for the price he was asking, it already seemed like a good deal. The reason the car was going for as cheap as it was is that the guy bought the car and planned on doing a 5-speed conversion and while he was at it, a top of the engine rebuild (seals, gaskets, etc. on the intake), cooling system overhaul, etc. Well, he got pretty much all of it done, but stopped short of getting a driveshaft that would work and putting the shifter in and reinstalling the exhaust. Then he lost interest and it has sat for about 2 years under a tarp tent.

    The car is originally a Carolina car, but has been up in the Boston area for the last few years and I was a bit worried that rust would be an issue, but after having GearGrinder take a look at the car for me, we were both pleasantly surprised that it is very clean underneath. There are a few dents and scratches from the tarp getting loose in the wind and some parts being placed very close to the outside, but I have a buddy that will be doing some body work for me to fix the issues for a very good price, so I expect it will be quite presentable in short order. The interior has some grease in the carpets from storing some parts throughout the swap process, but I will either be cleaning them well or swapping/dying the interior anyways, so not too worried about it, but the seats actually look pretty decent.

    The car is quite well optioned from the factory with DSP, PDC, SLS, sport package, premium package, etc., but doesn't have heated seats or nav. I'm hoping to install a NBT in this car, so I'm not worried about not including nav. The car also comes with a M5 front bumper that I don't know what brand it is. It's currently primered, but will be addressed when getting the other body work done. I'll also need a new set of wheels for it. Right now it has 3 Style 29s and 1 Style 81 and at least one of the tires doesn't seem to hold air. I'm told the SLS works just fine and that since the battery has been disconnected for about 2 years is why the car is slammed in the back

    This will be an ongoing project thread as I expect there will be a lot happening to it over time, but the first thing is getting it running/driving and getting the minor paint work done. After that I'll be able to focus on mods. One thing I do see in its future is a full suspension overhaul with the Lemforder 18-piece kit from FCP Euro. I've learned from my 530i and M7 that doing the suspension all at once is really the only way to go.

    So, without further adieu, here are the pics of the car while it's still up in Boston:













    -Paul
    2003 "M5" - Full M5 conversion, AMG C63S 6 piston front calipers, Porsche Panamera 4 piston rear calipers, GC Coilovers,
    Eibach ARBs, UUC Evo3/DSSR, Borla Exhaust w/Muffler Delete, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto, Bi-Xenons, e38 Style 37 M-Pars, e60 Hubs 530i 6-speed swap build thread
    2005 Range Rover 4.6is (M62TU Powered) - 4.6is Engine Swap from X5, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto
    2006 Porsche Cayman S - Soul Performance Competition Headers and Exhaust, H&R Coilovers, 718 Boxster Spyder wheels, Rennline 35mm rear spacers

  2. #2
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    Glutton for punishment.

    Does your wife know about your masochistic tendencies??

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mach540 View Post
    Glutton for punishment.

    Does your wife know about your masochistic tendencies??
    Wife? Never heard of one. What is this mysterious thing you speak of?

    LOL, can't you tell I'm single? Why else would I be able to take on these projects?

    -Paul
    2003 "M5" - Full M5 conversion, AMG C63S 6 piston front calipers, Porsche Panamera 4 piston rear calipers, GC Coilovers,
    Eibach ARBs, UUC Evo3/DSSR, Borla Exhaust w/Muffler Delete, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto, Bi-Xenons, e38 Style 37 M-Pars, e60 Hubs 530i 6-speed swap build thread
    2005 Range Rover 4.6is (M62TU Powered) - 4.6is Engine Swap from X5, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto
    2006 Porsche Cayman S - Soul Performance Competition Headers and Exhaust, H&R Coilovers, 718 Boxster Spyder wheels, Rennline 35mm rear spacers

  4. #4
    JimLev's Avatar
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    Looks like a good project for a single guy......no HDL's to chew up car project time.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by JimLev View Post
    Looks like a good project for a single guy......no HDL's to chew up car project time.
    Exactly right

    -Paul
    2003 "M5" - Full M5 conversion, AMG C63S 6 piston front calipers, Porsche Panamera 4 piston rear calipers, GC Coilovers,
    Eibach ARBs, UUC Evo3/DSSR, Borla Exhaust w/Muffler Delete, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto, Bi-Xenons, e38 Style 37 M-Pars, e60 Hubs 530i 6-speed swap build thread
    2005 Range Rover 4.6is (M62TU Powered) - 4.6is Engine Swap from X5, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto
    2006 Porsche Cayman S - Soul Performance Competition Headers and Exhaust, H&R Coilovers, 718 Boxster Spyder wheels, Rennline 35mm rear spacers

  6. #6
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    I give it 6 months before you're doing an M54B30 or S54 swap into this. The M54B25 engine is already underpowered for an E39, but the added weight of the touring body makes it about as fast as molasses.
    1995 525i 5-speed - Thread

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by dannyzabolotny View Post
    I give it 6 months before you're doing an M54B30 or S54 swap into this. The M54B25 engine is already underpowered for an E39, but the added weight of the touring body makes it about as fast as molasses.
    Well, the goal is to hopefully put a S54 in my 530i, which would then leave me with a healthy m54b30 to put in the wagon.

    -Paul
    2003 "M5" - Full M5 conversion, AMG C63S 6 piston front calipers, Porsche Panamera 4 piston rear calipers, GC Coilovers,
    Eibach ARBs, UUC Evo3/DSSR, Borla Exhaust w/Muffler Delete, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto, Bi-Xenons, e38 Style 37 M-Pars, e60 Hubs 530i 6-speed swap build thread
    2005 Range Rover 4.6is (M62TU Powered) - 4.6is Engine Swap from X5, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto
    2006 Porsche Cayman S - Soul Performance Competition Headers and Exhaust, H&R Coilovers, 718 Boxster Spyder wheels, Rennline 35mm rear spacers

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by blackknight530i View Post
    Well, the goal is to hopefully put a S54 in my 530i, which would then leave me with a healthy m54b30 to put in the wagon.
    Smart. That would be the perfect i6 touring, the one that we never got in the US for whatever reason.
    1995 525i 5-speed - Thread

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by dannyzabolotny View Post
    Smart. That would be the perfect i6 touring, the one that we never got in the US for whatever reason.
    Not only that, it will be a manual as well. It's already a 5 speed. Might be a 6 speed later though.

    -Paul
    2003 "M5" - Full M5 conversion, AMG C63S 6 piston front calipers, Porsche Panamera 4 piston rear calipers, GC Coilovers,
    Eibach ARBs, UUC Evo3/DSSR, Borla Exhaust w/Muffler Delete, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto, Bi-Xenons, e38 Style 37 M-Pars, e60 Hubs 530i 6-speed swap build thread
    2005 Range Rover 4.6is (M62TU Powered) - 4.6is Engine Swap from X5, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto
    2006 Porsche Cayman S - Soul Performance Competition Headers and Exhaust, H&R Coilovers, 718 Boxster Spyder wheels, Rennline 35mm rear spacers

  10. #10
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    Hellcat engine and 8HP transmission swap!!!!!



  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by auaq View Post
    Hellcat engine and 8HP transmission swap!!!!!
    Leave it to Asim to suggest the obligatory ridiculous engine/tranny swap

    -Paul
    2003 "M5" - Full M5 conversion, AMG C63S 6 piston front calipers, Porsche Panamera 4 piston rear calipers, GC Coilovers,
    Eibach ARBs, UUC Evo3/DSSR, Borla Exhaust w/Muffler Delete, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto, Bi-Xenons, e38 Style 37 M-Pars, e60 Hubs 530i 6-speed swap build thread
    2005 Range Rover 4.6is (M62TU Powered) - 4.6is Engine Swap from X5, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto
    2006 Porsche Cayman S - Soul Performance Competition Headers and Exhaust, H&R Coilovers, 718 Boxster Spyder wheels, Rennline 35mm rear spacers

  12. #12
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    You guys are out of control. Another project car in the Carolina's .
    Hate to think about the amount of beer and pizza you guys must go through.
    Looking forward to it.


  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by jp5Touring View Post
    You guys are out of control. Another project car in the Carolina's .
    Hate to think about the amount of beer and pizza you guys must go through.
    Looking forward to it.
    LOL, this on top of Brian's M3T that we're going to also be building in a few weeks.

    -Paul
    2003 "M5" - Full M5 conversion, AMG C63S 6 piston front calipers, Porsche Panamera 4 piston rear calipers, GC Coilovers,
    Eibach ARBs, UUC Evo3/DSSR, Borla Exhaust w/Muffler Delete, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto, Bi-Xenons, e38 Style 37 M-Pars, e60 Hubs 530i 6-speed swap build thread
    2005 Range Rover 4.6is (M62TU Powered) - 4.6is Engine Swap from X5, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto
    2006 Porsche Cayman S - Soul Performance Competition Headers and Exhaust, H&R Coilovers, 718 Boxster Spyder wheels, Rennline 35mm rear spacers

  14. #14
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    JimLev is offline Artifically Aspirated Moderator
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    Quote Originally Posted by blackknight530i View Post
    Leave it to Asim to suggest the obligatory ridiculous engine/tranny swap
    What's wrong with 700+HP. You can then mod the body/frame to keep it from being ripped apart.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by JimLev View Post
    What's wrong with 700+HP. You can then mod the body/frame to keep it from being ripped apart.
    Nothing wrong with it, just ridiculous

    -Paul
    2003 "M5" - Full M5 conversion, AMG C63S 6 piston front calipers, Porsche Panamera 4 piston rear calipers, GC Coilovers,
    Eibach ARBs, UUC Evo3/DSSR, Borla Exhaust w/Muffler Delete, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto, Bi-Xenons, e38 Style 37 M-Pars, e60 Hubs 530i 6-speed swap build thread
    2005 Range Rover 4.6is (M62TU Powered) - 4.6is Engine Swap from X5, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto
    2006 Porsche Cayman S - Soul Performance Competition Headers and Exhaust, H&R Coilovers, 718 Boxster Spyder wheels, Rennline 35mm rear spacers

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by JimLev View Post
    What's wrong with 700+HP. You can then mod the body/frame to keep it from being ripped apart.
    Wheelies!!!!



  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by blackknight530i View Post
    Leave it to Asim to suggest the obligatory ridiculous engine/tranny swap
    LS9 swap it pls
    E90 335i
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  18. #18
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    I say drop the 5 speed and swap in the 6 speed. This would probably be the first E39 I6 6 speed Touring.



  19. #19
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    Maybe later. The 5 speed is basically done already. I'm getting the auto driveshaft extended due to a manual shaft not working with an auto differential due to input flange size. It's on its way to Carolina Driveline in Spartanburg, SC and should be done in about a week.

    -Paul
    2003 "M5" - Full M5 conversion, AMG C63S 6 piston front calipers, Porsche Panamera 4 piston rear calipers, GC Coilovers,
    Eibach ARBs, UUC Evo3/DSSR, Borla Exhaust w/Muffler Delete, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto, Bi-Xenons, e38 Style 37 M-Pars, e60 Hubs 530i 6-speed swap build thread
    2005 Range Rover 4.6is (M62TU Powered) - 4.6is Engine Swap from X5, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto
    2006 Porsche Cayman S - Soul Performance Competition Headers and Exhaust, H&R Coilovers, 718 Boxster Spyder wheels, Rennline 35mm rear spacers

  20. #20
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    Really? Another project car? You are unstoppable! Do six speed and then twin screw like Jordan.
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  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by philly98540 View Post
    Really? Another project car? You are unstoppable! Do six speed and then twin screw like Jordan.
    LOL, yup. This one will start out as a beater for a bit, but who knows what I'll do later.

    I just realized I never posted how much I got the car for... $1000

    -Paul
    2003 "M5" - Full M5 conversion, AMG C63S 6 piston front calipers, Porsche Panamera 4 piston rear calipers, GC Coilovers,
    Eibach ARBs, UUC Evo3/DSSR, Borla Exhaust w/Muffler Delete, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto, Bi-Xenons, e38 Style 37 M-Pars, e60 Hubs 530i 6-speed swap build thread
    2005 Range Rover 4.6is (M62TU Powered) - 4.6is Engine Swap from X5, BMW NBT with Carplay/Android Auto
    2006 Porsche Cayman S - Soul Performance Competition Headers and Exhaust, H&R Coilovers, 718 Boxster Spyder wheels, Rennline 35mm rear spacers

  22. #22
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    It's a bit of work, but that's such a steal! I'll really be looking forward to the iDrive NBT retrofit, I've pondered it a few times. Only thing stopping me is the fact that I think saving it for preventive maintenance at my mileage (100k) may be the better idea.

    But congrats on the new project! Looks like a fun one.
    #KeepFightingMichael

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by dannyzabolotny View Post

    Smart. That would be the perfect i6 touring, the one that we never got in the US for whatever reason.
    Very cool, I'd put I the s54... because that would be a car nobody got in any country... I guess it would make sense to put the m54b30 in it, after you complete your swap in the 530i

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by philly98540 View Post
    Really? Another project car? You are unstoppable! Do six speed and then twin screw like Jordan.
    Yeah ESS twin screw that m54

  25. #25
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    From the way it's sitting you will need to replace the air springs.

    Chisum

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