E39 touring LS swap project

[RVAE34]

Yeah, I was not aware of them before a few months ago either. Then I was on the hunt. They seem to be pretty rare. Another forum member picked these up from a yard and his friend who is also a member on here knew I was looking and reached out to me.

[pec0054]

Sorry for the crappy pix but I haven't cleaned them up to take proper pix yet. These are the E38 sport seats that were delivered to me last night. Can't wait to get them in. They remind me of my E34 M5 seats. I also got an M5 steering wheel but it's a little rough. Still better than my stock wheel though...

So, what is the difference between the E38 Sport seats and the stock E39 power seats? I'm curious cause I'm a man of wide girth (you ought to see me wiggle into an airline seat ;>) )and the stock seat sides hit me right down the center of my legs and the outer edge has broken down to the point of breaking the seat controls and the plastic panel where the controls mount

[AquilaBMW]

Those seats are da bomb! I wish I could find a tan set of them...

[RVAE34]

The guy who brought them to me says he finds them in tan and grey often. Just not black. He finds them all at junk yards. We have two E38's at our local yard. Just haven't had time to go check them. And I would never want to ship a set of seats regardless.

[tuanies]

Man, I would love to have E38 sport seats but had to settle for E39 sport seats which don't have lumbar

[geargrinder]

So, what is the difference between the E38 Sport seats and the stock E39 power seats? I'm curious cause I'm a man of wide girth (you ought to see me wiggle into an airline seat ;>) )and the stock seat sides hit me right down the center of my legs and the outer edge has broken down to the point of breaking the seat controls and the plastic panel where the controls mount

Do you have the standard, the sport, or the comfort E39 seats? The comforts actually have a surprising level of bolster 'feel' even though they dont look bolstered - the sides are much firmer than you'd think from looking

And I have comfort seats and the reason I like these is that they look MORE bolstered than the comfort seats so if you are looking for more spacious this is probably the wrong direction. They appear to have the big bolsters of a sport seat, yet also the adjustable upper back section (not lumbar - the shoulder level adjustment) of the comforts.

- - - Updated - - -

The guy who brought them to me says he finds them in tan and grey often. Just not black. He finds them all at junk yards. We have two E38's at our local yard. Just haven't had time to go check them. And I would never want to ship a set of seats regardless.

What's the price range? I guess this might be one of those rare occasions where I am "lucky" to have grey if I can find a set in that color...

[tinius]

For comparison, here's the 2002 E39 Sport Seat:


And here's the 2003 E39 Comfort Seat,


The Comfort Seat is 19" wide at the shoulder, the Sport Seat is only 17" wide.

The Sport Seat has taller, firmer bolsters on the sides of the seats and a tighter fit on the back at the kidneys.

Regards,

[RVAE34]

I paid $800 for the seats. I started cleaning and conditioning with leatherique and am already amazed at the how much softer they are.

I now have everything I need to get this car running. Taking some of next week off to get it going. Then I have to get the diff backlash set, install that, get a driveshaft made and then get the exhaust done.

[RVAE34]

Used Leatherique on the passenger seat. Cleaner and oil. Worked in by hand and I also used a hair dryer since it hasn't been sunny out for me to lay them outside under plastic. They are coming along nicely.

[setho]

Sorry for the crappy pix but I haven't cleaned them up to take proper pix yet. These are the E38 sport seats that were delivered to me last night. Can't wait to get them in. They remind me of my E34 M5 seats. I also got an M5 steering wheel but it's a little rough. Still better than my stock wheel though...

Interesting, these are the same seats in my 540i/6.

nvm, i couldnt see it on my phone, but the shoulders come up a little higher on these. otherwise, they look extremely similar.

[RVAE34]

Hope this is the last time the motor goes in for a long time. Installed the starter, remote hydraulic clutch bleeder, headers and got most of the engine connectors plugged in. Next will be the fuel system, ignition switch wire and I have to make all the power leads for the ECU/relay box, alt and starter. Lastly, the coolant system. I am taking most of the week off to get it done. Then I will have it towed to my exhaust guy who is also going to attempt to reinforce the front diff mount in the car. Hoping to get the backlash set on the new 3.62 triple clutch M5 diff this week and then all I need is a driveshaft

I finished mounting the rear seat and the passenger seat. The E38 sports are incredible! I am having an issue with the driver seat not moving up and down so hoping to get that resolved before final install.

[douglee25]

Looks right at home!

Doug

[Guam135i]

I wish my 135i even had the sport seats on my E39 way way comfortable I am assuming the E38's are even better

[RVAE34]

The diff is all setup. E39 M5 210mm diff with the LSD carrier cover machined to fit the triple clutch setup from Bimmerdiffs. All new bearings, races and seals and the 3.62 ring and pinion gear from the E46 M3. The backlash and gear runout were perfect and no new shims were needed. We did have to swap the output flange shims from one side to the other (one side is thicker) but I am not sure that I didn't mix those up when taking everything apart originally...

[jp5Touring]

You will need video when you fire this thing up. The build is awesome,

[AquilaBMW]

That interior looks SO classy. Finally got a Touring with Black interior - I am looking forward to upgrading it with a few choice pieces. Awesome work man!

[FreshVibes]

RVAE, can't wait to see her started up and running! Such an inspiring build! Wish I had the funds and another DD to attempt at a project like this.. Good luck on the rest of the build!

[RVAE34]

Finalized all the fuel lines and removed the OEM FPR from underneath the car. Routed and installed all the coolant/heater lines (except for the small one on top of the radiator to reservoir) after spending 45 minutes in the back of Autozone looking at hoses. I also installed a 0 gauge power wire from the power terminal to the starter and 4 gauge to the alternator and ecu/relay box. I got my dual intake pipe with MAF flange and PCV fitting from hotrod lane. I will get 45 couplers and straight tubing and angle down and then over using the fender wells for the air filter elements which should arrive on Monday.

[AquilaBMW]

I could have sworn Porn was not allowed on this Forum... just sayin... LOL!!! MAN OH MAN! That looks amazing - I might have to drive out there just to meet this car! Nice work man - much kudos to you.

[RVAE34]

It's alive!!! It's super loud and ridiculously choppy b/c of the cam on stock tune but it's alive!

I only let it run for a few seconds b/c I want to make sure there aren't any leaks or issues. It's too late to run it again and I don't have anyone else here to watch out with a fire extinguisher but I will try and get a video soon. Will probably sound like garbage without exhaust on camera though.

[Danios]

Wow congrats man! Big step!

[cafcwest]

Congrats on the start-up! I have heard about your project through some mutual friends here in Richmond, but only just found this thread tonight.

Best of luck getting everything wrapped up and getting onto the road.

[smoulton0204]

coming along perfectly - fantastic

[RVAE34]

Thanks! Lovely pair you have there^!

[derekmw]

Awesome to hear! Can't wait to see startup vid. What were you thinking, no vid cam for the actual first startup??? I put an Acura TSX motor (2.4L) into a civic hatch years ago, and I recorded the video on first startup, I screamed like a little kid. lol.