E39 touring LS swap project

[parkerbomar]

Get an up close shot!

[RVAE34]

Just got a few update photos of my headers from Josh. Looking good!!

[RVAE34]

Got started on my headlight retrofit. The plan is to install Nissan Murano bi-xenon projectors and will also upgrade the AE's. Just trying to figure out which ones I want. Leaning towards the Orion V2's.

Here is a photo of one side






And the breakdown.







The craptastic halogen projector and standoffs. I plan to keep the standoffs or use new ones to mount the Murano projectors.






Finally, looks like the Nissan Murano projectors will work I will of course trim all the OEM mounting ears off first.









Lastly, here are some updated photos of those sexy as all can be set of headers being built by Josh (Jesus Freak). I almost want to hang them on the wall instead of installing them in the car..

[airkhin]

^ wow, those headers are some art. cant wait to see more of this thread!

[parkerbomar]

Thank you for being so productive. it is a joy to watch this build!

[oekundar]

Thank you for being so productive. it is a joy to watch this build!

+1

[KnudsonsM3]

Thank you for being so productive. it is a joy to watch this build!

+2

[RVAE34]

I cut the OEM mounting tabs/ears off the Murano projectors. You can see the one I cut on the right in the first image. Also marked where the E39 mounting posts line up and then drilled them out. Last shot shows how they line up. Now I just need shorter standoffs. Will head to lowes this afternoon to see what I can come up with. Very pleased so far.

[Schitzo]

Following very closely on the headlight work. Did the housings require baking in order to pull them a part?

[RVAE34]

Yeah. I baked them at 200 for about 7 minutes at a time. I loosened them up a few times and then put them back in again.

Seems this side is actually done. Have to test it out to make sure it's level in the car though.

And of course, a nice reflection shot of my pillars

[repandpresent]

Man, I'm never letting go of my touring. If the engine ever goes bad I'm swapping a beast in. CA laws will make it illegal though... who cares. I can't wait to see the final product.

[keith2]

What exactly is the reasoning for the morano projectors if the car already came with HID facelift lights? What are the advantages? If its worth the time and effort Id like to do it to mine, but if its marginal I dont understand the need...nice work on the swap either way tho!

[RVAE34]

I have been told the factory HID output of the facelift projectors are less than ideal. The first gen output is ok but I wanted the 2nd gen lights and didn't want to pay for Hella so I went the cheap route and bought aftermarket halogen lights (non HID). I did retrofits in my E34 and my Volvo V70R and loved the results so figured I would do the E39 as well. I have been told by several people who are in the know that the Murano projectors are close to the output of the Honda S2000 projector. Only 1/2 the price. And the Murano has a 3" projector which fits in the factory location of the E39 lights.

Here is the link to my E34 and Volvo retrofit in the lighting section.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1665271


I should mention that this retrofit is a little more difficult than I had hoped. The horizontal alignment is proving to be difficult. I had to open up those mounting holes and actually made them more of wide slots so I can rotate left/right. Getting back to it this morning so hope to have some further updates today.

In the output shots, notice how dim the lower line output is in comparison. That's the stock 1st gen Hella HID E39 light. Madness how much brighter the Murano is with the same bulb and ballast.

[Danios]

Man, I'm never letting go of my touring. If the engine ever goes bad I'm swapping a beast in. CA laws will make it illegal though... who cares. I can't wait to see the final product.

Not if you use an engine from a car more modern than yours and swap emissions stuff as well.

[RVAE34]

[airkhin]

/ end thread.


absolutely fantastic work! i really enjoy going on this thread to see updates of this touring.

[KnudsonsM3]

Pics look great.

I need to tint!

[RVAE34]

Thanks for all the great compliments everyone. I really love this car. I cannot get over how much I love the color either Can't wait until I get some rims and M5 bumpers on her with the new headlights.

[jp5Touring]

So far soo Cool 18,19,s BBS 3pc. Gold Centers would look so good on that color,,

[dirtye30]

Not if you use an engine from a car more modern than yours and swap emissions stuff as well.

The 525i guys really need more power

[525iT_Feen]

This is going to be sick...Still not a 100% fan of non BMW swaps but I can truly appreciate the real need for easy power.

why you tearing apart a individual car?

Such a travesty to destroy such a rare car...

[jp5Touring]

This is going to be sick...Still not a 100% fan of non BMW swaps but I can truly appreciate the real need for easy power.



Such a travesty to destroy such a rare car...

Its just a car,, They are meant to be driven,,

And some are meant to have American Muscle stuffed into to em,,

[RVAE34]

Naysayers just haven't driven (or heard) an LS powered BMW. I should know as I was a naysayer prior to my first ride/drive

I always wanted an E39 M5 but after I built my turbo E34, I knew that the S62 just wouldn't cut it for me. At least not without spending a bunch of money on what I will be making out of the box with the 427.

For any that hadn't seen my E34 turbo build, here is my flickr link.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1404980...7600346688189/

And since I switched to this build thread, here are the links to my 510 I built and sold a few years ago and my Volvo V70R which is my DD. Lastly, the MKI cabriolet I built for my wife.

510

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1404980...7605008919930/

V70R

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1404980...7629891358616/

VW cabriolet for the wife

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1404980...7628579614667/


Josh sent me some photos of the headers ready for ceramic coating.

[Schitzo]

Naysayers just haven't driven (or heard) an LS powered BMW.

+1

That's an awesome turn around time for custom long tube headers.

[stutts115]

Nice