My E39 LSx Turbo Swap

[02PRUV]

So just picked this up Friday last week. Got it very cheap off ebay.

Idea of this one is a daily cruiser so will be auto. I've got a RHS block, brodix headed 427ci getting built for it at the moment. 9.2:1 comp and thinking a couple of T04Z's would come on nice and early and still make 800-1000rwhp through the auto.







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Already got the M5 bodykit and mirrors here. Everything is going to be fixed up as new. M5 diff and shafts are on the way. KW Coilovers are in the post. New wheels went on Monday. Now have 10" rears. Stereo is getting done tomorrow.

[rao]

Sounds like a great plan.

[RVAE34]

I like 427 ci and turbo.

[Jesus Freak]

Very cool! I'm jealous of all these turbo builds, I want twins.

[nsogiba]

what trans are you going to be using? I take it this was originally a 6 cyl car?

In for Australian hooning

[M5Hunter]

Should be a stout combo! Looking forward to seeing the turbo setup.

[02PRUV]

what trans are you going to be using? I take it this was originally a 6 cyl car?

In for Australian hooning

Just going to use a T400

[02PRUV]

OK stereo install is done Yes I was listening to some old school music. Boost controller install done.






Replaced the destroyed door sills.





M5 diff and half shafts turned up along with all new control arms. But still waiting lots of parts to turn up.

Oh got the windows tinted too so it's less like a fish bowl.

[02PRUV]

Spent the afternoon vinyl wrapping to get rid of the dreaded wooden grain.

[02PRUV]

Modified the fuel pump holder to fit a Walbro 255. It fits great. Even with the filter on it there is just enough room if you face it the right way. This will feed the surge tank in the spare wheel well.









KW V1's installed along with front strut tops for camber adjustment. Also all new suspension arms so new bushes throughout. Rides really nicely now.





So waiting on a block still for the engine build RHS still don't have any in stock.

Waiting on Airbag for my M5 steering wheel so I can install that.

Waiting on AP Racing BBK

Waiting on my gearbox

I hate waiting for things. I'm thinking I might send the car in for the re-spray so I can put the M5 body kit on etc. Maybe I'll just wait till after the engine conversion just in case I scratch something.

[M5Hunter]

Single 255 pump for a twin turbo 427?

[Jesus Freak]

Single 255 pump for a twin turbo 427?

255 to a surge tank, that I'm assuming has dual 044s. Kinda like running inline boostapump.

[M5Hunter]

I would still want more pump to the surge tank, but thats me

[Jesus Freak]

I would still want more pump to the surge tank, but thats me

I agree. Walbro 400 retrofit!

[RVAE34]

+1 on more pump. Clay and I are using the Aeromotive 340 IIRC. I would want 2 for twin turbo 427.

[1NAWTY5]

I agree. Walbro 400 retrofit!

Thats what I did but not too sure of that 255 to surge tank.

[02PRUV]

I already use a 255 in tank to surge tank in another car with an LS making over 1000rwhp with no fuel problems on e85. You have to remember a 255 at zero pressure flows a lot more than 255lph. Pumps to the engine I will be running twin pierburg pumps.

[02PRUV]

Spent the weekend fixing the vapour seals on all doors to stop the car turning into a pool. What a bad design BMW. That's no vapour seal its a water seal.

[M5Hunter]

I have to do that too. Considered drilling drains in the bottom of the doors.

[James39]

Spent the weekend fixing the vapour seals on all doors to stop the car turning into a pool. What a bad design BMW. That's no vapour seal its a water seal.

How do you know that you have this problem? I've heard of it plenty of times, but not sure how to know that you've got a problem.

[02PRUV]

Carpet was wet was the first I knew. Googled wet carpet E39 found heaps about it. Opened a door and poured a bottle of water down the outer side of the glass and watched the water flow down between the bottle of the door trim and the inner door skin instead of just out the bottom of the door. All doors had the problem. Rear doors were worse amount of water but all did it.

[02PRUV]

Intercooler fitted. Twin entry single exit for twin turbo setup







M5 Front bumper fitted as well



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M5 Rear bumper fitted. Now just need to cut the spare wheel tub for the RH exhaust.

[02PRUV]

Finally got the car back from the painters. Still not finished. They still need to do bars and moulds but at least I can start fitting all the other parts I need to before doing the engine conversion. A quick install Friday night:

[Jopecasa]

Looking good!

[02PRUV]

Smashed some progress today. Took myself and a mate from 8am to 1:30pm to get the stock driveline stripped and converted to M5 Diff and LS with turbo 400. It's all mounted and ready to get turbo manifolds and exhaust done over the next few weeks.


















We are using a factory F Body sump so had to remove the swaybar for clearance. Going to get a custom swaybar made up to fit behind the sump.