4.6is M62B46 into '03 540it. From day one.

[Plattus1000]

Simple solution. Six speed swap, M5 badge. Everyone will think it's a M5 swap.
Your car won't look right to me without the M5 badge.

See, I like this idea. Plus, easier for me not having to mess w/anything. I'm pushing the auto really hard. Daily, and so hopefully, in time, a six spd swap is forcable on the wife/cfo.

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Nice job finding an alpina 4.6! I had a hard enough time finding my x5 4.6

Yes it is plug and play, tuning is optional

Agreed but have the tune looked over by DUDMD to make sure there's no code issues. As an example, Terraphantom cut the code, DUDMD finalized it once in his shop.

[nauqneyugn]

Good meeting you today Lee. Thanks for powder coating my valve covers. I'll have to start my own thread soon!

[Plattus1000]

Good meeting you today Lee. Thanks for powder coating my valve covers. I'll have to start my own thread soon!

Hells yeah you will. Make sure to post in the '03 m-sport wagon registry. Nice meeting you too. We'll do a hammered silver vein like mine, you'll like.

[Plattus1000]

If anyone is looking for a good 4.6is engine at an outstanding price, let me know.
Under 100k miles with a rebuilt tranny but had an internal (interior) fire.

[geargrinder]

internal fire.

Isn't that how engines work?

[Plattus1000]

Isn't that how engines work?

Point taken. Interior fire, drivetrain is fine. Smartarse.

[geargrinder]

Lol.

[Plattus1000]

I'm having a really slow start to my "earning" season this year. Jed and I installing the Unicorn headers was a big push forward but I've stalled.

I need a few things still before trying the dyno again.

Bare with me. I'm trying.

[denigod]

I'm having a really slow start to my "earning" season this year.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weather turns soon.

[Plattus1000]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weather turns soon.

We've had what, 7 sunny days since new years and it's now May? You and me both brother.

[denigod]

https://news.google.com/news/amp?cau...her#pt0-434197

[Plattus1000]

https://news.google.com/news/amp?cau...her#pt0-434197

I knew it was bad but that's crazy!

[whiteghost1]

Yeah, us between the Cascades and the Pacific have had a brutal amount of rainfall this year. It's uplifting seeing weather comin back to seasonal finally.

[Plattus1000]

I am planning on having a dyno run before the 15th of this July. In order to do that, I've been collecting parts for my girl to smooth out the bumps. Full front and rear suspension refresh. Powerflex subframe bushings, new strut mounts front and rear, koni yellows in the rear and I'm not sure which shock/strut to put up front.

New exhaust pieces and I'll be re-doing my exhaust from the collectors back.

First however:

They're taller than the last set.

[geargrinder]

I am planning on having a dyno run...In order to do that, I've been collecting parts for my girl to smooth out the bumps.

You do know there's no bumps on dyno rollers? #groan

koni yellows in the rear and I'm not sure which shock/strut to put up front.

Why not koni's to match in front? Seems the obvious choice and it's very well respected setup...

{snip pix}

They're taller than the last set.

Look real good. Love the 'insider subtlety' of the 546i.

[Plattus1000]

My suspension has needed attention for some time. It was going to be either a full suspension or an engine swap, guess which took precedence in my mind?

I figure while all the arms are down/off, it'll be a good time to do the shocks too and since the exhaust system needs an overhaul too it's 2 birds one stone time.

Koni's do have a good rep on these. I was pondering the m-sport stock sach's up front.

For Winter I'll add an "x-drive" badge to fool the troopers as I cross the pass without chains.

Not going to lie. I'm going to miss the "M". It was a great conversation starter. I guess now it'll be a new conversation I'll be getting used to.

[scottieducati]

FWIW I love the Koni Yellows up front on mine (on Dinan springs). I'd like it better a half inch higher but we have some pretty rough asphalt around here.

[Plattus1000]

FWIW I love the Koni Yellows up front on mine (on Dinan springs). I'd like it better a half inch higher but we have some pretty rough asphalt around here.

Konis showed up today along with the powerflex subframe bushings. I'm getting that good feeling.

[Thrifty S50]

Such a let down as most of the Photobucket links in this thread are down.

[Plattus1000]

Such a let down as most of the Photobucket links in this thread are down.

I'm working on it but this was a pretty pic-heavy thread. It gets tedious and episodic after a few hours using my phone. I'll get them up. Sorry. But seriously, F-photophucket.

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Out with the old, in with yellow pieces.

The tie rods I bought were 2 different sized parts and one side lacked enough threads to adjust it past what we did. I took it to Les Schwab for an alignment moments after we had torqued the lugs when the lift was dropped.


This was as good as they could get me. I'll replace the tie rod in question and see where I'm at then.

I set the Koni's up front to the mid-point adjustment. I'll see how I like it and go from there in a few days.

I don't know if I can adjust the rears but I doubt it...?

There's a huge difference already. I'd let the bushings go a long time without replacement. Bad idea. The car was shaking itself apart.

The ride home was markedly improved and quieter. The front end being goofy, I'm not able to judge it all fairly yet.

If ya'll know Scott up there in the Tulalip/Marysville area of WA, he's who did the work, my only contributions were the parts I'd been scavenging over the last few years and some non-disclosed amount for gas money. He let me help clean up around the shop.

BTW, have you guys seen his latest creation? The M7

He says it's an amazing driver. Amazing.

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Day 2)
Still hunting down a tie rod, ordered and expecting but I can say that 95% of the bad noises I've heard in the past that make me cringe when hitting an uneven roadways, are gone.

I'm not sure I can tell if the powerflex bushing on the subframe are awesom or just way better than the garbage I was sitting on before.

To give you a clue as to what I was used to:
All 4 shocks once removed, barely had enough to push back out once compressed. Every component in the rear made of rubber had let go years ago.

Up front, there wasn't a bushing in place that wasn't toast. Shimmy on braking, back end would travel way too easy in wet conditions.

I should have replaced the wheel bearings/hubs and installed my lsd but you know how it goes. Mo'money, mo'money.

I hope to have the front all tidy before too long. Dima and I have got plans for his dyno as soon as my alignment gets handled.

[Thrifty S50]

I'm working on it but this was a pretty pic-heavy thread. It gets tedious and episodic after a few hours using my phone. I'll get them up. Sorry. But seriously, F-photophucket..

I just meant in the sense of like, i was stoked to start reading it. But yeah photobucket properly eff'd us. Looking forward to giving this a read and catching up on pics as they come!

[Plattus1000]

I just meant in the sense of like, i was stoked to start reading it. But yeah photobucket properly eff'd us. Looking forward to giving this a read and catching up on pics as they come!

Cool, I'll work harder.

[Plattus1000]

The rear as of last week:



Exhaust work is finishing up this week before driving to Cali to see Jed, suspension work just about tidyed up (Done months ago but the tie rods aren't set right yet, still a little too much toe in for my tastes.

Just a heads-up.

DUDMD is moved his shop. I'm trying to do dyno runs once the exhaust is finished.

[Helias86]

Just read 2 hours worth of this thread, only to get jipped on final dyno numbers! Aaaahhhh! Lol such an inspiring project! Get the dump done already!

[Plattus1000]

This goes out to all that haters toss'n me shite for leaving the "M" on after I bought the car:

Now to badge her appropriately...

Currently, I have quad tips. I was wondering what a big can at the end of each exhaust would look like/would I like it... I'll let you know what we come up with.