-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 thread2005 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
Yep.
There's no way at this point in my experience thus far that says I'm ready for a 6 speed swap. That wiring harness alone is more daunting to me than this whole project x2.
Don't get me wrong, I miss my gear banging days in the porsche but I'd screw up so badly on the install it would be talked about decades from now.
Blacknight530i---
I was going to just do an s/c and was all set up to leap but then... When hunting for the wife's X5 and after buying what I thought to be yet turned out not to be an Alpina wagon, I learned to appreciate the solidity of the m62 4.6 variant.
For the record as I recall, it's not an Alpina built engine, not even the ones badged as Alpina 4.6's are. Another company built them or did the castings for BMW based off the Alpina modernized B7 4.6 design of Alpina and BMW gave Alpina 46 to put in various e39 Alpinas. They assembled them and fine tuned them so they're a tad nicer and smoother than the slapped together BMW 4.6.
Alpina claims that this engine and the S62 are great engines but add that although going 0-100 in an S62 is faster but in the Alpina 4.6 it can be done all day, everyday without the expected maintenance issues one might encounter in the S62. I'm not saying I believe that but I liked the idea.
So, with a grain of salt, I listened.
I thought it would be both unique and a nice way to make lemonade out of a really nice lemon that I purchased in ignorance. There are S62 swapped tourings, Ls1 tourings and probably jet turbine tourings but I haven't heard too much in the area of 4.6is touring swaps. It should be unique if it works and quite fast once some air is forced down its throat.
So yes, research. Good stuff. Learning you didn't learn enough from the research, also good stuff. Getting help from people who want you to suceed, amazing.
Before I start a debate about which engine is best I'll say this. The 4.6is is the best for me. Size, electronics, back story and future plans compatable and complimentary and I can keep my automatic.
If I could own a nice M5 sedan, I'd do it. If I could affort to make a 4.4 pump out 500whp, I'd do it. This isn't based so much on my research as it is my gut.
I feel this is what the universe wants me to have.
It also wants me to have a few victoria's secret models to play with but the wife told it I get the car with a s/c'd 4.6is and nothing else so...
Last edited by Plattus1000; 12-02-2015 at 12:26 AM.
I'm not sure you took my meaning. I was commending you on your swap decision. It is unique, let's you keep the auto (with perhaps a Dinan or Alpina tune), and is a great engine. I wasn't suggesting that you do a S62/6-speed swap, as that was already discussed in your other thread and completely understandable for your needs. That said, the wiring is very near plug and play to do a s62/6-speed in a facelift e39. Again, not suggesting, just responding to your comment. Also, M62 and S62 both have their own reliability issues. The S62 doesn't have issues with cooling system components, M62s don't typically have issues with rod bearings, both have cam sensor issues and timing guides, but s62 doesn't have timing guide failures as often and M62 doesn't have as many expensive cam sensors to replace. The point is, they both have reliability issues, it just depends on how you drive and maintain them.
That said, I'm subscribed for updates because I love all kinds of BMW engine swaps.
Last edited by shogun; 05-17-2019 at 06:02 PM.
-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 thread2005 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
Sorry, I didn't take it that you were questioning my choice at all. I guess for some reason I thought I'd elaborate on my choice and how it came to be. And for any future discussion regarding me swapping in a six speed by anyone down the line who reads this after I'm all buttoned up.
I had no idea on the facelift it was "plug-n-play" easy. When I drove the '97 540i pre facelift, I read geargrinder's write-up/checklist and it scared the holy begeezus out of me. Damn now there's that piece of knowledge to kick about... Learning sucks sometimes. I'd have gone with the 4.4+s/c and not the 4.6 but the forum gurus suggested that although not much had been done with a 4.6 swap it seemed relatively drop-in simple. I'm highly receptive to suggestion it seems. lol
I'll stick with the slushbox for now, perhaps as a retirement present, I'll get a clutch pedal and another touring to plant an S62 seed in.
No, you didn't come off as anything but supportive. I apologize if it came off any other way than receptive.
Glad to have you on board!
Last edited by Plattus1000; 12-02-2015 at 03:09 AM.
Awesome! Looking forward to your swap. As long as you document it well, this will be a great reference for people in the future.
Last edited by shogun; 05-17-2019 at 06:03 PM.
-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 thread2005 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
You misunderstood me.
I was looking at 3 files:
540iA
X5 4.4
X5 4.6
I compared the 540iA and X5 4.4 tunes and noted all the differences -- found that the catalytic converter parameters, cruise control parameters, tank leakage pump parameters, knock parameters, and AFR parameters were different. What I don't know is *why* the 540iA and X5 4.4 have slightly different knock and AFR parameters.
I then compared the 4.6 software to the 4.4 software at the addresses identified in the first comparison. Catalytic converter, cruise, and tank leakage stuff was bit for bit identical to the 4.4, so it is safe to copy the 540iA parameters over to those. The knock and AFR parameters are different, as expected. So we'll have to use the 4.6 values there even though the 540i and X5 4.4 also have unique values. Probably not a big deal, and a dyno tune can probably get that stuff near perfect.
Well there isn't an X5 4.4 manual. So what I'd have to do is compare the 540iA vs 540i6, and hope that none of the differences are for engine running characteristics.
Plattus: Another thought I had was that you might want to buy a 4.6is torque converter (which is also the same torque converter as the Alpina Z8) - probably would shift better
Last edited by TerraPhantm; 12-03-2015 at 10:35 AM.
The L51 TC from the X5 4.6iS is an inch larger and requires the larger bell on the -034 tranny, shared with the E52A.
You probably have a -022 with the standard bell.
Other misc background on my B46 -> e31 thread.
Hey, thanks.
You're correct but I don't think this will be a problem. I'm told however I don't know for certain that the engine should bolt right up. But I will investigate this further.
I don't think the 2 guys who've done the swap in their 540i's changed out the transmission.
I was going to get a new T/C though just to have a good start to the power transfer process.
(edit) Hyper is correct. I chose not to change transmissions to accommodate the larger torque converter. I'm keeping the stock tranny.
Last edited by Plattus1000; 02-17-2016 at 09:57 AM.
Last edited by Plattus1000; 07-10-2017 at 11:37 PM.
Lost it when you said the 'wrong skirt'.
Pics of the skirt so we can better advise?
Some Places remain unknown because no one has ventured forth. Others remain so because no one has ever come back......
Sub'd Still need to connect and get some shots of our Tourings together...
Trust me. This is going so much slower than expected. Be patient. I personally am jumping out of my skin but there's been a few set backs. Beyond that I thought I'd start the new year off with a teaser at least. We'll be breaking it down over the next few days. To go on the engine lift, need bolts:
2 M10x1.5 x 75mm long (3")
2 M10x1.5 x 85-90mm long (3.5")
4 M10 flat washers
2 M10x1.5 nuts.
In case you plan to do this one day. I'll take my M12 bolts back. never anticipate. Yet 1 more rule from the military coming into play.
Last edited by Plattus1000; 07-10-2017 at 11:39 PM.
So is that the old 4.4 or the new 4.6?
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