Blackknight530i’s 530i6 6-speed swap build thread

**auaq** · 01-05-2016, 04:10 PM

Heheh .... even thought the swap hasn't begun yet, but I say you've already got an extra 15hp and 10lb-ft torque already.

A complete list of parts and the price would be a great idea for future references.

**blackknight530i** · 01-05-2016, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by auaq

Heheh .... even thought the swap hasn't begun yet, but I say you've already got an extra 15hp and 10lb-ft torque already.

- - - Updated - - -

A complete list of parts and the price would be a great idea for future references.

Probably just by removing the losses from the auto, whp and wtq probably do increase a bit.

**BMW540san** · 01-05-2016, 04:28 PM

Good luck with everything and it seems you have a solid plan. Opinions differ, but rowing your own gears is priceless IMO.

In case you don't already know, besides Morristown which I've been using as well, there 2 other excellent dealers:

These guys have very competitive pricing and had free shipping for whole month of December,regardless of order size. I almost pulled a trigger on driveshaft (brand new balanced driveshaft with Guido and center bearing). Philly bought it there and he was very happy:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...?siteid=214697

And these guys have good deals on smaller size orders and give you option of small USPS box shipping:
http://thebmwminipartstore.com/

**blackknight530i** · 01-05-2016, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by BMW540san

Good luck with everything and it seems you have a solid plan. Opinions differ, but rowing your own gears is priceless IMO.

In case you don't already know, besides Morristown which I've been using as well, there 2 other excellent dealers:

These guys have very competitive pricing and had free shipping regardless of order size. I almost pulled a trigger on driveshaft (brand new balanced driveshaft with Guido and center bearing):
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...?siteid=214697

And these guys have good deals on smaller size orders and give you option of small USPS box shipping:
http://thebmwminipartstore.com/

I'm not listing the prices I get at Morristown because I deal directly with someone there and usually get better prices than are posted online. Thanks for the additions though. I don't mean for anyone to just take the prices I post as gospel

**dk500** · 01-05-2016, 05:10 PM

Subscribed. Going to use this as a guideline for my 6 speed swap at the end of the year.

**blackknight530i** · 01-05-2016, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by dk500

Subscribed. Going to use this as a guideline for my 6 speed swap at the end of the year.

Cool!

- - - Updated - - -

Originally Posted by dk500

Subscribed. Going to use this as a guideline for my 6 speed swap at the end of the year.

Was on my phone earlier and didn't see your sig, don't you have a 540i? You would have a very different swap DIY for that. This build log is for my 530i with the I6, not V8. Just wanted you to be aware of that.

**dk500** · 01-05-2016, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by blackknight530i

Cool!

- - - Updated - - -

Was on my phone earlier and didn't see your sig, don't you have a 540i? You would have a very different swap DIY for that. This build log is for my 530i with the I6, not V8. Just wanted you to be aware of that.

I'm going to reference this when it comes to the electronic gremlins and things such as installing the shifter etc. Apart from the actual removal and bolting up to the motor, it is relatively the same, just with different files for the engine.

**blackknight530i** · 01-05-2016, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by dk500

I'm going to reference this when it comes to the electronic gremlins and things such as installing the shifter etc. Apart from the actual removal and bolting up to the motor, it is relatively the same, just with different files for the engine.

My point is that you're probably better off using GearGrinder's 540i 6-speed swap thread: http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...Wiring-Coding/. The reason is that not only is yours a 540i, but it's a pre-facelift/pre-vanos, which means your DME is very different and so is the wiring. I'm not trying to tell you not to use my thread as a reference, but just be aware that it's going to be quite different.

**auaq** · 01-05-2016, 06:49 PM

You can refer to geargrinder's 6 speed swap thread. It has all the necessary info for the parts and all the info needed on electrical side and the coding as well, and this is for the V8.

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...-Wiring-Coding

**blackknight530i** · 01-05-2016, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by auaq

You can refer to geargrinder's 6 speed swap thread. It has all the necessary info for the parts and all the info needed on electrical side and the coding as well, and this is for the V8.

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...-Wiring-Coding

Haha, beat you to it

**auaq** · 01-05-2016, 06:50 PM

Lol. I need to type faster ....

**Aryana** · 01-05-2016, 06:59 PM

A swap with detailed pics and parts list? I'M IN!!!!!!!!!!

**blackknight530i** · 01-05-2016, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by Aryana

A swap with detailed pics and parts list? I'M IN!!!!!!!!!!

Well, that's what you're gonna get!

I just hope that the guys that help out take the pics, because I'm bad about doing the work and forgetting to.

**dk500** · 01-05-2016, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by blackknight530i

My point is that you're probably better off using GearGrinder's 540i 6-speed swap thread: http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...Wiring-Coding/. The reason is that not only is yours a 540i, but it's a pre-facelift/pre-vanos, which means your DME is very different and so is the wiring. I'm not trying to tell you not to use my thread as a reference, but just be aware that it's going to be quite different.

True true true. His is bookmarked on my browser as my #1 reference. Even though this is a different model, the more references the better.

**blackknight530i** · 01-05-2016, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by dk500

True true true. His is bookmarked on my browser as my #1 reference. Even though this is a different model, the more references the better.

Agreed 👍

**BimmrMeUpSnotty** · 01-06-2016, 07:45 AM

Cool project! Been interested in this since you had been posting your thoughts about it in other threads. Good luck with it Paul.

**blackknight530i** · 01-06-2016, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by BimmrMeUpSnotty

Cool project! Been interested in this since you had been posting your thoughts about it in other threads. Good luck with it Paul.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to taking it on. Been wanting to do it for a while.

**Liam79** · 01-06-2016, 09:35 AM

Oooh I'm gonna love following this thread when it gets juicy!!

I was all down for ESS in the not too distant future, but it's all your fault I'm now considering an S54 swap instead - damnit! Since I'm over here I'm gonna try pay the Norwegian guy who's done it a visit and have a good butchers.

I love knowing about bellhousing compatibilities too!

Would be great to know if N series engines and maybe even the diesels are compatible with the M/S54. I secretly drool about a 6HPxx or even 8HPxx swap into my car cos autos are great. I'm personally fine with manual really, but the Mrs would grumble if she had to use three pedals (even though she passed her test full manual).

With that in mind you've even got me thinking of SMG too, you git!

What's the main reason you're not fitting all the SMG bits to yours? Just no desire for it, or some insurmountable technical issue (surely not)?

Darn I really need to finish boring maintenance jobs on mine, get my interior pimping finished, then move onto the oily horse-generating bits.

**blackknight530i** · 01-06-2016, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by Liam79

Oooh I'm gonna love following this thread when it gets juicy!!

I was all down for ESS in the not too distant future, but it's all your fault I'm now considering an S54 swap instead - damnit! Since I'm over here I'm gonna try pay the Norwegian guy who's done it a visit and have a good butchers.

I love knowing about bellhousing compatibilities too!

Would be great to know if N series engines and maybe even the diesels are compatible with the M/S54. I secretly drool about a 6HPxx or even 8HPxx swap into my car cos autos are great. I'm personally fine with manual really, but the Mrs would grumble if she had to use three pedals (even though she passed her test full manual).

With that in mind you've even got me thinking of SMG too, you git!

What's the main reason you're not fitting all the SMG bits to yours? Just no desire for it, or some insurmountable technical issue (surely not)?

Darn I really need to finish boring maintenance jobs on mine, get my interior pimping finished, then move onto the oily horse-generating bits.

Hey Liam! The problem with the other autos is not so much the mechanicals, but the electricals. If you don't have a DME program that was meant for a 6 or 8 speed auto, it's not going to shift correctly (I don't think). You might be able to somehow get the 6-speed auto to work on a M54, but you might need to convert to a MS45 DME, which requires rewiring the engine and changing some sensors I believe.

As for the SMG, you need the S54 to be able to use it, and that just isn't in the cards right now. Also, they are known to have the pumps fail and those are expensive to replace, which is why I'm hoping to sell off the working one to offset the cost of the transmission. Also, I'd just rather have a manual

Regarding the S54, I'd really be interested to see what the Norwegian guy came up with on a few things. We all know about the oil pan modification that needs to be done, but he kind of just glossed over the cooling hose situation. Either way, it'd be good to see the engine bay on that thing to see what he really did. I'm also not 100% sure that's the route I'm going to take in the future, but it would allow for a lot more power.

**blackknight530i** · 01-06-2016, 09:58 AM

UUC parts came in yesterday!

**gmak** · 01-06-2016, 10:40 AM

What are we looking at here? ( I really have no clue). Is it a short shifter and linkage?

**blackknight530i** · 01-06-2016, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by gmak

What are we looking at here? ( I really have no clue). Is it a short shifter and linkage?

Yes, UUC Evo3 short shifter and UUC DSSR (Double Shear Selector Rod).

**gmak** · 01-06-2016, 10:54 AM

What does the double shear selector knob do? Does it improve shifting?

**blackknight530i** · 01-06-2016, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by gmak

What does the double shear selector knob do? Does it improve shifting?

So, if you look at the original selector rod, the rod is on one side with a couple pins sticking out, vs the DSSR being connected on both sides of the shifter. This gives you more leverage on the selector and just gets rid of any slop in the shifter. Check UUC's website for more details on it.

**Rob Levinson** · 01-06-2016, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by blackknight530i

So, if you look at the original selector rod, the rod is on one side with a couple pins sticking out, vs the DSSR being connected on both sides of the shifter. This gives you more leverage on the selector and just gets rid of any slop in the shifter. Check UUC's website for more details on it.

100% correct!

For more details, please see:

http://store.uucmotorwerks.com/articles/SSK-DSSR.htm