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Thread: 2002 540i wagon LS2 swap build

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    Phily, PA
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    My Cars
    95 M3 LS6

    E39 540i wagon LS2 build

    Not exactly an LS2 build since it was already done by the previous owner, but a build non the less. I have lots of plans for the car to make it my own...refining some small things, tweaking some other things, some boost. Definitely some boost. But that's for this winter. I've built a LOT of fun fast cars in the past 20 years (damn i'm old) so i'm no stranger to making power. Current stable mates include a 810whp '94 Supra, 450whp '92 Galant VR4 that I brought back to life from a stripped roller, an E34 540i, a Burger Tuned '13 550xi...there's some others that don't matter. I also had an E36 M3 that was LS6 swapped previously...I think I have a thread on here somewhere about that one.

    Current mods on the car...

    LS2 / T56
    SIKKY swap kit
    Monster LT1-s twin disc clutch
    Diffsonline 3.62 ratio w/ OS Giken LSD
    SIKKY long tube headers
    SIKKY intake
    Mishimoto rad/fan/shroud
    TurnOne GTO power steering pump
    528i rack & pinion
    528i front subframe
    FK coilovers
    ECS 6 piston front brakes
    2 piece front rotors
    19" BBS Super RS
    M5 front bumper
    M-sport rear bumper
    Umnitza headlights w/ Evo X retrofit
    Euro Celis tail lights
    M5 heritage front seats
    Some audio goodies...

    I'm actually finding things and adding to the list every time I look at the car. I'm sure there's more I don't even know about yet.

    Anyway enough rambling! On to some pics!


    Yes, it's the one from BaT.


    Arriving at work today








    Leaving Idaho early Wednesday







    Tucked away at home







    Some pic from Bring a Trailer










    Last edited by CGinev; 10-22-2017 at 07:03 PM.
    -Chris

    02 540iT LS2 || 13 550XI Msport || 94 530i || 04 330ci || 92 Galant VR4 || 94 Supra TT/6 810whp


  2. #2
    Join Date
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    VA
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    E63AMG/Z31/Tacoma/F31
    Congrats again!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    Phily, PA
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    95 M3 LS6
    Thank you! Put a good 100 miles on it today and loving it. Definitely a great cruiser, and perfect weather to match today.
    -Chris

    02 540iT LS2 || 13 550XI Msport || 94 530i || 04 330ci || 92 Galant VR4 || 94 Supra TT/6 810whp


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    Phily, PA
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    95 M3 LS6
    Spent the day cleaning up all the cars. Supra isn't currently home so one less fortunately. This thing makes less power than all the rest but still a blast to drive! Loving it!





    -Chris

    02 540iT LS2 || 13 550XI Msport || 94 530i || 04 330ci || 92 Galant VR4 || 94 Supra TT/6 810whp


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    279
    My Cars
    2003 540iT M-Sport (sold
    Congrats on the purchase! In for updates.

    Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
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    Tempe, AZ
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    1995 525i/5
    Haha, you've got quite the garage if an LS-swapped 540it makes the least power of all your cars... my bone stock C5 Corvette makes more power than everything I have.
    1995 525i 5-speed - Thread

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    Phily, PA
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    95 M3 LS6
    Quote Originally Posted by aharbaugh9 View Post
    Congrats on the purchase! In for updates.

    Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
    Thanks!


    Quote Originally Posted by dannyzabolotny View Post
    Haha, you've got quite the garage if an LS-swapped 540it makes the least power of all your cars... my bone stock C5 Corvette makes more power than everything I have.
    To be fair, it does make more power than my E34. Haha!
    -Chris

    02 540iT LS2 || 13 550XI Msport || 94 530i || 04 330ci || 92 Galant VR4 || 94 Supra TT/6 810whp


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    Phily, PA
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    95 M3 LS6
    Ordered up this wheel today to replace my 4 spoke. Combo of perforated and non perf Nappa Leather, padded thicker, tri color stitching, and flat bottom. No red stripe on mine however. Should go better with the car than the current wheel. Should be here in a few weeks.


    -Chris

    02 540iT LS2 || 13 550XI Msport || 94 530i || 04 330ci || 92 Galant VR4 || 94 Supra TT/6 810whp


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
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    CT
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    My Cars
    2011 750Lix M sport
    I have similar wheel on mine. It’s super padded and the stitching makes it look great.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    I thought long and hard about picking this one up, happy be able to watch you build it into your own! Congrats!

    -James

  11. #11
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by ECSTuning View Post
    I thought long and hard about picking this one up, happy be able to watch you build it into your own! Congrats!

    -James
    It's going to be a fun build for sure. Excited to get started on the good stuff this winter.
    -Chris

    02 540iT LS2 || 13 550XI Msport || 94 530i || 04 330ci || 92 Galant VR4 || 94 Supra TT/6 810whp


  12. #12
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    Dec 2014
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    95 M3 LS6
    Ordered up a Brian Tooley cam and valve springs today. Should have time to put those in within a week or so. Waiting on my steering wheel to arrive from Europe in the mean time.

    Pic from a week or so ago on my way out from work. Lighting seemed right!



    -Chris

    02 540iT LS2 || 13 550XI Msport || 94 530i || 04 330ci || 92 Galant VR4 || 94 Supra TT/6 810whp


  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    95 M3 LS6
    I've never bought a China built radio off eBay till now. This thing had so many good reviews globally. OE look and fitting. Built in Wi-Fi and 4g. Uses downloadable apps from the Google Play store. Has internet and any app you can thing of as well as 5 4v outputs and lots of inputs. Retains steering wheel controls! Also runs Android Nougat 7.1. Hard to pass up.











    Last edited by CGinev; 11-02-2017 at 01:31 PM.

  14. #14
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    ^I've had a few in the past. The issue I ran into was longevity, I found myself replacing them every year or so bc buttons would just stop working. That being said when the ones I had worked, they were pretty great but all needed external amps as the built-in ones were rubbish.

    -James

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by ECSTuning View Post
    ^I've had a few in the past. The issue I ran into was longevity, I found myself replacing them every year or so bc buttons would just stop working. That being said when the ones I had worked, they were pretty great but all needed external amps as the built-in ones were rubbish.

    -James
    I don't doubt that one bit. Here's to hoping it lasts a while. I have an audison channel laying around as well as a set of Focal 3 ways I'm going to try to make work in he car. We will see how much effort and time I have to do the latter. I'm already seeing that the built in amp is lackluster at best.




    I also noticed my pics didn't load on the previous post, so I fixed that.
    -Chris

    02 540iT LS2 || 13 550XI Msport || 94 530i || 04 330ci || 92 Galant VR4 || 94 Supra TT/6 810whp


  16. #16
    Join Date
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    1995 525i/5
    Weird how somebody cared enough to do an LS swap but didn't do anything about the non-sport 4-spoke steering wheel... I guess they really liked the heated steering wheel feature?
    1995 525i 5-speed - Thread

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by dannyzabolotny View Post
    Weird how somebody cared enough to do an LS swap but didn't do anything about the non-sport 4-spoke steering wheel... I guess they really liked the heated steering wheel feature?
    I wondered the same thing! I actually had the new steering wheel ordered BEFORE the car arrived to the east coast!
    -Chris

    02 540iT LS2 || 13 550XI Msport || 94 530i || 04 330ci || 92 Galant VR4 || 94 Supra TT/6 810whp


  18. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    Phily, PA
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    I'm putting my E34 up for sale and ended up getting my wife an E46 330ci to cruise in to keep some miles off her F10 550xi. Already got her some BBS CH wheels and some OEM clear/red tails out of the UK. Just needs some suspension, MSport bumpers, and clear out the headlights. I'm kinda digging the car to be honest!



    -Chris

    02 540iT LS2 || 13 550XI Msport || 94 530i || 04 330ci || 92 Galant VR4 || 94 Supra TT/6 810whp


  19. #19
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    Details on the E34?

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by RVAE34 View Post
    Details on the E34?
    It's a 1994 BMW 530i auto. 117k on the odometer. The car is in great shape other than some clear coat peeling on the roof. Just put new Koni and Bilstein shocks and H&R springs on. Recent inspection and has been daily driven by my wife for the past few months. She splits daily driving duty with this and her 13 550xi because she drives so much. Oil just changed with full synthetic. Interior and body are in great condition. And most importantly, ICE COLD AC!

    $3995.


















    I'd keep it around for the hell of it, but it'd just sit. There's WAY too many cars here. There's a truck and 2 car trailer in the street as well plus the E46 vert that my wife drove today.

    -Chris

    02 540iT LS2 || 13 550XI Msport || 94 530i || 04 330ci || 92 Galant VR4 || 94 Supra TT/6 810whp


  21. #21
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    Damn, you actually have me tempted. I was building that N/A RB28 stroker for a Nissan Z31 but it would also fit it this

    Is that a USDM Galant VR4 or JDM?

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by RVAE34 View Post
    Damn, you actually have me tempted. I was building that N/A RB28 stroker for a Nissan Z31 but it would also fit it this

    Is that a USDM Galant VR4 or JDM?
    Haha...that would be an awesome swap for sure! The GVR is a '92 USDM unit. #33 of 1000
    -Chris

    02 540iT LS2 || 13 550XI Msport || 94 530i || 04 330ci || 92 Galant VR4 || 94 Supra TT/6 810whp


  23. #23
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
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    Portland, Maine
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    e46 m3 6psd TIAG w/Imola
    AWESOME Driveway..... Is that your Supra?? You've got great taste!

    Also the 330ci with the BBS CH are perfect, I've been looking for a set of those for my e46 m3.....

  24. #24
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by sooch View Post
    AWESOME Driveway..... Is that your Supra?? You've got great taste!

    Also the 330ci with the BBS CH are perfect, I've been looking for a set of those for my e46 m3.....
    Thank you sir. Yes, the Supra is mine..definitely my favorite car in the driveway. ...and I agree...love the CHs on my wife's E46. Perfect combo. Waiting on suspension to arrive as we speak.
    -Chris

    02 540iT LS2 || 13 550XI Msport || 94 530i || 04 330ci || 92 Galant VR4 || 94 Supra TT/6 810whp


  25. #25
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    95 M3 LS6
    Not a whole lot going on with the car lately. Trying to track down an odd RPM based vibration around 2k. Decided to swap out the factory balancer for an ATI piece as the original was looking a bit old. Other than that, just driving the crap out of it. It's almost winter so that means its almost time for boost!





    -Chris

    02 540iT LS2 || 13 550XI Msport || 94 530i || 04 330ci || 92 Galant VR4 || 94 Supra TT/6 810whp


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