Bluebimma Project - E53 5.3T Procharged 5.3/4l80E/3.62LSD

[Bluebimma]

Starting over on another E53 project, after my other 6.0TT e53 was victim of arson. Some parts were salvageable, 80% gone. The gt2256 turbos were also victim so now im doing a quick budget build with a 5.3l LM7, GT45 turbo, 4L80E rwd transmission, 3.62Lsd from an m6.

Picked up my donor vehicle from Ann Arbor, Michigan. The previous owner took very good care of the vehicle, always serviced at the dealer, and rust free. First install was the E53 OE hitch assembly followed by the e53 Aero rear bumper cover. Secondly, i removed what was left of the old Style 87s, had one replaced, all four sandblasted, then repainted in charcoal. Mounted another set of continental DWS tires in oe sizing.





















The front calipers were destroyed, due to heat, so they have been upsized and replaced with Brembos from the Range Rover SVR. The rotors have also been replaced with 15" blanks also from the Range Rover.














Picked up the 5.3 two hours north of me for 200$. Set it on the e53/ls cradle and set up a quick engine test stand and harness. Started right up after installing another set of injectors.













Found a nice Estoril 4.6is in detroit junkyard and stripped it of everything i needed including the rarer alcantara interior, rear bumper cover, cluster, all black trim, rear motorsized and heated seats, sport steering wheel, and a few other pieces.
















Everything is moving along quickly, cant wait to get it on the road. Also purchased some cheap coilovers to do some testing with spring rates and dampers.



The Gt45 turbo

[AdamBath]

Starting over on another E53 project, after my other 6.0TT e53 was victim of arson. Some parts were salvageable, 80% gone. The gt2256 turbos were also victim so now im doing a quick budget build with a 5.3l LM7, GT45 turbo, 4L80E rwd transmission, 3.62Lsd from an m6.

That's just heartbreaking.

[eightynine535]

arson?!?? ummm...wtf? story?

[Bluebimma]

There’s not much of a story to it. A week before bimmerfest, I finished the x5 and only had the harness and fuel system to install. It was at work, someone busted out he passenger window and dumped accelerant of some kind down the passenger side of the vehicle and lit it up. The fire station was a block away and didn’t respond for over two hours, according to the factory cameras next door. Essentially just burning it to the ground literally.


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[Lantz]

There’s not much of a story to it. A week before bimmerfest, I finished the x5 and only had the harness and fuel system to install. It was at work, someone busted out he passenger window and dumped accelerant of some kind down the passenger side of the vehicle and lit it up. The fire station was a block away and didn’t respond for over two hours, according to the factory cameras next door. Essentially just burning it to the ground literally.


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Dam! Sorry to hear, I would be pissed.


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[Bluebimma]

[motorV8ed]

I love how you roll!

[Bsaint]

damn dude, sorry to hear about the other car. But good to see your back at it!

[buzzboy]

I haven't seen that interior before. Love it! I'd like that in my Compact.

[Bluebimma]

damn dude, sorry to hear about the other car. But good to see your back at it!

Yea it definitely sucked, but im bouncing back to it.

Got a few things accomplished this past week including installing most of the interior and getting the engine prepped for install. Also finished the primary side of the exhaust as well as began the midpipe.















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[mrallande5020]

Aw man that interior looks like it came from a 2010+ model, looks amazin.

[Bluebimma]

Aw man that interior looks like it came from a 2010+ model, looks amazin.

yea i love the way it looks as well

Pulled the drivetrain yesterday and started the install of the 5.3 setup.

[Lantz]

Love your threads. Always a lot of progress.


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[Bluebimma]

Love your threads. Always a lot of progress.


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Thanks , i also use these pics to replicate and troubleshoot future builds and issues.

Took the chance to test out the brembo fitment. Looks like itll be fine stock but planning to run 25mm spacers.

[Bluebimma]

[Bluebimma]

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[Bluebimma]

Installed chrome gauge rings into the cluster. Easy fun project.




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Some current engine bay shots until it gets buttoned up.

[Lantz]

No turbo this time?


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[Bluebimma]

Fabricated a mandrel bent Magnaflow exhaust this past weekend














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[Bluebimma]

No turbo this time?


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I changed it up a bit

[mrallande5020]

Oh yea, turbo or not this thing is killer. The exhaust note is deep and it fits the brod look of the suv. Real nice build and all the pictures are a big plus!

[Bluebimma]

Picked up a procharger to rebuild on the cheap. They tore down the charger and reassembled it incorrectly. 3 hours of labor and its back up and running properly.

[Bluebimma]

Set in there, next is piping

[mrallande5020]

That's sick man, you make damn fast progress! That non Vortec beauty cover would look good black. How did it drive after you first did the swap?

[Bluebimma]

Polished up the Procharger, for aesthetics and for airflow since it had to be slightly shaved down.