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Thread: Starting my swap...

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2010
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    Starting my swap...

    Well, my head gasket and my transmission took a crap in my 528... With almost 200k on the clock, not a shocker.
    So I'll be swapping in an ls3 from here (already purchased): http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...P2218C509.aspx

    This transmission: http://www.monstertrans.com/store/pr...tml?fullSite=1

    And an M5 rear diff and one piece custom driveshaft.
    I'll be making the exhaust and mounts myself.

    But my biggest problem is getting all the new stuff to work with the cluster and all that. I got a stand alone ECU and TCU but I'll be needing help with wiring and programming of modules.
    If anyone could help when I get there or put up some links with good info I'd appreciate it... I'm sure I'll have lots of questions along the way.

    I'll be starting the teardown soon...

  2. #2
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    Damn, that should be a great set up. What stand alone are you running for the engine and trans?

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by sid33 View Post
    Damn, that should be a great set up. What stand alone are you running for the engine and trans?
    Just a regular GM performance parts ECU: http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...7-P2221C0.aspx

    And TCU: http://www.monstertrans.com/store/pr...ol-System.html

  4. #4
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    Talk about awesome potential. There are several E36 LS swaps in Oregon, I'm sure they'll chime in. Looking forward to seeing this develop, take lots of pics!

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Nice!! takes lots of pictures!! one thing though, that engine is pretty pricey. you could've built up a motor for less but your setup is gonna be killer

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by smkocheran View Post
    Nice!! takes lots of pictures!! one thing though, that engine is pretty pricey. you could've built up a motor for less but your setup is gonna be killer
    Actually, for a used ls3 with 30k miles was about $1000 less... So I decided on a new one.

  7. #7
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    dude car-part listed a couple LS3(under $8)..one of which is $4200 with 7,500 miles

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
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    I am sure that engine is in excellent condition

    OP - the whole swap shouldn't cost more than $1k if you know what you are doing.
    Rob
    Prior projects:
    1998 540i with 6.6 LS2/T56 Chevy Power
    - pictures and details
    1992 325i with 6.6 LS2/T56 Chevy power - pictures and details
    1995 M3 with 6.6 LS2/T56 Chevy power - pictures and details




  9. #9
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    2000 528iA Sport. I want to do the same swap (auto trans).

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by rao View Post
    I am sure that engine is in excellent condition

    OP - the whole swap shouldn't cost more than $1k if you know what you are doing.
    Engine and all?! Engine and auto transmissions are things I don't like to buy used, especially site un seen and from a junk yard... to many variables that cause serious damage to internals.

    Quote Originally Posted by 82bmw633 View Post


    2000 528iA Sport. I want to do the same swap (auto trans).
    I'll try and document as much as I can...
    Last edited by Jesus Freak; 10-16-2011 at 09:14 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

  11. #11
    Join Date
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    Engine, transmission and donor car.

    Is your budget higher?
    Rob
    Prior projects:
    1998 540i with 6.6 LS2/T56 Chevy Power
    - pictures and details
    1992 325i with 6.6 LS2/T56 Chevy power - pictures and details
    1995 M3 with 6.6 LS2/T56 Chevy power - pictures and details




  12. #12
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    i wanna see this
    -tony

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by rao View Post
    Engine, transmission and donor car.

    Is your budget higher?
    My budget is about 15-16k engine, tans, misc...

    I'm gonna try and part out my engine to recover a few pennies..

    My budget is pretty high, I know, but I don't plan on ever getting rid of this car, and I'm going to have it insured for more than what I have into it.

  14. #14
    Join Date
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    E39 + LSx = match made in heaven. However I have heard Turbo M50 is better.
    Good luck with the swap

    2003 M5 LSx l 6 Spd Manual l 4.10 LSD
    Build Thread
    The chassis must always be regarded as a means to an end and never as an end itself

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Schitzo View Post
    E39 + LSx = match made in heaven. However I have heard Turbo M50 is better.
    Good luck with the swap
    Thanks schitzo, I've read yours and rao's treads about 10 times each.... I'm sure I'll still have questions tho.

  16. #16
    Join Date
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    If you check my thread, I pretty much detail how to recode the cluster and what you need to do it.

    I also go into how I went about tying the GM harness into what little is needed to/from the bmw to make it run.

    We need an e39 swap club!!!
    '99 BMW 540i6 L33 5.3, PRC Heads, E-force supercharged
    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1674320

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by James39 View Post
    If you check my thread, I pretty much detail how to recode the cluster and what you need to do it.

    I also go into how I went about tying the GM harness into what little is needed to/from the bmw to make it run.

    We need an e39 swap club!!!
    Yah, your thread has been the most helpful as far as wiring... I've got a few ideas on how to do it.

    A swap club would be sick... I think bimmerfest would be the best time and place to meet up... But it's a long drive for everyone.

  18. #18
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    So... The ls3 can communicate over a CAN bus, can this be adapted to the existing BMW can bus? Instead of converting both the PCM and cluster to use analog signals, could I make them communicate over the CAN bus?

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jesus Freak View Post
    could I make them communicate over the CAN bus?
    Unfortunately not.
    Even though both GM and BMW use Can-Bus for communication between modules, the CAN-IDs used for the various messages are different meaning a BMW module cannot understand a message sent over CAN-BUS from a GM module.
    The key to figuring out CAN-BUS systems will be to crack or acquire .DBC files used by the various auto makers. Such a file would contain all the information describing the respective CAN-BUS network, message IDs, their priorities etc.

    2003 M5 LSx l 6 Spd Manual l 4.10 LSD
    Build Thread
    The chassis must always be regarded as a means to an end and never as an end itself

  20. #20
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    Isn't their a way to just scan the bmw CAN-BUS system and datalog the information?

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by Schitzo View Post
    Unfortunately not.
    Even though both GM and BMW use Can-Bus for communication between modules, the CAN-IDs used for the various messages are different meaning a BMW module cannot understand a message sent over CAN-BUS from a GM module.
    The key to figuring out CAN-BUS systems will be to crack or acquire .DBC files used by the various auto makers. Such a file would contain all the information describing the respective CAN-BUS network, message IDs, their priorities etc.
    Figured it was a long shot, thanks tho.

    Another thing, could I make my own cluster of whatever guages and not have issues elsewhere in the car? (i.e. lcm)
    Or should I just stick with the stock cluster and convert everything to analog?

  22. #22
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    Stick with your cluster. The only thing that needs to be converted to analog is your tach and coolant temp. It will not cause issues elsewhere.

    2003 M5 LSx l 6 Spd Manual l 4.10 LSD
    Build Thread
    The chassis must always be regarded as a means to an end and never as an end itself

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Schitzo View Post
    Stick with your cluster. The only thing that needs to be converted to analog is your tach and coolant temp. It will not cause issues elsewhere.
    Thanks again for your help. I know I'm a ways away from dealing with this, but I want to be as prepared as possible.

  24. #24
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    If you're anal like me, switch over your MPG gauge to analog also

    I maxed it out in the cluster function at 1250 and it's still about 8% or so off. I will fix that someday too.
    '99 BMW 540i6 L33 5.3, PRC Heads, E-force supercharged
    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1674320

  25. #25
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    ^^^Did you wire it to an injector signal wire? I didnt feel comfortable doing that.

    2003 M5 LSx l 6 Spd Manual l 4.10 LSD
    Build Thread
    The chassis must always be regarded as a means to an end and never as an end itself

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