I spent over $320 (including unused tools, parts I never used, and some I never should've bought), and probably 9-10 hours (including searching for circuits I had no idea where located or if they were suitable at all).

If I had waited a bit, to investigate further, and to actually learn my X5 and its' systems better, I could've saved money, and especially time spent. But, having spent the funds (on good quality items, for the most part) and my time (not so valuable, in retirement, as it was once, but still limited), I guess I'm satisfied with the results.

I bought a powerful fan, from a brand I've used before, probably more than needed, but I feel good about it. I could've bought less cfm, for much less $$, but more is better, IMHO. Extra, unused stuff will eventually find some use, as all my tons of spares from racing eventually do/did/will. The spare relay I bought is a must-have, as are the crimped/heat-shrunk connectors I used (but already had on hand). My installation will last.

I should've spent more time going over every inch of the car, to learn the modules & their (possible) interactivity with other circuits. I was afraid to tap into some circuit that an unknown module might share with another, not knowing if I needed to put a diode inline or not (I've had backfeed in other applications/cars trigger something unexpected). I am not now, nor have ever been, a qualified electrician.. If I could've waited six months before the conversion, I'm sure it wouldn't have taken so long to install. I did learn a lot from actually taking stuff apart, that looking at diagrams didn't show me (the blocked-over glovebox flashlight connector that became my switched-power, for example. Time well-spent.

And I was afraid that the horribly noisy, deteriorating fan and viscous clutch were going to fly apart, tearing up everything under the hood, before I could justify to the wife that the X5 (that she repeatedly told me not to trade for) was indeed a good vehicle. It'd be just my luck it'd fly apart on her first ride in it. So, I had to rush the install, at whatever cost. I couldn't wait.

__________________
01 BMW X5 E53,3.0i-5L40E, 7/13/01
topas-blau,Leder-grau,"resto-project car"

Here:
14 Lexus ES350,3.5L-U660E
09 HHR Panel,2.2L-4T45E
04 Chevy 2500HD,6.0L-4L80E
98 GMC Sierra 1500,5.7L-4L60E

Gone:
66 Chevelle Malibu 2dr ht.,327>441c.i.-TH350>PGlide/transbrake
08 Cobalt Coupe,2.2L-4T45E
69 & 75 C10s,350c.i.-TH350
86 S10,2.8L-700R4
73 Volvo 142,2.0L-MT4
72 & 73 VW SuperBeetles,1.6l-MT4
64 VW,1.2l-MT4
67 Dodge Monaco 500 2dr ht.,383c.i.-A727
56 Chevy 210 4dr,265c.i.-PGlide