LS3 swap into E53 X5

GOFAST GUY · #1 11-07-2015, 11:50 AM

Hey guys, I have the opportunity to work with a small group of detail minded and mechanically knowledgeable men who see a lot of benefit in simplifying the E53 X5 electronically while upgrading the horsepower with a proven engine. Once we accomplish this task, we're planning on marketing the complete kit with full instructions on how to replicate it. Within this community, how much interest do you think there would be.
Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks

Joshdub · #2 11-07-2015, 12:21 PM

Interest as in others doing the swap? Probably not much. There was one member who asked about doing this earlier in the year. I think it would be cool though, just don't expect to get rich off this.

TiAgX5 · #3 11-07-2015, 01:11 PM

BCRedliner and I have discussed this at several Cars & Coffee Dallas meets.

If I recall, he's interested in leaving the 4.6is Dinan "as is", a donor blown trans and/or motor X would be an ideal starting point.

bcredliner · #4 11-09-2015, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

BCRedliner and I have discussed this at several Cars & Coffee Dallas meets.

If I recall, he's interested in leaving the 4.6is Dinan "as is", a donor blown trans and/or motor X would be an ideal starting point.

I have Dinan mods that took me to 369HP. I added meth injection and a 150 shot of nitrous. The Dinan mods included transmission software. I also installed electric cutouts. It's hard to find the Dinan stuff anymore and if I was to start over I wouldn't bother. Whether it be a 3.0, 4.4, 4.6 or 4.8 I would go the meth and nitrous route.

I have considered lots of options beyond where I am. While there may be an opportunity to simplify the electronics and increase HP and TQ going to an LS3, doing so creates another list of issues.

In the case of 4.6 it will likely be the transmission. There is a vendor that will rebuild the transmission to handle more HP and TQ and also offers a high stall convertor. If that transmission handles the increases the next weakest link will become the rest of the driveline.

Since the bottom end of a 4.6 is almost bulletproof, and a 4.6 on the rare side, going to an LS3 only makes sense if it delivers over 700HP. At that level I think I would be chasing weakest links with little out there to solve the problem.

Unless I wouldn't be chasing the weakest links at 700+HP and 600 TQ I would go another route--such as the X5M that has an 8 speed transmission instead of a 5, launch control, etc. and the starting point is already 567 HP and 553 TQ There are suppliers to push that to over 750 HP without causing other problems. With the twin turbos getting more than that wouldn't be that difficult.

That's the route I intend to go. My 4.6 will no longer be my daily driver. I will then upgrade the transmission, increase the diff ratios to at least 4.10, increase the nitrous to 200 shot and have some head work done. I expect I will find the next weakest link.

There were no 4.6 nitrous applications that I could find so it was breaking new ground. It's not now.

GOFAST GUY · #5 11-09-2015, 08:46 PM

Since they guys I know and have talked to about this project are well versed in 'American Muscle' we'd use the motor and transmission and probably go 6spd manual. By going manual over auto, we'd cut a whole bunch of potential sensor issues out of the equation. I'm not appose to driving a manual X5 either for that matter. Mating the drive shaft up to the transmission can be fab'd up without issue and I'm sure the rear diff will handle 500hp. Once I track down the LS and have it rebuilt by one of my buddies, I'll wait till spring before pulling the X5 engine out and building motor mounts and aligning brackets etc. From what I've heard, these engines are so much more easy to work on with parts WAY cheaper than any on the engine I'm currently running.

X53Jay4.8is · #6 11-07-2015, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOFAST GUY

Hey guys, I have the opportunity to work with a small group of detail minded and mechanically knowledgeable men who see a lot of benefit in simplifying the E53 X5 electronically while upgrading the horsepower with a proven engine. Once we accomplish this task, we're planning on marketing the complete kit with full instructions on how to replicate it. Within this community, how much interest do you think there would be.
Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks

I love my 4.6is I would not think of putting an LS3 into my X5. I guess if it was a project vehicle like taking a blown 3.0L and retrofitting it I could see. Unfortunately none of the LSX swaps that I have seen have increased the value of these BMWs. It has to be a really special person that would have interest in it. What I love about the BMWs is that they actually engineered efficiency into their products. The LS3 while it makes great power its archaic in engineering. Its not a world class motor.

14thbmw · #7 11-07-2015, 05:22 PM

I would be interested in this, but on a 845i. Reduce weight, simplify electronics, add HP and Torque, all in a nice shaped car that won't appreciate (that is the territory of the 850csi). I can't really see the value in the X5.

Plattus1000 · #8 11-07-2015, 05:29 PM

Come up with a supercharger kit that works, fits and costs less than VF or ESS and I'd buy one if you offered tuning support after the sale.

THE VEIN · #9 11-07-2015, 06:03 PM

there is a video on youtube of an x5 with an ls swap

Plattus1000 · #10 11-07-2015, 08:38 PM

Me personally, unless the engine totally blew up and the truck had no major issues, I'd just buy a new bmw motor. If speed is needed, there are solutions for that on the existing platform. I'm not saying it wouldn't be cool but so would a jet turbine drive or an all electric d/c & a/c motor. Just my opinion mind you.