Project LSX 4.6is

[chivas]

why butcher a 4.6 and not a 4.4 instead? the 4.6 is already rare, take a pedestrian 4.4 instead. or is it for the interior?

[crystalworks]

^Probably because it's what popped up. According to his first post he wasn't even really looking for one. 4.6/4.8 would be what I would use for one of these conversions too. I would want every option BMW offered to go along with my 500+hp.

No e53 X5's are going to be worth a ton of money in the future from a collector's standpoint... unless we are talking extremely low mileage garage queen units 10-20 years from now.

Nice to see progress... I'll definitely be following.

[Plattus1000]

Plus, the seam welded body wouldn't be all flexed out by the torque of this build. The 4.4 would feel and sound like you were driving inside a cardboard box. The upgraded suspension and brakes are an added bonus to stop this thing once built and rolling.
Not to mention the fun factor of pulling up to a sibling 4.6 or 4.8 at a stoplight and pounding them at the green. They wouldn't be able to find their jaw for days.

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by Plattus1000

Plus, the seam welded body wouldn't be all flexed out by the torque of this build. The 4.4 would feel and sound like you were driving inside a cardboard box. The upgraded suspension and brakes are an added bonus to stop this thing once built and rolling.
Not to mention the fun factor of pulling up to a sibling 4.6 or 4.8 at a stoplight and pounding them at the green. They wouldn't be able to find their jaw for days.

I wouldn't expect a huge improvement from a dig. Without all wheel drive, with transfer case actuator disconnected on my 4.8is, I can smoke the rear tires fairly easy. With all 4 wheels pulling, makes a huge difference. I can still light up all 4 wheels, but it takes some effort to do. It really pulls.

Once it gets up to speed, I am sure the LSX will do its thing.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

I wouldn't expect a huge improvement from a dig. Without all wheel drive, with transfer case actuator disconnected on my 4.8is, I can smoke the rear tires fairly easy. With all 4 wheels pulling, makes a huge difference. I can still light up all 4 wheels, but it takes some effort to do. It really pulls.

Once it gets up to speed, I am sure the LSX will do its thing.

What is your definition of lighting up all 4 tires?

[bmwman528e]

Originally Posted by chivas

why butcher a 4.6 and not a 4.4 instead? the 4.6 is already rare, take a pedestrian 4.4 instead. or is it for the interior?

I paid $2500 + transport for the whole truck! I sold the engine for $2500. So I have about $800 into this chassis and can still sell off the rebuilt transmission and transfer case. I wish I could find more clean title 4.6is's in this condition. I would part out all working drivetrain parts and keep the chassis for future projects. The project could be even cheaper if a cam only 6.0/4l80 combo was swapped in and retained the factory 4.6 exhaust. Since I have nothing into this I will splurge on certain things to get it exactly how I want it. I didn't think I could budget for a Magnum T-56 but now that the engine is gone it will allow me to get the transmission this truck deserves.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by bmwman528e

I paid $2500 + transport for the whole truck! I sold the engine for $2500. So I have about $800 into this chassis and can still sell off the rebuilt transmission and transfer case. I wish I could find more clean title 4.6is's in this condition. I would part out all working drivetrain parts and keep the chassis for future projects. The project could be even cheaper if a cam only 6.0/4l80 combo was swapped in and retained the factory 4.6 exhaust. Since I have nothing into this I will splurge on certain things to get it exactly how I want it. I didn't think I could budget for a Magnum T-56 but now that the engine is gone it will allow me to get the transmission this truck deserves.

I can't believe you got $2500 for the engine...

[bmwman528e]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I can't believe you got $2500 for the engine...

Cheapest one on Ebay and Car-Part were $4300 and $4500 and had 20k less miles than my engine. To be honest if I wasn't in a rush to get the project rolling I would have held out for $3500.

[tmv]

Originally Posted by bmwman528e

... I wish I could find more clean title 4.6is's in this condition. I would part out all working drivetrain parts and keep the chassis for future projects. ...

I have a clean title 4.4i chasis in good condition. You want it?

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by tmv

I have a clean title 4.4i chasis in good condition. You want it?

Left you a parts request in your FS section thread when you have a chance.

@bmwman528e, wow, looks like the 4.6is is the e53 model to part out if you run across a cheap one. Also, do you own an e28 (your user name)?