X5 4.4 engine swap worth it?

[dizmo]

Hey all,

I am currently considering a project, and I thought I'd run it by you guys first to see if it's actually worth it. I can currently get a 2001 X5 with timing chain issues for a good price, as well as a 2001 X5 with a dead transmission.

The vehicle with the timing chain issue has had the transmission rebuilt, and the brakes done within the last year.

The engine in the one with the dead trans has apparently been updated to avoid any timing chain issues.

I know a mechanic that will swap the engine for a decent price.

Is this a worthwhile project, or is it a bit too much?
What should I be looking for?
Any other well known issues?
While the engine's out, what should I change/replace/update?

Thanks for any tips or advice!

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by dizmo

Hey all,

I am currently considering a project, and I thought I'd run it by you guys first to see if it's actually worth it. I can currently get a 2001 X5 with timing chain issues for a good price, as well as a 2001 X5 with a dead transmission.

The vehicle with the timing chain issue has had the transmission rebuilt, and the brakes done within the last year.

The engine in the one with the dead trans has apparently been updated to avoid any timing chain issues.

I know a mechanic that will swap the engine for a decent price.

Is this a worthwhile project, or is it a bit too much?
What should I be looking for?
Any other well known issues?
While the engine's out, what should I change/replace/update?

Thanks for any tips or advice!

Not sure what the end result is in your situation. For it to be worthwhile it depends on how much you are willing to spend on it vs what it will cost you. Now if you were doing this swap yourself then of course it can be more attractive of a situation. In addition, paying someone to swap it over for you is just the beginning you really don't know what other things need to be addressed until the vehicle is running. If you are a DIYer then probably makes more sense. I assume you are just changing out one 4.4v8 for the dead 4.4 V8? correct

[dizmo]

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

Not sure what the end result is in your situation. For it to be worthwhile it depends on how much you are willing to spend on it vs what it will cost you. Now if you were doing this swap yourself then of course it can be more attractive of a situation. In addition, paying someone to swap it over for you is just the beginning you really don't know what other things need to be addressed until the vehicle is running. If you are a DIYer then probably makes more sense. I assume you are just changing out one 4.4v8 for the dead 4.4 V8? correct

Well, the one with the blown engine would be $1,200, the one with the blown tranny would be $800, and the swap would be $600.
I don't have the time or space to do it myself.

What other things generally go wrong? Both vehicles were running until recently. I figured since the one has a rebuilt tranny already done, that's one of the big hurdles out of the way.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by dizmo

Well, the one with the blown engine would be $1,200, the one with the blown tranny would be $800, and the swap would be $600.
I don't have the time or space to do it myself.

What other things generally go wrong? Both vehicles were running until recently. I figured since the one has a rebuilt tranny already done, that's one of the big hurdles out of the way.

Are you planning on keeping the vehicle for your use or are you trying to flip it to make a little coin? If you are looking at flipping it I would pass on it. If you verified that both were running recently and not just the opinion of the owners then maybe I would be inclined to take chance. Does the owner of the engine with the timing guides updated have any receipt for it such as the parts he/she used or receipt from shop that did the work? Did the engine receive any cooling system updates at the time of timing guides updates? If you are not sure you'll spend another $1K-$1.2K on this with quality parts. Same for the tranny rebuild. Who did the rebuild and what documentation is their to substantiate the quality of the rebuild? There are a lot of ifs and unknowns here. Like I said if you were doing this all on your own and its a keeper then this move would make more sense. In addition is the condition of the vehicle you are trying to make whole in excellent shape and what kind of miles are on this unit? All this needs to be evaluated to make a better decision to proceed? In addition you need to keep in mind that you are going to probably spend more than the initial outlay of $2600. You will want to do a system cooling service/refresh on the 4.4L, valley pan gasket is a common wear/failure point. If the 4.4L engine is high mileage I would also do a rear main seal replacement. Before you know it your $2600 outlay has escalated to $4k outlay. Once again if you are keeping this for yourself then may be more attractive as a hobby/project build but if your looking to make a profit on a flip, risky.

[upallnight]

Are you swapping engine or transmission? I would think that swapping the trans will be a lot cheaper compare with swapping an engine. Which X has the better body? Better interior? Most options? Which car has the lower mileage?

[TiAgX5]

I agree with Upallnight.

It all comes down to overall vehicle condition.

[Plattus1000]

But, for the prices he's throwing out, I'd say go for it. My engine swap(4.4 to 4.6) just the labor, excuse my bad Canadian (labour) was $3k. The guides and some preventative maintenance on the e53 was $3,600

For $2,600, and I'll assume that's the funny "before we got them all apart" price, he could have a running X and a parts car to sell or pick from over the next few months/years.

Doesn't sound like a bad path. Could be but not necessarily.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by Plattus1000

But, for the prices he's throwing out, I'd say go for it. My engine swap(4.4 to 4.6) just the labor, excuse my bad Canadian (labour) was $3k. The guides and some preventative maintenance on the e53 was $3,600

For $2,600, and I'll assume that's the funny "before we got them all apart" price, he could have a running X and a parts car to sell or pick from over the next few months/years.

Doesn't sound like a bad path. Could be but not necessarily.

At $6200 of outlay thats about where a 4.4 2001 X5 would sell for in the market. There is no room for profit or goofups. The other variable that has not been discussed is the mileage on the units. If they are over 100K miles (where most of this age are) then the value drops from there quite significantly. Like I said if he plans to keep it to run it and make it great than fine but he will probably have to dump some other monies into the vehicle beyond the mechanical work.

I would also add that probably neither of these X5s that the PO is considering are in pristine condition, hence one of the reasons the price is low an attractive.

[Plattus1000]

If he thinks he can do all this for $2,600 (not sure where you're getting your number of $6,200) he should.

You and I might assume it'll be way more money based on proper parts and maintenance upgrades but if he's got the hook up, he's got the hook up.

I recently saw a really nice low mile 2000 e39 M5 sell for $2k, $16k less than book. Stranger things have happened. The new owner is quite thrilled with the car.

If he gets BD into this and buried in bills then, we tried to warn him this could happen but if things work out, we'll all be jealous.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by Plattus1000

If he thinks he can do all this for $2,600 (not sure where you're getting your number of $6,200) he should.

You and I might assume it'll be way more money based on proper parts and maintenance upgrades but if he's got the hook up, he's got the hook up.

I recently saw a really nice low mile 2000 e39 M5 recently sell for $2k, $16k less than book. Stranger things have happened. The new owner is quite thrilled with the car.

If he gets BD into this and buried in bills then, we tried to warn him this could happen but if things work out, we'll all be jealous.

$2600 intial outlay, $3600 valve guide work, cooling system etc. The PO already stated that he does not have the time or space to take it on as DIYer and so he will have to pay for all work to be done. I am not saying that this vehicle may not be a bad project to take on but there are so many variables to consider such as condition and mileage of the two X5s. Chances are these are not pristine vehicles he was not able to verify how they ran and who did the said work on the vehicle.Its just pure hearsay and luck of the draw. If there is over 100K miles on each of the vehicles then its probably going to need more than just a swap to bring it together. Even the suspension would be have to be evaluated they to can be costly to repair. If the vehicles were running and you could make a better assessment then that could change many things.Its risky at best