2001 E53 4.4L 6MT swap? - Page 4

crystalworks · #1 01-02-2017, 12:36 AM

Nice... bet you got it for a song too. Happy New Year.

BimmerM3inGA · #2 01-02-2017, 10:10 AM

Nice!! Can't wait to see how the 6MT/RWD conversion works out.

X53Jay4.8is · #3 01-02-2017, 04:08 PM

What is the mileage of that 4.6is?

williamx5 · #4 01-04-2017, 10:35 AM

Good day all! Well, yous were right! It is a "Drawtight" hitch... I may take it if and see how it compares to the original! I hope the PO that installed it didn't cut and splice wires! It does have the square tubing that goes under the battery box and ties into the diff support. I think I'm still gonna pull it and maybe install it on the better half's X...

The red X has 164K on the dash, that you can barely read... Build date 01/02...

The X has the TC and drive shaft issue... I have to say this one could have been avoided if the tech that installed the replacement TC for original owner used the $10.72 collar and seal on the front drive shaft. Oddly, I went to the pull it yard to check the one X5 out there for anything good... TC and drive shaft were there... but 3.0L version TC... Was going to pull the DS, but this one also didn't have the collar and seal... TC looked newer than trans. I have the parts needed for my X on their way... I'm going to put it back to original for now. I am still getting all the parts needed for the conversion together... Once I get them all, I'll start the swap... It should be warming up by then...

Okay, so one issue I have that maybe someone can help me with... My turn signals don't work... The PO stated he needed to replace the LCM... Would that cause my issue? I can code the module, but is it possible to have the wrong one in there?

I'll post more pictures soon! I wanna get it cleaned up a little...

Cheers all!

williamx5 · #5 02-10-2017, 08:59 PM

Good day all!

Well, the 2004 is still giving me transmission issues and my 4.6is is just amazing! So, I've once again pulled the trigger on another X5... 2006 with the 4.4L and panoramic sunroof for $2500... Charged up battery enough to turn the motor over... seems to be missing compression on a few cylinders... I'll tear into it my next few days off!

So, I'm not sure what to do here! My first thought is to pull the motor from 4 (2004) and get 6 (2006) on the road with me still using 2 (2002 4.6is)... The interior in 4 is so much better than 6! BUT, I can let the better half use 6 and convert 4 to RWD manual and finally solve the transmission issue I've been dealing with for months! Once the conversions done, I can let the better half use 4 and think about another conversion on 2 or 6, while I use the one I don't convert!

How many want a RWD V8 6-speed if I can get it to work like it came from the factory? No crazy hacking of wires or crazy alarms on the dash that won't go away! My end product would resemble what BMW would have made, if they were smart enough to make it!

Thoughts?

Cheers!

BimmerM3inGA · #6 02-10-2017, 10:30 PM

Quote:

How many want a RWD V8 6-speed if I can get it to work like it came from the factory? No crazy hacking of wires or crazy alarms on the dash that won't go away! My end product would resemble what BMW would have made, if they were smart enough to make it!

ME!!!

williamx5 · #7 02-10-2017, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerM3inGA

ME!!!

Well, you aren't far... Once I get everything sorted... Parts list, wiring pulled from correct donor car or modified from existing harness, and programming sorted, you could come up with the patient and assist or drop it off and I'll let you know when it's done and done right... No idea what the parts list will cost with used items... I could guesstimate going off new item prices if that is what yous want...

Just so everyone knows... It might be spring time when I will be able to source all the parts needed... Not many salvage yards are pulling items from the manual 3.0L's that don't fail... Like ALL the parts I need for the conversion, so they get crushed when they get done pulling all the good stuff... I have to make some sort of deal with the salvage yards to get these parts before they crush the shell... Or find that unicorn at the PIY!!!

EDIT:: I checked all the PIY's yesterday... Nothing avail... I just checked and one is brand new on the lot... Unknown transmission, so I will be losing sleep to check it out tomorrow... Keep your fingers crossed!!!

Cheers!!!

BimmerM3inGA · #8 02-10-2017, 10:54 PM

Just keep me posted on your progress. When you have it figured out let me know and we can go from there. I'm not really in a hurry and would prefer to wait until the conversion is fully worked out. So if it's a few more months, that's fine with me.

squidzilla · #9 02-11-2017, 12:40 PM

I cant wait till this is done and perfected. I intend to convert my 4.6is as well to a 6mt to go along with my m54 5mt.

williamx5 · #10 02-12-2017, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squidzilla

I cant wait till this is done and perfected. I intend to convert my 4.6is as well to a 6mt to go along with my m54 5mt.

Good day squidzilla!!

Would you want to help me out a little?? I could really use a picture of the clutch pedal assembly so I can get a better idea of what I am dealing with... Please... I'm putting this parts list together using realoem. Some things are included in the picture, but might not be needed for the manual... It is looking really great as far as the pedals are concerned... Short of the carrier itself, which is about $80, the rest is essentially pulled from the same vehicle you pull the transmission from... The brake pedal is E53 specific as well... But all the mounting for the brake pedal dates back to '81, so pull that from the donor vehicle you're getting the transmission from...

The Shifting arm is going to be fun... It might need to be shorten or extended... Up to 9/03 is one version... 9/03 and on is another... If you have the V8 with variable valve LIFT, everything you need should come from a 545i... The selector rod might be custom made to your preference... Aside of those two items, the rest is pretty much from the trans donor vehicle... I'm not sure how many are aware, but the shifter lever bushing is where the pivot point of the shifter lever sits... Remembering back to geometry, the amount of force on an item using a lever has yada yada yada.... So, if you go with stock, it will be easy to shift the trans, but your throws will be over a foot long... If you go with my personal favorite, the E46 M3, the pivot point is moved up the lever some and shortens the throws, but makes it a little more difficult... If you are one that visits the PIY (Pull It Yards) you might have a wide selection of levers... The knobs are usually the first to go, but the levers generally stay... Pick a few... Try them out... Yada yada yada...

Hydraulics are easy and difficult... The cylinders are from the transmission donor vehicle... they are all the same... The hydraulic lines however should come from the 3.0L X5 and pulled carefully so they may keep their stock appearance!! I doubt BMW would send the lines pre-bent... BUT, ya never know!! I'm going to ask on Monday...

The shifter boot is probably going to be the most expensive, unless you can find the 3.0L X5 to pull all the E53 specific stuff from... New shifter boot is around $79 from ECS tuning or $87 from the dealer... The only other expensive part is the input clutch cylinder at $140 new from ECS tuning... But they are a dime a dozen in the yards... Oh, not counting the transmission, cross member mod, drive shaft mod, and clutch/flywheel parts... I already have my 540i 6-speed trans... I'll start pulling the ones I find in the yards here, along with the flywheel, and clutch items... You may want to go with new clutch components... but...

It is hard to come up with a total due to the good probability of getting lots of these parts used... And most of this stuff lasts the lifetime of the car... I just checked the PIY's and no manuals, but there is a 2007 525i out there as of yesterday... Need anything!?

Well, this is already crazy long...

More to come!!

Cheers!!!