Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #11  
Old 12-07-2016, 11:01 PM
BimmerM3inGA's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Perry, GA
Posts: 368
BimmerM3inGA is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by williamx5
I know of an Imola red and black 4.6is that I would love to convert to the RWD side, but I don't want to be "that guy" who ruins a nice example of a rare breed...
Quote:
Originally Posted by williamx5
What are your thoughts on converting one of the few Imola red 4.6is' over to a RWD manual?
What's wrong with being that guy? I want badly to be that guy. Don't worry about ruining a rare car. BMW already did that when they installed an automatic transmission at the factory. I'd convert my Imola 4.6is to RWD and 6MT in a New York minute if I thought it could be done for less than what it would cost to buy an X5 3.0i manual AND a 540i AND install a supercharger in the 3.0i.
__________________
2002 X5 4.6is - Imola Red/Black (Sold)
2001 740i M Sport - Anthrazit Metallic/Black (Sold)
1998 M3/4/5 - Technoviolet/Dove (Sold)
2003 Z4 3.0i Sport - Sterlinggrau Metallic/Black (Sold)
2009 Mini JCW (The Wife's)
2015 i3 REx - Arravani Gray/Tera World (Daily Driver)
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #12  
Old 12-07-2016, 11:22 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 568
williamx5 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by BimmerM3inGA View Post
What's wrong with being that guy? I want badly to be that guy. Don't worry about ruining a rare car. BMW already did that when they installed an automatic transmission at the factory. I'd convert my Imola 4.6is to RWD and 6MT in a New York minute if I thought it could be done for less than what it would cost to buy an X5 3.0i manual AND a 540i AND install a supercharger in the 3.0i.
Good day!

Well, it really would be a nice vehicle to convert! I do hope I can get it all sorted out for almost next to nothing... And if I can get it to work with very little custom work, the better for others that would want to do it to theirs... I'm even going to piece together drive shafts until I get one that works, or conclude I must go the custom route...

I'll look into that 4.6is tomorrow...

Cheers all!
__________________
2001 E53 X5 4.4i (03-07-2001 build date) White exterior / hellbeige interior (6MT swap vehicle - Manny)
2002 E53 X5 4.6is (12-20-2001 build date) Imola Red exterior / M-texture interior (Red)
2003 E53 X5 4.4i (06-26-2003 build date) Silver exterior / Black interior (Silvester II)
2008 Mini Cooper S ragtop (04-17-2008 build date) Dark Silver exterior / Gray interior ( Topless)
BMWCCA member (#4745)
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 12-08-2016, 09:48 AM
BimmerM3inGA's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Perry, GA
Posts: 368
BimmerM3inGA is on a distinguished road
Well, if you figure out a way to do the conversion for a reasonable amount of money, I think a lot of folks would be interested in the details - Myself included. My original fantasy was that it could be done for roughly the same cost as replacing a failed automatic with a new one from BMW. WRONG! A new BMW automatic transmission is a much cheaper option.
__________________
2002 X5 4.6is - Imola Red/Black (Sold)
2001 740i M Sport - Anthrazit Metallic/Black (Sold)
1998 M3/4/5 - Technoviolet/Dove (Sold)
2003 Z4 3.0i Sport - Sterlinggrau Metallic/Black (Sold)
2009 Mini JCW (The Wife's)
2015 i3 REx - Arravani Gray/Tera World (Daily Driver)
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 12-08-2016, 02:03 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 854
lo_jack is on a distinguished road
I think you should start reading 740 boards. The 740 people have done more than one m6 swap. That's where you get all the stuff for the transmission/clutch aspect. I think the best transmission for this is 420G or the other manual transmission that came in the late 545 V8s with manual. That's been tested.

Do not use M3 transmission even though it is spec'd for descent amount of horse. They don't make much torque, and M3 is an I6 engine so it won't bolt up. There were plenty of manual V8 sedans in the E53 era though. Use one of those. Watch the gear ratios. X5s are geared for a lot of mass and high final drive ratios. 5 series were not so much.

The transfer case is the problem.

The only BMW manual car with AWD is going to be a wagon, but they never had v8s. They are all built on M54 I6 variants (M50, M52 etc). I would get your transmission and then figure out how to adapt to and mount a transfer case. This is probably going to take a custom adapter plate and input/output shafts, but it isn't impossible. You can use the stocker, but it might be harder to modify to fit the original than use something else where you can custom mount it.

The L332 Rover that has the 4.4 engine came factory with a different transfer case than the E53 X5 with 4.4. It has a low gear on it and is spec'd for a slightly higher vehicle weight than the BMW unit, because the rover is a fat, fat pig. But it came factory and bolts up, and probably can take more torque than the NV125 or the later motor-based units that came in E53, which are aluminum, lightweight and chain drive. It's heavy and expensive compared to the NV125.

You could go completely off the deep end and use a non-BMW/Rover transfer case like a Dana 300 (has been done with a 3.0 by a member here) but he had to flip the case AND have a custom adapter plate machined AND had new propshafts made. The problem with manual swap on 4.4L in E53 has always been, to my mind, the transfer case. That's why everyone who has done it (all two of them or whatever) go RWD. Do it though, I have been thinking about this for a long time.


edit: apparently the machine is not taking hard returns today. sorry for the block'o'words.
__________________
2001 E53 3.0 5pd
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 12-08-2016, 03:29 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 568
williamx5 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by BimmerM3inGA View Post
Well, if you figure out a way to do the conversion for a reasonable amount of money, I think a lot of folks would be interested in the details - Myself included. My original fantasy was that it could be done for roughly the same cost as replacing a failed automatic with a new one from BMW. WRONG! A new BMW automatic transmission is a much cheaper option.
WOW! I really hope I can pull this off! Almost wish I had done the hard stuff to determine that it could either be done how I want, or know there's no way and not get anyone's hopes up... So, I guess I better make this work and get it to cost less than a new auto from BMW! I love a challenge! Bring it on!

Good day lo_jack! Thanks so much for the info! I have been looking at the 7 series boards, and is been good reading, but they are using the N62 V8.. Those are in our 2004 and up E53's (I already have one). Those N62s like having a 2004 and up 545i manual trans behind them.

I'm sticking with the 2001 to 2003 E53 so I can use my 2001 540i spare trans. The 2004 and up conversion might happen IF this one goes like I want it and I get enough requests to attempt the same on the newer power plant!

However, in both cases, I'm not going to bother with keeping the AWD. I have not seen a V8 manual E53 yet in the states from BMW... If BMW only knew how many units they would have sold (not gonna speculate, but I think it would have been enough to cover tooling and such costs to have it built! They could have at least tried it!).....

So, this project will be strictly to make a V8 6 speed RWD E53 out of completely stock BMW parts and done as cheap as possible with mostly used parts (that generally don't wear out to begin with)!

Well all, I'm off for a few days. I work third, so getting this going is hit or miss with the holidays! The normal selling market turns into holiday shopping! This might not get full into the works until after the holidays!

Stay tuned and be safe out there!

Happy holidays to you and yours!
__________________
2001 E53 X5 4.4i (03-07-2001 build date) White exterior / hellbeige interior (6MT swap vehicle - Manny)
2002 E53 X5 4.6is (12-20-2001 build date) Imola Red exterior / M-texture interior (Red)
2003 E53 X5 4.4i (06-26-2003 build date) Silver exterior / Black interior (Silvester II)
2008 Mini Cooper S ragtop (04-17-2008 build date) Dark Silver exterior / Gray interior ( Topless)
BMWCCA member (#4745)

Last edited by williamx5; 12-08-2016 at 03:32 PM. Reason: Typo...
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 12-08-2016, 03:42 PM
BimmerM3inGA's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Perry, GA
Posts: 368
BimmerM3inGA is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by williamx5
So, this project will be strictly to make a V8 6 speed RWD E53 out or completely stock BMW parts and done as cheap as possible with mostly used parts (that generally don't wear out to begin with)!
That's exactly what I want! I hope you can figure out a way to make it work. It's been done with E39 wagons, as well. Maybe that would be a good place to look for ideas.
__________________
2002 X5 4.6is - Imola Red/Black (Sold)
2001 740i M Sport - Anthrazit Metallic/Black (Sold)
1998 M3/4/5 - Technoviolet/Dove (Sold)
2003 Z4 3.0i Sport - Sterlinggrau Metallic/Black (Sold)
2009 Mini JCW (The Wife's)
2015 i3 REx - Arravani Gray/Tera World (Daily Driver)
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 12-08-2016, 04:10 PM
upallnight's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Cook County
Posts: 7,280
upallnight is on a distinguished road
I would just look for a decent Porsche GTS Cayenne with a six speed manual box. Don't know why someone would want an SUV that is only RWD.
__________________
2006 Infiniti G35
2001 BMW 3.0I E53 X5 Build date 08/2000 SOLD
Lotus Europa 1970 Destroyed by fire
Lotus Europa 1970 S2 Renault Powered
Lotus Type 52 1970 Twincam Webers Powered
PORSCHE 911 Targa 1982 The Garage Queen
Audi Avant donated to Kars for Kids
BMW 525IT Sold
Audi 4000CS Quattro Sold
Jensen Healey Lotus Powered Sold
Opel 1900 Sold
Triumph Spitfire 1971 Sold
Triumph Spitfire 1968 Sold
Plymouth "Cuda" 340 Six pack SOLD
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 12-08-2016, 05:03 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 568
williamx5 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by upallnight View Post
I would just look for a decent Porsche GTS Cayenne with a six speed manual box. Don't know why someone would want an SUV that is only RWD.
Good day!

That's my thoughts on it too! WHY???

But, (there is almost always a "but").... But, I love the attributes the E53 has and that it has a V8 option... I would personally never buy a truck without 4x4... since I have one for the snow days, why not play with an E53 for a daily driver the other 11 months in RWD manual trans fashion?

It's all about choices! This is really a big E39 for me... I already have an E39 540i6 and the stock 2004 E53... I'm squashing then together just for fun! Maybe I can get it to drift a little.... just havin fun!

Cheers!
__________________
2001 E53 X5 4.4i (03-07-2001 build date) White exterior / hellbeige interior (6MT swap vehicle - Manny)
2002 E53 X5 4.6is (12-20-2001 build date) Imola Red exterior / M-texture interior (Red)
2003 E53 X5 4.4i (06-26-2003 build date) Silver exterior / Black interior (Silvester II)
2008 Mini Cooper S ragtop (04-17-2008 build date) Dark Silver exterior / Gray interior ( Topless)
BMWCCA member (#4745)
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 12-08-2016, 05:26 PM
Joshdub's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Seattle
Posts: 2,065
Joshdub is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by upallnight View Post
Don't know why someone would want an SUV that is only RWD.
Ask BMW. They deemed the market big enough to produce the new X5 in RWD. Domestics have also been making them for years.
__________________
03 3.0i mt
89 325is
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 12-08-2016, 05:29 PM
BimmerM3inGA's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Perry, GA
Posts: 368
BimmerM3inGA is on a distinguished road
No need for AWD here in southern GA. The 4.6is is strictly an on-road vehicle anyway - no chance of ever taking it 4-wheeling with 20" summer tires.

Ditching the AWD hardware gets rid of 3 driveshafts, 6 CV joints, a differential, a transfer case, two oil sumps, and I-don't-know-how-many gaskets and seals. It's not like 340HP is so much that it'll overwhelm the rear tires.
__________________
2002 X5 4.6is - Imola Red/Black (Sold)
2001 740i M Sport - Anthrazit Metallic/Black (Sold)
1998 M3/4/5 - Technoviolet/Dove (Sold)
2003 Z4 3.0i Sport - Sterlinggrau Metallic/Black (Sold)
2009 Mini JCW (The Wife's)
2015 i3 REx - Arravani Gray/Tera World (Daily Driver)
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:57 PM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.