Engine and Transmission swap

[ArtMan]

So after many wonderful years of ownership, my 2003 x5 3.0 is on its last leg. Engine has a bad misfire goes away after warm up but the minute you start up no matter how many times its been on that day it still misfires. Transmission had a bad torque converter and i rebuilt it myself and that gave me 60 K more miles so im happy about that. But now the transmission light is on about the torque lock up clutch which from research indicates worn out bores either in the transmission or the oil pump area. (will cost close to 600 to sleeve and new solenoids)

So instead of trying to fix the misfire which could be oil rings etc its been getting worse lots of things have been tried. I was looking around car auctions for a wrecked low mileage one and found one well 2 with 76K and 87K. but one is 2003 and the other is 2004. I like the 2004 because i can also use the front end and update my front end too while i am at it.

Question is can i swap over the engine and transmission and use my current set up? I know ill have to bring over the other transmission computer and maybe the ECU too but otherwise it looks to be drop in and done. I dont see any major differences.

Anyone seen or know of someone doing that?

[smokeyyank]

Originally Posted by ArtMan

So after many wonderful years of ownership, my 2003 x5 3.0 is on its last leg. Engine has a bad misfire goes away after warm up but the minute you start up no matter how many times its been on that day it still misfires. Transmission had a bad torque converter and i rebuilt it myself and that gave me 60 K more miles so im happy about that. But now the transmission light is on about the torque lock up clutch which from research indicates worn out bores either in the transmission or the oil pump area. (will cost close to 600 to sleeve and new solenoids)

So instead of trying to fix the misfire which could be oil rings etc its been getting worse lots of things have been tried. I was looking around car auctions for a wrecked low mileage one and found one well 2 with 76K and 87K. but one is 2003 and the other is 2004. I like the 2004 because i can also use the front end and update my front end too while i am at it.

Question is can i swap over the engine and transmission and use my current set up? I know ill have to bring over the other transmission computer and maybe the ECU too but otherwise it looks to be drop in and done. I dont see any major differences.

Anyone seen or know of someone doing that?

I think your best bet would be the stick with the same years. Was X drive introduced in 04? If so that may present a whole new set of challenges since those aren't mechanical T cases and are electronically controlled.

[ArtMan]

Thats what i was thinking but was not sure the exact date of X drive implementation and if that the case can i use a 2004 engine with 2003 transmission then?

[smokeyyank]

You should be able to as the GM tranny was used on all the 3.0's and engine configuration did not change.

[wpoll]

By "front end" end do you mean mean bumper, headlights etc?

That's as big a job as the engine swap... It involves a lot of parts, like both front fenders, the hood, bumper, undershield, headlights, sub-panels etc... Be easier to buy a whole facelift car.

[ArtMan]

Yeah my list of items that would need to be replaced if i went that route is big. But i figured if im going to replace the engine and transmission and those 2 alone will set me back 1500-2800 just parts. If i buy a rear end accident X5 with low miles then while i have it why not replace the whole front end ? X5 has been parked now for a year.

I hate to part it out. I kept the interior and exterior in great condition so its something to think about. Like you said could look for a low miles run and drive and part mine out i guess.