Parting out 4.6is engine and transmission to replace with LY6 Engine

[guntherrex]

that sounds mean

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by GOFAST GUY

Well, it's been a fun adventure with this LS swap but the 6L LS fit and there was room to spare since the LS is narrower than the 4.6L. The motor mounts were easy to fab up and I picked up a set of Hooker short headers to clear the firewall on the passenger side. The wiring harness had to be ordered through Wiring Specialists and for now I'm running a HUD through my OBD2 plug so I have engine temp, speed, tac etc.
We used the factory X5 tranny mount and added 9" of bracket onto it to accommodate the shorter 4L80 tranny. We made an adaptor for the shifter linkage so the BMW automatic gear selector works fine aside from no sport shift.
We used an after market electric fan and thermostat for engine cooling.
We used the BMW rad and reservoir along with most of the coolant lines and power steering reservoir as well.

Once it was up and running and tuning was done, I decided to swap out the factory cam for an LS9 cam and delete the VVT which was also surprisingly simple. A little more tuning and it feels really good. Since the 4L80 only has 4 gears, in WOT, it shifts from 3rd to 4th at 170km/hr 'hypathically' of course.
Here's a short video of it idling.
https://youtu.be/lTnXZ1nZWKM
When just driving normal, it shifts smooth and works perfect. The amazing thing about getting it tuned, its done through HP Tuners so literally everything can be changed. We bumped the redline to 7000. It shifts in WOT at 6600rpm. The shift points were played with also so that under regular driving, its idling along in 4th gear most of the time and when you want to pass someone, i can either easy into it and it downshifts nice or I can hammer on it, and it jumps down 2 gears and takes off.
It is only rear wheel drive right now but with the factory 315 tires in the rear, it has tons of traction with plenty to spare.

Very cool. E53 + reliable LS that makes power is a perfect combination. Awesome project. Thanks for the update.

[Happy]

I like my Flex-Fuel 5.3 LS! I always run ethanol! There’s lots of power, and sounds strong! For me, headers, and cams would be awesome!

[X5chemist]

I've had the same idea. I wondered if someone had stuffed an LS motor into an X5. Even a 5.3 with 325-375 HP will burn the wheels off. A 6.0 or 6.2 make tons of toque. If can can be done to an X3, an X5 even better. A cable drive LS with a stand alone harness can be done. The intake alone is a straight connection into the TB.

Checkout this 5.3 X5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOaYpAwkb1I

If I win a lotto in my life time, I'll do an X5 Hellcat!!

[Henn28]

Definitely my hero. Very nice work!

[GOFAST GUY]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

I've had the same idea. I wondered if someone had stuffed an LS motor into an X5. Even a 5.3 with 325-375 HP will burn the wheels off. A 6.0 or 6.2 make tons of toque. If can can be done to an X3, an X5 even better. A cable drive LS with a stand alone harness can be done. The intake alone is a straight connection into the TB.

Checkout this 5.3 X5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOaYpAwkb1I

If I win a lotto in my life time, I'll do an X5 Hellcat!!

Since these engines can be had for only a couple hundred bucks, its just a matter of building the mounts, which aren't that hard really and buying a stand alone wiring harness. Make sure to grab the gas peddle and fuel pump and float also. If you got an LQ4 the wiring harness with the engine would work well. I opted for the LY6 which had the LS3 heads but it came with the body control module and Variable Valve timing, which i deleted so I had to order the harness.
When sourcing your build, if you can find a set of LS3 heads then definitely go with the LQ4 engine. I have one torn down on a pallet waiting to go into my E36 M3 when I find time and money.
You will need a custom driveshaft so factor in another $500-$800
also a 1999 Corvette fuel filter which will convert the one way LS fuel line into a return system for the BMW but those are cheap at any parts store.

[X5chemist]

Are you installing the LQ9 cam into the LY6? Or using an aftermarket cam? The LQ9 stock cam is good. The LQ9 with a few mods makes over 500 HP easy. The LQ9 cam into the LY6 would start around 443hp\467 ft\lbs. Probably more with heads you mention.

[GOFAST GUY]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

Are you installing the LQ9 cam into the LY6? Or using an aftermarket cam? The LQ9 stock cam is good. The LQ9 with a few mods makes over 500 HP easy. The LQ9 cam into the LY6 would start around 443hp\467 ft\lbs. Probably more with heads you mention.

I got the LS9 cam for only $200 so I have it in right now. I did some costing on other, better cams and decided to actually go forced induction...


so I picked at a PW 7875 turbo new for a great price and since it's boxing day today, I'm heading down to the local Mopac store to see what other goodies I can get for a decent price. Since the X5 isn't going anywhere for the rest of the winter and is inside at my buddy's shop, its the perfect season to do some fab work and upgrades.
I got this little gadget for Christmas so I'm looking forward to installing it but won't really be able to test it till spring... That just seems sooooo long from now...
https://youtu.be/0ZiWRTc4g8M

[GOFAST GUY]

Boxing Day was a success!! I was able to get a 45mm wastegate with an 8-11lb spring and a 50mm blow off valve, a bunch of fittings and hoses for the turbo, some 2.5" pipe and a trunon upgrade kit.

[SpookX5]

Any update on this project?