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

[GOFAST GUY]

Progress has been the keyword with this project. It ran fine last summer with the LS9 cam in and the VVT deleted with headers and exhaust but my buddy had to go and find a good deal on a PW 7875 turbo and then the project started all over again. Lol
To be clear, prior to this build I knew nothing about turbo'd vehicles. I'm trying to recall if I'd ever been in one forget behind behind the wheel of one but his confidence in the build won me over so we got cracking on welding everything into place and running lines filling up the engine bay...



I guess this turbo is NOT a small turbo because my injectors weren't big enough my fuel pump did have enough pressure, I had issues with too much heat in the engine bay so I cut hood vents in and added 2 puller fans (16" and a 12". I had to make custom length spark plug wires to go around the passenger side exhaust manifold. I had used the A/C condenser as a transmission cooler but it blocks the whole rad so I'm currently pulling it out and adding a much smaller trans cooler at the back of the vehicle where my batter box use to be behind the rear diff. More tuning will happen next week but with the 7lb spring in my tuner buddy was measuring right around 500-550whp. Once it's all dialed I'll probably dyno it to have some solid numbers.

[GOFAST GUY]

The headlights were original and looked like shit so I wet sanded them with 2000gr sand paper and sprayed them with a 2 part epoxy to renew them and I'm super happy with the result.

[Happy]

Originally Posted by GOFAST GUY

I guess this turbo is NOT a small turbo because my injectors weren't big enough my fuel pump did have enough pressure.

More tuning will happen next week but with the 7lb spring in my tuner buddy was measuring right around 500-550whp. Once it's all dialed I'll probably dyno it to have some solid numbers.

WoW..!! That is nuts!! Amazing.! That intercooler is lookin sweet!!

That X is gonna do burnouts, doughnuts, and have some vicious pull!


E53 RiPPeR
XOuTPoST jUNkiE
ReVELaTiON 22:21

[GOFAST GUY]

Thanks Happy, I'm really looking forward to finally getting it all working properly. I am really hoping the rear tires are wide enough to stick to the road. I looked into 325s and 335s and they literally double in price from stocks 315s being $400/tire to $800 for 325s to $840 for 325s which is insane!!
A couple weeks ago before I had the new fuel pump in, while I was trying to get it tuned, we did a couple pulls from a dead stop and there was no wheel spin so fingers crossed.

[GOFAST GUY]

Hey Happy tell me more about your X5. I saw on your signature your E53 is Supercharged with sauce. Who did your tuning and what kind of HP numbers are you making with that setup? That really cool.

[Happy]

Originally Posted by GOFAST GUY

Thanks Happy, I'm really looking forward to finally getting it all working properly. I am really hoping the rear tires are wide enough to stick to the road. I looked into 325s and 335s and they literally double in price from stocks 315s being $400/tire to $800 for 325s to $840 for 325s which is insane!!

A couple weeks ago before I had the new fuel pump in, while I was trying to get it tuned, we did a couple pulls from a dead stop and there was no wheel spin so fingers crossed.

Originally Posted by GOFAST GUY

Hey Happy tell me more about your X5. I saw on your signature your E53 is Supercharged with sauce. Who did your tuning and what kind of HP numbers are you making with that setup? That really cool.

Yes, sorting everything out at least with my setup took some time. 315’s are still a very decent size tire. Your setup I am sure has high torque, and that would be a reason to increase to a larger tire size. Were you able to retain your AWD? If you have converted to 2WD, I would skip straight to the 335’s for two reasons, the power, and the weight of the vehicle. I have 325’s on my X with no spacers. 335’s may require spacers, and my only concern would be, can they handle the high horsepower/torque. If spacers are going to be an issue, there is always the 325’s. Proper offset required. But, if the 315’s are holding, then it would be up to the operator to keep them locked to the road. But, I agree the lager tires are not cheap.

Yep, I have a RMS supercharged 5 speed 3.0. The tuning on my X was done in-house, by RMS. I still retain my AWD, so tuning for me was done at the track. It could’ve been done on a AWD dyno, but it was suggested to me that with the weight, and other factors etc. with my E53, road tuning would be the best option. I was not able to install a intercooler because, I would have had to swap my M54’s intake manifold with one from an M50. It would have also required using the supercharger kit for a E36 M3, instead of the E53 which would have cost considerably more and would have still produced the same power. So my only option for cooling was water/meth injection. That setup worked well. But then I found a flex-fuel system that does live tuning depending on the ethanol volume. My filling station has been pretty consistent at 79-81% ethanol. It was suggested that I no longer need to use my water/meth injection system. But, there was no way I was going to let that system remain non operational. So what I came up with is, I take the E85 from the filling station, mix it with water, cut the gasoline out, and inject the ethanol/water mix. With the system off it pulls hard. With the system on, it pulls even harder. I don’t believe knock will be an issue either way. I have a formula to run nitro/meth/water that seems safe to run. But, to me it’s not worth the risk. Nitro can damage an engine if the formula is even slightly off. RMS said 400hp on 91. They also said add about 10hp per 100hp for the water/meth injection. This was without headers. Now with headers, E85, and ethanol/ water injection, one would assume it’s closer to 500hp. The 4.10’s and manual gearbox, make for a very unique experience.


E53 RiPPeR
XOuTPoST jUNkiE
ReVELaTiON 22:21

[GOFAST GUY]

That's definitely a very interesting setup and makes good power too. Fuel mileage wise, if you're not pushing it, how does it do?

I wasn't able to keep the AWD setup because that would have added another level of complication to trying to get my vehicle back on the road, which was the main goal originally. As much as I loved driving it in the winter with my big winter tires, I have an economical little Scion TC for daily driving and winter time although I do miss going places with my X5 that few other vehicles would dare go.
Some time ago, I bought the 2" lift kit from Fluid Motor Union so it's sits up a bit higher and was great for running bigger winter tires.
I wanted a bit wider stance so I picked up 1" spacer for the front and back so it has a bit more aggressive stance. My only worry is stressing the bolts when put my foot into it but I'm going to talk to some experts about that. One set of spacers has longer bolts while the other set uses the factory bolts to bolt up to the hub and then another set of short bolts to bolt up to the spacer. I'm not sure which is safer to have on the back tires.

[SpookX5]

Very nice! Very cool, would be nice to see some video's of it
I had the idea to LS swap my X when the gearbox or engine fails next time. Nice to read that it fits easily

[X5chemist]

Wow! Someone needs to make a conversion kit. Giving up Xdrive is worth it. So many options 4.8, 5.3, 6.0 and 6.2! Easy 325 HP to 500+! With slicks, will it do a wheelie?

[Happy]

Originally Posted by GOFAST GUY

Fuel mileage wise, if you're not pushing it, how does it do?



I'm not sure which is safer to have on the back tires.

Surprisingly, much better than stock. Average combined mpg is 19. During the presentation at RMS, the boss discussed this topic. He explained to us that a supercharger is constantly producing boost. So he wanted to take advantage of this natural byproduct. He said with his system, a small amount of boost while cruising is delivered when the throttle is only slightly engaged. The system will allow boost to flow without causing performance issues, while increasing the mpgs.

When the secondary injection system is active, the mpg’s get even better. The additional ethanol added to the fuel mixture creates more power, essentially requiring less pedal (throttle) to gain acceleration. The small amount of water in the mixture is vaporized, reducing heat while creating a steam engine effect. The E85 burns cooler as well, so the combustion process is cool, and extremely efficient.

Yeah I would get a couple of opinions regarding the spacers. As far as you have come with your build, the last thing you want is a failure that is preventable. I’ve been following. It’s awesome to see it coming together. I remember when I saw the turbo just placed in the intake box. I thought to myself, “Oh Dang”!


E53 RiPPeR
XOuTPoST jUNkiE
ReVELaTiON 22:21