3.0 Power Adder Options

[Happy]

Originally Posted by 7to3_enthusiast

I've seen several stock motor M54 from our local BMW shops push 400-450 whp unopened so not too worried about the motor.

500 flywheel hp on a stock M54 should be treated with a bit of respect. That is a lot of power for that particular power plant stock. I personally worry at times.

Originally Posted by 7to3_enthusiast

my RPMs typically are around 4500+.

The M54 will handle 4500 rpm’s no problem .

E53 RiPPeR
XOuTPoST jUNkiE
ReVELaTiON 22:21

[7to3_enthusiast]

So it sounds like there are a few deterents on increasing power output on the E53 3.0, but no one has really tried? Surprising to me since the BMW inline 6's of this era are pretty impressive, which I can't say the same for the V8's they made which ESS and dinan made supercharge kits for.

Upgrading the trans cooler will solve the overheating issue, which is fine, but anyone who has towed the max rated load with the 3.0 probably can share my experience with it needing a bit more power.

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by 7to3_enthusiast

So it sounds like there are a few deterents on increasing power output on the E53 3.0, but no one has really tried? Surprising to me since the BMW inline 6's of this era are pretty impressive, which I can't say the same for the V8's they made which ESS and dinan made supercharge kits for.

Upgrading the trans cooler will solve the overheating issue, which is fine, but anyone who has towed the max rated load with the 3.0 probably can share my experience with it needing a bit more power.

I literally referenced a member of the forum with a blower on his M54 in this thread.

I still think that a well maintained N62 is a much better option that'll give you more of what you want and cost a lot less to get there. And the ZF 6-speed auto kicks the shit out of the GM box that all 3.0i automatics got.

If you said to me "I want a manual X5 and I want to tow with it," then figuring out ways to add power to the 3.0i would be one thing. (And I have towed with my 6MT X5.) But I wouldn't let your bad experience with what has to be the least reliable E53 in existence rule out the V8s completely.

[7to3_enthusiast]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

I literally referenced a member of the forum with a blower on his M54 in this thread.

Went back through but still didn't see this reference, maybe an issue on my end. Can you share again?

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by 7to3_enthusiast

Went back through but still didn't see this reference, maybe an issue on my end. Can you share again?

User is Happy. See post #2.

[7to3_enthusiast]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

User is Happy. See post #2.

Oh I definitely read that sentence wrong lol

[Bdc101]

I also tow a camper trailer regularly with my 3.0i/5MT X5. I weighed the trailer last year on a trip home, and it ends up around 4,000-4,500lbs, with a gross vehicle weight of over 9,000lbs fully loaded. So my X5 with trailer is probably slightly lighter than your X5 with trailer, but has a lot more aerodynamic drag on the highway, being a short but full-width and full-height trailer.

Of course with the 3.0 it takes a lot of effort to maintain speed while climbing hills, but I am able to maintain speed on the highway without downshifting. Especially at sea level I don't have any trouble on the highway in 5th gear unless I am trying to go 75mph or there is a serious headwind. (I live at 4,000ft and there's a noticeable difference at my elevation, but still it is possible.) Granted I do not own the automatic trans, but based on this experience I would assume something is wrong with your transmission if it is overheating just trying to maintain speed on the highway with your trailer.

(On a further note: I climb a mountain pass with my fully loaded trailer at least once every year, going up to about 5,500 feet on steep grades in the middle of the summer. These trips always have multiple climbs where I am spending 10 or more minutes at WOT, usually switching between third and fourth gear, at 95+ degrees outside, and I have never had a problem. I'd challenge anybody to think up a scenario that's tougher on a motor/transmission combination than spending ten straight minutes at WOT in between 4,500-6,000 rpm!)

[7to3_enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Bdc101

I also tow a camper trailer regularly with my 3.0i/5MT X5. I weighed the trailer last year on a trip home, and it ends up around 4,000-4,500lbs, with a gross vehicle weight of over 9,000lbs fully loaded. So my X5 with trailer is probably slightly lighter than your X5 with trailer, but has a lot more aerodynamic drag on the highway, being a short but full-width and full-height trailer.

Of course with the 3.0 it takes a lot of effort to maintain speed while climbing hills, but I am able to maintain speed on the highway without downshifting. Especially at sea level I don't have any trouble on the highway in 5th gear unless I am trying to go 75mph or there is a serious headwind. (I live at 4,000ft and there's a noticeable difference at my elevation, but still it is possible.) Granted I do not own the automatic trans, but based on this experience I would assume something is wrong with your transmission if it is overheating just trying to maintain speed on the highway with your trailer.

(On a further note: I climb a mountain pass with my fully loaded trailer at least once every year, going up to about 5,500 feet on steep grades in the middle of the summer. These trips always have multiple climbs where I am spending 10 or more minutes at WOT, usually switching between third and fourth gear, at 95+ degrees outside, and I have never had a problem. I'd challenge anybody to think up a scenario that's tougher on a motor/transmission combination than spending ten straight minutes at WOT in between 4,500-6,000 rpm!)

Great info, thanks for sharing! My total weight with the GTR and trailer is about 6300 lbs (I know I know), and it goes into limp mode going up hills at anything over 70 mph. I can put around at 60 mph all day long. But it sounds its just some maintenance will fix most of this.

[Bdc101]

Originally Posted by 7to3_enthusiast

Great info, thanks for sharing! My total weight with the GTR and trailer is about 6300 lbs (I know I know), and it goes into limp mode going up hills at anything over 70 mph. I can put around at 60 mph all day long. But it sounds its just some maintenance will fix most of this.

Well you are definitely exceeding the tow rating of your vehicle (it is either 5,500 or 6,000, I think it's 5,500 but I might be wrong).



However a good aftermarket transmission cooler should probably be enough to help you tow that weight reasonably without overheating. Along with regular transmission maintenance.

[80stech]

Actually it's the opposite, increased RPM gets rid of heat faster, especially apparent on a diesel. Typical "I tow a race car" thinking.