Swap diff gearing for lower ratio & convert to rwd?

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by Effduration

How does towing work into this? I presume the selection of gearing BMW would have included the 6,000 lb towing capacity?

I am not saying you can ignore towing, but If you don't tow much, would a 3.64 make even more sense ?

Depends on your driving mix.

I'm sure that towing played a role in the gear choices, especially 1st/2nd. You'll trash the clutch if the gears are too tall.

Personally, I like short, tightly spaced gears as long as I can get a decent highway gear. The X5 is actually geared fairly similarly to my E30 M3 with S54 swap.

[Lucas.ua]

Should we start voting now or what’s the plan? XD

[Happy]

Originally Posted by Bdc101

But we're talking about acceleration, not cruising... plus, I was only talking about superchargers because I was expecting Happy would bring it up.

Acceleration is not the only factor involved here. Cruising is as well. And the type of acceleration that I am discussing, is not wide open to redline all the time situations.

There was no need to discuss superchargers and detonation. This is a diff thread. That is why I didn’t bring it up. I posted a video of a noisy E53 because, the op suggested I ride shotgun with him for an extended period of time to hear his M54 sounding off. I think the op is more concerned with the sound his M54 is making versus his gearing .

Originally Posted by Bdc101

The argument here is -- will getting longer gears give you better or worse fuel economy -- everybody knows it will increase your fuel economy when cruising in top gear -- but you are arguing that it will decrease your fuel economy when not in top gear, and I am arguing that it will make no difference.

The taller gearing will give you better mileage at a constant and consistent highway speed. But, I don’t leave my driveway in 5th gear. That’s is why other situations are being factored in, hence the argument when not in top gear. So at the end of the day it certainly will make a difference.

If you’re constantly on the open road at highway speeds, with zero traffic, just cruising and you don’t mind the loss of acceleration, then change the ratio. But if you’ve driving in town, on the highway, traffic, stop and go, etc. fuel economy may take a hit.



E53 RiPPeR
XOuTPoST jUNkiE
ReVELaTiON 22:21

[Happy]

Originally Posted by Effduration

I am not saying you can ignore towing, but If you don't tow much, would a 3.64 make even more sense ?

The loss of acceleration and fuel efficiency in my opinion does not make sense. The manual 5 speed gearing is perfect for the E53. It gets the tanks ass in gear, literally. LoL..

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

Personally, I like short, tightly spaced gears as long as I can get a decent highway gear. The X5 is actually geared fairly similarly to my E30 M3 with S54 swap.

Yep, me too. Now only if my E53 had your 8000 rpm redline.

Originally Posted by Lucas.ua

Should we start voting now or what’s the plan? XD

Well the op needs to decide whether it is all worth it to try and quiet his buzzing M54. Some sound deadening maybe?

I’ll be sticking with my gearing. That’s my plan.



E53 RiPPeR
XOuTPoST jUNkiE
ReVELaTiON 22:21

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by Happy

Yep, me too. Now only if my E53 had your 8000 rpm redline.

*cough* 9,000 for special occasions.

[nick325xit 5spd]

I will note that new engine mounts might accomplish more of what OP wants than changing the gearing. The engine is a lot quieter when the mounts aren't collapsed. And if they haven't been changed, they ARE collapsed.