'05 x5 4.8 engine transplant into '01 x5 4.4

[abdoul]

I have on my hands an engine from a 2005 X5 4.8is with 635 miles!.. I tried to implant it into my 2004 545i but got stuck at the emission system which is totally different .. a long story short.. I stopped that transplant project... very disappointed.. but. ANYWAAAY..

I am about to buy a 2001 X5 4.4 and tada! want to consider this transplant again...

Is is do-able? Are there too many differences? What are the potential hurdles? What else do I need to purchase?

Thanks...

and!.. how much can I expect to sell that 129k miles 4.4 engine with allegedly no known problems?

Thanks!

[vinuneuro]

New transmission at least, as the 4.8 uses a 6 speed. Steering rack is completely different, 4.8 uses Servotronic. The newer valvetronic V8 could potentially mount differently as well. I'm sure there's more.

As far as getting this into your 545, I don't understant why it was so difficult. After all, the 550 uses this engine. Could you not use the emissions components and ecu from it?

[LeMansX5]

You may have problems with pre-2004 X5s. Try on 2004, as they are the facelifted and the front of A-pillar is all changed, 2004+ includes xdrive, missing from earlier models. Good luck.

[abdoul]

I too was thinking that it would be ano brainer with the 4.8 bt I was told there were no way I could make the emission system from the X5 work.. although the shop foreman or the parts manager was not able to tell me exactly the difference between the two systems.. Do you know somehting they don't (wouldn't b the first time!! ).. I can still do that transplant!..

Cheers

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

New transmission at least, as the 4.8 uses a 6 speed. Steering rack is completely different, 4.8 uses Servotronic. The newer valvetronic V8 could potentially mount differently as well. I'm sure there's more.

As far as getting this into your 545, I don't understant why it was so difficult. After all, the 550 uses this engine. Could you not use the emissions components and ecu from it?

[asawadude]

What would be the reason to drop a 4.8is engine into a 545i? Does the 35 HP gain justify the expenditure? You could probably get 35 HP with aftermarket parts for the 545i's original engine.

Dropping it into an '01 X5 has got to be as difficult a task, if not more.

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by abdoul

I too was thinking that it would be ano brainer with the 4.8 bt I was told there were no way I could make the emission system from the X5 work.. although the shop foreman or the parts manager was not able to tell me exactly the difference between the two systems.. Do you know somehting they don't (wouldn't b the first time!! ).. I can still do that transplant!..

Cheers

I don't see the problem with emissions components. Using the exhaust, header back from the 550i should easily solve that problem unless the 550 exhaust components mount significantly differently than the 545 (which I doubt). My concern would be more along the lines of motor mount locations/bolting on the block. I think you should be able to use the motor mounts from your car though. The motor mounts between the 550 and 545 are identical. Unless bolt hole pattern in the x5 4.8 block is different than the e60 v8 engines (which i doubt), you should be good to go.

I def think you have a better shot of this with your e60.

Detailed pictures and part number of BMW parts: www.realoem.com

Goodluck and keep us updated.

[abdoul]

Simple.... The 545i had front end damage.. block has stripped thread.. cheaper to implant!

Originally Posted by asawadude

What would be the reason to drop a 4.8is engine into a 545i? Does the 35 HP gain justify the expenditure? You could probably get 35 HP with aftermarket parts for the 545i's original engine.

Dropping it into an '01 X5 has got to be as difficult a task, if not more.

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by abdoul

Simple.... The 545i had front end damage.. block has stripped thread.. cheaper to implant!

You had enough damage to..damage the block, but the car isn't totaled? What part of the block has a stipped thread? Can you say helicoil?

[abdoul]

I stll don't know the difference in the emissions system.. even using realoem.com.. Everything fitted but the mechanic told me the emissions setups were different.. (location of valves etc..) but I could figured out how.. (He's 2hrs away..) neither could he get VOB bmw to let him know if th X5 emission components were usable...so we "gave up" as the trial and error cost me $$$ in labor etc...

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

I don't see the problem with emissions components. Using the exhaust, header back from the 550i should easily solve that problem unless the 550 exhaust components mount significantly differently than the 545 (which I doubt). My concern would be more along the lines of motor mount locations/bolting on the block. I think you should be able to use the motor mounts from your car though. The motor mounts between the 550 and 545 are identical. Unless bolt hole pattern in the x5 4.8 block is different than the e60 v8 engines (which i doubt), you should be good to go.

I def think you have a better shot of this with your e60.

Detailed pictures and part number of BMW parts: www.realoem.com

Goodluck and keep us updated.

[abdoul]

Here it goes..

http://www.wanecorp.com/Gallery/view...=EngineRemoved

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

You had enough damage to..damage the block, but the car isn't totaled? What part of the block has a stipped thread? Can you say helicoil?