Has anyone removed the front axles to be rwd?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by dragoncoach

Are you a troll? If not, what are you thinking? Why would one even consider what you are thinking...especially when you just bought the X?

He wants a manual transmission V8 X5. He is planning to swap in a transmission from an early '90s E34 3.0 V8. That won't work with the X5 transfer case, so he will make it rwd and remove the front drivetrain, modifying the suspension as necessary. Same approach as the Lemans X5 that BMW built, they made it rwd for the same reasons.

None of the electronics will likely work, but I suspect this is more of a gas axe project than an engineering project in any case.

[J.Belknap]

Ah. Thanks for the detail of the scope of work JCL.

How does that E34 gearbox compare to his torque goals? Price/durability makes me think about bell housing adapter, T56 (opens up options), and DS. Known limit on rear differential?

On the awesome side, 315 on 10.5" front & 345's on 12-13" rear sounds delish. Might be needed too, so there's some go and not a smokeshow. Less weight overall is good.

Dollars could add up quick. I guess I wonder for what purpose... she would go straight, that's for sure, but that's why god made the JGCSRT8. Turns? the rear can come around as is. If the manual trans rwd thing is for drifting, I'm pressing the eject button on this post now. :p

[JCL]

Originally Posted by J.Belknap

If the manual trans rwd thing is for drifting, I'm pressing the eject button on this post now. :p

Well, from the OP's name, I assumed it was.

[J.Belknap]

I know, haha, but was hoping against! (edit: actually, I take that back, as I'd *love* to watch the videos)

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. :p

[ienjoydrifting]

No, I actually tow my drift car with my X. I really just want it RWD and 5 speed because it would be more fun, better gas mileage, and a lot less parts to fail.

The T56 while being a great transmission, shifts like crap and would take a lot of extra fab.

The 3.0L V8 trans is the same of the e36 M3 ZF box, but on a bell housing that bolts right to our cars. Super strong trans that holds up to the constant abuse of my race car that makes nearly 600tq at the wheels... Meaning itll hold up to my 270ftlbs my X5 made on the dyno last year.

Here is my drift car.

[aimtimes100]

Originally Posted by Jordo

Um....... its simple. Are you a troll?
Rear wheel drive cars accel faster. Yes all wheel drive has better accel from a dead stop because the have more traction, but after 40mph...... you dont need all that traction (which is resistaince).

You WILL GET MORE HP TO THE GROUND with a rear wheel drive car..... AFTER THE INITIAL START. Thats why all big HP cars are rear wheel drive... the gain off the start is less then the added friction of the drive line, at the end.

Evo.291hp.awd.nissan gtr.550hp( on average)awd.lambo mucerilago awd.

[avt007]

I know this is an old thread, but I am curious. What if you just removed the driveshaft from the transfer case?
Would there be any issues? Would the transfer case make more noise since the chain wouldn't be under load?
And more to the point, would you see a fuel mileage increase?

Sling away....

[SlickGT1]

Unplug the actuator. Rear wheel drive with an error code, but rear wheel no less. It was fun for a while.

[JCL]

Slick: Yes, you can do that since you have an x-drive (post 2004) version

avt007: No, you can't do that, as you have a pre-facelift model.

[Gurjit]

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