LS1 or LS7 conversion on an X5.

[GOFAST GUY]

I'm forever working on projects and since my car is just about done, during the summer months while I'm not driving my X5 I ponder having more HP under the good of my beast. Has anyone heard of this swap being done? I'd imagine for the same price of buying a Dinan supercharger, you could pick up a LS1, build it properly and make it fit under the hood while saving a ton of weight. Just a thought.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSDCEBD5bx8

I found this video on youtube. I'm not sure if this guy is active on this forum but it would be interesting to get his take on this creation.

[JCL]

Guessing you'd have to pull all the awd components, unless you could figure out how to put the front diff in the oil pan. If you were going to build a rwd vehicle, why start with an X5?

[GOFAST GUY]

Originally Posted by JCL

Guessing you'd have to pull all the awd components, unless you could figure out how to put the front diff in the oil pan. If you were going to build a rwd vehicle, why start with an X5?

Of all the SUVs out there today, I'd still have to say I like the overall shape of the E53 with the body kit the best still. The range rover is a close second but I keep coming back my 4.6is. I think it would be awesome as a rear wheel drive monster.

[Green Dragon]

Too bad they didn't post a video of it on the road or actually moving. I'd be curious if it has much more over a 4.8is. Nice project SUV/ SAV.

[GOFAST GUY]

I know. I guaranty that if I drop a corvette engine into my X5, it won't be bone stock.

[civdiv99]

I pondered it a coupla years ago when faced with deciding what to do about my trans. Crawled around the X5, took a few measurements, considered various AWD-type donor options that would marry an LS motor with potential driveline options (Trailblazer SS came to mind if I recall)

Even though I have the fab skills in general, and I already own equipment to machine my own parts and adapters, brackets, etc., I did not consider this for very long. The problem is all the systems, including your IP, all need to have a mutually agreed upon discussion at some level. Physical fitment would be a considerable challenge, but then you are faced with a "dumb" shell on your new conversion.

So the challenges of the physical processes and trial and fit and cut and fit and try and fit and cuss and try to fit some more will, if successful, result in an additional, and not insignificant challenge if you want to have a dash panel that is't all custom and "made to fit", nevermind all the other things that have to interact with the general module, etc.

In short, what little I considered in this arena indicated to me this would be a virtually entirely custom car when you are done, and absolutely a money pit with no market down the road unless you made it really well, like pro-quality (and probably not even then), which takes you back to that cost ($$$$ AND time) benefit consideration which is different for everyone. I swapped my first motor at 15, and have been into and worked on virtually every area of both older and modern cars, and I'd have just called the junkyard before I went down that road with an E53.

But that's just me. Anyone who undertakes this get's a big-ass "hat's off to ya" from me.........

[bmwman528e]

This is a long shot but if anyone has a X5 4.4 with no engine in the bay and access to an LS block I will mail you my engine mounts off the E39 4.4 to see if they work and clear everything on the X5 chassis. And you can keep the mounts as a gift if it works or I will atleast supply return shipping if it doesn't.

[J.Belknap]

Hi bmwman,

As it so happens, my engine is out on a stand as I am doing a main/rod bearing job, and then assembling the lump outside of the bay. I also happen to have a LSx longblock. (For the silver car, eventually....) 4.4 & 4.6 engine mounting is the same, so I'd be honored to be your guinea pig, email you photos, dimensions and any other tech data that you are after.

Kinda funny, I'm sitting out here in the garage, thinking of the possibilities.... and then I look at the 4.6 motor & blower. Kinda have my hands full, but the swap sure sounds fun.

Edit: Sent a PM your way.

- Jay

[Nick P]

LSx swap is doable, but it's logically necessary to swap a suitable transmission incl. transfercase too. So there's a need to manufacture the custom propshafts and to use different front differential or, which is more difficult (even if it doesn't seen so) - to make proper diff mounting for the stock front diff. The other problem seem to be a steering, but since the stock steering isn't that responsive, it becomes less relative.

In terms of electronics, a true programmer can make any engine run on any ECU, keeping all the functions, if a physical wiring is done.

The most concerns on this way is the emission standard with at least LS1, so it's not legal in Europe, at least on a facelifted E53 with Euro 4 emission standard. Since there's also some strict emission regualtions in some US States, LSx swap wouldn't work there either.

The other thing (USA unrelated) - even some BMW engines are unreliable on their way, but I personally would never swap an US eingine in a car which is supposed to be driven on autobahn, because I had an experience with MP112 supercharged LS2 powered GTO in Germany and in my opinion the LS2 engine is a complete rubbish - in stock form it had overheating issues after several minutes of constant full-throttle driving on autobahn. So the LS1 wasn't "vollgasfest" either - that was the reason, why it was never installed on Opel Omega in Europe. The torque feels impressive, but after 200 kph (125 mph) the 470 hp supercharged GTO is much much slower, even than heavier stock M5 E39 with like 370-380 real hp.

Regarding the M5 E39 I can even say the S62 engine may seem rubbish in terms of reliablity too, but with right knowledge and appropriate care it's very durable - I also have a M5 E39 with 384 whp and it runs great with almost no oil consumtion and it is very capable of so called "Dauervollgas" ("long-term full throttle"), which at least LS1 and LS2 aren't capable at all.

I would rather consider a M73 5.4 litre V12 engine swap in X5 (only with Euro 3 standard), these engines are even cheaper, than LS1 and are very tunable and very reliable - I've already checked this option and with 2000 Euro investment you can easily get 400+ hp just from agressive cams and head work.

M73s have very poor head flow and basic SOHC heads, but they're hardly heavier than M62s.

In case of X5 - there's no need to use different colling system, but there will be some difficulties with front diff mounting and steering too.

The bad thing - V12s sound shitty compared to V8, but there's finished ITB systems for them and with some more invsetment you can get a carbon fibre intake airbox for ITB, with higher compression rate and lighter pistons 460-470 n/a HP are achievable for about 7,5-8k Euros even with stock SOHC heads. And this set up will sound exactly like the S70/2 powered X5 Lemans....

If I may continue my Christmas phantasy, I'd also check how much the custom made S50 based DOHC heads would cost for the M73 engine, so it would be a total X5 LeMans convesion.

My feeling is that a complete X5 LeMans 6,1 L DOHC V12 AWD conversion would cost about k28-30 Euros incl. manual tranny conversion but without workshop labour, even the power would be rather like 600 hp, than stated 700 on the original X5 lemans.

X5 with 5,4 L 510-520 HP n/a v12 with ITB, DOHC and carbon fibre airbox with manual tranny would be 6-7k less or rather ~25k.

X5 with 5,4 L 460-470 HP n/a V12 with ITB, SOHC and carbon fibre airbox with manual tranny would be 15-17k and, as I already said, this set up will sound exactly like the original X5 LeMans.

X5 with 5.0 L 500 HP S85 enigne and manual tranny would cost also about 15-17k.