4.4 to a 4.6is motor, oh what a thing.
 

(Originally posted as a question to the forum but quickly spiraled out of control and I found myself in the mix. Included you'll find some useful information about the differences between the two engines and some options for upgrading your existing engine be it 4.4 or 4.6is. I hope you find it entertaining if not useful..)

How would you deal with the bottom end of the motor?
I want to put a 4.6is in an e39. I haven't ever swapped a motor nor have I found good diagrams of the bottom end or axle drive assembly.
I'm looking at realoem.com X5 4.6is A5S440Z output - 4-wheel. This comes off the transmission right? The holes in either side of the lower part of the motor are just anchor points for the drive shafts arent they?

I appreciate any info/help you can offer.

The front diff bolts to the block. You can unbolt that. You may run into oil pan fitment problems but those can be fixed relatively easily.

Thanks, I hope that's all it is. I'm feeling better about this.

Who do you use in Seattle? I've used precision motorwerks on 15th but I need a more technically competent shop for some custom coding.

So, here's what I've heard so far;Electronics and induction are basically the same. The 4.6 intake is the same piece that Dinan sells for the M62TU and BMW installed on the M60 engine.
The biggest challenge was the oil pan and crankcase ventilation system as the truck and car systems are different. Alot of small parts need to be changed including the oil pump, pump chain, oil pan and valve covers.

Software is another story since BMW never put this engine in front of a manual trans. An automatic car would be a piece of cake.

Engine mounts bolt to the block using the same holes, no problem there.
Accessories mount the same also, no problems.
Wiring harness connections are all the same, assuming that the E39 has an M62TU engine not an M62. 4.4 and 4.6 DME's are the same basic hardware number. X5 software does not perform well with a manual transmission.
I.m using 4.4L m62tub44 w/automatic transmission so, all good

Parts list is kind of extensive. Mostly to fix differences with the oil pan which shouldn't be too difficult to replace with an e39 pan and plumb for pumps and cooling.

Duplicate post

How do the valve covers differ from the M62TU vs the 4.6is?

I'm not exactly sure. It could be engine mounts being different. I guess I could look to see if they're different part #'s...?

Right cover 4.6is 11121703172
Left cover 4.6is 11121703179
Right cover 4.4 11121703172
Left cover 4.4 11121703175
So they're different but in what ways...?


This is just stuff I've read in the last 12hrs.
I'll call google and see if they have more info.

I do 99% of my stuff. On the rare chance I have someone else work on it I take it to South Lake European. I don't know the extent of their coding knowledge.

Make sure the oil pan bolt pattern is the same on both blocks.

Well, You're the second person to suggest them so I'll put them on the list. Thanks.
As per oil pan, I could always go full custom.

Ewwww... dry sump? :D

This could get interesting. I'm guessing a $4000 to $8000 total depending on whether you have drive train already. Do it, would love to see it done.

Are you really gaining much though over the 4.4 m62 for the cost?