The mechanical stuff doesn't bother me, itve turned a wrench for years. It's the coding/electronics that always mess me up. If the programming goes well and it's a turn-key scenario with no warning lights on permanently then I'm sold on the swap, even if it ends up being a measly 4.4.

Good day all!!!

Well, it's time for an update... I'm stuck fixing the 2006 motor issue that seems like it will take a couple weekends... I don't WANT to take my 4.6is off-line yet, but... I got the 540i back on the road... So, I may actually pull the 06 off the list for repairs and do the conversion on the 4.6is...

I've gotten a lot of parts, but I fear I actually have to get the project under way in order to determine what I still need... I have ordered the clutch lines that aren't stock on lots of other BMW's... I have been advised that it is NOT pre-bent... I only ordered one in the off-chance I need to bend the tubing... Keep your fingers crossed I open the box and see it ready to bolt on the X5 as is... If it is not pre-bent, I may need to stock up on those from the salvage yard manual 3.0L's... OR at least get a good one to copy...

Well, I need to take vacation time to do this... I'm super excited to get the project underway, but bummed work is getting in the way... It wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't on graveyard shift...

Cheers for now!!

You are the man!

Hoping you pull this on on the 4.6 so I have an idea of what it would take :boogie:. My two big gripes on my 4.6 are the tranny and being AWD. Personally have no use for AWD on it would just love it to be a RWD 6spd monster.

I could not have said it better myself.

Good day all!!

I agree... The more and more I think about this, it will be better for me to take the 4.6is offline for the conversion... I have a ton of things all happening at the same time... I think I will need to buy a welder at some point... I'm looking at the transmission cross member at this very moment and don't like the route I have to go with it... I wish I could flip it around and move the main support towards the front instead of facing the rear... I might still be able to do that, but it isn't looking too promising at first glance... I think I will have to either cut the transfer case mount off and weld on the correct support for the transmission used... OR make something new all together...

The worst part of taking the 4.6is offline for the conversion is that I have to see it sit for the duration of the conversion... Since it will be the first in my garage, it will take the longest... UGH!!! Maybe I should buy a 2001 4.4L to go first... LOL!!!

So, the other issue is the clutch start and cruise cut-off switch... Now, the cruise switch I think it totally needed.... But, do you really need to have a clutch switch to start the vehicle? Us old fogies know all too well that you have to push the clutch in before you start the vehicle... Why? Because you always put it in gear when parked!!! I've seen far too often, the younger generation relies on the E-brake far too much... Their reason: "So it doesn't jump when I let the clutch out after I start it!" Too funny!!

How many absolutely want the clutch start switch working?

Cheers!!

Everything can be fabbed. If its just a matter of welding some pieces together, easy to do. I imagine if you talked to a fab shop that works on jeeps or such they could rig something up.

As for the switch, I say ditch it. Personally, I think the less electronics involved the better.

I am guilty of hand brake only parking in my manuals. :D Only when not on a hill though. I always turn the wheels into the curb. If I am parked on a hill I'll put it in gear (which gear depends on which way is downhill in relation to parking) but I'll take it out of gear before starting the car when I get back in.

I also vote to ditch the clutch start switch if it's not necessary.

So in looking through what parts are needed to get this done just want to make sure I'm on the right path.

-Tranny needs to be a Getrag 420G. Do years matter?
-Pedal and shifter components would need to come from a 3.0 E53. Some modifications needed for fitment.
- For the hydraulics does it need to come from a 3.0 or the donor tranny car?
-I believe the only electronics needed are getting the reverse lights, side view mirror tilt down for reverse and getting the shift indicator off the dash.
-Drive shaft, been reading some e39 stuff and it seems it just needs to be modified for the u joint/coupling and put to the correct length.
-Since the T case/AWD is mechanical shouldn't need to worry about any electrical components.
-Cross member may need to be modified or fabbed
-If the AWD is going bye bye, do you need to use a oil pan from a another M62 or would you just remove the diff and cap the area?
-Along with front diff being removed, CV's are going away as well. Will that effect anything for the wheel bearings? My thought is no since those should be pressed into the knuckles.

Anything else......

The electronics are going to be more complicated. Once the automatic transmission is removed, there are going to be transmission warnings and faults (will probably go into "limp home" mode). So, the ECM will have to be reprogrammed somehow so the car will "know" it has a manual transmission and quit looking for the automatic.

For the front drive shafts, you will have to leave the outer "socket" for the CV joint in the wheel carrier. That outer joint also is the spindle for the front wheel.