So on the e39's the reprogramming from what I've gathered has been pretty straight forward. I think a lot of bad info has been presented on the coding and made it a lot more difficult than what it is.

here was a good post that goes over a lot on the coding.

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...-Wiring-Coding

Makes sense on the CV's thought at the most that's all it would need

Good day!!

Now that I have figured out what was killing my post (stupid ad at the top of this window), lets figure this out... Well, no such luck... Whatever ad is at the top of the webpage is removing the cursor from the typing window... So, if you hit backspace when it does this, you go to the previous page... I’m writing this up in Word and will just paste it when I’m done...

-Tranny needs to be a Getrag 420G. Do years matter?

The transmission depends on the year and motor you have in your X5... The M62 gets the E39 540i transmission and the N62 gets the E60 545i transmission.

-Pedal and shifter components would need to come from a 3.0 E53. Some modifications needed for fitment.

Actually, I have worked it out that you can use almost every single part, you either already have in the X5 AND can get from the vehicle you get the transmission from. I think that was on page 5 (post 45).

- For the hydraulics does it need to come from a 3.0 or the donor tranny car?

This too is from the donor vehicle with the one pipe exception that I should be getting in the mail next week... I hope it is pre-bent to save a lot of headaches.

-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.

The information you supplied concerning the 540iT manual swap will come in handy, but essentially, it will resemble how the factory would have done it. IIRC, there is NO transmission computer in my 2001 540i6. Maybe we’ll get lucky and the wires for the manual trans will be tucked into the harness somewhere. But probably not.

-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.

I still have to get the manual installed and aligned correctly to determine what, if any front half of a BMW drive shaft I can use with our original back half section. I would rather just source OEM parts than custom make one... More to come on that...

-Since the T case/AWD is mechanical shouldn't need to worry about any electrical components.

Very true for the pre-face lifts... The 2004 and 2006 models will need some additional mods here...

-Cross member may need to be modified or fabbed.

Indeed!! I can’t wait to get this 2006 out of my garage so I can take a look at what I have to work with... From earlier measurements, I have to move or mod the existing X-member forward about ten inches... I’ll probably end up making something very sturdy, but basic to keep the trans from moving around...

-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?

The oil pan is sealed from the front drive parts... Just pull the front wheel drive parts and you are good... Technically, I guess you could get the oil pan from the donor vehicle if you wanted to make things pretty. I might just do that for future reference...

-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.

Everything concerning the 4x4 will be removed except the outer CV joint housing... You can take the CV joint apart and just keep the housing (ASK ME HOW I KNOW!)...

Anything else......

Oh, I am sure there will be a huge list when I’m done... I’ll try to make it very easy to follow like the one you posted below!!!

SUPER GREAT FIND!! Thanks for sharing!!

Cheers all!!

I have a 4.6is so m62. Looked around a little bit more for used trannys. Should be easy to find one. People had recommended getting a new clutch pack as it should have most of the items for the new clutch setup. Are you doing that or is your clutch good? Other question do you think it would be easier to just piece together tranny parts or find a 540 donor? See 540s pop up for 2k or less but needing work. Figured could probably part it out to recoup some cost. Last question....for now......since chassis are all basically the same on the X will it be similar to the e39s that you just "punch" out the panels and such rather than needing to cut out areas? Thanks again!

Yep! If you can find a donor 540i in your local salvage yard, that would be the best!! I have seen manual transmission 540i's in the PIY's around here... It is next to nothing for the trans, flywheel, clutch related parts, and the hydraulics needed... Once you get the parts, you'd have to make a judgment call on getting a new clutch set... I will probably just use what I have already until I know it works like I want...

Getting a salvaged 540i6 would work if you had the room to storage until parting out was complete. I acquired a 420G a while back and I am getting a flywheel and clutch set next weekend. I'm missing the clutch fork and TO bearing. But since they are the same on almost every BMW since 81, I think I will be able to find them.

Your chassis question is a good one... And the answer is YES... From what I have found thus far, the chassis is cut for every option available... Including the manual transmission... We have to pop out some plugs and fill in some...

Once I get 6 out of my garage, I will annotate every part needed to get the conversion completed. I'll have the procedure after that...

I'm excited to get this started...

Stay tuned all!!

Cheers!!!

My 2¢: I'd want it to be as if it came from the factory with the 6MT. Do I need a clutch start switch because I can't remember to push in the clutch before starting the engine? No. But if you're going to include the switch to cancel the cruise control, adding the start switch function should be doable. That's the way BMW would have done it.

Regarding your problem with the pop-up ads, upgrading to a premiere membership removes the ads. I think it's $10/year. Might be worth it to upgrade. I know I let mine expire a couple of months ago. Need to re-up…

Awesome, can't wait to see this happen. I've been dreaming the past few night of driving the X with a stick. MMMMMMM, manual gear changes with a german V8......:D

Ohhhh, I think it is a pointless question really... If you think about it, anyone that drives a manual transmission will automatically push in the clutch, unless they drive a 1970's 4-speed... All the new cars have this starter disable feature, so not including it on the X would be invisible... They simply wouldn't know they don't have to push the clutch in to start it...

BUT, I think you do have a point... It's kind of like rebuilding a motor, but leaving the old valve stem seals in... Just do it all, while you are in there... I think I will include the how-to to include the starter disable clutch switch... Just because that is how BMW would have done it... I just really hate cutting and splicing into wire harnesses... I really hope they included terminal plugs under the dash somewhere that just have jumpers in them since we have autos... I could just pull the jumper and plug it into the correct switch!! That would make my job OHHHHH SO MUCH EASIER!!!

Sigh... Added to the list... I'm still acquiring parts... And I have to get the 2006 finished (so says the better half) before I can start on the conversion... I think she just doesn't want me to make her drive the 540i... She loves my 4.6is as much as I do... I see another 4.6is getting added to the family in the near future... Maybe I'll get Estoril blue this time!!

Cheers!!!

Just remember this: WWBMWD :)

What Women Bid, Men Will Do?
White Water BMW Device? LOL!

IDK! What?

EDIT: Ohhhhh, I know.... What Would BMW Do?!

Cheers!

FYI:
https://www.panjo.com/buy/01-bmw-540...n-parts-339084