ENGINE SWAP BACKWARDS: V8 - I6
 

Found a great deal on a V8 X5/2001 with 146K miles - but it's a V8 . The owner claims a knocking noise and that it needs an engine. I am wondering if I can swap in a I6 /330 engine instead. I imagine I have to do some small mods like exhaust manifolds and engine mounts. But what about the transmission? Any particulars with the EMC or other computer systems? Thanks in advance.
:dunno:

:iagree:

:iagree:

:iagree:

Don't bother with that, it's a waste of time. It's super cheap to just find another V8 and put that in. Plus why would you want an i6 in a V8 X5? A 4.4 already feels kinda sluggish (IMO).

For the effort you'd be far ahead to just get a known good V8, do a refresh on it including the chains, guides, and rebuild the VANOS assemblies, replace all the gaskets and seals, and then drop that in.

To answer your original question about the trans, you will need to swap the GM trans in since the V8 came with ZF trans, and the bellhousing will not mate up. Once you swap the trans, you will need to swap the rear differential since the rear differential gearing is completely different in a V8 and I6. You will also need to get a front differential to match the rear differential gearing.

The X has dropped in price that you can buy a fully running high mileage X for under 3 grand these days.

The X has dropped in price that you can buy a fully running high mileage X for under 3 grand these days.[/QUOTE]

It's pretty amazing how much complex mechanical and electrical gobbledygook you can get for under 3K these days.

It's pretty amazing how much complex mechanical and electrical gobbledygook you can get for under 3K.[/QUOTE]