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]

You need the ECU and the wiring harnesses, on top of what upallnight said. Your best bet for this is not actually a 330 engine, its a wrecked X5 with that driveline already in it, so you can get engine, ECU, trans, exhaust, xfer case already mated to trans and both differentials. 3.0 differential gearing is 4.10, and needs ALL of that gear to get going, given the m54 makes torque up high, not down low.

You can do it, but it seems like low bang for your buck project.

Maybe an SBC swap? Mopar LA + 727 torqueflight? Anything really would be easier and more cost effective, ironically, than using the other engine that actually came with that car.

It would be like Fergie signing the national anthem.......

I always thought Francis Scott Key penned the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner, not Fergie.

It would be like a draft dodger being the Commander in Chief, just a disaster waiting to happen.

:rofl:

You can keep the 4.4 front and rear diffs if you want. We MT guys like this mod since the manual tranny models rev high at freeway speeds. You decide if taller gearing on a weaker engine is for you. Look up the mod to see the few extra parts you will need to keep the 4.4 diffs for your future m54 x5. I think it is just part of the drive shaft for the rear from an auto i6 x5.

Might as well get a used 5mt and swap it with the engine if you are going to go through all of the trouble.