Manual shift. 5 vs 6 speed
 

Hello 3 pedal X-men,
Does the 6 speed transmission not rev so high on the highway?
My 5 speed stick shift has high RPM.

What do 5 speeds cruise at? Auto 5 speed cruise 75 MPH @~2700 RPMs. The M54 seems verify comfortable with the range.

5 speed at 75 MPH is at 3600 RPM.


E53 RiPPeR
XOuTPoST jUNkiE
ReVELaTiON 22:21

80 MPH is 3900 RPM.
I don’t generally travel at 80, but I would like to see the Tach
something closer to lower 3 Thousands
I’m interested in either changing the rear end gearing, or swapping in
a manual 6 speed. I would like to know the cruise RPM of 6 speed stick..

But here’s the thing with 5 speed E53’s operating at 3900 RPM’s. You’re still out of high RPM vanos parameters, and the DISA should be closed using the longer runners. So essentially at 80 MPH you’re running the M54 in an extremely conservative manner. The M54 loves running. Anytime I let mine sit months, and baby the heck out of it (2900 RPM shifts), the smoothness takes a hit, and I have to give it a good run to get that buttery feeling back. Also, it’s very important to always have the M54 filled with proper oil (5-40w BMW LL-01 certified). This will keep that awesome M54 properly hydrated for the circumstances. And.. An added bonus, you’re just a pedal tap away from opening the DISA and engaging higher RPM vanos values to make a quick pass without the need of a downshift to 4TH. Win.. Win.. And don’t let the numbers scare you when it comes to fuel economy. My setup is getting 20 MPG combined on E85.

As for the 6’ERS, I believe I was told 6TH only brings it down a few hundred RPM’s. You cannot swap a 6 speed gearbox into a 5 speed E53. It’s not compatible. And swapping the diffs in my opinion is not a viable option. There is plenty of information on the forum regarding the topic. The solution is to swap out your 5 speed E53 for a 6 speed E53. But is a couple hundred RPM’s worth it?


E53 RiPPeR
XOuTPoST jUNkiE
ReVELaTiON 22:21

Thank you nicely explained. I do get 460 miles per tank and 20mpg

:thumbup:

This tells me you have a very well maintained E53 running properly! Keep the maintenance schedule, repair the malfunctions as they arise, and you should be able to experience the ultimate driving machine for this generation for years to come.


E53 RiPPeR
XOuTPoST jUNkiE
ReVELaTiON 22:21

I know the M54 loves to spin high but I keep (5-speed manual) Frau no higher than 70mph given the high mileage, though maybe I'm being a little paranoid.

Seems to me you’re just treating her like a lady. LoL…

Mine doesn’t speak to me softly anymore.. She screams in my ear! :lmao:


E53 RiPPeR
XOuTPoST jUNkiE
ReVELaTiON 22:21

With the LCI trans, 80 mph on the speedometer is about 3100, 75 is about 2950. In 5th 75 is about 3400 and 80 is about 3600. I think I'll have to go out again. There wasn't much room tonight it was raining.

The speedometer is off about two or three mph from everything else. My other BMWs are the same. I think they do that on purpose to give you a little better chance of not getting a ticket. Stock tire size 235 65 17.

The engine is designed to sit at red line all day. Normal operating range. I rarely shift below 4,500, it needs to be winded it out. The uuc light flywheel is so much like a track car it's really nice. I think it said 21 MPG on the dash, not bad. It was 19 last year.

There's still some kind of vacuum issue, looks like the brake booster now, still getting the fuel trim codes at long idle. But otherwise the stage 0 of getting it running perfectly, as it did 20 years ago, is almost done. That vacuum cap on the pump that's capped off on the back of the intake manifold was cracked in half, fixing that has made a massive difference.

As far as I know the five-speed setup has the pilot bearing inside the crank, and the 6-speed the pilot is inside the flywheel. E39 to E46. I don't know much more than that but I think you could probably get one to work. I would have to check but I don't think the engine blocks and cranks would be different non LCI lci. The transfer case and front prop shaft is all different also.