Not sure about LS, I want all my cluster gauges to work :) oil temp etc

Looking up some stuff on realoem

So the front subframe and control arms seem to all be the same for 3.0, 4.4, 4.6 which is nice, compared to E39, where the whole sunframes are different.

For 4.6, it uses a newer transfer case, while pre LCI 4.4 still uses NV125, the same i have in my 3.0 2002.

Interestingly, both front and rear driveshafts for both 3.0, 4.4 and 4.6 are the same

The diffs on 3.0 are 4.1 ratio, on 4.4 they're 3.64 ratio, and on 4.6 they're 3.91 ratio.

So far it seems the swap wouldn't be too bad.

Either 4.4 or 4.6, if it comes in a combo of engine/transmission, transfer case, would be a pretty easy swap.

I'm not sure if 4.4 will for properly in 3.0

I'm a bit confused why engine mounts are different between M54 and M62 etc.?

Picked up this 4.8 today ;)
N62 swap it is! Gonna start the swap in a few weeks. Gonna be a nice challenge, never taken an engine or transmission out of any vehicle :)

https://i.ibb.co/gMSXZF0Y/20250522-125407.jpg

Plan is to swap dme, tcu, ews, steering column engine, tranny, TC, both diffs, driveshafts and exhaust. I

Nice find! :wow:


E53 RiPPeR
XOuTPoST jUNkiE
ReVELaTiON 22:21

Lots of pics please! Looking forward to reading about it.

Looking into it further, my X5 is pre facelift.
The complicated part is transplanting the full wiring loom from the body, to communicate between dsc, abs, drive, transmission and dme.
I have to look at the wiring diagrams and see if its possible to do without swapping the full harness.

a job for fully-equipped shops, master mechanics, young men, and/or Saints
 

Good Luck! I wouldn't want to attempt this, though I've done dozens of such operations over the last 55 years.

It was much easier back then, with simple wiring, more spacious engine compartments, and mostly interchangeable components. I (and two friends) once swapped out one engine for another in an hour. It was in a tube-framed ex-Pro Stock drag car, where we were at a local drag strip, blew the engine during warm-ups, took it back to the owner's home shop, and installed its' old engine (still complete, with carb and flexplate still installed, just as it was when pulled a couple of weeks before) in time to get back to the strip for races. We had all the parts needed on hand, extra tools, lifts, etc., and a master mechanic (not me) in charge. Total time spent, including travel time, was 3 hours.

I might still be able to do that swap today, at 74, but I wouldn't even want to fiddle with the X5's myriad modules, harnesses, drivelines, etc., even in a straight drop-in swap (3.0 for 3.0 engine). My body and patience wouldn't be up to the job.

That's great experience!!
I wish vehicles were still this simple...
I'm trying to figure out the wiring.
Looking at wiring diagrams for dsc57 on prefacelift vs dxc8 on facelifted 4.8 x5. All the wiring seems to be different...
I don't know if I still wanna do this project if I need to spend a full week on tearing the interior apart to fully replace the body wiring harnesses hahaha

label everything and take pics of every step you take
 

Back in the day, we'd just wing it, not carefully documenting the steps taken for swapping engines; someone would either have more experience, or there would be a factory service manual on hand (they were expensive, though worth it...I used a 1972 Buick service manual for over 30 years, though I never worked on any Buicks, save in the GM Tech Training school where I got it, and many friends would borrow it for their projects). Or, a Chilton or Haynes manual from an auto parts store worked almost as well. There was no internet then, so you had to rely on someone or something handy, to even make headway, until you had done a similar swap before. I guess the Bentley manual is the equivalent for our X5's, though not as detailed as the 400 page Buick manual was (it had to be, since it covered all their models, accessories, etc.).

In later days, I/we started bagging parts (or pushing bolts thru cardboard, noting location in writing), and when digital cameras appeared, took pictures of every step taken (with everyone carrying smartphones now, it's even easier). I also used shipping tags with wire ties attached (available online from Amazon or Uline), since I used them at work in both my maintenance/troubleshooting or shipping/receiving parallel jobs (same company, for 46.5 years),so I had plenty.

One word of advice: be patient (actually 2 words). I have none, myself. The early days were harder, since I never learned to stop and step away if/when I became tired or careless, or confused. I'd often waste time by retracing my steps (before I learned to take pictures and follow the steps). In later days, I'd set daily goals and would press on until done (often until I was worn out, after an all-nighter in the shop). Since about 2005, I have finally learned to respect my age and limitations (mostly), and resume working on my projects over many days (even months). Try not to rush things.