Originally Posted by m5james (Post 755244)

It's just programming on the computer. Before people we're coding the cars to make them think they were 540's instead of 740's, but people have found ways around that in case they had custom software that they didn't want erased and are able to just get the 540 transmission software parts of the code transferred over instead of the whole ball of wax. The X5 would be an interesting attempt since it's similar yet different to the 540/740, but still it's own beast with the AWD system. My 740iL is non VANOS as well, so it's not like I could copy the code from my 740iL onto a VANOS X5 for the sake of saving time. It'd take some work, but I don't doubt it can be figured out one way or another. At worst, if not coded, the vehicle will still drive, you'll just have constantly nagging transfail safe codes on the OBC.

I agree that the weight savings would be pretty substantial. I take out the spare tire everytime I'm back home in Boise and then throw it back in for roadtrips just for the sake of saving weight while doing my normal driving around town...that damn spare is heavy! There is like 10% more loss between the auto compared to the 6spd, so gas mileage went up as well. Compared to some other's, my 7 is still pretty stock even with the 6spd since I still haven't gone FI...the biggest difference still being my engine rebuild. There are a few 740's floating around with 6spd and superchargers, or Rob from UUC owns 750iL with an 850csi 6spd transmission swap. It's still a pretty unique upgrade, so I'm happy to be part of a select few. Next major mod...STS style turbo :)

Originally Posted by Weasel (Post 755260)

James, if one put in a 540 transmission and wanted to keep the AWD odds are most likely the tail shaft can be unbolted and the transfer case fitted on as long as the splines are the same.

Now as I say this my only real life experience with this is on old fords... we made a 2wd bronco the same weekend a making an E150 van 4wd. Bronco got lowered sport suspension and hopped up 351w w/5 speed manual and the van got 4" lift w/38" TSL boggers and a built 351c paired to a beefed up C6 auto. (that was a fun mudder!)

Originally Posted by ienjoydrifting (Post 814049)

What ever happened to this thread.

I am going to tackle this by the end of the year. Sourcing the parts over the next few months.

absolutely want to ditch the awd system completely, and just get a custom driveshaft done, remove the front axles and all the bs. Better mileage, better performance, and less bs to break.

I am working on finding out the ecu now. Did anyone ever figure it out or do the swap?...

I have already sourced all the 3.0L manual interior pieces, as well as the trans.

We have done a ton of LSx swaps, and manual conversions to other cars, so I am not to worried about the mechanical end of it... I just want the car to work when I am done lol.

Originally Posted by ienjoydrifting (Post 814049)

What ever happened to this thread.

I am going to tackle this by the end of the year. Sourcing the parts over the next few months.

absolutely want to ditch the awd system completely, and just get a custom driveshaft done, remove the front axles and all the bs. Better mileage, better performance, and less bs to break.

I am working on finding out the ecu now. Did anyone ever figure it out or do the swap?...

I have already sourced all the 3.0L manual interior pieces, as well as the trans.

We have done a ton of LSx swaps, and manual conversions to other cars, so I am not to worried about the mechanical end of it... I just want the car to work when I am done lol.

Originally Posted by m5james (Post 814058)

There are a handful of member on this forum who have the capability of coding so that you won't constantly get Trans Failsafe messages on your OBC. I'd suggest hoping onto Diagnostic Software - Bimmerforums - The Ultimate BMW Forum, create your own thread and see if some of the VERY knowledgeable people there can assist you or even help you purchase a premade laptop so you can do the coding yourself in your garage.

Hardware isn't the issue as everything bolts in....your firewall already has the precut areas for the pedals, obviously the trans will line up w/ the same hole for the shifter, remove all the ATF cooling lines (maybe even get a different radiator, I can't remember if the X5 3.0 has cooling lines running through it), then it comes down to tricking the computer, wiring the reverse lights, etc. Other than the trans and the clutch, all other parts, bits and pieces, etc came from www.getbmwparts.com. A custom drive shaft can be made for around $450 (that's what it cost me) or you can attempt to find on online via junkyard sites like www.carpart.com, but I bet finding a wrecked 3.0 5spd will be few and far between. I'm out of town now, but once I get home, I can give you the driveshaft supplier information for the guy myself and others have used for the 6spd conversion we've done in our 7's, but you'll still need to find the exact specs/measurements needed before you can order it.