bmw considerations
bmw considerations well i bought a 2005 bmw 530i wrecked. the car had something in the lower portion of the engine bay damaged that holds oil... im considering the worst...im considering the engine block is damaged...my question is what all would be involved to fit a lsx into the car? the lsx wiring does not bother, me as we have retrofitted a few now in older chevys and rx7's. that 2005 bmw electronics now those bother me...any insight is appreciated
TECH Regular
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 437
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, Ga (2.7 miles from Southeastern Dragway)
Look at how member Civette got his gauges working on 2005 WRX LSx swap. He basically retained the required subaru sensors, some wiring and ECM's to work with gauges.
I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about this swap.
Best of luck
I just finished my LS1 swap in a 2000 528i. It took me a few years to figure out the electronics on it. I would not even want to imagine what it would take to get the electronics figured out in that car.
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People have talked about CAN gateways and controllers, but I haven't found much info.
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This is one proven way to make it work. There is a guy that put an LS1 in mid 90's Jaguar sedan, and that is what he did. He kept the stock computer in there to run the gauges and some other functions that were on the CAN bus. His name is Andrew, and he owns Jaguar Specialties. Google him - maybe he'll be able to give you a more specific idea of what you're up against.
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
you can fool the ecu.
the computer relies on a few things....system pressures high and low and wether or not it's between...IE, the ac presure switch. GM uses one too, but it's not the same one.
second, all the intelligence is in the control unit. so if the pressure is ok, and it's getting the 'engine-on' or kl-15 switch is on, the AC will work.
so are you bypassing the the entire bmw harness? if you're just running the engine section of the lsx, idk how far you're going to have to go into the DME to make it work. the only things you should have to 'wipe out' are the throttle body, injectors, crank, cam, temp sensor(which may need to be incorperated, i'll check tomorrow at work), and tha'ts all i can think of right now.
PM me with the last 7 of vin so i can get the actual wiring and spec's. i need to know if you got the 530, 535, 540, 545 or 550...or the m5
the computer relies on a few things....system pressures high and low and wether or not it's between...IE, the ac presure switch. GM uses one too, but it's not the same one.
second, all the intelligence is in the control unit. so if the pressure is ok, and it's getting the 'engine-on' or kl-15 switch is on, the AC will work.
so are you bypassing the the entire bmw harness? if you're just running the engine section of the lsx, idk how far you're going to have to go into the DME to make it work. the only things you should have to 'wipe out' are the throttle body, injectors, crank, cam, temp sensor(which may need to be incorperated, i'll check tomorrow at work), and tha'ts all i can think of right now.
PM me with the last 7 of vin so i can get the actual wiring and spec's. i need to know if you got the 530, 535, 540, 545 or 550...or the m5
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 122
Likes: 36
All of the issues mentioned so far are going to be massive headaches. On top of that I don't think anyone mentioned the DSC (traction control) system. It communicates via can bus with the DME (engine controller) and EGS (trans controller). Depending on how the car is optioned it can have upwards of 20-30 different modules that all have to communicate on multiple bus lines with each other. On top of that they all have to be happy with what the other one is saying. Your cluster will be lit like a christmas tree without various signals coming and going. If you remove the cluster to use autometers you will be setting tons of communication faults. It's a slippery slope.
I pondered an E46 325i LQ9 swap until I dug up the bus charts and realized the fiddling it would take to make it all nice and functional. The E46 compared to the E60 might as well be a small block to an LS motor. Not saying impossible, depending on if it is auto or manual and if it is a NAV you could bypass a few hurdles. I got a used and guaranteed motor for my 02 325i for under $3000 shipped. Out and in, nice easy.
After all that I agree, it would be an awesome swap. If you do move forward with this swap feel free to PM me if I can help. I have considerable experience with these machines.
I pondered an E46 325i LQ9 swap until I dug up the bus charts and realized the fiddling it would take to make it all nice and functional. The E46 compared to the E60 might as well be a small block to an LS motor. Not saying impossible, depending on if it is auto or manual and if it is a NAV you could bypass a few hurdles. I got a used and guaranteed motor for my 02 325i for under $3000 shipped. Out and in, nice easy.
After all that I agree, it would be an awesome swap. If you do move forward with this swap feel free to PM me if I can help. I have considerable experience with these machines.
