E39 BMW 540 LS Swap Completed
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Did some logging today (this is the first real time the temps have been hot since I installed the supercharger setup) . Ambient temps of 95+ with high humidity (not that it matters to the car), cruising intake air temps were in the 120s and coolant temps stable in the 200-210 range (which is under where the fans come on), so the intercooler is adequate and all in all it is good news. All of this was with the AC on 
Last edited by rao; Jun 7, 2011 at 03:26 PM.
Staging Lane
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I'd like to know more about how you have got the tacho & coolant guages to work, I know you have said a few times the cluster needs to be recoded but how?
Does the PCM you are using have can bus or have you managed to conect conventional outputs to the cluster??
I'm outting an 04 LS1 into an E46 325ci & would really like to sort the guages
Blair
Does the PCM you are using have can bus or have you managed to conect conventional outputs to the cluster??
I'm outting an 04 LS1 into an E46 325ci & would really like to sort the guages
Blair
Staging Lane
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Hey rao
Nice build
I am thinking of doing the same swap (starting a family and I don't want the standard baby hauler.)
Anyway I was wondering if you have any pictures of the engine and tranny mounts in and out of the car.
Thanks
Nice build
I am thinking of doing the same swap (starting a family and I don't want the standard baby hauler.)
Anyway I was wondering if you have any pictures of the engine and tranny mounts in and out of the car.
Thanks
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: granville ma
Having done a unique swap myself, I know how important it can be to have someone recognize the engineering as well as the blood and sweat that goes into a swap like this. Congradulations!
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I changed my intake set-up. I went to a 102 mm throttle body and a 4" intake tube, up from a 90mm and a 3.25" or so intake tube (the original Magnacharger plastic tube gets pretty narrow). People told me it was too restrictive for a 402 setup running 11 psi of boost and I have to say they are correct The change in throttle response is pretty material. I still have to finish cleaning up the tune, but all in all it was a great move. It was worth the time and effort.
The change in throttle response is pretty material. I still have to finish cleaning up the tune, but all in all it was a great move. It was worth the time and effort. 
Last edited by rao; Oct 16, 2012 at 07:21 AM.
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From: Michigan
Beautiful project Rob, it's appropriate that you were awarded for your efforts with this!
Have you given any thought to whether the truck intake and accessories would fit under the stock 540i hood?
Do you think the A/C control might be easier to tackle on a '97? I've heard that up through June, '97 (or somewhere around there) they have less reliance on the CAN bus......?
Also, regarding your aborted plans for a turbo setup, did you give any thought to a front mount system that would allow for gravity drain, or was it apparent that it would be really difficult to fit all of the plumbing?
Thanks in advance for anything you can comment on!
Have you given any thought to whether the truck intake and accessories would fit under the stock 540i hood?
Do you think the A/C control might be easier to tackle on a '97? I've heard that up through June, '97 (or somewhere around there) they have less reliance on the CAN bus......?
Also, regarding your aborted plans for a turbo setup, did you give any thought to a front mount system that would allow for gravity drain, or was it apparent that it would be really difficult to fit all of the plumbing?
Thanks in advance for anything you can comment on!
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I am not sure if a truck intake would fit. The problem is going to be at the throttle body, there is plenty of space at the firewall end.
It turns out that the model year will make no difference for the AC or instrument cluster.
You could fit the plumbing for a top mount turbo, I decided I didn't want to go that route.
It turns out that the model year will make no difference for the AC or instrument cluster.
You could fit the plumbing for a top mount turbo, I decided I didn't want to go that route.
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From: Michigan
Thanks Rob!
I take it then that if the throttle body would clear the hood that you would expect the other accessories to also fit okay? I guess in addition to the alternator sitting up high the accessories all sit out another inch or so to the front.
I kind of like the idea of having the alternator up there where you probably wouldn't run turbo setup plumbing, so if it all fit under the hood that might be a nice deal. Do you think the reduced clearance to the front would cause any big problems?
I take it then that if the throttle body would clear the hood that you would expect the other accessories to also fit okay? I guess in addition to the alternator sitting up high the accessories all sit out another inch or so to the front.
I kind of like the idea of having the alternator up there where you probably wouldn't run turbo setup plumbing, so if it all fit under the hood that might be a nice deal. Do you think the reduced clearance to the front would cause any big problems?
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A little update since it has been a while.
Well my plan has worked. I figured that having three full sets of wheels with snow tires would keep the snow away and it has worked We have had plenty of cold temps but not a lot of snow.
This is the most snow we have seen this season so far:
I also installed a set of 60 lb injectors, my new air intake system took me past the limits of my ls9 inectectors
Well my plan has worked. I figured that having three full sets of wheels with snow tires would keep the snow away and it has worked
We have had plenty of cold temps but not a lot of snow.This is the most snow we have seen this season so far:
I also installed a set of 60 lb injectors, my new air intake system took me past the limits of my ls9 inectectors
