E39 BMW 540 LS Swap Completed
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Put just under 2000 miles on the car this weekend on a trip to the Baltimore area 
.
Went to the M5 Graveyard nearby:
At Cars and Coffee somewhere near Baltimore:
At the M5 Graveyard:
Traveling through the winter in style
:
. Went to the M5 Graveyard nearby:
At Cars and Coffee somewhere near Baltimore:
At the M5 Graveyard:
Traveling through the winter in style
:
On The Tree
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
I read that when doing an LS Swap on an E39, its best to go with a 528-530 because of something to do with the steering box clearance with the 6cyl cars as opposed to the V8 cars? Did you hear or see or run into that at all? considering this swap or E36 swap!!!
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See post #53 in this thread. https://ls1tech.com/forums/14398568-post53.html
The 6 cylinder and 8 cylinder cars have completely different front subframes, front suspensions and steering.
The 6 cylinder and 8 cylinder cars have completely different front subframes, front suspensions and steering.
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I went through this entire thread for the 3rd or so time now. In addition to the pm I sent, I have some questions. I am doing the e38 swap and for the record the mounts are the same as the e39 and in general it should not be much different than your swap. My questions are the following if you could help.
I'd appreciate any insight you could provide.
- What pedal assemblies did you use to do the manual swap
- what radiator are you running
- do you think the steering linkage from a I6 can be used with the v8 subframe to get more manifold clearance?
- did you test other manifolds for fit after choosing the 98 camaro set
I'd appreciate any insight you could provide.
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I recommend starting a thread on Bimmerforums if you want folks with specific BMW swap experience to see it.
To answer your questions:
1. As I said in my PM, I am using the clutch and brake pedals from a manual e39
2. I am using s stock replacement 8 cylinder e39 radiator
3. It is not possible - you would need to change the entire front subframe and suspension to the 6 cylinder style to use the 6 cylinder rack and pinion steering set up.
4. There are no stock or aftermarket manifolds that will fit without modification.
To answer your questions:
1. As I said in my PM, I am using the clutch and brake pedals from a manual e39
2. I am using s stock replacement 8 cylinder e39 radiator
3. It is not possible - you would need to change the entire front subframe and suspension to the 6 cylinder style to use the 6 cylinder rack and pinion steering set up.
4. There are no stock or aftermarket manifolds that will fit without modification.
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I recommend starting a thread on Bimmerforums if you want folks with specific BMW swap experience to see it.
To answer your questions:
1. As I said in my PM, I am using the clutch and brake pedals from a manual e39
2. I am using s stock replacement 8 cylinder e39 radiator
3. It is not possible - you would need to change the entire front subframe and suspension to the 6 cylinder style to use the 6 cylinder rack and pinion steering set up.
4. There are no stock or aftermarket manifolds that will fit without modification.
To answer your questions:
1. As I said in my PM, I am using the clutch and brake pedals from a manual e39
2. I am using s stock replacement 8 cylinder e39 radiator
3. It is not possible - you would need to change the entire front subframe and suspension to the 6 cylinder style to use the 6 cylinder rack and pinion steering set up.
4. There are no stock or aftermarket manifolds that will fit without modification.
I used a set of stock 1st gen CTS-V manifolds with no modification, but then again I made my own mounts, which probably sit a bit differently than the off the shelf mounts. It would put you in the ballpark though. Of course you have to fab up "intermediate pipes" that go from the flange of the CTS-V manifold, around the bellhousing, and down to the area where the stock exhaust bolts up.
my setup:
there was a user on bimmerforums that milled the milled down the flanges of some 2010 Camaro manifolds so that they'd hug the block a bit closer.
my setup:
there was a user on bimmerforums that milled the milled down the flanges of some 2010 Camaro manifolds so that they'd hug the block a bit closer.
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Thanks Norg. There are some nice offerings for the camaro ss at decent prices. If you have a link to that thread please pass it on. I will look into those headers when the time is right. I am planning to run the steel bellhousing for the t56 so I will have to see how that affects things. Lastly, I am thinking of getting dirty dingo adjustable mounts so I can have some slack to move things around a bit.
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Update time.
I met up with user Thaniel over at Bimmerforums earlier in the summer and he showed me some of the really cool stuff he has been working on with the BMW CAN bus system. Check out his thread here with lots of details: E46 Can bus project. - he has done an amazing job of reverse engineering the BMW CAN bus system which opens the door to a lot of swap possibilities
With his guidance I was able to read the car's bus directly and use the switch on the HVAC controls to operate the AC compressor in my car, a small but meaningful victory. Not much to show here since the HVAC controls look stock, but here is a pick of the Arduino board and components that work behind the scenes to produce the magic:
Next I decided to build a new exhaust for the car. I was very interested in the Dynomax VT Mufflers. You see a lot of complaints about them online but the concept was compelling so I decided to give it a shot. They have a 90 day refund policy and a lifetime warranty so if I do have troubles I expect hem to take care of it. I also built the exhaust so the muffler is easily removable and if the VT doesn't work out there are lots of other options that I can easily install in its place. I will say though that so far I am very happy with the way it turned out. It is a little louder than it was but not loud at all, there is still more engine and induction noise than exhaust. The system is all 304 stainless (except for the cats and muffler which are 409) with v-bands like the old one and it is 2.5" until the merge than 3" to the muffler.
On to the pics...
Who says you need a lift?
In process:
Old vs. new
Side view:
Finished:
I met up with user Thaniel over at Bimmerforums earlier in the summer and he showed me some of the really cool stuff he has been working on with the BMW CAN bus system. Check out his thread here with lots of details: E46 Can bus project. - he has done an amazing job of reverse engineering the BMW CAN bus system which opens the door to a lot of swap possibilities
With his guidance I was able to read the car's bus directly and use the switch on the HVAC controls to operate the AC compressor in my car, a small but meaningful victory. Not much to show here since the HVAC controls look stock, but here is a pick of the Arduino board and components that work behind the scenes to produce the magic:
Next I decided to build a new exhaust for the car. I was very interested in the Dynomax VT Mufflers. You see a lot of complaints about them online but the concept was compelling so I decided to give it a shot. They have a 90 day refund policy and a lifetime warranty so if I do have troubles I expect hem to take care of it. I also built the exhaust so the muffler is easily removable and if the VT doesn't work out there are lots of other options that I can easily install in its place. I will say though that so far I am very happy with the way it turned out. It is a little louder than it was but not loud at all, there is still more engine and induction noise than exhaust. The system is all 304 stainless (except for the cats and muffler which are 409) with v-bands like the old one and it is 2.5" until the merge than 3" to the muffler.
On to the pics...
Who says you need a lift?
In process:
Old vs. new
Side view:
Finished:
Thread Starter
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From: Naperville, IL
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Andrew
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