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LS6 in to E46 BMW wiring questions

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Old Sep 30, 2015 | 12:51 PM
  #1  
novablue454's Avatar
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Default LS6 in to E46 BMW wiring questions

Hi everyone, I am currently in the research/parts ordering phase of my build, a 2004 CTS-V LS6 & T56 in to a 1999 328i. I've purchased the engine/trans,ecu,pedal box, and "stand alone harness" seen here.

http://www.jsswapshop.com/apps/webst...s/show/6300100

http://www.jsswapshop.com/apps/webst...s/show/6039432

BMW decided it would be a great idea to run all the interior accessories (windows, head/tail lights/climate control/windows/etc) through the ECU. The problem here is that the ECU needs to stay with the M52TU when I sell it, which renders all of my factory wiring useless. Also, the BMW cluster is ran off CANBUS which can't communicate with the LS6 ECU.

In order to get a working cluster, I just purchased one from a CTS-V thinking it was a no brainer that it would work, but now I am seeing that those also may be CANBUS and i'll have the same issue as trying to use the BMW cluster? Anyone know if that is true, or how to get the CTS-V cluster to work with the LS6 ECU? I know i'll have to build a harness for it, but am I screwed without the Body Module?

As far as getting the rest of the car working, I am looking at the Painless Performance harness seen here.

http://www.painlessperformance.com/webcat/20104

It mentions having outputs for a cluster, but Painless tech support say's they're useless to the CTS cluster and I would have to go autometer or similar to use those. However, I still think that is my best bet to get things like the windows and lights functioning.

Any input on any of this would be greatly appreciated. I am pretty lost in all this wiring stuff. Thank you!
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Old Sep 30, 2015 | 01:08 PM
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chuxdelux's Avatar
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I was gonna send you over to bimmerforums, but it looks like you found your way over there. Good luck.
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Old Sep 30, 2015 | 01:18 PM
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novablue454's Avatar
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Haha yeah, I've been over there for a while, but I figured since I'm ditching most all of the BMW interior and wiring at this point I'd have more luck over here.
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