Detachable steering wheel, relocated steering column, custom e30 rack and pinion. Like most 5 series cars it originally had a steering box. The steering goes from more of the center of the car to side rather than straight on.
He raced go karts at 5, first car was a turbo 535 bimmer. My mistake really, I f****d up, I trusted him. Lesson for both of us.

 

I went to shoot pics only to find my digi cam batteries are dead. I'll shoot some pics of both setups when I get back from being out of town for the weekend.

BTW, let me know if there is anything in particular you want to see.

D

 

what ever you can get me is fine thanks.


jonathan

 

Why would you need a 6 speed? Would you use a LSx/T56 combo anyway?

From what I am aware all one would need is a V8 donor, either a 530i (1993–1995) or 540i because of the steering rack will accommodate the headers more easily, hopefully making stock headers possible, which could possible mean C.A.R.B compliance.

Now rear ends are a different story. I do not know the strength of the rearend of the 3.0lt V8, but I assume it is not as strong as the 540i, and wouldn't hold up behind the torque of the a LSX. Would a modified Ford Thunderbird IRS fit back there?

 

All E-34 (89-95) 5 series had steering boxes. The later E-39 cars had major differences in steering gear between 6 and 8 cylinders cars. The 6 cyl. cars had R&P, and the 8 cyl. had a steering box. The biggest advantage to buying a factory 8 cyl e-34 will be the remote brake booster set up from the factory. All steering gear clearances will be pretty much the same. The other note worthy difference will be differentials. There are not a lot of e-34's came with factory limited slip diffs, so you can pretty much plan on, at the very least, swapping out for a LS diff from another compatable BMW model. As far as the suspension is concerned, unless you absolutely luck out, most cars have just been maintained, not upgraded. With 400+ rwhp, you will be needing to do some upgrades(750 thrust arm bushings, shocks, springs, etc.)to enjoy your conversion. Which ever model you choose to do your conversion, good luck.

 

You do not need a factory 6spd car. It would be quite a bit easier to use a factory manual trans car though. conversion from auto to manual is possible, but unless you get a really good deal on a auto, the factory manual trans car is the way to go. The factory diff set up should be fine( once upgraded to LS and proper ratio) unless you start wanting to drag race, then you may have to start looking to custom set ups. One thing to look at are the costs of 94-95 530 5spds VS. 94-95 540 6spds and see if it is worth it for you. Main difference(for what you are doing, meaning what will be left on the car post swap/upgrades) are upgraded interior on the 540 spd( sports seats, upraded leather, wood,etc), slightly bigger brakes( not sure on this one, been 7 years since I messed with one, but these are easily upgraded on the 530 with other model factory parts...840ci brakes etc). Again good luck with the swap.

 

i hear the M3 diffs are bomb proof! is this true??? i know they are pretty cheap over here (uk) compear to the motorsport stuff form ford that some use!

thanks Chris.

 

I'll shoot some pics today. I had totally forgotten about the 530i 5 speeds, which could be a suitable starting point. I guess I was really just getting at the fact that it would be easier to start with manual than an auto if you are doing a swap with a t56.

Also, if you are going to be selling some of the pulled parts, I bet you could get quite a bit more for the 4.0 w/ 6 speed than a 3.0 w/ 5 speed.

 

Derek357I is right. If you can swing the 540 6spd, by all means do. The sport seats are great and the difference of luxury items in the interior are noticeable. I checked autotrader.com and noticed that there is not a huge premiuim between the 540 and 530. I would be more concerned (as with any used luxury car) about maintence and condition than miles. Also on either car check to see if the block has been replaced under warranty(niksal block issues) as this will be a huge selling point of the used drivetrain.

After all of this talk of LS motors into e-34's, I am trying hard to resist doing one myself. A well maintained e-34 with a LS/T-56 combo would be dead nuts reliabe and fast to boot. Now i just gotta talk my neighbor out of my old 540/6spd.

 

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/derek350...21030867#page1

Here are the pics. There are 2 of the 525 and 7 of the 540. BTW: No comments on the dirty engine bays

 

link no workie you should try posting them up on webshots

 

Sorry, I had the permission set to private. It is fixed now.

 

wow its looks great how does it run now that its done is it a good daily driver

 

Just looked at Derek357I's pics and thought I would make one comment. The M-60 V-8 that is in the 540 is quite a bit larger than an LS motor ( both in width and height). So who is going to be first to do the conversion?????

 

tempting...

 

BMW big diffs are good for around 600ft lbs of torque depending on the ratio. I used a Audi 5000 Turbo Quattro Torsen diff (4:11 ratio) which is basically the same as they used on the rally cars. Good for 650 ft lbs of torque. I wailed on mine with absolutely no problems. The suspensions are more than up to the task.
I know a guy with a 200k mile stock e28 5 series with over 500hp turbo'd(bmw 6cyl with 200k with stock trans and clutch) who runs in the low 11's with air conditioning. Nothing breaks.
5-series conversions have been done before, I did one.
Make your life easier, use the T56 with a custom driveshaft. Driveshaft Specialists in Texas mated my T56s up with the Audi and BMW diffs.
I'm using a M3 Euro diff with a 3:23 LSD on the BMW e21 conversion. I did upgrade the rear suspension with 930 CVs, heat treated chromemolly stub axles and halfshafts but the Five series already has the big CVs, stubs and half shafts.
On the five series I did I used manual brakes (wilwood) and they were more than adequate. Power brakes are nice but not necessary.

 

I see you're in Pasadena. I had been looking into this and I've got a guy who's ready to do it. If you're interested, then I'd recommend contacting Jim Pierce at: http://advanceoffroad.com/main.htm .

I've got an LS1 powered Porsche 951 and he's been my main fabricator/custom work man. Tell him I sent you, Steve Rea, and see if you can work something out.

Good luck as it sounds like an awesome project!

Steve

 

yeah i will give him a call as soon as i get my donor car beacuse right now im just talking out of my ***.

 

Would an E39 be a hugely difficult swap?

 

i was thinking more of a plastic car like a saturn