Does anyone have any familiarity with engine swapping a E32 or E38 to a LS2 motor? I prefer to have a manual tranny, and the E32 came optional with a manual (the E38 did not). However, if it is possible to replace the auto on a E38 with a manual, I would be more interested in this option. Right now I am just trying to create a blue print for a powerful, inexepensive 7 series with solid gas millage. Any impute or suggestions on the subject matter are welcome. Thanks everyone!

Well, the LSx engine with the T56 tranny would be one heck of a car IMHO. You would need rear gears too. I'm sure, with enough money, it could be done. Search here for 6 speed conversion and you will fine out where to locate pedals and crossmembers.

The only real problem I see you having is the computers that run the rest of the car. Stand alone kits are sold for the LS series engines. Things like the speedo, tach, gauges, radio, charging are all hurdles to get over.

I hope someone else ghimes in on this. I would love to see this build!

I would love to see the build too, but I think the 4.6 or 4.8 would be an easier mod, and may run as well


Everyone thinks the LSX makes so much more power, and, well, ot really does, I am so happy with my 740 sport that I imagine a 4.8 would be, well, just stupid fun and a lot easier

supercharged people cime in

A 4.8 sounds very nice. I used to drive a 2001 X5 4.4 and that motor pulled very well right off the line, even in a 5k pound machine. Trick is, finding a 4.8. BMW told me to replace my 2006 325i motor, it would be 14 grand (long story, don't ask). so a 4.8 is gonna be Costly. Perhaps finding one in a junk yard and yanking it out of a crashed X5? 323 junkie and T56 Impala, I think you are both right that using a LS would be more of a challenge. Thanks for the help everyone. Impala; searched 6 speed conversion and appears a little difficult. Might just mate the X5's auto with it's native motor for now, and im not even sure if that would be that much easier. Thanks for the direction.

I heard that there are actually 4.6 motors fairly readily available

I also heard that there is a 4.6 and 4.8 stroker kit

If there is a stroker kit for the 4.6 or 4.8 how much power over stock would they be making?

I beleiev ethe 4.6 is X5 made 340 HP, the 4.8 made almost 400

Signifigant power and torque gains. Everyone is always ready to scrap the BMW V8 in favor of the LS1, and I can understand the logic, cheaper and easier mods. But the conversion is a mammoth undertaking and the M62 series is really a very smooth engine and makes great power under the curve. If you go ride in a STOCK automatic F body or GTO, you notice immediately it does not "feel" much faster than the 540/740. Thats because it really isnt. The 540 traps at nearly the same or even the same speeds as LSX powered stock or lightly modified cars (think 99-103 mph). While ive never seen specs on the 740, it is virtually the same performance, we lag slighlty behind 540's. Ive ran several, never taken one, but never just got shoved in the closet either. Add 1000 pounds to the F-body and see what it does! And also remember, most camaro/firebird/GTO are in the 3.25-3.42 axle area, we beg fo 3.15's. I therefore hypothesize that with a good 3.42 screw in the back of our rigs, and trans software...I think that that alone would make absolutely enormous gains, putting us very close to stock GTO's. Add on that all the other mods for NA, either DINAn or anyone else, and Youve really leveled the playing field.YOu have got to level the playing field if you are goign to compare engines. The real test? Put a 4.4/6 speed in an F-body.!

How bout a LS1 with a big snail on it.

Bimmerfixr has done a six-speed conversion that he claims he did in a weekend. Granted, he's a professional, as you can tell by his moniker. The combination of a 3.64 LSD and a six-speed conversion would not be insanely costly compared to this proposed engine swap and would be likely, IMHO, to please you just as much.

If it didn't, there's always FI, right? A BMW should stay a BMW.

I tjink certin cross breads can be cool.

232Junkie, I agree with your comments pertaining to the "feel" of a vette motor. 6 months ago I drove a C5 stock corvette auto. It didn't feel fast, from flooring it off the line, to flooring it at 50mph up to 90 or so. In fact, I was overall disappointed in it's acceleration, or the feel of it I should say. I am kinda against auto's anyway, and idealy would love a 6 speed conversion prior to an engine swap of a 4.4 or higher. as far as a LSD, would that be from a 850? I like that idea.

An LS with a big snail, meaning a super/turbo charger? not a bad idea, depending on gas millage. turbo's do ok in that sector, where as supercharges seem to be little parasites, ha. Thanks for the idea.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3236652282388094684&hl=en

A guy in my area.

It made 663HP and 667 tq in a sweltering 90 degree shop. No doubt it would make closer to 700 in cooler air or just at night even.

UPGRADES:
ARP Rod bolts, main studs, and head studs. G5X2 Cam, springs, push rods, speed pro forged pistons.

That is it... basically a stock motor that can make these kinda #s.

this threads getting HOT

That six speed conversion and 3.64 LSD would be awesome..heck,,id be happy just for the 3.64 and a trans program

What does a trans program do? Decrease shift times on the stock auto? I have to ask this guy i know who worked on BMW's for 18 years what he thinks a 6 speed conversion would cost. Yea i got some learning to do on rear end, ie gears and what will fit. Do you really have a L7 323junkie? Those are rare.

E38 740 was available as 6-speed.

Was it? Guess I didn't do enough research. I thought that the 6 speed was only for the E32 3.0L V8 and smaller motors. Thanks sweanders, i'll look into it.

Was it? Guess I didn't do enough research. I thought that the 6 speed was only for the E32 3.0L V8 and smaller motors. Thanks sweanders, i'll look into it.

I drove a 740 E38 with six speed a few years ago. They are not the most common cars but were sold in the EU.

What does a trans program do? Decrease shift times on the stock auto? I have to ask this guy i know who worked on BMW's for 18 years what he thinks a 6 speed conversion would cost. Yea i got some learning to do on rear end, ie gears and what will fit. Do you really have a L7 323junkie? Those are rare.

its an e23 L7.

Want pics?

sure

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/agurule/MVC-041F.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/agurule/MVC-036F.jpg

Well, the LSx engine with the T56 tranny would be one heck of a car IMHO. You would need rear gears too. I'm sure, with enough money, it could be done. Search here for 6 speed conversion and you will fine out where to locate pedals and crossmembers.

The only real problem I see you having is the computers that run the rest of the car. Stand alone kits are sold for the LS series engines. Things like the speedo, tach, gauges, radio, charging are all hurdles to get over.

I hope someone else chimes in on this. I would love to see this build!

My experience with wiring the LSx motors is in Japanese cars, a Toyota and a Mazda. It is really not that difficult if you have diagrams available to see what wire goes where. The LSx diagrams and a lot of good advice are available on LS1tech DOT com. There are several people that make plug & play standalone harnesses for the LSx if you don't want to do this yourself.

I don't have any experience with the BMW wiring, but have looked at some of the manuals available online. They bear a resemblance to the GM manuals as far as the wiring goes.

The LSx PCM/VCM (Powertrain or Vehicle Control Module aka computer) depending on the year is a fairly self contained unit IF you have a GM trans behind the motor. It will need switched and battery power & ground. It outputs a 4K pulse per mile speedometer signal and a 4 cylinder tach signal. For wiring, the computers are generally classified in two groups, 97-98 Vette /98 F-body, and 99+. All are OBD2.

On my cars, I connected the oil/water senders from the OEM motor into the LSx via adapters, so the gauges get the same data as they originally did.

Speedometers can be tricky. Does the BMW 7 series use an electronic unit? If so, an adapter such as a Dakota Digital can be used. Of course, if the BMW speed sensor puts out around 4K PPM, no adapter is needed. I know on the 5 series the speed sensor is in the diff, so this is not a factor.

For the tach, there is an outfit called Baker Electronix that has supplied modules (very inexpensive, like $40-50) to adapt the 8 cylinder LSx signal to the 6 cylinder/Rotary tach.

I find it is easiest to let the original car's dash unit control the AC. Even though the LSx computer can do so, this is extra work that is not needed. It is easier and cleaner to hook up the car's AC compressor lead to the LSx compressor.

For the cooling fan, I am running Lincoln Mark 8 or Taurus fans in my cars. The LSx computer can control these as well, but I ended up running a standalone adjustable control with a sensor in an aluminum fitting in the top radiator hose.

The LSx alternator usually needs to have a wire connected to a dash warning lamp for resistance to tell the alternator when to turn on. Since most cars have such an idiot light, this is easily done. Later versions have the alternator computer controlled and wired into the VCM/PCM.

Then there is the physical side of mounting the motor & trans. I'd have to figure there is a lot of room in a 7 series engine bay, so hopefully there would not be too much surgery needed to the oil pan or crossmember. LSx motors have several pans available, front sump GTO pans, shallow & wide Vette pans, semi-shallow and narrow F-body pans, and deep truck pans. Room here is also your friend when running an exhaust system.

I would not mind trying a swap into a 7 series if I could find an inexpensive car with no/ a blown motor.

I have a '92 735i, with an L-98 stroker (383) and a 700R4 trans. the engine bay is more than large enough, but plan on building your own headers. The electronics are easy, the speedo signal comes from the diff., and as previously mentioned, swap temp and oil sensors. Look in the engine swap forum, you'll find pictures posted a month or so ago.

Those are some nice machines. I really like the 3 in that red.