E38 swapped S62

[007008]

For the next level of lunacy and my next project is to stuff all the good bits from a 02 M5 into my 740i.
Why? you may ask. There is no why, its only because I can.
This will be my 3rd ambitious engine swap and I believe will be the easiest.
First was "The Bastard". An 81 VW Rabbit Pickup with a VR6 in the bed.



And race car driver Randy Pobst approved!

2nd is another 82 VW Rabbit Pickup with a 01 1.8 turbo.
Full wire harness, OBDII, cluster, A/C system, cable shift, hydraulic clutch, and power door locks and windows with remote. And APR tuned, about 200hp.


- - - Updated - - -
I picked up a 02 M5 that has been treated not so nice....




Bought it for $5,000 bucks with timing chain guide failure



The engine is now running like a top, smooth and quiet, without any engine codes!

So here is the plan....
I am going to pull the engine next weekend and replace the rod bearings (a S62 unexplained common problem) and reseal the bottom end.(a ton of o-rings)
Then sometime in June I will start the swap. If all goes to plan it should take about a month. I also have a e38 rear subframe with sway bar mounts that I have to cut and move the diff mounts to fit the M5 LSD diff in.
More to come.....

[Cobrajet429]

You should get together with BlackKnight as he has already done this swap. I have done a lot of engine conversions in my day but they all involve American engines. My most notable conversions have been my personal Pinto with a 351C, and for customers, a Miata with a fuel injected 5.0, and Datsun 240Zs and Jaguar XJSs with carbed 350s in them. There have been other oddball engine swaps in there as well as a few custom builds like rail buggys with Taurus SHO and Sterling motors powering them. I might really go all out and really build a stout 5.0 Coyote motor and Tremec T56 tranny for an E38 one of these days if finances ever get back to what they used to be. A very mild 5.0 could easily put out 500 horses and be extremely reliable.

[007008]

You should get together with BlackKnight as he has already done this swap.

Yep, We have had several "ins and outs" conversations.





Oh, I have already taken the EWS out of the S62 DME so it will start with my 740's key, also disabled the SAI since its plugged shut (another S62 common thing), and set the sport button memory.

[blackknight530i]

Cobrajet, we're already working together I've seen the ill-fated beast and the subject of the transplant and I can't wait to have a non-identical twin. I've already offered additional help if he needs it, but I expect he'll want to do this one on his own, at least until he gets to the wiring part.

[Cobrajet429]

Sorry guys, didn't know you were already in contact talking about the project.

[blackknight530i]

No problem

[Don corns]

Awesome. Can't wait to see the final product.

[daytonatrbo]

If you guys keep this up, I'll be the only one in the southeast without an s62 swap


Oh, and subscribed

[blackknight530i]

If you guys keep this up, I'll be the only one in the southeast without an s62 swap

Better get on it James.

[pizzaman09]

It sounds like you guys are just having way too much fun.

I guess I just took the easy way out and bought the e39 M5 to DD. I would personally love to have the long wheel base e38 body/chassis combined with the e39 M5 drive train. E38s are so much classier and better looking.

[blackknight530i]

I'm a fan of both and I'm glad my e39 gets better gas mileage as a DD.

[pizzaman09]

I'm a fan of both and I'm glad my e39 gets better gas mileage as a DD.

I am not loosing much using the M5 as a daily driver. The Oldsmobile that I DD before the M5 only got 19-20 mpg. My commute is so short, 5 miles, that the M5 never gets out of engine warm up mode so I only get about 16 mpg.

[blackknight530i]

My 530i gets 26.4 mpg as a daily driver.

[007008]

Gotta pay to play.

And speaking of pay. I'm going to try to keep a running total cost. Right now with selling the motorcycle. the purchase price of the M, transport from Knoxville, and engine rehab parts I'm right at $2500

[daytonatrbo]

My e46 is averaging about 23 since I put the new tires on it. Partly because theres more rolling resistance, mostly because the way I drive with the grip.

My e38 is now showing a higher average.

[Cobrajet429]

I am not loosing much using the M5 as a daily driver. The Oldsmobile that I DD before the M5 only got 19-20 mpg. My commute is so short, 5 miles, that the M5 never gets out of engine warm up mode so I only get about 16 mpg.

Holy cow, I got more than that out of the 5.0 Explorer, but like you said, as short as your commute is, most of your gas is probably spent just warming the car up.

I averaged 25.3 out of the E38 today going to West TN and back. It probably could have been a little better, but there was a wreck on the way home that had me sitting in stop and go for a long time. I love the fuel mileage with these things for a big car.

[conchiko]

Im gunna be honest here. I would have kept it in the m5... But nevertheless I am excited to see how this turns out! We need more m7's in the world anyway!

Subscribed

[007008]

Im gunna be honest here. I would have kept it in the m5... But nevertheless I am excited to see how this turns out! We need more m7's in the world anyway!

Subscribed

If you want an M5 this is not the one... List of broken things...sunroof doesn't slide,power mirrors broken, front and rear bumpers, dents in roof, paint is shot, needs tires, brakes are warped, suspension is worn, remote doesn't work, one headlight has bits rattling around inside, even the new hood is slightly warped. I figure about 10 grand to bring it back so, I don't feel bad at all taking this thing apart.
The good....
Engine runs good now, gearbox shifts smooth, PO says the diff was rebuilt, and the cluster has perfect pixels.

[blackknight530i]

Don't worry, he'll have quite a few really nice parts to sell off the donor car that should make most of his money back. I just wish I had the money right now to take a lot of them off his hands.

[machinemanjr]

If you don't mind my asking, what does a well-equipped donor car like yours cost in your neck of the woods? I imagine you got a buy on the car given the condition and the mechanical problems.

[SEVEN40iL]

This is awesome!

And seeing your previous work, and know what you can accomplish, this will be another amazing project!

[Cobrajet429]

If you guys keep this up, I'll be the only one in the southeast without an s62 swap


Oh, and subscribed

Unless I find a totalled M5 for cheap, I can almost guarantee I'll never do the S62 so you won't be the only one. Besides, I no longer have a garage so my days of doing anything major on a car are pretty much over.

[BlueCrabMafia]

Your car is slowly becoming my favorite.

[daytonatrbo]

Unless I find a totalled M5 for cheap, I can almost guarantee I'll never do the S62 so you won't be the only one. Besides, I no longer have a garage so my days of doing anything major on a car are pretty much over.

I know the feeling. Luckily I have a shop that is just lacking a garage door.

[Cobrajet429]

I know the feeling. Luckily I have a shop that is just lacking a garage door.

Heck, as long as it's got a flat concrete surface and at least 3 walls to keep the wind and dirt out, I could deal with no garage door. Hmm you are probably the closest person on the board to me and I do go to east TN every now and then, maybe I need to find a way to trick you into letting me use the garage lol.