m50 to m62 swap! w/pics.

[mikeday1036]

I started losing first and second gear on the m50 probably 6 months ago. Naturally it didn't get any better and 3 weeks ago i lost second entirely (254k miles so no anger here). That weekend the driveline came out in preparation for the m62 swap i pulled from a running 7/97 e39 540. The car is running obd2 just as it came out of the e39


I didnt take all that many pics, just what friends took while lending a hand.

For reference this is my car :





Engine waiting to go in



One of at-least 15 test fits





Arial shot





propping up the trans





740i brake booster linkage retrofit.





Ready to roll back over to my garage





Back at my house ready for wiring





And as it sits at this moment




I'm waiting for my drive shaft to get balanced then it'll drive.

Things i don't have pics of:
-I cut the cross member behind the sub-frame and remade the center (bell housing was interfering)
-I shortened the push rod on the stock 525 brake booster. The booster itself was 3 inches shorter than the 740 one, allowing me to use the stock brake reservoir
-Massaged the inner fender to sit the booster further back
-Custom shift linkage (cut and welded 540 stuff)
-Custom trans mount
-Many hours of wiring and diagram reading
-Relocated abs unit to behind headlight
-e39 radiator and expansion tank
-Many other things i'm probably forgetting...


Feel free to ask questions

[PorscheH6]

M6x in an M5x car? Serious props.

[Sam Son]

meh

[yaofeng]

What differential did you use?
Did you replace the drive shafts (the output shafts on the differential)? What DME are you using?
How did you resolve the EWS issues?
Did you change the suspension for the heavier M62 drive train?
Brakes front and back?
I presume you also install the exhaust from the M62 (what a dumb question)?
Interested to see how you fit the ABS unit and where looking at the picture the spot where the ABS sits was occupied by the oil filter housing.

This is one major undertaking.

[AHenry014]

thats a lot of questions lolllllll im sure hell be back shortly to answer, i know the answers but i wont steal his thunder haha

[mikeday1036]

What differential did you use?
Did you replace the drive shafts (the output shafts on the differential)? What DME are you using?
How did you resolve the EWS issues?
Did you change the suspension for the heavier M62 drive train?
Brakes front and back?
I presume you also install the exhaust from the M62 (what a dumb question)?
Interested to see how you fit the ABS unit and where looking at the picture the spot where the ABS sits was occupied by the oil filter housing.

This is one major undertaking.

-diff is a 3.25 lsd medium case

-The guibo flange is getting welded to my 525 driveshaft and shortened (i got the m62 to sit a little further back than a stock 540)

-I'm using the dme from the e39, i borrowed the GT1 from the shop i work at to align the ews.

-The car is on coils already, and stock brakes for now (pads are new haha)

-I'll be making the full exhaust, i'm just waiting on the driveshaft first

-later i'll take some pics of the abs relocation, its under the master and behind the headlight

thats a lot of questions lolllllll im sure hell be back shortly to answer, i know the answers but i wont steal his thunder haha

no kidding haha, when cory gets back i'll be headed to your house for grillage

[AHenry014]

open headers FTW

[yaofeng]

Are you also using the ignition lock cylinder and the induction ring from the E39? I am anxious to find out how the 525i drive shafts take the torque put out by the M62. You are breaking new ground.

[mikeday1036]

Are you also using the ignition lock cylinder and the induction ring from the E39? I am anxious to find out how the 525i drive shafts take the torque put out by the M62. You are breaking new ground.

No i aligned the ews 2 in my car to the ews 3 dme.

Guys put down 700hp through m50's with close to stock driveshaft and stuff no concern there. The only difference is u joint and cv size, the shaft diameter is the same.

[konarider98]

Sweet job. Is the idea to use the OBDII M62 DME integrated into the current OBDI body electronics?

[eightynine535]

Wow. That is a lot of work. Hope you document this 'cause I am sure somebody out there might want to do this also.

[LouieD]

Mike awesome job. You have definitely stepped up and taken charge. Good luck with the project.

[WolfStrong]

Wow someone actually went through with it; the i6 <--> v8 swap! Seriously congrats man, that is a hell of a lot of work! Looking forward to seeing it finished!

[Kanufixit2]

hey what wheels are those...all black e34 looks great btw

[mikeday1036]

Sweet job. Is the idea to use the OBDII M62 DME integrated into the current OBDI body electronics?

Yea basically, i guess i didnt make it clear but THE CAR IS CURRENTLY RUNNING!!!

Wow. That is a lot of work. Hope you document this 'cause I am sure somebody out there might want to do this also.

The majority of it is well documented in my head haha....

Mike awesome job. You have definitely stepped up and taken charge. Good luck with the project.

Thanks man, should be driving this week

Wow someone actually went through with it; the i6 <--> v8 swap! Seriously congrats man, that is a hell of a lot of work! Looking forward to seeing it finished!

Thanks! it wasn't really all that much work looking back

hey what wheels are those...all black e34 looks great btw

ACS type 1 reps

[E34nication]

Very sweet man. That should be a nice seat-of-your-pants change from the m50. Beautiful car.

[MacR]

Beautiful! Another M62 brother!

[mikeday1036]

Very sweet man. That should be a nice seat-of-your-pants change from the m50. Beautiful car.

Haha should be a bit of a change, but i'll still get bored i'm sure. I'll be honest, i mapped out some FI options while i had it apart.....

Beautiful! Another M62 brother!

Hells yea!!

[GeEq]

nice mike vids asap

[prash]

[M Quick]

I guess you had to move everything around in the engine bay in order for it to fit?


Nice to hear that it wasn't such a hard work in doing it, makes it even more fun reading that other say it's almost impossible or not even worth it.. In the end practice beats theory!

[mikeday1036]

nice mike vids asap

I'll make one when i get out of work, it has no driveshaft and headers only so it wont be all that interesting.

I guess you had to move everything around in the engine bay in order for it to fit?


Nice to hear that it wasn't such a hard work in doing it, makes it even more fun reading that other say it's almost impossible or not even worth it.. In the end practice beats theory!

I had to move a few things around, but i'm trying to tidy up the clustered bay in these cars at the same time so i cut a few more brackets than what is required.

It wasnt easy but certainly not impossible

[zubbie]

Wow someone actually went through with it; the i6 <--> v8 swap! Seriously congrats man, that is a hell of a lot of work! Looking forward to seeing it finished!

Kudo's. At least you went in the right direction and not V8 --> I6

[AHenry014]

i cant wait to ride/drive in this thing.

we still need to remind him that he still needs tires, im sure cords will start flying with this motor reallllll quick

[E34ührer]

M6x in an M5x car? Serious props.

Major, huge props! V8 to a I6 car is NO FUN!