dream swap... new idea for a "more grown up" car. input?

[Bavarian3]

Funny, I'm looking at E39 tourings as well...

[gearheadE30]

I don't think that the S54 would have enough torque to make a car like that enjoyable as a DD. Maybe with FI, but I think it would feel pretty sluggish around town. M62 trannies are fairly expensive even though there are a few of them around. If you go to all the trouble to do a swap like that, I'd almost want to recommend a Chevy small block. Trannies and parts are cheap and plentiful, and you can get tons of reliable power out of them. S62 would be tight too, but there's a lot of maintenence that goes with that motor, or any 'real' M motor.

[mooseheadm5]

The V8 and the straight 6 E39 have different subframes. The 6 cylinder cars got an aluminum front subframe. If you want an S54, buy a 525/528/530 with a blown motor. If you want an S62, go for the 540.

[bimmerking1357]

as long as it says bmw its all good

[e30frosh]

My 540it is a great car. Sucks right now that she needs a new alternator to the tune of 400-500. It's still a blast to drive none the less. Maintenance is awfully pricey on the m62.

[Lsb_E30]

I think the e39 + s54 idea is quite feasible, idi buy the smaller motor car since ur scrappin what its got, you may need a wiring harness from like a Z series car since those were S52 +S54 powerplant options

[devonjordan]

For some inspiration... 528iT, supercharged, AC Schnitzered to hell. I saw it yesterday, and its even lower now.

[asubimmer]

btw that's an s50b32(euro), not an s54...but we get the idea nontheless:)...i say go for the 528it, 5spd if available, then sc rather than turbo for reliability. But if resources allow, wrecked e39 m5 + e39 540it......

is it just me or is that not an s54 but an s50 euro

:d

[NC325iC]

is it just me or is that not an s54 but an s50 euro

[daniel]

sef already has an S52 E30 and M30 E30, so im guessing another motor in the S52 generation sounds kind of boring to him in an E39.

I like the S54 idea, but the S62 idea sounds even better, given the car. At the same time, it is kind of boring because it is coming from the same chassis (E39). Therefore, I think you should swap in the S62, and then supercharge or twin-turbocharge it. :D

[sefb222]

all really good points.

thanks for not flaming me to hell over a pretty silly question.

one of the reasons for leaning S54 was the availability.. one was recently offered for not much more than an S52, so i almost grabbed it, just to have it around in case i wanted to do something neat with it... then i got to thinking about projects, and practicality.

so, the 540iT with a 6sp swap and forced induction sounds like the best move, in terms of bang for the buck, reliability, and function.

i REALLY dig the looks of the E39 touring when done right.

[smonkbmw]

then grab a 528i/5 touring and swap in a s52 (supercharged?) or just supercharge the 528i ;-)

better

If you have to swap a motor in, the V8 from the e39 M5 is the one. M5 Wagon...

BEST!

[euroshark]

I'd go with the V8. It's a hell of a lot less work, it's got more torque which you will probably appreciate, and if you get bored with it you can always throw a supercharger at it.

[TDE30]

Interesting idea, but to echo so many on here, an M62 with 6-speed swap makes more sense over the long haul. The E39iT's are great DD's and even though they never made a 540iT/6, you can find 420G's all day long to swap in. If you want more power out of the M62, there is always the possibility of an ESS supercharger that would put you at the E39 M5's bhp and way above the E39 M5's torque. It's food for thought, and it doesn't sound like you'd be afraid to spend money on this little project.

http://www.esstuning.com/default.asp?c=shop&cat=93&subcat=102&subcat2=110&id

[devonjordan]

If you have to swap a motor in, the V8 from the e39 M5 is the one. M5 Wagon... I just jizzed in my pants...