e46v12

Hey Team

getting along quite nicely with the wagon. Managed to strip the motor and do a  self leveling suspension (sls) delete.

Hoping to start stripping the 4.6is X5 over the weekend too.

@treone

yup 6 speed manual and custom exhaust headers too

@treone

I certainly am  

i have two 4.6's with one ive sort of rebuilt and ready to for my e46 and then the black X5 4.6 parts car which ive yet to pull apart and semi rebuild. The only small dilemma is if i want to use the already rebuilt one i need to take the front timing cover off and change the oil pump chain as its the wrong length for front sump oil pump type. But regardless this wagon will definitely be getting a 4.6 in it.

Hey everyone, 

So finially I got the chance to grab the e34 out of storage, been a long time coming. Spent the day just taking bits apart, took the exhaust, auto box and diff out. Will start attacking the motor tomorrow, quite tempted to just use the 4.6is motor that ive got already for the e46 project and just chuck it into the e34 as i pretty much have all parts for this project good to go.

 More to come tomorrow  

Hey Team 

Hope everyones making the most of their lockdown. So finally got the motor all back together with most gaskets changed, now to get the engine mounts finished off and to get the oil pump back from engineers. I should be able to test fit the motor and then get the X5 sump modified to suit.

drilled out the starter hole in the passger side to allow more room for the custom headers.

Hey All 

So managed to crack into the 4.6 motor in the last 2 days, mainly to check the timing chain guides and lucky me they are pretty much brand new. No scoring on the plastic pieces, even the smaller chain tensioners both look new.  You can see in the last photot where the have welded the piece back together, this must have been when the old timing guide broke. 

I also test fitted a m62 non vanos timing cover as i want to covert it to a non water cooler alternator which it fits a treat. So tomorrow will be just cleaning surfaces and putting it all back together with new gaskets.

Hey Ian

Im not 100% sure as i got them 2nd hand from a guy in napier, Ill double check tomorrow for you but i know they were imported from the U.K

Hey Team

Long time no post. its been a while still the last post, almost a year. I can tell you all that the projects are still alive and kicking, I've just been busy toying with other cars, wheeling and dealing and just been a bit lazy with the posting but definitely still wrenching with the bimmers.

So another one offically done and dusted. The X5 4.6is 6 speed is finally wof, rego and certified

Had to add a couple more things to make the certifer happy. Fitted the car with some adjustables, did a rear muffle delete (myself) looks a bit horry but was free piping so I cant complain sounds bloody grunty though. I also managed to get the rev issued sorted. Thanks to DUDMD from the States. He did a remote tune to the dme by reflashing it to a e39 540i manual then reinstalling the 4.6is software. Runs a treat now with no rev hang or reving issues. 

I had to get the spring seats modified as i felt they had nothing hold them and the spring to the lower arm.

Had to get the cross member modified to have a 4 point of contact with the chassis. We added two front bits if you can see in the picture.

Had to make two driveshaft hoops too.

So also purchased this new Daily/tow car a 2006 X5 3.0d which i did an egr delete, no swirl flaps (must be because its nz new) and i got a remap done by promo. Car runs and drives awesome now. Also done some preventive jobs, waterpump, thermo, pulleys and belts, oil and gearbox fluid change.

So now just the e34 wagon left to go, I did pick up this writeoff 4.6is a while ago. I'll be using this motor and 6speed to swap into the wagon. I've already got DUDMD to send me a ews delete dme which has had the same stuff reflashed on like the X5 manual car. This will make my job a little easier gettting the car started. Fun times ahead. will keep you all posted.

Thanks Team

Hey Team

Long time no post. its been a while still the last post, almost a year. I can tell you all that the projects are still alive and kicking, I've just been busy toying with other cars, wheeling and dealing and just been a bit lazy with the posting but definitely still wrenching with the bimmers.

So slight change of plans, I was originally going to use the n62 rear sump setup on the m62 but thought it needed too much work so have opted to modify the x5 oil pump and mount it to the rear of the block and get a custom oil pump shaft made to run the front where the sprocket goes. ( currently at the engineers)

So in the mean time i picked up a 2000 manual 318i sedan and decide to throw the dry sump m60b44 with the 5 speed box into it and turn it into a drift car. Everything is all good to go other than the wiring which was meant to go to the auto sparky tomorrow but due to level 4 that wont be happening.

Brand new single mass flywheel and clutch kit.

got some new engine mounts made just to tidy up the look from the original ones.

Also got aother Hamann set of wheels sandblasted and powder coated for the e46 4.6is sedan car.

That's it for now but hopefully will start cracking into the 4.6 motor and give it a freshen up.

Thanks Team

Following too 

Hey Team 

Another few busy weekends gone by trying to get the sedan upto this point. 

So after getting a quote to get the subframe plates welded in i thought at that price i might as well buy a welder and try it myself... so i did.

heres my weld job not perfect but i think i did alright.

So plates are all done and i managed to bolt the whole rear end back in.

So heres the fun part i purchased a n62 oil pump and sump off Glenn who's a member on here a while back thinking one day id like to get the swap to work. Well i thought to myself if the cars already getting certed i should try and make the sump work. The dry sump still works but i quite like the idea of a clean setup, which is where i got the idea to modify the engine cross member to suit the sump. Since i already had the engine mounts ready for the motor and was already in a good position, it was a case of making the other stuff work. Worst case is it doesnt work and i go back to the Drysump setup.

N62 sump bolted to a spare m60 block

Modified cross member which i will look at boxing up later on.

Test Fitted but needed a little shaving off the oil pan hitting the steering rack

But other than that looks to be a winner with good clearance for the rack and powersteering lines.

Factory Alternator housing just fits too. So also test fitted the v8 420g box and im quite happy with the whole outcome. I swapped the output flange on the v8 420g with a m3 420g and reused the m3 gearbox cross member and m3 driveshaft, it all lined up and bolted together. Also did some test fitting with the Exhaust manifolds, due to the rear sump only number2 primary was fouling on the sump so i will look at making another one and tweaking it slightly to fit.

Just need to shave 3-4mm off the oil sump to make it flush with the engine block.

So i will test fit the other side next weekend and hopefully that fits with no issues. Only other hiccups i came across was the starter motor on the 4.6is motor is on the drivers side, so will have to relcoate that to the passager side and get a hole drilled into the block. Also a good thing i noticed was that X5 motors have their oil pump sprocket in the far corner like the n62 one. I see some people have had trouble finding the right sprocket and chain to match. Hopefully the X5 one will fit straight on.

Hey Nathan 

no real advantage just cosmetic really, if you seen m3 or m5 or even your x5 how the dash lights up and has the oil temp on the rev counter, just looks cool.

Hey Team long time no post.

Well what can i say, SHE'S ALIVE

Finally got the x5 manual swap up and running, its surprisely quick too with the factory 3.91 open diff, was only sitting around 2.3k rpm at 100kmph.

Custom x member and shifter rod extended.

So just a few more tweaks, the x member needs to be raised 25mm to line up the driveshaft straighter. REst of exhaust fitted but first get the rear mufflers deleted.

I also sourced this a while ago  while discussing diff options with Kayne Barrie, I saw this on trade me and he said it could work as he had rebuilt it and knew the measurements.

a e92 m3 LSD Diff with the flanges changed out to match the x5 ones. 

I have mounted it up and almost perfect I just need to find some big washers to go in between the front two mounts

as you can see picture above,

take the drive shaft in to be shorten and it should be home sailing. I did run into some small issues with the car trying to cut out when i was over 50% open throttle at around 4k-5k rpm 

does any one have any ideas of what this could be?  i pressed the dsc button but no change. Also coded out the auto and made it manual so just a bit stumped.

Feel free to chime team.

Hey Team long time no post.

Its been a while but things still have been trucking along in the background, mainly trying to get these side project cars finished and flicked off which some of you may have seen on trade me.

But good news is ive finally got some subframe plates lazer cut out and got them semi folded into shape on the chassis and then welded. Once done i can get onto refitting the m3 rear end and piecing the car back together.

So slight change of plans again. 

I will now be fitting the M62tub46 motor into the Blue sedan instead of the e34 wagon.

Ill be taking all the dry sump setup from the m60b44 and all associating bits ie exhaust headers and engine mounts and using it with this motor which should be a straight swap, i'll will also try retro fitting the x5 4.6is dash into the e46 too. The M60b44 will be reused in my e34 wagon project instead with a superchager ontop  

Lastly also managed to score this puppy from a mate ( thanks Quinn) 

A 6 speed for the swap as well as it really needs the 6th gear due to it using so much petrol on highway driving.

Will hope to get this car together hopfully by the end of the year.

Hey Team 

So finally cracked onto stripping the e46 wagon of the v8 running gear to go into the e46 blue sedan and also stripped the sedan of its running gear.

sedan ready for the v8 swap

Dropping the fuel tank to prep up in order to weld some reinforcement plates.

I managed to get the motor out with the headers still attached.

I will be swapping out the adapter plate and diesel box out in favour of the factory zf 320z v8 5 speed box

I have sent the flywheel setup away to Greg at MP auto to get a new firiction plate relined.

Also did a trip to Auckland last weekend and picked up this v12 mock engine to start fitting into the M3

E46 wagon running gear out, so i thought i would use this opportunity to test fit this motor to see if it was possible  

This a n62b48 out of a 750i rear sump v8 and i tell you what, its doable! may need a little cutting but could be worth it to someone that wants to go down this road.

So only real issue i saw was that having the motor sit as far back as possible the steering pump was fouling on the steering rack.

just slightly touching the subframe with the lower oil pan

Alternator was pretty close to the chassis rail too but with a bit of a massage with a hammer she would fit like a glove.

Left side also touching just slightly

With the motor this far back there would be no way of fitting a gearbox unless you cut the tunnel up.

Steering looks like it would clear with a custom set of headers.

So if anyone was looking at doing this swap or attempting to. My advice would be to modify the lower oil pan by cuting it down by 3-5cm. Move the motor foward 3-5cm the you would solve the tunnel, steering issue. 

Thanks Team

Hey Team 

Long time since last post, got heaps done since the lock down, also with other small little projects going on too.

But finally got the custom radiator bracket made, all plump in. I had to customize the AFM sensor to have a little bung to feed air to the ICV i tried to do a ICV delete but it ran like rubbish. Also put a DME with a custom tune for a m62b44 non vanos that i had spare into the car which works perfectly with the m60b44 motor currently in there.

So car is running good now and drives as it should, the intention was to enter it into at least one drift day, but since hearing there have been a few rule changes which requires drives to wear/have more safty gear which i agree with, but is just going to cost way too much to justify one drift session, so that wont be happening now.

But i found a lovely Estoril blue e46 msport sedan with a blown auto, my intentions was to change the auto out and flick it off but its just too good of a car to get rid of. 

So change of plans im stripping all the running gear from the wagon and putting it all into the sedan now. But will be making a few changes like using a 320z zf 5 speed box with a v8 bellhousing, so gone with the adpater plate also the detents needed changing in the diesel box. I will be getting a full face clutch plate made as the puck is just a tad rough for driving, and to fix some small oil leaks in the braided lines from the dry sump. Bonus too that the sedan is a 2002 where the wagon is a 1999 so finally get the yearly wofs.

Fun times ahead.

Hey Team 

been a while since last post, so while in lockdown i got quite a bit done. 

Managed to change most of  the gasket on the motor that leaked oil, intake and few other little things. 

Motor is back in the car now, i managed to get the wiring sorted to get the car running. 

flywheel and clutch all in but yet to test.

Front half of driveshaft made and perfect fitment. 

Electric fan from e46 works a treat and cools the engine enough.

Got the Pedal box in with new rubber fed line from reservoir and new braided clutch hard line to slave cyclinder. 

Currently have a rebuilt e92 m3 diff  at Kayne Barrie's getting the flanges changed over to suit the x5 drive shafts.

So not much left to do once i get the diff back, will most likely need the rear half of the drive shaft shorten as well, move the whole car to my engineers shop. Get custom gearbox x member, length gear selector rod then ill be able to drive it.

Braided clutch line

x5 diff on the left and 330i lock diff on the right

front drive shaft taken out and just the outer cv case left in.

custom steel flywheel reusing the auto ring gear

e46 M3 centre modified to accept a nissan 250mm puck plate

Nissan pressure plate 3000lbs clamping force

All most done team.

Hey Team

hope you all had a nice Anzac day of remembrance.

So keeping busy in lockdown and trying to make the most of this free time.

I had a pre 98 e39 pedal box that i thought the pedals would work as the part numbers match but for some reason it wouldnt work with the x5 Brake bracket. So with some left over bits from a e87 pedal box i manage to make something that will hopefully work. Cutting the x5 brake pedal down with a cardbourd template.

Just a rough test fit to check if the clutch pedal clears the foot rest and luckly it does as the e87 pedal hangs to the left as you can see.

Brought another Solid Mount Shifter from BM speed shop ( trying to support local businesses) for an e46 and mounting point work,  Just need to lengthen the e39 selector rod.

Pulled the motor out and stripped it to change all the gaskets and timing chain guides but looks like they were already done as they looked brand new.

these are the bits of the old timing Guide after removing the upper oil pan.

Gave the block and all mating surfaces a good clean too, took the outer c.v joint off the shaft to be reused and repainted the valve cover.

and saw this too that the block had a b44 stamp on it.  BMW must have just reused the 4.4 blocks and bored them out a few mm.

Also thought id give this a try, placed a whole electric e46 fan and shroud inside the x5 one. Plugs are the same so hopfully can get it to work. 

So now just waiting for all the gaskets to come from FCP euro. 

I had that same issue too, thats why i brought another radiator slightly shorter in height so i could lower it to fit the OTR over the top but will still need to get the new radiator custom mounted some how.

you should @WYZEUP there's a few going for cheap on trade me, buying new they are expensive!

Hey Nathan yeah it actually fits quite well and looks pretty cool. As for the super charger there isnt much info on it, all i could find was it made by ihi and capable of making 2.1L. Mines from a e55 AMG m113k if you want to look for more info. But in saying that i know i change my mind often and have decided im going to put the supercharger onto the x5 manual swap build. Due to the height and space in the engine bay plus i think the e46 wagon has more than enough power to keep it fun as N/A. 

@leonf send me a private message I'm more than happy to T up a time after lock down for you to pop around to see the projects, would love to also have a ride in your beast too.

Hey Team

Been awhile so during the lock down have had abit more time and done a little more to the v8 e46 wagon.

after alot of thinking and ive gone away from the airbox idea as there was just no room to plumb and intake to the left. So this is where i got the idea for a OTR intake usually found off holden LS's 

Also scored a nissan silvia radiator with a twin fan setup, which should fit quite nicely once i can get bits welded after lockdown is over.

Hey Team 

Its been a while but finally getting onto this X5 manual swap with all this time on my hands.

So Im slowly starting to dismantle the motor in order to change all the gaskets, seals and timing guides. Ill order them once the lock down is over. 

But manged to get the manual box up into place to see how i was going to attack the gearbox mount and driveshaft.

But managed to almost solve the driveshaft issue. Reusing the rear half off the x5 then i found an old e34 525i front half that u joint splines matched but the input part was too small and just short maybe 15-20mm in length. So im going get input part off the driveshaft that came with the box with the extra 20mm and get it welded onto the 525i shaft to match the 420g box and Guibo, that will solve that problem.

top shaft off a e39 540i

middle x5

bottom e34 525i

oh Nice be good to see some updates on your build too.

Hey Nathan

No that one was parted out straight away, i took the running gear and sold on the rolling body due to the amount of rust. This is my original build from the very start along with the 540i wagon. 

Hows your wagon coming along?