BMW 540i Bavarian Suit With an LS1 American Heart
The 4.4-liter V8 that hides under the hood of the BMW 540i is one of the punchiest and meatiest sounding engines that BMW ever put in a car not wearing an M badge. But sometimes you want a little more power, a little more noise, and a touch more America.
The most powerful V8 BMW stuffed into the 540i produced just under 300 horsepower, but the LS1 from a Corvette makes 350 horsepower. It also sounds like thunder and hellfire, which is a noise that the BMW never had.
If you think a swap like this is a blasphemous affront to the German way, just watch this video below and see how amazing it is to hear that exhaust burble and pop come from those crisp Bavarian lines. It is the best thing in the world, and I want one. If you don’t like this, you are wrong.
And yes, I can see the badge on the back that says M, but this is not an actual M5. Even I would think killing an M5 and stuffing an LS small block inside would be a bad swap.
Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>
