The Poorman's M5, E60 w/LS7 V8?
01-26-2008, 02:11 PM
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Round Rock, Texas
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am new to the forum and wanted to say "hello." I am hoping to meet some hardcore BMW techies here, perhaps even technicians that work at dealerships.
I have a 2005 530i w/6spd, which I upgraded with the ESS TS2 supercharger kit. Based on the ESS ratings, my car should have about 340 hp, but torque is only about 320ft-lb. I love the way the car feels & drives, which I am sure is the reason all BMW owers love their cars. My car has good power but I am looking for 500hp with potential for more. I can not see spending 100k on an M5 just for an extra 150 hp. Especially when I love all the characteristics of my car except the lack of power.
Looking around on the internet, I ran into www.1geezersgarage.com. It got me to thinking, why could I not make a "poor man's" M5 by swapping in an LS6 or LS7 V8 w/6spd into my E60? A new LS7 engine (505hp/470lb-ft) costs about $12k but in a couple of years, there should be engine's with transmissions with less than 30k miles for like $7000. This give me some time to save money, gather information, study wiring diagrams, etc.
For what I have learned thus far, mounting the engine into the car is much less difficult than dealing with the electronics. Obviously, things like the original BMW gages, climate control, and navigation system all have to work after the swap. So, I wanted to see if anyone here understood how the DCS in the E60 interface with the engine and other systems? Is it one single computer which manages the engine control and everything else in the car? Or perhaps you could guide me to a place where I can learn about this stuff.
If you are interested in doing something similar check out www.LS1tech.com. There is great information about how the computer systems work on these engines.
Cheers!
Mike
I have a 2005 530i w/6spd, which I upgraded with the ESS TS2 supercharger kit. Based on the ESS ratings, my car should have about 340 hp, but torque is only about 320ft-lb. I love the way the car feels & drives, which I am sure is the reason all BMW owers love their cars. My car has good power but I am looking for 500hp with potential for more. I can not see spending 100k on an M5 just for an extra 150 hp. Especially when I love all the characteristics of my car except the lack of power.
Looking around on the internet, I ran into www.1geezersgarage.com. It got me to thinking, why could I not make a "poor man's" M5 by swapping in an LS6 or LS7 V8 w/6spd into my E60? A new LS7 engine (505hp/470lb-ft) costs about $12k but in a couple of years, there should be engine's with transmissions with less than 30k miles for like $7000. This give me some time to save money, gather information, study wiring diagrams, etc.
For what I have learned thus far, mounting the engine into the car is much less difficult than dealing with the electronics. Obviously, things like the original BMW gages, climate control, and navigation system all have to work after the swap. So, I wanted to see if anyone here understood how the DCS in the E60 interface with the engine and other systems? Is it one single computer which manages the engine control and everything else in the car? Or perhaps you could guide me to a place where I can learn about this stuff.
If you are interested in doing something similar check out www.LS1tech.com. There is great information about how the computer systems work on these engines.
Cheers!
Mike
01-26-2008, 02:15 PM
#3
Members
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good luck. If speed is what you are after, you should pursue your idea. If the BMW drive calls out to your soul, nothing will replace the feeling you get at the back of your neck when you light up the V10 in the M5 (in my opinion)
grover
grover
01-26-2008, 02:33 PM
#5
Contributors
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 11,432
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: E60 M5, F85 X5M
Originally Posted by DRANGED' post='523235' date='Jan 26 2008, 03:21 PM
Hmmmm... 
HAHAHAHA.. Dude! I think I know what you're thinking. I was thinking the exact same thing.
Where are the admins and mods???
01-26-2008, 02:35 PM
#6
Contributors
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MPLS, USA
Posts: 5,765
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 10 Honda Fit Sport, 10 Honda Pilot Touring
Originally Posted by EuroCarFan' post='523238' date='Jan 26 2008, 07:33 PM
HAHAHAHA.. Dude! I think I know what you're thinking. I was thinking the exact same thing.
Where are the admins and mods???
I was waiting to pass judgement... 
01-26-2008, 02:44 PM
#8
Contributors
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Posts: 4,119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
I think we may have been here before!
01-26-2008, 02:46 PM
#9
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Round Rock, Texas
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by swajames' post='523246' date='Jan 26 2008, 05:44 PM
01-26-2008, 02:48 PM
#10
Contributors
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South Florida
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i w/ Sports & Permium Pkg. Silv/Blk
2008 VW R32 w/Nav.
1992 VW Corrado Silv/Blk-retired
2001 530i Sports/Premium-retired
530, supercharged, need more hp....... where have I seen that movie before......can't quite remember, but it dosen't end well......."......get'm Ice, get'm!!!.......I got tone, I got tone....firing!!! splash one bogie!!!
where have I seen that movie before......can't quite remember, but it dosen't end well......."......get'm Ice, get'm!!!.......I got tone, I got tone....firing!!! splash one bogie!!!