Evan's E61 Build: Pics, Updates, and Wagon Love for All
#291
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Maybe my build will inspire others to make the conversion. #SaveTheManuals
Thank you, I still have a lot of due diligence to do but I am certainly getting excited to dive in. I can't wait to be done examining RealOem and making sure I have an 87mm bolt instead of 105mm. My goal is; once I start the build to not need to stop due to a part I overlooked. I may just do the swap in my garage to make it more convenient.
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I had a misfire show up in cylinder 5, ironically it first happened when I was running a 991 GT3 on the way to Cars & Coffee in Aliso Viejo (we were neck and neck). Coils are brand new Delphis, plugs are low mileage NGK 5992s, Cyl 5 on the left Cyl 6 on the right. Interestingly I swapped the plugs and coils and the misfire is still on cyl 5, I have not checked the injector yet but it is a -12 with maybe 1,000 miles on it so it SHOULD be fine. :shrug
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8YZREdhjJV8/Vr34dq21tSI/AAAAAAAAk6A/w4gCzhKPaPg/s912-Ic42/IMG_3977.JPG)
Some more goodies for the 6MT swap arrived, a big thank you to the companies who are contributing to this build.
MFactory SMFW
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FSmu3Zd2Hq8/VrKeoflCImI/AAAAAAAAksQ/sihUNPNalOI/s912-Ic42/IMG_3829.JPG)
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S0Pu1fPWYIs/VrKeoR9rsVI/AAAAAAAAksQ/m0bFdgUppqY/s912-Ic42/IMG_3831.JPG)
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yWpfogFZbAU/VrKeoHBjNcI/AAAAAAAAksQ/4ZMUuW1a59I/s912-Ic42/IMG_3830.JPG)
Spec Stage 3+ Clutch
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hNDm8y45ghA/Vr34ex2YyEI/AAAAAAAAk6A/hxxe-X9oMuc/s912-Ic42/IMG_3984.JPG)
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WXTnd7Ik7fs/Vr34eo3_POI/AAAAAAAAk6A/sRnOH4us5J0/s912-Ic42/IMG_3983.JPG)
BMS SSK and DSSR
-----------------------------------------
I had a misfire show up in cylinder 5, ironically it first happened when I was running a 991 GT3 on the way to Cars & Coffee in Aliso Viejo (we were neck and neck). Coils are brand new Delphis, plugs are low mileage NGK 5992s, Cyl 5 on the left Cyl 6 on the right. Interestingly I swapped the plugs and coils and the misfire is still on cyl 5, I have not checked the injector yet but it is a -12 with maybe 1,000 miles on it so it SHOULD be fine. :shrug
Some more goodies for the 6MT swap arrived, a big thank you to the companies who are contributing to this build.
MFactory SMFW
Spec Stage 3+ Clutch
BMS SSK and DSSR
#292
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My Ride: e61 / KW V3 / JB4 / M5 Rear Sway / FDL Coded / SAT Retrofit w GKE flash / ER FMIC / BMS DCI
Model Year: 2010
Engine: N54
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I had a misfire show up in cylinder 5, ironically it first happened when I was running a 991 GT3 on the way to Cars & Coffee in Aliso Viejo (we were neck and neck). Coils are brand new Delphis, plugs are low mileage NGK 5992s, Cyl 5 on the left Cyl 6 on the right. Interestingly I swapped the plugs and coils and the misfire is still on cyl 5, I have not checked the injector yet but it is a -12 with maybe 1,000 miles on it so it SHOULD be fine. :shrug
Good luck with this latest round of mods - I can't wait to see the manual evolution!
Robert
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Count 'Em!
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-adeaq5bLJz0/VsanafGnEMI/AAAAAAAAlE4/0em1h-sZNtQ/s720-Ic42/IMG_4127.JPG)
Before
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XFQVSDzP_LU/VsanauCMzII/AAAAAAAAlE8/fV-m2NqDKKw/s800-Ic42/IMG_4092.JPG)
After, I bugs me that it is round peg in a square hole but I will leave it for a bit and see if I get over it or if the aluminum cap gets the axe.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4822GhNYTfU/VsanavszORI/AAAAAAAAlFA/aJV5tnIdzNs/s800-Ic42/IMG_4093.JPG)
I also retrofitted my headlights ...again.
1st Retro here: https://www.hidplanet.com/forums/for...ustom-orion-v2
2nd Retro here: https://www.hidplanet.com/forums/for...on-eyes-are-in
I really enjoyed the product of my last retrofit, the angel eye delete and white demon eyes was a clean and subtle look I really dug. As much as I appreciate the "look at me" element of angel eyes/DRLS I think the circular design of the rings, whether on or off, is distracting and takes away from the otherwise clean clean/sharp/swoop design of the headlight.
If you recall, my current headlights are the units I refurbished in my second retrofit so they are far from perfect but being my personal headlights I think of them as a test bed for experimenting and trying new things, so in the end it works out. I will be doing some retrofits on BMW 5 series in the near future so this build was to familiarize myself with the headlights once again and test out some new things. One thing I am testing is the durability of the bowls on the 7.0s, they are powered by a 3five 50w ballast.
From my 2nd retrofit, this 3rd revision includes white ---> black demon eyes and MD2S 3.0 ---> MH1 7.0 "main projector." I kept the same MH1 6.0 as my 2nd projector in the quad setup.
I had thoughts to run a Morimoto 70mm xb fogs in place of the MH1 6.0s in the inner shrouds but decided against it as it was easier to keep the 6.0s there. The xb fogs can be located there without too much effort so confirming that while the headlight was apart was a goal in of itself.
The retrofit went smoothly and all I have to do it reseal the units,
Evan
MH1 7.0 Before
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-opD2wkSo2CY/VsaRKTjEDZI/AAAAAAAAlEk/QJ9g3Al8t_8/s800-Ic42/IMG_4109.JPG)
MH1 7.0m After
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZFI_59_8Auo/VsaRKlbzO9I/AAAAAAAAlEk/Rirt82_Wv5M/s800-Ic42/IMG_4113.JPG)
Black Demon Eye
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hiCNqjihSnk/VsaRMVeCcyI/AAAAAAAAlDs/tW8fZQfRLWk/s800-Ic42/IMG_4119.JPG)
XB 70mm fog
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--lT3PUeHBQk/VsaRNole90I/AAAAAAAAlD4/qE2f1OdLaBI/s800-Ic42/IMG_4130.JPG)
It would have worked and been pretty clean but I decided against it
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i0hzLccqU9E/VsaRPOo33aI/AAAAAAAAlD4/qLgg5uF7ua8/s800-Ic42/IMG_4133.JPG)
Who mods their LED bulbs? ME!
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--CU3KIcLPzk/VsaRPZikaxI/AAAAAAAAlD4/E7OLG48GCVY/s800-Ic42/IMG_4134.JPG)
I already had a D2S sealant/plug installed on the housing, the plug for the H1 bulb was too small in diameter to fit the whole, what to do?
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ahrq1BBwmcM/VsaRTNKoBlI/AAAAAAAAlD4/EgS1Eo26-Po/s800-Ic42/IMG_4144.JPG)
Put the plug in the plug!
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-29px9kMA7mo/VsaRTC1FgXI/AAAAAAAAlD4/uZaGdEOSOno/s800-Ic42/IMG_4145.JPG)
It came out super clean on the inside as well (and double sealed)
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3REqJIG8inc/VsaRTS_aq_I/AAAAAAAAlD4/jhFb-aoFMYo/s800-Ic42/IMG_4146.JPG)
This is me having a hard time reflashing my Light Control Module
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5H6DDfklsTg/VsaRU8YCkYI/AAAAAAAAlD4/jbswRKl182M/s800-Ic42/IMG_4147.JPG)
The MH1 6.0 fits like a glove in the inner shroud, the projector actually resides inside that chrome bowl you see and is the perfect length to match up with the shroud(s) that are in the front around the lens
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AkTsMaSoMN0/VsaRVHuc8SI/AAAAAAAAlD4/DGvawXgXjLQ/s800-Ic42/IMG_4149.JPG)
If you look at the inner projector... there is a shroud, a ring, and an inner ring; the shroud and ring and held in place with bolts but the inner ring sits on the projector lens holder like a normal shroud would, it fits so snugly that I won't even bother with JB Kwik to secure it
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EjVsWCAwF6k/VsaRWvWPFvI/AAAAAAAAlD4/hdSqGkyDuG4/s800-Ic42/IMG_4152.JPG)
Black on Black
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MgQshzL3fTI/VsaRW99evgI/AAAAAAAAlD4/hAxwjRba_2g/s800-Ic42/IMG_4153.JPG)
Doing some final testing before I seal them up, don't mind the crooked intercooler, the wagon still makes 550whp
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wn1j68nfrHo/VsaRYfJEK0I/AAAAAAAAlD4/JA2deQvzPrU/s800-Ic42/IMG_4158.JPG)
ALL OUTPUT SHOTS ARE OF THE MH1 7.0 ONLY!
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R8W7ihGI880/VsaRYi9wE1I/AAAAAAAAlD4/vzLA8zVmV8w/s800-Ic42/IMG_4159.JPG)
The MH1 7.0s are a nice upgrade over the MD2 3.0 I had in there before. I was very appreciative of the fact that the 7.0s didn't take much tuning to get dialed, only some bulb alignment was needed to get great results (I still wish this wasn't needed but I understand how sensitive optics are). That being said I am very optimistic for the new MD2S 4.0!
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-42ovhTKt6U8/VsaRZr9DQKI/AAAAAAAAlEs/yx_Fyba_Kmw/s800-Ic42/IMG_4166.JPG)
I love the intensity along the cutoff but I am a huge fan of 3G TL and FXR 1.0 outputs where the width is thick and meaty. Projectors like the MH1 7.0 may be technically have a wider output but I don't find it quiet as useful as the other projectors mentioned. That being said the 7.0 is impressive considering it's size (again excited for D2S 4.0)
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x8HHKVeEyJk/VsaRazyxIcI/AAAAAAAAlEE/FUe31ixs-Js/s800-Ic42/IMG_4171.JPG)
I thought about adding some foreground limiters since my wagon is pretty low ....and I should have, it would be nice to remove the initial 3-5 feet of intense light on the ground near the front of my car. If I need more foreground I can switch on the MH1 6.0s, their foreground is an additional 1-1.5ft closer.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aekaw8t6I5Q/VsaRb_mvjEI/AAAAAAAAlEE/-f8tVc_yPoY/s800-Ic42/IMG_4174.JPG)
Output 1
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zjid99NiLMo/VsaRcuBrCmI/AAAAAAAAlEE/D-0A7W26txk/s800-Ic42/IMG_4175.JPG)
Reverse Light: Love It!
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C3uAgSUsDv8/VsaRdX_ZMTI/AAAAAAAAlEE/UB1kp8diPpQ/s800-Ic42/IMG_4179.JPG)
Some color flicker
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qo8O76Dxipw/VsaRdqUScOI/AAAAAAAAlEE/SFELjPG5hEE/s800-Ic42/IMG_4181.JPG)
LOW
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UXOWfk84X4w/VsaReTpbKYI/AAAAAAAAlEk/rEgY0cRE6K0/s800-Ic42/IMG_4188.JPG)
HIGH
Before
After, I bugs me that it is round peg in a square hole but I will leave it for a bit and see if I get over it or if the aluminum cap gets the axe.
I also retrofitted my headlights ...again.
1st Retro here: https://www.hidplanet.com/forums/for...ustom-orion-v2
2nd Retro here: https://www.hidplanet.com/forums/for...on-eyes-are-in
I really enjoyed the product of my last retrofit, the angel eye delete and white demon eyes was a clean and subtle look I really dug. As much as I appreciate the "look at me" element of angel eyes/DRLS I think the circular design of the rings, whether on or off, is distracting and takes away from the otherwise clean clean/sharp/swoop design of the headlight.
If you recall, my current headlights are the units I refurbished in my second retrofit so they are far from perfect but being my personal headlights I think of them as a test bed for experimenting and trying new things, so in the end it works out. I will be doing some retrofits on BMW 5 series in the near future so this build was to familiarize myself with the headlights once again and test out some new things. One thing I am testing is the durability of the bowls on the 7.0s, they are powered by a 3five 50w ballast.
From my 2nd retrofit, this 3rd revision includes white ---> black demon eyes and MD2S 3.0 ---> MH1 7.0 "main projector." I kept the same MH1 6.0 as my 2nd projector in the quad setup.
I had thoughts to run a Morimoto 70mm xb fogs in place of the MH1 6.0s in the inner shrouds but decided against it as it was easier to keep the 6.0s there. The xb fogs can be located there without too much effort so confirming that while the headlight was apart was a goal in of itself.
The retrofit went smoothly and all I have to do it reseal the units,
Evan
MH1 7.0 Before
MH1 7.0m After
Black Demon Eye
XB 70mm fog
It would have worked and been pretty clean but I decided against it
Who mods their LED bulbs? ME!
I already had a D2S sealant/plug installed on the housing, the plug for the H1 bulb was too small in diameter to fit the whole, what to do?
Put the plug in the plug!
It came out super clean on the inside as well (and double sealed)
This is me having a hard time reflashing my Light Control Module
The MH1 6.0 fits like a glove in the inner shroud, the projector actually resides inside that chrome bowl you see and is the perfect length to match up with the shroud(s) that are in the front around the lens
If you look at the inner projector... there is a shroud, a ring, and an inner ring; the shroud and ring and held in place with bolts but the inner ring sits on the projector lens holder like a normal shroud would, it fits so snugly that I won't even bother with JB Kwik to secure it
Black on Black
Doing some final testing before I seal them up, don't mind the crooked intercooler, the wagon still makes 550whp
ALL OUTPUT SHOTS ARE OF THE MH1 7.0 ONLY!
The MH1 7.0s are a nice upgrade over the MD2 3.0 I had in there before. I was very appreciative of the fact that the 7.0s didn't take much tuning to get dialed, only some bulb alignment was needed to get great results (I still wish this wasn't needed but I understand how sensitive optics are). That being said I am very optimistic for the new MD2S 4.0!
I love the intensity along the cutoff but I am a huge fan of 3G TL and FXR 1.0 outputs where the width is thick and meaty. Projectors like the MH1 7.0 may be technically have a wider output but I don't find it quiet as useful as the other projectors mentioned. That being said the 7.0 is impressive considering it's size (again excited for D2S 4.0)
I thought about adding some foreground limiters since my wagon is pretty low ....and I should have, it would be nice to remove the initial 3-5 feet of intense light on the ground near the front of my car. If I need more foreground I can switch on the MH1 6.0s, their foreground is an additional 1-1.5ft closer.
Output 1
Reverse Light: Love It!
Some color flicker
LOW
HIGH
#296
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#297
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I installed some M5 rear integral links, now all oem rear suspension components are now M5 spec (if not upgraded). The process was fairly straightforward, the EHC needed to be disabled/deflated and it was a little awkward reinstalling the super long bolt that runs through the swingarm, integral link, and knuckle.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7BsQ6AKkkBY/Vs6CNstEZvI/AAAAAAAAlNQ/9kmblpjXI4I/s800-Ic42/IMG_4347.JPG)
TOP: 535xi
BOTTOM: M5
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b8iruD6M0Mo/Vs6CMjJu6FI/AAAAAAAAlNQ/FU0Ml5uN9m4/s800-Ic42/IMG_4346.JPG)
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oi9AfJMVrVo/Vs6CMlzBPUI/AAAAAAAAlNQ/U5PARDU0e3c/s800-Ic42/IMG_4344.JPG)
Installed
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tuW2cIKSvzA/Vs6CNnqy1jI/AAAAAAAAlNQ/lwBkZnNpg04/s800-Ic42/IMG_4348.JPG)
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-usHlFJ2fz2s/Vs6CN5sSVrI/AAAAAAAAlNQ/1O6zz3xGMhs/s800-Ic42/IMG_4349.JPG)
Oem oil cap
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XFQVSDzP_LU/VsanauCMzII/AAAAAAAAlFE/itsP3RA0XP8/s800-Ic42/IMG_4092.JPG)
Aluminum cap, a little bit of a round peg in a square hole but it doesn't bother me enough to change it, so it stays.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4822GhNYTfU/VsanavszORI/AAAAAAAAlFM/LmwDNcMCRxg/s800-Ic42/IMG_4093.JPG)
New aluminum pedals arrived, count them!
TOP: 535xi
BOTTOM: M5
Installed
Oem oil cap
Aluminum cap, a little bit of a round peg in a square hole but it doesn't bother me enough to change it, so it stays.
New aluminum pedals arrived, count them!
#298
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My Ride: 10 535i M Sport
Model Year: 2010
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I love what you've done to your car and it's a beautiful representation of what you can do with a wagon. At times I wish I would have gotten one with hauling the kids and dogs around. I guess I'll leave that job for the Navigator.
Do you think your exhaust guy would be willing to build another y-pipe like he did for you and shipping it? I've asked a few shops around here and they're more interested in buying one and installing it, rather than putting time into custom building something like you have. I've looked online and can't find anything as good as what he did. I don't need the tips installed.
There may be more that would like to buy it as well!
Do you think your exhaust guy would be willing to build another y-pipe like he did for you and shipping it? I've asked a few shops around here and they're more interested in buying one and installing it, rather than putting time into custom building something like you have. I've looked online and can't find anything as good as what he did. I don't need the tips installed.
There may be more that would like to buy it as well!
#299
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I love what you've done to your car and it's a beautiful representation of what you can do with a wagon. At times I wish I would have gotten one with hauling the kids and dogs around. I guess I'll leave that job for the Navigator.
Do you think your exhaust guy would be willing to build another y-pipe like he did for you and shipping it? I've asked a few shops around here and they're more interested in buying one and installing it, rather than putting time into custom building something like you have. I've looked online and can't find anything as good as what he did. I don't need the tips installed.
There may be more that would like to buy it as well!
Do you think your exhaust guy would be willing to build another y-pipe like he did for you and shipping it? I've asked a few shops around here and they're more interested in buying one and installing it, rather than putting time into custom building something like you have. I've looked online and can't find anything as good as what he did. I don't need the tips installed.
There may be more that would like to buy it as well!
So I can still check if you insist but from what I have discussed with Josh it likely will not make sense for both parties. That being said, when I was brainstorming with Josh on the build I had found this place: Columbia River Mandrel Bending which offer some nice made-to-order pieces, the 2-1 parellel merge collector might work well for your situation. I was going to order one but Josh explained that he was in a unique situation where he was waiting on parts for another project and had some unexpected free time so he suggested he just built a y-pipe instead of ordering and waiting for one to arrive.
I purchased both a Vibrant merge collector and a Magnaflow y-pipe, both were no ideal for a 1-2 y-pipe but the ones the Mandrel Bends sell look like a great option.
Those are my thoughts,
Evan