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Just another E39 M5 LS swap, but with 2 snails...

80K views 166 replies 69 participants last post by  yourunifly 
#1 · (Edited)
I figured I might as well get this thread rolling.

Disclaimer: This is a PROJECT CAR. I am in no rush, so please don't post complaints about how long it is taking me to do this. LOL. I am a busy guy, and have a family, so this project is not the center of my world.

When I sold my other M5, my plans were to buy an M4 or a 911TT, but Clemster called me and told me about this car and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I've always loved the M5, but I wanted 700+hp. Instead of spending $30k on an S62 engine, I spent $175 on an LS.

Thanks to Clemster, rao, Herrubermensch, and all of my other friends who have helped me out with this.....

Stats:
2003 BMW M5
5.3L iron block LS - brand new stock internal rebuild from the ground up
799 heads - fresh valve job and all BTR goodies here too.
BTR twin turbo cam
T56 transmission
Twin 68mm turbos (CX Racing, aka, cheap turbos)
Tial MVR 44mm wastegates
Tial Q BOV's
I will run a meth system of some kind

Shooting for 700-800hp at the wheels.

The M5 - Sterling Gray, Executive Caramel Leather interior. (Thanks to Clemster for the hook up)






The egine: 5.3L LS from a 2005 Tahoe.


The foam LS block for fitting..... It is an exact replica of an LS engine, with heads, bolt holes, the whole thing. Pretty sweet.


I used an i6 subframe, so I had to source some additional parts.....




I moved the cross support forwards about an inch to clear the oil pan.


Other parts

68mm liquid and oil cooled turbo


Tial Wastegate


The awesome Ford Taurus fan:



I will be updating this thread as the project goes along. I have a lot of pictures. So this will take some time.....
 
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#3 ·
The engine rebuild.....

rao came to TF 2016 a few days early and guided me in the rebuild of the engine. Lunker325 was there with some help as well.











Rough looking lifter




Crank and block looked really good....
















New pistons, rods, and rings gapped to boost settings as per LS1tech




Chinese head studs


 
#6 ·
Very cool Tim! I'm glad to see that you've been able to make forward progress with the build - work and family can make it difficult to find time for projects. What boost are you expecting to be running to hit 700whp? What size are the turbos?
 
#7 ·
68mm

I'm guessing 14 - 18psi, from reading LS1Tech.com

I'll only run as much as it takes, I'm going to run conservatively. If I don't hit 700hp, then I don't. With stock internals, I don't want to go crazy. But from what I've read and what I've been told, I am following the formula to make my power goals. This engine is only meant to last me until I build up a forged 6.0L iron block to put the boost to. I just wanted to iron it out with this relatively cheap engine.
 
#13 ·
In for the build! I assume you upgraded the rod bolts? Head studs and rod bolts are really all that's needed to make an iron block 5.3 bullet proof. I'm pushing 600 crank hp on mine with 170k miles on it and the bottom end has never been touched.
 
#18 · (Edited)
The turbos were $300 each compared to $1600 for brand name. Many LS owners using them with good results.

The China head studs have also been proven time and time again.

While the wastegates and BOV's have been reported to be junk. Those items also are the "control". If they go....... big bada-boom.

Thanks for your input, but I did spend a little bit of time and research on this instead of just wasting money......
 
#21 · (Edited)
Including the car, I should be under $20k. It all depends on what I do as far as brakes, wheels, and of course, the stereo. Lol. It wouldn't be my car if it had a normal stereo in it. Of course I'll go WAY over board there too.
 
#25 ·
Nice! Some people probably think you are crazy for using an actual M5. But I am excited to see where this goes :devil
 
#26 ·
Why would it be crazy to start wtih an M5 that had a blown engine? Because I wanted to replace the expensive S62 with a $200 motor that can make double the power for 1/4 the price?

I do have to say, it is pretty funny how people seem to be looking down on the fact I'm not using the MOST EXPENSIVE PARTS. Do you guys realize what kind of power guys are making over on these Chevy forums using GARBAGE. I mean seriously, you should see some of the work they do! Gorilla booger welds, romex for wiring under the hood, NO common sense in some of their builds, and they are making 1000+hp. It's amazing. I am just trying to take a little sophistication and mix it with some stupid raw power. Of course I loved the S62 in my other M5. It made amazing power, but I pushed it to the limit. 600hp at the wheels. That's about what you can get without damaging anything. The next step is building the bottom end. For that, you are looking at $20k minimum. I will have less than that wrapped up in my ENTIRE BUILD and will make at LEAST 700hp. I could possibly make 1000hp. I'm fine with the parts I have chose. I am not fine with some of the condescension I am sensing from people bashing the inexpensive parts. Do I expect one of the $300 turbos to fail? YUP. I'll buy another $300 turbo to replace it. I'll have to go through 5 turbos, per side, for a total of 10 turbos, before I even get close to the cost of a set of brand name turbos. I have spoken DIRECTLY to people who have used the exact turbos, on several builds, and have made 1000+hp, without issue. Same with the head studs.....

.....steps off soap box......

/rant
 
#32 ·
Wow! This is so many shades of awesome!!!

Who cares about the S62 when you can get soooo much more bang for your buck?

I'd love to turbo the S62 but everyone says it's impossible lol. I feel that it isn't (without going rear mount turbo).

I'll be watching this thread as it develops.

Good luck!! :D
 
#35 ·
Looking VERY interesting.

I must say if the motor went pop in my M5 at that juncture you're already looking into swapping out something that wasn't there in the first place in terms of numbers matching and so why not make it more interesting?

As far as i'm concerned when someone buys a car, M5 or not, with a completely shagged engine and decides to put it back on the road in whatever form, they are actually SAVING the car as opposed to the view of some that they are ruining it. Especially if you consider that engine aside you are also getting all of the running gear, LSD, nice interior, choice little body parts like mirrors etc etc, it actually makes financial sense to start with a knackered M5 rather than shock horror, a base 525 se so you don't "ruin the heritage of such a great car".

And at the end of the day,who gets the most attention at the show, and speed at the drag strip, the supercharged S62 costing $15K for 600hp, or the badass 2jZ or LS guys running 700/800hp and kudos, and with a fair bit of spare $$$ £££ in their arse pocket? (OK Maybe not the 2JZ in $$$ terms but you get my drift?)
 
#37 ·
You keeping the stock 78mm throttle body and intake manifold? The 2007+ 5.3 has the 87mm and should bolt right up.


You running this on 93 or E85?
 
#39 ·
Just wonder why you didn't fabricate intake tubes and have the air filters in the same location as Dinan's?
 
#40 · (Edited)
Several reasons:

~No added benefit. Adding any kind of piping or tubing would restrict air flow in to the turbo.

~Cooler air? It's going through a hot turbo, then through a huge FMIC, then getting dowsed with methanol. Moving the intake there wouldn't help at all.

~I have turbo piping that will be going through that space There will also probably be other items in those locations. Meth tank, oil cooler, etc.
 
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