Budget Stroker

Yes that would be great but i think it is different water and oil gallows are different and maybe bolt pattern might be different ... wish i had the resources to find out!

Honestly man just supercharge it. I've researched this, watched supercharged 540i videos and looked up power figures and it makes alot of sense. HP is HP whether supercharged or not and actually the centrifugal units make power sort of like an NA because they're peaky. NA isn't exactly linear, the only true linear band is a twin screw. If your engine is healthy then go for it. You'll be making more than your target for alot less.

I was gonna do it but some things scare me like, will the engine disintegrate and the automatic gearbox, how much power and torque can it hold. The thing is I don't know how strong these components are or how strong the ones in MY car are. It just sucks because I know if I install the SC that thought will always be on the back of my mind.

For the centrifugal ...its Alot more like a Turbo... not as much lag but still Alot more then IM hoping for.

And IM pretty sure Jimmy540i is running an automatic with 48x rwhp and for a good while.
I'd say if it were to get rebuilt it would hold that power for a while,look at the list of cars these transmissions are used for... pretty strong

Originally Posted by Bluedevil1

For the centrifugal ...its Alot more like a Turbo... not as much lag but still Alot more then IM hoping for.

And IM pretty sure Jimmy540i is running an automatic with 48x rwhp and for a good while.
I'd say if it were to get rebuilt it would hold that power for a while,look at the list of cars these transmissions are used for... pretty strong

Centrifugal superchargers are the epitome of lag. They don't reach max boost until you're at redline. A properly sized turbo will make full boost by 2200 rpm. If you want to make power, adding forced induction is the way to go. Stroking the 4.4 is a waste of money, imho. Only because you're talking about putting in as much money as the car is worth, for minimal gains.

You could make your target hp with 5 psi of boost for about $2700 if you go with a remote mount setup.

Also, don't forget to upgrade your peg leg diff.

Just my .02

WD

Ok yeah that's a small Turbo, i guess i was talking about a Turbo that is sized t
As bog as a centrifugal ..

But yes evena 18g or 20g turbo could probably get me therebut i really didn't want boost unless its on top of the engine. Yes turbos are pretty simple power, but half of the fun is the struggle getting there.

I'm a boost addict myself. I always try to talk people into going that route. I'll be boosting my 540, maybe this winter. I had to replace the usual suspects before I spend any money on go-fast items. I still have to replace the VC gaskets and I'm ditching the entire cooling system in favor of a dual core aluminum unit with electric fans. So I have a little work left before I add any boost.

Regardless of what path you choose, best of luck.

I'll be using a GT35 btw.

Nice, i have to replace vc gaskets too but i will when the M60 heads go on if i haven't changed my mind by then.

I love boost too but i picture this car as a n/a kind of car..i love boost too and i miss my supra and talon Tai... idk

Where were you going to place the Turbo? And would your crossover go up top or bottom?

When i was going to boost my cobra i loved the placement of the turbos but thar would be a pain in the ass to do the same on a 540..so many ways to go

Behind bumper or on top by the throttle body

Quick poll: most accurate synopsis

I would like to get a baseline rating and seeing which dyno is used most

I'll be doing a remote mount. Not enough room under the hood in my opinion. Doing a remote mount saves me from having to fabricate my own manifolds as well. The 540 is just too cramped. Remote mounts are just too easy and the lag is negligible.

I'd go with a Mustang dyno if you have one in your local. However, I've found that it's more to do with the operator and setup then the type of dyno. Something as simple as the humidity setting will yield erroneous numbers. Just make sure you use the same dyno before and after, that's really the only way to stay accurate.

I completely agree with you and understand what you mean by an "NA kind of car" but the BMW engine is just too expensive to get anything out of.

As for turbocharging I don't know. The plumbing shouldn't be too hard but again you're gonna be running a proprietary setup. It's a custom job and there's no "blueprints" for it like with an SC.

If there was a kind of electronic blueprint for an LS swap made by someone who has done an LS swap it would be so sweet. The only problem with an LS swap is the electronics. I thought about it but I just don't know where to start or what the issues I will be facing are. Otherwise it's the cheapest and highest potential option.

By remote you mean at the end of the manifolds?


And what about tuning?

Originally Posted by Bluedevil1

LS swap is looking more and more intriguing everytime i research it,
a terminator engine is a great idea as far as power it can take in stock form is insane and twin screw is a plus!

LS is not for everyone but if you do go that route, there is plenty of power to be had. This has been my daily the past 2 years.
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p.../EngineBay.jpg
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...ideProfile.jpg

One more thing to keep in mind, when it comes to BMW V8s, there is no such thing as 'budget stroker'. You will pay to play.

Nice pictures, How much time and money did you put into your LS swap?

I expect to pay to play I'm just not trying to spend 20k for 450 hp
I've heard that you can get by with 4-5000 for LS swap

WOW I just saw that your in Minneapolis...Richfield here

The swap was ~$7900 including cost of the drivetrain and took a few months of actual fabrication to get it done. I did sell some E39 parts to offset the cost and did all the work myself. There are cheaper LS engines which if used can drop the cost quite a bit. If you would like to check it out, send me a message in the spring or once the snow is gone. I'm currently building a stroker for it.

Have you completely ruled out forced induction? I think a supercharged 540i is a pretty stout setup and can be had for a reasonable price.

Yes I would like to check it out sometime!

I didnt rule it out I just thought it would be a fun project .
I need to do something bc Its not enough power anymore so I thought I'd think of a project, now Before I bought My third 540 I was going to get a 300c and stroke it to a 426 and have fell in love with twin screw superchargers for the newer V8's and I know they are VERY capable of huge power!

These little 4.4L engines are pretty stout for what they are but I've always wanted a 400+ Naturally aspirated car because of the responsiveness.

How did you get the Electronics figured out? schematics or did you have someone wire it up?

Ahhh I hate to ask this but Does anyone need an engine and auto transmission? I just might have changed my mind.... I swear the cheapest and most effective might just be the LS since I wont be limited on down the road power needs if there is any.

wiring is pretty straight forward (I'd be happy to provide specific info if you do go the LS route). Check out the link below, there are a few E39 LS swap going on at the moment.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...play.php?f=208

Originally Posted by Bluedevil1

By remote you mean at the end of the manifolds?


And what about tuning?

Remote means at the back where the muffler would be. Muffler by Garrett

If you have no registration / inspection type issues with swapping motors then the LSx is the way to go. I've helped do a few swaps into the 240SX and one into a 300ZX. The hardest part was fabricating headers, I'm not sure that would even be a problem with the 540.

Originally Posted by Bluedevil1

Ahhh I hate to ask this but Does anyone need an engine and auto transmission? I just might have changed my mind.... I swear the cheapest and most effective might just be the LS since I wont be limited on down the road power needs if there is any.

So how much was the preliminary amount for your normally aspirated 500'ish BHP conversion of the 4.4 litre BMW engine?

The LSx conversions is something I've considered as well over here in the UK once my Diesel engine gives up. It's showing no signs of that at 260,000 miles though, so might have to continue waiting!

Cheers, Dennis!

I guess hearing an 03 Z06 go by did it for me...

I'm probably going to still get a baseline so I know where I am now vs where I will be come spring. I have a warm shop to do the project in this winter!! I'm going to be spending alot of time at work after I get the engine and T56

I'm interested in the LS swap too. I just need to ask, what do you mean by electronics and wiring being "pretty straight forward". I thought this was the hardest part and traction control is ruled out in this swap and some other things like cluster. Can you provide a little more detail about what will work and what won't and how the whole thing will be wired up. This would be a sweet swap. LS engines are WAY more reliable than BMW engines and repairs are way cheaper.

Ok now that IM thinking of the LS swap, guys are putting in 8.8 Ford rear ends what about a vette transmission? Its in place of the rear That would be interesting end.. that would be interesting

That would even out the weight too

Originally Posted by e39540iv8

I'm interested in the LS swap too. I just need to ask, what do you mean by electronics and wiring being "pretty straight forward". I thought this was the hardest part and traction control is ruled out in this swap and some other things like cluster. Can you provide a little more detail about what will work and what won't and how the whole thing will be wired up. This would be a sweet swap. LS engines are WAY more reliable than BMW engines and repairs are way cheaper.

The LS engine ECU is pretty much a stand alone unit which means it does not require any inputs from the BMW side for it to run the engine. All the ECU needs is 12V, Ground and data from the appropriate engine sensors and it will work. On the contrary, BMW engine ECUs for example require input from the EWS, DSC unit etc so swapping them is not easy.

The only thing you have to do on the BMW side is code the instrument cluster to accept the LS1 tachometer and coolant temp signals. The link below details how that is done.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1899207

You are correct that you will lose traction control however, ABS works just fine. losing traction control was not a deal breaker for me.

I should also mention there are kits available to swap the LS into the E39 so at this point it's a bolt on affair.

Originally Posted by Bluedevil1

Ok now that IM thinking of the LS swap, guys are putting in 8.8 Ford rear ends what about a vette transmission? Its in place of the rear That would be interesting end.. that would be interesting

Corvette transmission will not fit in out cars and is not worth trying to fit when you can go with the regular T56 or TR6060.