SCHLEPN | The E39 540itA Story

[DrLeadFoot]

suspenceful said:

Awesome!

Side note, thoughts on the MaxJax lift system? I've been looking into either that, or this: https://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-BP8000

I would have to notch my ceiling (104") to fit the Atlas lift (108"), but feel like it'd be a better long-term option. The MaxJax could be installed as-is and are portable.

It's my buddy's lift and he likes it a lot.  It hasn't been able to hold us back on what we're throwing at it. 4 stars!  Lol

[DrLeadFoot]

Progress! 

Front M5 brakes all buttoned up.

Rear: 540i diff and axles out.  Passenger side M5 brake all buttoned up.  Needed to notch out the m5 backing plate to make way for the caliper.  Might be the air suspension that was different to the M5. 

Diff out, m5 diff cleaned up and new pinion and output shaft seals installed.  

[DrLeadFoot]

Had a little window this AM to chip away.  Relocated the ABS Precharge pump (I think that is what it's called) with an M5 bracket behind the front bumper and popped in the M5 plastic piece for the brake lines to run through and driver's side air intake hole. 

Need to run the M5 brake lines to the pump. One line looks like I'll need to splice in a connector on the thicker line.  

Only pic I took. 540i abs mount

[KaiserRolls]

Holy shit John. I need to log in more often. This is rad

[DrLeadFoot]

KaiserRolls said:

Holy shit John. I need to log in more often. This is rad 

Thanks!!!  I hope it will work!!

[DrLeadFoot]

A little here, a little there continues. 

I had a little window this AM and got to working on the driver's side airbox area. The M5 cold air intake is now mounted behind the bumper. 

ABS precharge pump lines are ran and tightened down. 

Need to figure out exactly where the oil filter/PS reservoir bracket mounts.  I'll get the air filter box in there and find the sweet spot. 

Mike is going to finish the rear end tonight. M5: Diff, driver's side rear brake, axles, swaybar and driveshaft are on the list.  

[DrLeadFoot]

M5 Diff, axles swaybar and brakes are in.  Need to order new shifter bushings (one got lost in shipping) before we get the driveshaft installed.  540i auto shifter and pedal assembly are out. 

Engine bay to-do:

- mount oil filter housing bracket to the strut tower and line up airbox mounting hole prior to drilling holes to use as a guide to where it goes.

- radiator & reservoir, hook up hoses, fan.

- install clutch line.

- bleed brakes/clutch.

- run M5 fuel lines

- install "new" servtronic solenoid & run wires to ECU.

- hook up power steering lines

- install passenger side exhaust manifolds 

GOODNIGHT!

[Jdesign]

Damn. Smashing away at this! Nice work Sir.

[DrLeadFoot]

Installed:

-Dinan short shifter, rear Turner Motorsport bushing and new OEM bushings

-M5 fuel lines and filter

-Servtronic solenoid 

Ran some trans wiring and called it a day. 

Mike is going to get after it tonight!  Probably will get the clutch line and pedal assembly in.  Hopefully driveshaft as well.

[YoungCR]

I had to look up what servtronic was, curious to hear your thoughts on how it changed the steering assist.

[B C]

This is some rapid progress

[DrLeadFoot]

YoungCR said:

I had to look up what servtronic was, curious to hear your thoughts on how it changed the steering assist. 

I'm excited to see how much it tightens the steering up.  I had a guy, Paul, in Michigan do the tuning.  Here is what he did: 

-Ews delete

-Top speed limit removal

-Rev limit and dyno rev limit increase to 7150

-Rear o2 delete

-Sap code delete but can leave the sap process on if you plan on running it. 

-Sport mode memory

-Make sport mode more linear throttle

-Sport mode steering slightly lighter at low parking lot speeds so not so stiff

-Jailbreak Tune

[SteelBlue]

Picnic or bust?

[DrLeadFoot]

SteelBlue said:

Picnic or bust?

I like that goal!

[DrLeadFoot]

Took a bit of a break but Mike dabbled a bit in between working on some other cars this weekend. 

Clutch line ran

[Jdesign]

At this rate you are going to be the fastest swap on this forum (progress wise).

[DrLeadFoot]

Had a little window from 10-12.

-Mounted up the oil filter housing & PS reservoir mounting bracket.

-Installed all heater core coolant hoses, fuel pressure regulator vacuum line, brake booster vacuum line.

-Installed driver's side intake.

-Popped in new air filters.

[DrLeadFoot]

Another little window today.  Popped in the radiator, new expansion tank, fan and a new OEM PS pressure line.  

Last night Mike got the pedal assembly in.  Just need to get the gas pedal mounted up. 

[B C]

[DrLeadFoot]

Mike chipped away a bit!  I watched the bucks game. 🤩

Gas pedal in and 1 of 2 M5 side mirrors installed!