My life in the slow lane: Turning a z71 4x4 335I into something respectable.
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The 4l80e swap is being done by a relatively small company. Supposedly there is a Ford 8.8 rear end swap involved as well. I've tried to get more info from them but all I got was the basics so here it goes.... The kit should use a 4l80e (you supply it) but will come with everything you need to get it running. I guess the way the system will function is the car will be reprogrammed to think it's a RWD manual (eliminate s all talking to the other controllers) and a 4l80e standalone controller is used. I believe the kit also adds steering wheel paddles to send shift signals to the trans. The rear end kit comes with all the custom mounts and dss axles/ custom driveshaft to make that work. I have been told the xdrive won't work as the tunnel is too small to hold the trans and fit a driveshaft going forward. So that also leaves me 2 options.. cut front axles and remove the pumpkin ect, or get a $500 rwd front subframe and switch the front end over while removing the xdrive parts. I would like to do the latter option as it involves no ghetto axles. But if it breaks my hands are tied. The other good part about the latter would be the ability to install M3 control arms and suspension bits. I know my rear end will be getting the m3 arms ect.. I was told the reason for the 8.8 was because gearing options and cheap parts availability while keeping the bmw suspension as it is. Combine all this with motiv's closed deck motor and all the tuning advancements made and I think we will see the first 1000+whp N54 this year. As well as the first 8-9second 335i.
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awesome thread, awesome car, IMO, despite the automatic transmission. I think you made the right decision here. Honestly on a car like this with a 7k redline and for what the gear ratios are, if you have a big single turbo and are going to end up making 700+ hp, having a manual transmission just becomes useless, truly. And if you don't care about rowing gears, then who cares. I think your plan of upgrading the transmission to the 4L80e is perfect.
My favorite part of this was reading about people who say that an xDrive 335 is garbage. I personally prefer RWD but honestly, but mainly for track and tossability. How can you argue with a car that's driven on the street, having like 500-700 whp, and having AWD to put it down to the pavement? That's still badass, lol. And it'll put every dumbass Subaru bro kid in their place, to boot.
When you break into 10's I'll take a ride.
as an aside, with all these cars in our group being up north, I may need to make some rounds this summer lol. I do some software contracting on the side for a company based in Appleton/neenah area and I'm due for a visit and some drinks with the guys I work with. While I'm up there I want to see some of these vehicles. I'm guess the closest in proximity there would be you and Jake.
2011 E92 M3 6MT ZCP - ESS 625 supercharged
2007 Z4MR
2003 E39 M5
2002 E46 M3
2021 X5 40i -
Dubuque IA.. Well really East Dubuque IL.. but I claim platteville area for anyone I talk to in wisconsin. I would more than be happy to stop out and meet some new friends!
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I started the Bimmer craze at the Hormel plant in Dubuque. Went from just me to half a dozen for a while.
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Pretty much just me now...
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Go help Thad put his vert together, I only built the engine 3 years ago.. it's never been fired yet after a full rebuild. The suspense is killing me.
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I try to buy it from him every time I see him..lol
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Thought of post an update for a few new items and plans. Car is still apart inside garage. I got all my new injectors about a month or so ago, just waiting on good weather to install them. I also got my hands on something I HIGHLY recommend all N54 owners get. I got my RB external PCV kit in the mail last week. I ordered the full kit with head plugs and all. This kit runs dual catch cans (50 micron mishimoto compact at idle and no boost, then transfers over to my BMS can once boost is built. This eliminates any gunk on the valves. Also the head ports are plugged in the process so the factory pcv valves in the head are bypassed and blocked off. This is to keep the valve cover and crankcase under vacuum. I have a friend who lost his engine because one failed and starved the engine of oil, so of rather not take that chance. Ordered the evolution of speed intake with port injection bits so waiting for that to arrive. Also in transmission land, the 4L80E is pushed back to next spring now. Not overly happy about hearing this so I talked to a few people and will most likely go 6MT RWD. Something about less controllers and a proven transmission is a nice thing. I don't drag my car a lot so for roll racing I feel this the better choice. I don't know of anyone here also knows of syvecs? They are releasing a ECU this year for the N54 that is plug and play. Working on getting my hands on one thru group buy. No more piggybacks and tunes fighting the ECU, and more rpms and total control
Gotta be prepared...lol.. planning out 6MT this summer and syvecs next spring. Heck if I can put enough aside I'll even debate getting an ABR punisher to drop in next year Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
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Tossing in a update.. was able to pull a 1.6X 60 foot on the car at the track. Installed the EOS intake and new JB4 port injection controller module as well. This setup reliably got me up to 28 psi (did this once as I was scared, and dailies @25 psi on e85 no issues). This new jb4 controller is truly remarkable. However the car is getting parted out now and everything is for sale. Check the classifieds for sale posting.
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wait, what? why for sale. i don't see a listing on WIBimmers Cars for Sale section.
2011 E92 M3 6MT ZCP - ESS 625 supercharged
2007 Z4MR
2003 E39 M5
2002 E46 M3
2021 X5 40i -
Not selling the whole car.. parting the parts out..
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Gonna start right now on the for sale ad. Motor and everything is out..
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The plan is to show the world that I am crazy...lol My end goal is 4 digits at the rear wheels, 1200 long term. The proposed powerplant is a Iron block 6.0L LS stroker motor with big ole turbo on it...lol.. Of course some internal work will be done but that is in the details
Ive figured out how to make the car play nicely (keeping factory locks and HVAC and radio and power options) and am working out fueling and getting the rest of the gauges to work, shouldn't be too hard. Heck I was even debating trying to put together a kit for those out there who feel like they wanna get a little bit bonkers with their rides. This being said, I just posted a bunch of my parts up for sale, so if you are N54 powered and you are looking for a serious kick in the pants that wont kill your wallet, check it out and please tell the other guys! The sale of my parts starts the funding for the new engine. If you see anything you want message me, and for my local WI bimmers guys we can maybe work out not having to ship things which saves everyone more $$! Price for the kit without shipping is $3800 which makes me want to cry considering what I paid for it last year. A couple people have already approached me asking why.. My answers, first was why not, and second is for the power goal I am looking for at this point it is more cost effective this way. I am not saying the N54 is not capable of it, as I truly believe it is, just more frustrated at high end tuning options from the ECU side of things. Its really hard to justify a $5300 computer to hopefully break 1000whp when the LS platform has more proven controllers to do just that for $1200.. With all that being said, i am not going to even attempt to ruin the handling of the car, its the one thing I greatly love and the reason I will swap before switching cars.But one thing is for sure,
This car has definitely done one thing for me, make me addicted to power!
P.S. John, its still not fast -
I thought I saw someone out there that sells a swap kit already for an LS engine into the e9x.
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