My M5 S54 Build is DONE

Chuckne · Post by **Chuckne** » Jan 28, 2011 10:16 PM

That is interesting. I wonder if the springs got swapped at some point. They were rusty/cruddy when I pulled them out so I assumed they were the originals. I have the original Canadian dealers paperwork (including the lease) from 1987 with the specs on the car which has the mtech body kit and suspension options listed as being on the car. From about 1994 until I bought the car last year there is a void of what was done to it other than the importation/federalization of the car in 2002. I have the original KPH speedo in a box that was swapped out for the MPH when it crossed the border. If the springs turn out to be too soft, I can always swap to something different in the future but thank you for the adding to my knowledge.

Devinder · Post by **Devinder** » Jan 28, 2011 10:24 PM

Chuck,

I don't think the fronts will be "too soft". Springs with 5.5 turns should be pretty stiff unless the wire is really small. If you can measure the wire size (within 0.1mm) and the total number of turns (coils), I should be able to give you approximate spring rates.

Devinder

Chuckne · Post by **Chuckne** » Jan 29, 2011 2:10 AM

Thanks....I'll see if I can get the diameter measured.

rcbmw · Post by **rcbmw** » Jan 29, 2011 3:07 AM

Chuckne wrote:The car came from the factory with the mtech/bilstein suspension...no self leveling system.

Not so. All DC93 North American specification E28 M5 examples were built with twin-tube gas pressure Boge front shock absorber inserts (31 31 1 133 517) and the same front coil springs used on all North American Spec 535i and 533i models (31 33 1 126 024). In the rear, all North American E28 M5 examples were equipped with hydraulic self-leveling suspension. Bilstein shock absorber inserts were only used in European specification E28 M5 examples produced up to 10/1986 (front: 32 2 225 016 and rear: 33 52 1 129 241).

Can you verify if your stabilizers are adjustable and confirm what color the coil springs and stabilizers were prior to refinishing them?

Best,
RCBMW

Chuckne · Post by **Chuckne** » Jan 29, 2011 9:14 AM

I'll have to post my paperwork from the dealership. I tried taking a picture to post but that didn't work. Ill bring it to work and scan next week.

Black Steel · Post by **Black Steel** » Jan 29, 2011 11:52 AM

Watching with interest. Great work so far

rcbmw · Post by **rcbmw** » Feb 27, 2011 2:35 AM

I noticed that you perviously referenced these Bilstein Part Numbers in another post:

Chuckne wrote: Front F4-P36-0243-H203
Rear F4-B46-0607-H002

The Bilstein part numbers you listed are in the old Bilstein part number format and correspond to the (B8) Sport version. BMW used the (B4) OE twin-tube series only in European specification M5 models up to 10/1986 production and the part numbers you provided confirm that the Bilstein absorbers were installed by a previous owner. I have a suspicion that your car was modified with an early Dinan suspension system.

I would love to see more photos of your amazing work on the M5. Great job!

Best,
RCBMW

Chuckne · Post by **Chuckne** » Mar 03, 2011 11:36 PM

Updated in the first post. RCBMW, I'll check my paperwork. I know the ECU has a Dinan chip so maybe you are on the right track with the springs. Thanks.

Teilegott · Post by **Teilegott** » Mar 04, 2011 12:08 AM

Awesome...
100% respect...

E.rouzbeh.28 · Post by **E.rouzbeh.28** » Mar 04, 2011 12:36 AM

That engine will make the car crazy good! Can't wait to see it finished. Great job on the build so far, looks clean.

Post by **mooseheadm5** » Mar 04, 2011 12:38 AM

Love this project.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Mar 04, 2011 2:09 AM

You had me right up until the S54. Great attention to detail, though.

ealoken · Post by **ealoken** » Mar 04, 2011 3:50 AM

what i great build

Nice to see that the car is beeing buildt like this

Great inspiration

dunnojack · Post by **dunnojack** » Mar 04, 2011 6:05 PM

this project is completely nuts. i love it! How do you plan to run the S54? euro harness with oem ecu chipped or stand alone? that's what i would love to do... the s38b36 is just a fix for my power desire for now lol

Chuckne · Post by **Chuckne** » Mar 06, 2011 8:35 PM

Running stock ECU that has been burned to eliminate EWS and any inputs from the body side. Had to go with a DBW throttle pedal. From a functionality standpoint, I will have full dual vanos and the only thing I loose is cruise control. Engine will probably have to come out one more time to clearance the tunnel for the 6 speed as I'm not happy with where things are. Otherwise all is sorted.

BMWJustin · Post by **BMWJustin** » Mar 07, 2011 8:01 AM

When I did the 6 speed swap in my Hartge H5s and my fathers 666csi, I simply cut a section of the tunnel approximately 8 by 10 inches out up near the bell housing. I made all of the necessary adjustments using a hammer and dolley, then fabricated a 20mm oversize replacement panel. I welded (now) captive metric nuts to the underside of the tunnel drilled holes in the replacement panel, lined the replacement with closed cell foam and bolted the new cover right on. BTW it makes getting to those top transmission fasteners a bit easier. Just a thought though.

It looks like you started with a nice chassis, and motor. Keep up the good work and keep us updated!
Best Regards,
Justin

dunnojack · Post by **dunnojack** » Mar 09, 2011 3:15 PM

Chuckne wrote:Running stock ECU that has been burned to eliminate EWS and any inputs from the body side. Had to go with a DBW throttle pedal. From a functionality standpoint, I will have full dual vanos and the only thing I loose is cruise control. Engine will probably have to come out one more time to clearance the tunnel for the 6 speed as I'm not happy with where things are. Otherwise all is sorted.

oh man, that's sweet. I wasnt sure if the burn was more refined. when i first looked at the swap, i guess there were a lot of questions about how well the ecu would function, but this is good news!

Keep us posted on progress!

Murfinator · Post by **Murfinator** » Mar 10, 2011 1:45 PM

You got the jump on me with the Dynaliner on the firewall. Doing that now.

Could you please elaborate regarding the teaser pics of the brake/fuel hard lines? Interested in the larger diameter lines: OE from another model or custom?

Thanks

Chuckne · Post by **Chuckne** » Mar 13, 2011 8:57 PM

Brake and fuel lines are all stock. Stripped them down to bare metal, primed and painted. Must be the camera angle that makes them look larger.

thrty8street · Post by **thrty8street** » Mar 22, 2011 12:20 AM

this is insane

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Mar 22, 2011 1:26 AM

thrty8street wrote:this is insane

Understatement of the year!

Black Steel · Post by **Black Steel** » Mar 22, 2011 1:16 PM

I would go SMG with CSL airbox to knock it out of this world.

I thought about such a conversion before doing mine....Decided the S38 was a little more period correct. They sound good at 9000rpm too

Chuckne · Post by **Chuckne** » Aug 21, 2011 9:22 PM

Update 8/21

Sam 84, 533i · Post by **Sam 84, 533i** » Aug 23, 2011 11:06 PM

nice work! my 28 could only dream

CSBM5 · Post by **CSBM5** » Aug 24, 2011 1:00 PM

Chuckne wrote:Update 8/21

Awesome project. Thanks for the update -- looking forward to more.

Chuckne · Post by **Chuckne** » Jan 08, 2012 9:52 PM

2012 update in first post

Post by **mooseheadm5** » Jan 08, 2012 10:39 PM

Almost like it belongs there!

Let me know about those mounts.

Post by **Nebraska_e28** » Jan 08, 2012 11:42 PM

Holy crap! I just realized you have an S54 in there! Is this the first time this has been done in an e28 or has anyone ever been brave enough to attempt it in the past? I thought it was impossible to fit one of these in there.

E.rouzbeh.28 · Post by **E.rouzbeh.28** » Jan 09, 2012 12:42 AM

Wow, that's some good stuff right there. 0-60 in what, less than 5 seconds?

ealoken · Post by **ealoken** » Jan 09, 2012 2:12 AM

Nice

i just bought my self a s50b32, and then you do this

I have some questions.

1. What did you do to the oil pan and oil pickup ?
2. How did you solve elecrtic and ecu?
3. What kind a engine mounts did you use / build?

Chuckne · Post by **Chuckne** » Jan 09, 2012 2:47 AM

ealoken wrote:Nice i just bought my self a s50b32, and then you do this

I have some questions.

1. What did you do to the oil pan and oil pickup ?
2. How did you solve elecrtic and ecu?
3. What kind a engine mounts did you use / build?

I used the m50 oil pan/pickup. I was a little worried about going from a dual (front and rear) oil sump/pickup of the s54 to the single m50 setup so I installed a 3 quart accusump in the trunk. Have had no oil pressure issues plus I get a 3 quart pre-oil on every start-up.

I am running a reprogrammed stock ECU. Retains full dual vanos. Basically, it just eliminates the body side inputs into the ECU and all the security/anti-theft inputs. The stock e28 gauge cluster, warning lights, etc all function as they did in the e28. I did have to install a drive-by-wire pedal to make it work correctly. Functionally, the only thing that I lost with the swap is cruise control as the s54 CC is driven off the ecu using inputs from wheel speed sensors, etc.

Custom engine mount arms on 7 series "rubber" mounts.

fastcrs · Post by **fastcrs** » Jan 09, 2012 3:33 AM

That eng looks, so at home...time to start saving...

skip535i · Post by **skip535i** » Jan 09, 2012 8:29 AM

Holy hell! That is some serious craftsmanship. Nice job.

Did you do anything to the A/C system? Maybe I didn't read enough...

Post by **mooseheadm5** » Jan 09, 2012 9:57 AM

Chuckne wrote:Functionally, the only thing that I lost with the swap is cruise control as the s54 CC is driven off the ecu using inputs from wheel speed sensors, etc.

I have an idea about how to fix this if you are interested.

Post by **Brad D.** » Jan 09, 2012 11:33 AM

Fantastic. It looks super sano and I'm sure it runs awesome. I love the Scout too BTW. I wish I still had mine.

clongo · Post by **clongo** » Jan 09, 2012 11:38 AM

What a great build! I love the attention to detail. I bet she moves pretty well with that S54.

leadphut · Post by **leadphut** » Jan 09, 2012 3:11 PM

Very nice indeed!

B7Turbo · Post by **B7Turbo** » Jan 09, 2012 7:06 PM

I love the look of the finish product and the engine looks awesome in side the engine bay!, and I am really looking forward to finish min now.

alpinewhite · Post by **alpinewhite** » Jan 09, 2012 8:10 PM

"Chuckne" your build is absolutely brilliant!!! To say that I'm envious would be a gross understatement - Kudos too you.
Would you be so kind to post up some links to a sound bite or two if at all possible?
I'm dying to hear what and how it sounds, especially knowing that it has a custom made hand fabricated exhaust system!

Cheers!

87royal · Post by **87royal** » Jan 09, 2012 9:58 PM

Awesome!
+1 for video with sound clip

MyE28.com

MyE28.com

My M5 S54 Build is DONE

Re: My M5 Build...Sneak Peak (Updated 1/27)

Re: My M5 S54 Build is DONE