4.8 X5 S85 V10 Swap

[werdn]

Hey,

I am thinking of getting more power out of my 4.8 X5. For those of you that are not familiar with the car, it has a N62B44 NA engine producing 355 BHP. I want to get more power. I can either supercharge the car, add NOS, or do an engine swap.

The supercharger is possible, but I do not think ESS makes the supercharger anymore. It will be hard to find one.

I am thinking of doing a V10 Swap into my x5 for more power.

I know that it is not heard of, but I was wondering if it is possible. My main worries, other than price, is the fitment and AWD. I think that after the conversion, the car will be RWD.

Another option is doing an LS swap. But I am unfamiliar with American cars and engines.



Do you guys have any opinions about this?

[boneca]

Originally Posted by werdn

Hey,

I am thinking of getting more power out of my 4.8 X5. For those of you that are not familiar with the car, it has a N62B44 NA engine producing 355 BHP. I want to get more power. I can either supercharge the car, add NOS, or do an engine swap.

The supercharger is possible, but I do not think ESS makes the supercharger anymore. It will be hard to find one.

I am thinking of doing a V10 Swap into my x5 for more power.

I know that it is not heard of, but I was wondering if it is possible. My main worries, other than price, is the fitment and AWD. I think that after the conversion, the car will be RWD.

Another option is doing an LS swap. But I am unfamiliar with American cars and engines.



Do you guys have any opinions about this?

How much you planning to spend on this project? I assume price gonna be astronomical with all the parts and labor

Would it make more sense to buy something else (x5m for example) prices came down dramatically in a last year

[Poppyboy]

Before you spend penny number one, realize that you won’t get anything close to what you’ll have into it when you sell, V10 or LS.

[werdn]

Originally Posted by boneca

How much you planning to spend on this project? I assume price gonna be astronomical with all the parts and labor

Would it make more sense to buy something else (x5m for example) prices came down dramatically in a last year

Around $20-30k. I thought about an X5M, but I want more of a sleeper, and want something very special.

[werdn]

Originally Posted by Poppyboy

Before you spend penny number one, realize that you won’t get anything close to what you’ll have into it when you sell, V10 or LS.

The reason why I am doing this is because I am not planning to sell the car. I am the only owner of the car, and bought the car loaded back in 2007. It was one of the first E70's rolling around back then and cost me more than 110k CAD . It's still running fine right now, but I want a bit more coming from it.

[boneca]

Originally Posted by werdn

The reason why I am doing this is because I am not planning to sell the car. I am the only owner of the car, and bought the car loaded back in 2007. It was one of the first E70's rolling around back then and cost me more than 110k CAD . It's still running fine right now, but I want a bit more coming from it.

well u ownership changed the picture for me, I still think that pouring 20-30k in this project seems too much!

either way props to original owner and good luck with whatever route u'll take

[Doctor///M]

X5M is a sleeper in its own right. The exterior M treatment is subtle by modern standards!

[Poppyboy]

Originally Posted by werdn

The reason why I am doing this is because I am not planning to sell the car. I am the only owner of the car, and bought the car loaded back in 2007. It was one of the first E70's rolling around back then and cost me more than 110k CAD . It's still running fine right now, but I want a bit more coming from it.

Interesting. And there’s no radical tune (other than a motor/trans transplant) that would satisfy?

[werdn]

Originally Posted by Poppyboy

Interesting. And there’s no radical tune (other than a motor/trans transplant) that would satisfy?

None that I know of. The car is NA, so an ECU tune wouldn't really do. ESS used to have a supercharger that gives the car 450hp (idk if its whp or bhp), but I dont think they sell them anymore.

But wouldn't a V10 scream sound nice on an X5?

[werdn]

Originally Posted by boneca

well u ownership changed the picture for me, I still think that pouring 20-30k in this project seems too much!

either way props to original owner and good luck with whatever route u'll take

Do you have any experience with the E70 X5M's

[jandref321]

:/ so...not to be a negative person but I think boneca is right about opting for an X5M instead. You can find them for less than $25k now and it’s already a beast. Unless you are a mechanic and have a shop and can machine/fabricate and code I think you will have a difficult time and end up with and expensive mess.

I have an X5M and I get corollas pull up next to me in merging lanes thinking that they’ll be able to pass me before the merge completes...I’ve even met BMW people who think it’s just a normal X5 with the M-Sport package. It’s a bit disappointing actually how little people respect the truck and think it’s just another slow SUV.

[werdn]

Originally Posted by jandref321

:/ so...not to be a negative person but I think boneca is right about opting for an X5M instead. You can find them for less than $25k now and it’s already a beast. Unless you are a mechanic and have a shop and can machine/fabricate and code I think you will have a difficult time and end up with and expensive mess.

I have an X5M and I get corollas pull up next to me in merging lanes thinking that they’ll be able to pass me before the merge completes...I’ve even met BMW people who think it’s just a normal X5 with the M-Sport package. It’s a bit disappointing actually how little people respect the truck and think it’s just another slow SUV.

Thanks for your honest opinion. Which year X5M is the best, and are there any common known problems with it?

[frankenm]

Any year from 2010-2013 for the e70, 2010's are selling in the low 20's for higher mileage vehicles with questionable maintenance, if you have money go for 2012-13's, the 13's specifically if you want the LED's.

I would expect to spend 25k minimum on a solid e70, the platform is solid and with the exception of injectors and CCV lines its a very reliable and not plagued with the issues found on the N63 version of the engine.

That being said if your pockets are deep enough a supercharged s85 swapped e70 would be badass ...

[werdn]

Originally Posted by frankenm

Any year from 2010-2013 for the e70, 2010's are selling in the low 20's for higher mileage vehicles with questionable maintenance, if you have money go for 2012-13's, the 13's specifically if you want the LED's.

I would expect to spend 25k minimum on a solid e70, the platform is solid and with the exception of injectors and CCV lines its a very reliable and not plagued with the issues found on the N63 version of the engine.

That being said if your pockets are deep enough a supercharged s85 swapped e70 would be badass ...

I heard that the X5M exhaust doesn't really sound all that good. Do you agree?

And yes, a supercharged S85 would be sick!

[frankenm]

Stock exhaust doesn’t sound that great and defiantly needs to be modified

I have a straight pipe setup I run with gutted cats when I don’t need to pass inspections and couldn’t be happier ... can’t say the same for my neighbors though lol

[werdn]

Is there drone when the car doesn't have cats, and does it smell really bad?

[frankenm]

Minimal drone and the smell isn’t so bad I enjoy it personally like having an older carb engine

[neliconcept]

G power makes a supercharger for the 4.8 out in germany but it's pretty damn expensive, probably same cost as a used S85 motor. I do think if you were to do this tastefully, putting in a stroker s85 pushing 600 something hp, this X would be one of a kind! And you would have a manual to boot (easier to swap in manuals then it is to code in a dual clutch!)

[neliconcept]

Here is the supercharger from G-power, they get 525PS which is about 510hp I believe.

https://www.g-power.com/benoetigt-de...%20ps_1071.php

[carbonM]

I like where this thread is going

[boneca]

Originally Posted by werdn

Do you have any experience with the E70 X5M's

what kind of experience u asking about?

I own X5M for about 2.5 years now and based on that I have some experience... I also used to own 3.5i X5 before but that different...

I assume u asking mostly about performance upgrades (well in that category I don't have much, Velos tuned ~635hp, air scoops, BMC Air filters and about to put custom axle-back exhaust in, there are many other upgrades as well but they not necessary for the go)
still holding off on downpipes, have kinds in the car often enough...

[werdn]

Originally Posted by neliconcept

Here is the supercharger from G-power, they get 525PS which is about 510hp I believe.

https://www.g-power.com/benoetigt-de...%20ps_1071.php

That is pretty expensive if it is bhp, but seems like a great deal if it is whp. I wonder if the supercharger works with stock internals?

G-Power has a pretty great reputation with extremely powerful modded BMW cars such as their E60 M5 supercharger, but I am not sure about the long term durability, and I do not think a lot of forum members have used G-Power superchargers before.