BMW E39 (Overhauled with 2JZ-GTE)

BasicEvil · 06-17-2007, 08:33 AM

Well first I must say, if you are a purist at heart this thread may not be your cup of tea.

About 2 years ago my wife and I had a beautiful little girl. Shortly after everything went to hell. She freaked out and I was told she was suffering from portpartum depression and bad. It was not a pleasant time for me so I had to do something to keep my sanity, and so it was time for a project. Something major, something that would tie my mind up for a while. From being around a lot of Supras and once having a Supra powered Cressida that I loved (she was stolen

) I decided to transplant the 2JZ-GTE to my BMW E39.

Almost 2 years later after much back and forth and many hickups she is now running, drove it around for a month or so. Back in the garage now working on little things like a/c, M5 bumpers, and total interior redo. Not as much time on my hands now with taking care of my daughter.

Decided to redo the Carputer since I have the interior totally stripped down. Specs below:

-Dell sx270 chasis
-Dell sx270 motherboard
-Mobile P-4 processor
-512 memory
-100G Seagate Laptop Hard drive
-Carnetix P2140

I have proven this platform on the family car (Lexus GS400) and it has been quite stable (for the part 3-4 months) even in the extreme heat of South Florida. Definatly love the upgrade from the Via platform which did it's job just fine guess I have simply outgrown it.

Have tons of pics which I am trying to organize so will post a few once I have them together.

John_Duh · 06-19-2007, 05:06 AM

damn .... that doesn't sound like a direct drop in engine change

Got some pics of the transplant process as well ?

BasicEvil · 08-19-2007, 06:04 PM

Sorry for not responding in a while, have been really busy with work.

Anyways I am almost finished with the car now started it for the first time in a long time today. Found a shop which I think I am going to give it out to for them to finish it up.

I can't find my digital camera so I took a couple of pics with my cell phone so I apologize if they aren't that great.

Have to do a bit more cleaning up of things this week but she is running

Will be working on the carputer this week, time permits....

e39dream · 10-10-2007, 11:47 PM

any progress/ more info on this car? Looks like a fun project.

dmxl · 10-11-2007, 05:19 PM

this is fricken sweet

BEHMER · 10-11-2007, 05:45 PM

NICE!!! How much boost you running to the 2JZ. I love those engines..almost more than my S52. Do you have any RWHP numbers yet? Keep it up!!

BasicEvil · 10-24-2007, 06:39 PM

She is running fighting to get the a/c sorted out got the mechanics up but getting the german and jap systems to talk is mind numbing...

Currently running 15lbs and 344 hp @ the wheels. Will post updates over the weekend and some new pics

schitzo · 10-25-2007, 07:52 PM

hi basicE I sent you a PM

LinuxRacr · 12-18-2007, 04:56 PM

This is freaking awesome!!

BasicEvil · 07-08-2008, 06:24 PM

Well my car has been "finished" for quite some time.. just haven't had much time to post the updates so to show my appreciation to all of those who's posts I have read I am completing this post.

Car is running about 400HP right now as it's my daily driver. I drive ~500miles per week and FL State Troopers are very aggressive so... Thinking that by the end of the year I will buy a second car, the new E60 is growing on me. My wife has taken over my GS400 so...

Here are my 2 babies together

PC mounted under the glove box

Screen 1

Screen 2

Couple of things I am planning to do with her right now are to put in a HD radio (wondering if mp3car's will ever be available

) I also have a Big Brake kit to install the extra stopping power is always useful. If I ever go over 600hp I will swap my emanage out for a standalone but for now the emanage is fine.

Again, thanks to all those who have posted and have unwillingly given me inspiration.

Enforcer · 07-08-2008, 06:40 PM

Hmmmm M5 Parallels, yummy.

Looks like you recently washed the car as well.

Brakes have a coating of rust.

LinuxRacr · 07-09-2008, 06:20 AM

What a project! In all, what do you estimate the cost to be for the swap?

rdholtz · 07-09-2008, 07:07 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Enforcer

Looks like you recently washed the car as well.

Brakes have a coating of rust.

That's just the way it is in the humidity of South Florida: wash the car, get the discs wet, and they get a film of rust. It happens overnight, or faster, here.

And it's a bad idea to paint the discs.

protias · 07-09-2008, 03:39 PM

Nice project

BasicEvil · 07-09-2008, 06:12 PM

Thanks for the replys

LinuxRacr, I haven't really kept track of the costs but if I had to give an estimate I would say about 15 - 17k in total. Oil starvation killed the first engine so got a second one (cheaper than a full rebuild). Like a lot of Supra guys I know I have been considering selling. Don't know getting old I guess

I am most likely going to buy a newer 5 around year end then depending on how I feel after getting that car I will either keep this as a "toy" or let her go.

And yes it was just washed a little before I took the pics.