E39 - change 523i engine to 530 ?

[Ibai7237]

Dear all sifus and bros,My ride is a 523i 2000. Engine sometimes mis-fire and cause the car to shake slightly when idle and accelerating.Thot it due to ignition coil but compression test shows cyclinder no. 6 "leaking". Mech says either piston rings or there might be slight crack in engine block.Anyway need advice if better to replace whole engine to a 3 litre one or to open up and repair existing one?Cost wise to replace is around 12k and to repair estimated around 6-8k.Thanks in advance. :listen:

 

[JFT63]

Bro, check your valve cover gasket and yr crankcase ventilation valve first. I had the leak issue before. Now, it performs like it should...i replaced both items.

 

[moots]

cylinder compression tests are the decider....if this has been done and confirm it is low or lower than the rest of the cylinders,then that just about nails it.the head need to be removed to see the reason.most likely head crack.if you're lucky cud be just the head gasket.

if you want 3.0...you gotta pay to play.....

 

[Ibai7237]

Yep, that's what i thought. Might as well change the engine.
Just wondering if need to change anything else such as brakes, exhaust system etc.

 

[huskar3399]

now you have confirmed the culprit is broken cylinder just go for engine change. more pawe. hehe.

 

[seewai]

Yep, that's what i thought. Might as well change the engine.
Just wondering if need to change anything else such as brakes, exhaust system etc.

If you're upgrading engine, please upgrade braking system as well, for safety reason.
Exhaust system you could choose to stay or upgrade at a later time, for improved performance, that's quite logic.

Cheers.
seewai

 

[Ibai7237]

Thanks, bro. I'll change the engine and take it from there.

 

[haywire]

You'll need the full halfcut to convert to 3.0 I presume. Including new harness.

 

[Psykit]

now you have confirmed the culprit is broken cylinder just go for engine change. more pawe. hehe.

Yes agree on more power. Recently tested a converted 520i with M54B30 engine and agreed it is more power and the growl is so enticing to rev further.

Please remember to have the full halfcut set including auto gearbox, rear axle, ECU and exhaust. The car that I have tested with the mechanic initially was engine-converted but not yet with ECU and exhaust and it was really lacking, no difference from a M54B22 engine. Later on he fitted everything in full set and according to mechanic comparing to a real 530i it is much similar now.

 

[Ibai7237]

The ECU needs to be changed as well? Thot can just change the engine with minimal other replacements.
The power output affected if ECU not changed?

 

[haywire]

A lot of things is different bro. Even the MAF and air intake tube is bigger on the 530i.

Bro psykit just mentioned above from his mechanic experience, just by changing the block you wont get the performance of a 530i.

 

[tweiboon]

You'll need the full halfcut to convert to 3.0 I presume. Including new harness.

This need to spend RM20k ?

 

[Psykit]

Don't forget the brakes as well. Make sure full set convert. It costed the owner more than RM 10k.

 

[bimmer73]

Bro

to upgrade from 523i to 530i is possible but you are going to need a half cut with wiring hardness. The 2 Systems are entirely different.

 

[alive88]

change block to 528?cheaper solutions, and ull get a square engine n power would be linear along the rpm line.

 

[ICEMAN 68]

why not a V8 ? i may be wrong but don't you think a V8 half cutie is much more cheaper then the 530 ...

 

[alive88]

bro iceman, v8 wit manual 6speed how much ar? m60 4.0 or m62 4.4?

 

[ICEMAN 68]

bro iceman, v8 wit manual 6speed how much ar? m60 4.0 or m62 4.4?

price figures i'm not sure what's the running market now ...maybe someone with a V8 can show us some figures VS the 530 engines ...

 

[bimmer73]

V8 half cut will cost you almost RM30K. whilst the M5 half cut is around RM30K. But if you want a 540i there is 1 for sale the whole car if you buy make sure your cars are identical so you can drive both cars when ever you like using the same roadtax. if you are going to drive both cars at the same time make sure they are in different states...lol.

from 523 to 528TU also need wiring hardness gearbox and torque converter. better still go for 3 liter stroker kit around 12K. still pay 2.5 roadtax.

 

[bimmer73]

Oh By the way the 540i is going for less than RM40k