Introducing the E39 LS3 Build! | BMW E39 LS3 Swap

Welcome to the Tire Kickers channel! In 2015, my dad decided it was time to ditch the tired and worn out 4.4L V8 that is standard in the E39 540i and begin the LS3 swap. The M62 BMW engine had seen 220,000+ miles in its 15 years of service and the signs were clearly pointing to it needing a major overhaul soon. We have absolutely nothing against this engine as I still daily drive an E39 540i, it was just time for a new and exciting challenge. With that being said, my dad has invested countless hours into building this car and has made an effort to document every part of the project. We're really excited to show you what he has been working on the past 5 months, so definitely stick around until the end of the video!

THE DETAILS
6.2L V8 LS3 Engine
- Manufacturer: Chevrolet
- Vehicles: 5th gen Camaro SS & C6 Corvette
Baseline Dyno Numbers (as of January 2017)
- Power: 381.46 whp
- Torque: 386.80 lb-ft
- With modifications to the intake and the addition of a proper tune, these numbers increased. Unfortunately we do not have the data to back this up.

As far as future content is concerned, you can expect a comparison of what this car used to be (my E39) versus what it is now (this LS3 beast). We also plan to dive into the technical details and explain what a project of this magnitude requires. This video is intended to be a quick summary of everything that has happened in the past 5 years without dragging it out. Feel free to drop a comment down below if you have a question you'd like us to answer or have a video topic you want to see, and we'd be stoked for you to SUBSCRIBE so you can keep up with everything that's in store!

[waltermoscicki]

Some might see this as a reliability upgrade.

[busterscrugs]

Sweet build. Supercharged LS swap and still has A/C!

[easycheddy]

I’m curious mounts transmission and ecu used on the swap aswell as manifolds

[steezye]

I remember seeing this car at Cars and Coffee dallas back in 2017, I had just gotten my e39 i6 and this was the first and only LS swap i've personally seen. Keep it up 🤙🏼

[cosminpopica]

OMG only 2k views and 600 subs, you deserve to be big

[ahrred]

Rebadge the car into 562i! Lmao, anyway nice swap mate!

[novvt]

Sooo sick!!!
How was the process of the wiring? In the process of swapping a turbo 6.0 in my e39!

[davidcano]

What trans are you using!? This is awesome btw, great job!

[Alphaspartan]

I have an E38 that I plan on doing an LS swap with eventually. How did you handle the tachometer and other electronic connections to the car.

[robertj.mckinneysr]

I would like to do a E38 740iL body, white with tan interior. The Corvette power plant and 6spd transmission is my choice to RUN!🤩👍

[houseofno]

Great job! 381 hp. You're just 15 hp shy of BMW's own S62 396 hp V8. A free flowing exhaust and a K N filter would put you over the top. Bet this costs a whole lot less than an S62

[justanotherdude]

If you've got the footage I'd really like to see the electrical systems you stripped out that were no longer necessary with the LS installed. It's a spaghetti nightmare under the carpet and sound deadening material. Great project!

[Randyrene]

How much does this cost? I want to ls swap my wagon 😣

[ricardodelrey]

What electronics interface are you using? The main wire harness or custom. I have an E39 540I M-sport 6spd. I love my car but I want to restore it any information will save me so much time in getting the parts together.

[jtr]

I have a E39 a was considering scrapping. I also have a crate LM7 from summit. Was the work worth it to you?

[antquwoncarter]

Didn’t need to change the trans? An how much did the ls3 engine alone cost

[alexboyd]

What kind of headers are you running ? Do you have a 4l60 or 4l80 trans?

[chrismitchell]

Awesome work! What exhaust are you running on that? I’m LS swapping a 740il and I don’t want it to sound like a freight train…

[JohnJohnson-cetq]

How much bigger is the ls3 vs ls2..how was fitting the engine, ? Looks greatly fit in there

[jeromeirving]

WHAT SHIFTER TI YOU USE FOR THE TR 6060? I WILL BE DOING A SIMILAR SWAP ON A E39 WAGON AFTER THIS PANDEMIC IS OVER.