Hey guys! Super Clean is offering another giveaway. If you want to win some free swag, just follow these 3 basic rules: 1) Leave a comment with "Super Clean" in it. 2) Make sure your profile has a valid email address, so I can contact you if you win. 3) You'll need a shipping address in the continental US. The winner will be selected on 08 Sept 2024. Best of luck!
Super Clean! Very satisfying to watch the transmission transformation during the cleaning process. It's always nice to put clean, shiny parts back onto your car. Also great that you're documenting this process. There are a ton of videos on manual swaps, manual trans maintenance, etc., and although my E46 is a manual, there is a lot of value in having information out there for both transmission types.
Thank you. Yes, there are a bajillion videos on manual swapping an E46. How many videos on building a trick auto? I've been driving cars with manual transmissions for almost 4 decades, and will continue to do so. But I saw an opportunity to step off the beaten path, and try something different. So I took it. All that being said, if this doesn't work out, I'll probably manual swap it.
Not sure if i missed it but did you use the bmw valve body? Really good video ive never seen anybody put any care or effort into an automatic for an e46 haha. Are you going to use the stock TCU? From what ive seen they have been reversed engineered and you can change most of the tables
The ZF 8HP series transmissions are a popular upgrade. They can handle some serious power. But they're more expensive. You'll also need a lot of custom parts, and an aftermarket trans controller.
I am curious if all those firm shift upgrades will make it less comfortable. When I go through this it won’t be as rebuilt as you went being a racecar vs my daily/softroader x5. This will be great reference material for people years to come!
@@michaelblacktree I promise it doesn’t. It has the same bell housing you have and a different output shaft for the T case, but BMWs never got the 5l50e in anything at least from this era. We only got the 2nd revision valvebodies in 2003-2006 model x5s while Cadillac got the third revisions.
So far, I've spent about $1300. That includes both GM transmissions, master rebuild kit, Sonnax boost valve, Transgo kit, the transmission wiring harness and TCU, driveshaft, center support bearing, transmission crossmember, and the giant snap ring pliers. I still need to make an adapter bracket for the trans mount, and get some ATF. So the final price will be a little higher. The goal of this project was to build an automatic that's stronger than stock, is mostly bolt-in, and is relatively cheap. But if you're looking for something that can handle serious power, you should look into the ZF 8HP series. And you'll need to spend some $$$.
Hey guys! Super Clean is offering another giveaway. If you want to win some free swag, just follow these 3 basic rules:
1) Leave a comment with "Super Clean" in it.
2) Make sure your profile has a valid email address, so I can contact you if you win.
3) You'll need a shipping address in the continental US.
The winner will be selected on 08 Sept 2024. Best of luck!
Super Clean!
Very satisfying to watch the transmission transformation during the cleaning process. It's always nice to put clean, shiny parts back onto your car.
Also great that you're documenting this process. There are a ton of videos on manual swaps, manual trans maintenance, etc., and although my E46 is a manual, there is a lot of value in having information out there for both transmission types.
Thank you. Yes, there are a bajillion videos on manual swapping an E46. How many videos on building a trick auto? I've been driving cars with manual transmissions for almost 4 decades, and will continue to do so. But I saw an opportunity to step off the beaten path, and try something different. So I took it. All that being said, if this doesn't work out, I'll probably manual swap it.
Super Clean
Hell yeah! Nice work and Super Clean install.
Thanks!
Please do video after how transmission shifts thanks 🙏🏻
Yep, we're gonna do that. 😎
Not sure if i missed it but did you use the bmw valve body?
Really good video ive never seen anybody put any care or effort into an automatic for an e46 haha. Are you going to use the stock TCU? From what ive seen they have been reversed engineered and you can change most of the tables
Thanks. I used the 5L50e valve body (from the Cadillac). And I plan to use the stock TCU.
thanks for the great video. would it be a viable option to go with an adapter plate and a e90 or any other transmission?
The ZF 8HP series transmissions are a popular upgrade. They can handle some serious power. But they're more expensive. You'll also need a lot of custom parts, and an aftermarket trans controller.
I am curious if all those firm shift upgrades will make it less comfortable. When I go through this it won’t be as rebuilt as you went being a racecar vs my daily/softroader x5. This will be great reference material for people years to come!
We'll find out soon enough. 😎
BTW, I think your X5 already has the 5L50e transmission?
@@michaelblacktree I promise it doesn’t. It has the same bell housing you have and a different output shaft for the T case, but BMWs never got the 5l50e in anything at least from this era. We only got the 2nd revision valvebodies in 2003-2006 model x5s while Cadillac got the third revisions.
What's the estimated cost for the trans project?
So far, I've spent about $1300. That includes both GM transmissions, master rebuild kit, Sonnax boost valve, Transgo kit, the transmission wiring harness and TCU, driveshaft, center support bearing, transmission crossmember, and the giant snap ring pliers. I still need to make an adapter bracket for the trans mount, and get some ATF. So the final price will be a little higher.
The goal of this project was to build an automatic that's stronger than stock, is mostly bolt-in, and is relatively cheap. But if you're looking for something that can handle serious power, you should look into the ZF 8HP series. And you'll need to spend some $$$.
Check out the e90 lsx swap guys, they've kinda done something like this.
If God forbid you have to take it apart again, northern tools has large snap ring pliers that are ratcheting
manual swap is best for these cars
I will decide what's best for my car.
@@michaelblacktree CVT, all day. ;)
@@mry82 - LOL
EPA will if we keep electing governments (not parties - they BOTH are beholden to unionized admin). In fact they are, go see many hondadata tuners.