OEM-level 8HP swaps in E-series cars

[Svmp]

E9X does not have ECO Pro/Comfort/Sport/Sport+button，how to selection Drive Mode ?

It works just the way MR-KRAKA described I just want to add that you also can configure your own button(s) (real or from a CAN message) to control drive modes in any way you like.

 

[mang.vang]

What's a good ball park of cost in total to go 8hp45?

 

[Torgus]

jk

Be interesting to know what a shop would charge that has done a few of these. All in sourcing the parts etc. My guess is the cost is prohibitive and it only makes sense if you DIY it like the OP.

 

[mang.vang]

Yeah it doesn't seem so difficult especially with being able to code without having to send your tcu out. Ive seen a few 8hp45s fs locally for about $500 and running into this thread had me curious to see if it made sense cost wise to my wallet lol.

 

[MR-KRAKA]

A lot of factors in there but for me with a “bolt on” 8HP45X I’m well under 2K all in on my swap. That’s DIY No adapter plates needed… You would have to explain in depth what you are asking for to a shop to get a realistic quote if not doing the work yourself.

 

[mang.vang]

A lot of factors in there but for me with a “bolt on” 8HP45X I’m well under 2K all in on my swap. That’s DIY No adapter plates needed… You would have to explain in depth what you are asking for to a shop to get a realistic quote if not doing the work yourself.

I will definitely be doing the work myself if I were to decide on this transmission swap.

 

[typedRew]

hp70 xdrive for a 08 535 wagon, being as heavy as it is, I think its smarter to go for the larger unit even if I dont think i'll make a bucket of torque. Thoughts? Would a hp45 tolerate 650ftlbs and 4300lbs? Its the easier swap, but I dont want to bother if its just going to burn up.

I've been trying to gather information on this and I havent found anything searching. I see a lot of non BMW awd transmissions on ebay. Is that just completely off the table? Should I only be searching for BMW versions? Is there a one stop shop for a 70 xdrive swap kit?

 

[MR-KRAKA]

hp70 xdrive for a 08 535 wagon, being as heavy as it is, I think its smarter to go for the larger unit even if I dont think i'll make a bucket of torque. Thoughts? Would a hp45 tolerate 650ftlbs and 4300lbs? Its the easier swap, but I dont want to bother if its just going to burn up.

I've been trying to gather information on this and I havent found anything searching. I see a lot of non BMW awd transmissions on ebay. Is that just completely off the table? Should I only be searching for BMW versions? Is there a one stop shop for a 70 xdrive swap kit?

I have an E61 for might winter warrior as well I think you may be underestimating on the weight lol. Panoramic sunroof? Anyways I would go the 8HP70 route if I were swapping that one especially. That being said the 45x has handled around 600ft/lb in my E90 just fine. I do wish I had the extra headroom though. I believe you will need an adapter plate going that route which will lead into a custom driveshaft from what I saw in my E90 xDrive. The E61 could be more forgiving in overall length but it’s an unknown until you get there with significant additional costs associated. You could invest in beefing up a 45 some too for an easier install but that is pricey as well.

 

[typedRew]

I have an E61 for might winter warrior as well I think you may be underestimating on the weight lol. Panoramic sunroof? Anyways I would go the 8HP70 route if I were swapping that one especially. That being said the 45x has handled around 600ft/lb in my E90 just fine. I do wish I had the extra headroom though. I believe you will need an adapter plate going that route which will lead into a custom driveshaft from what I saw in my E90 xDrive. The E61 could be more forgiving in overall length but it’s an unknown until you get there with significant additional costs associated. You could invest in beefing up a 45 some too for an easier install but that is pricey as well.

Yeah, whatever goes in it will be stock, i dont like tampering with oem internals in anything.

The reason im concerned about the larger 70-75 swap is the extra parts and steps to take, where as a 45-50 is nearly bolt on.

My car on the scales is 4290 with half tank of fuel, so over 4300 with a full tank and 4500 with driver. Yes, it has pano, all 535 tourings do. So yeah, not light.

Do we have a limit to newest model year we can use the 8hp50 from? they made the 335i GT with n55 into 2017, thats a damn near new transmission and with it being almost bolt on, might be worth a shot and see what happens.

Is yours 600lbft at the crank or wheels? Im about the same to the wheels.

 

[MR-KRAKA]

Yeah, whatever goes in it will be stock, i dont like tampering with oem internals in anything.

The reason im concerned about the larger 70-75 swap is the extra parts and steps to take, where as a 45-50 is nearly bolt on.

My car on the scales is 4290 with half tank of fuel, so over 4300 with a full tank and 4500 with driver. Yes, it has pano, all 535 tourings do. So yeah, not light.

Do we have a limit to newest model year we can use the 8hp50 from? they made the 335i GT with n55 into 2017, thats a damn near new transmission and with it being almost bolt on, might be worth a shot and see what happens.

Is yours 600lbft at the crank or wheels? Im about the same to the wheels.

The Canformance wiki says all F series 1st/2nd gen trans are supported. I wouldn’t get too hung up on build date rather than mileage. I personally don’t think the price difference is worth it between the 45/50 as far as their ability to hold power they are identical. The 45 may even have an advantage since they switched to a “more efficient” oil pump on the 50 that runs at 1.5 bar less pressure... You could read about it some here https://www.car-engineer.com/second-generation-zf-8-speed-automatic-transmission/

You could go after whichever model seems to have the most support or latest features from XHP. Your XHP license will be dependent on the donor transmissions vin. I haven’t dyno’d but it comes to right around 600whp based on trap speed/weight. Just a typical maxed 17T setup with meth.

 

[typedRew]

As far as price, im seeing nearly no difference, with the 50 almost being cheaper if im comparing mileage for mileage. Which is why im asking, I found a 19500 mile 8hp50 out of a 2017 335 GT for $450 about 40 miles from my house. So im considering using it and if it dies, then moving to a larger unit. I really just feel like, if the 6hp can more or less tolerate it, this has to at least match it. Who knows until its tried i guess.

Ill read up on your link, thank you.

 

[135d E87]

Hi all!

to bump the thread.. i am finishing now my 135d M57 build.. i wanted to ask is this "thing" still alive and available since 6hp delivered with 335d (donor car) are nothing but sh-it comparing to 8HP.. i would like to go 8HP route if it is possible for diesel cars.. I have EDC17CP09 and finaly i got all things done to start the car (with imo) and it is alive.. right now fighting with ABS sensors since ESP is not the same for 4 yzl and 6 zyl engines (needed to swap that one to) along with servotronic.. I got old scool mehanical servo in e87 now.. and it feels cool..
To make long story short i am not for wild powers maybe up to 400hp but torque is aimed at 800ish nm.. so reading the thred i am guessing that 8HP45 would be straight forward swap, but i am wondering will it hold up 800nm and will it work at all regarding it is diesel engine and DDE is Bosh EDC... what would you guys recomend?
THX

 

[135d E87]

Anyone? Dead project? available? any kind of info? web looks alive but i am not sure it actualy exsist..

 

[23732]

Anyone? Dead project? available? any kind of info? web looks alive but i am not sure it actualy exsist..

Probably easier to send Ken an email, so he can look into it

 

[Nismo G]

The trans cooler lines need to be adapted but there are several options available for that already. The 8HP ports are larger but uses the same style connection. You also need to swap out the cable shifter for an E-shift style. That was all for me hardware wise. I am E90 LCI so there may be some unforeseen small differences. IIRC pre-Lci/Lci have different rears/offsets. Best bet would be to compare part numbers between drive shafts to be sure…

I was able to get to the drag strip a couple weeks ago. Track prep was non existent so my 60ft really suffered doing 1.9’s all night either babying it or blowing the tires off leaving around 5psi. I think 10’s will be possible once I get to my normal strip if I can pull off 1.6’s. Car is much more consistent now as far as shifts go it didn’t miss a beat. Not bad for a junkyard swap with 125k on it and only a filter/fluid flush. Car should be in the 550-600whp range based on trap/weight and still fairly conservative on the tune. I made a little video of the difference between launching both ways. I still have it very biased to the rear with xDelete to protect my front end parts but may need to bring some back to hit my goals.

First off, thank you for all the info you have provided! This is huge.

Is there any chance we can chat on the phone or just through PM? I want to get this installed asap. I do have a pre-lci, so there may be some small differences, but I would love to pick your brain.

 

[MR-KRAKA]

First off, thank you for all the info you have provided! This is huge.

Is there any chance we can chat on the phone or just through PM? I want to get this installed asap. I do have a pre-lci, so there may be some small differences, but I would love to pick your brain.

You can PM me if you have questions. I will try to answer them but Ken is really the guy to talk to. Best way for him is probably on the Facebook group

 

[Nismo G]

You can PM me if you have questions. I will try to answer them but Ken is really the guy to talk to. Best way for him is probably on the Facebook group

Thanks, I really appreciate it. Are you by chance using your original final drive gears and ratios or did you change them?

 

[Tradtx]

Can anyone give me a parts list for completing this swap in an e93 330d manual with the n57 engine.