Bluericky wrote:

Hi all

So I've bitten the bullet and purchased a donor 184hp 530d and the MW Engineering conversation kit.

The engines are both out and I'm part way through tidying up the M57 with new timing chain, gaskets etc. Blanking EGR and deleting swirl flaps !
The engine mounts were straightforward to fit, thanks to the supplied templates and hopefully we'll get the engine in for a mock up next week.
The ECU has gone back to MW for an update and a light stage 1 tune.

However, I'm still undecided on the transfer box and how to engage the diff , hi/low. Options are to either

A. fabricate a mechanism and fit that to the 6hp gearbox, retaining the manual lever

or

B. Purchase a selector from MW along with compressor (any recommendations?)

Secondly, I don't yet have an exhaust system ordered, other than demand engineering, are there any other companies I should be looking at ? It's a 130

Lastly and possibly least important for now is the centre console, has anyone done one and have any pictures ? I really am not a fan of the NAS centre console and would rather have a continuation of the existing cubby box and have that go straight under the dash . All ideas welcome !

Thank you

Interesting set of questions.

I was actually at MW Eng last Monday to swap and exhaust with a guy from Scotland. I got to see a 300tdi to M57 and a TD5 to M57 conversion. The former was mated to an R380, LT230 and the latter to a ZF auto and actuated LT230. Plus a third M57 and auto sat on a cradle being work on prior to fitting.

I fully admit I may have been wrong about the M57 conversion into a Defender. Having spent a good hour or so poking around it does look like a great fit for the Defender.

I am still concerned about the amazing amount of plastic components and associated o-rings on the M57 engine. But... It is quite a lot lighter than a TD5 engine and in standard form putting out about the same power/torque as a tuned TD5, but a much less stressed engine. Obviously the M57 can be tuned as well very easily.

Speaking to both the owner and customer they both agreed that the better option is the auto and actuated LT230. The customer is a frequent tower and off roader and uses the M57 as his daily driver. Says he's topped out a 36 mpg on a decent motorway run, which is not to be sniffed at.

I still cannot quite get over how quiet the setup is, whisper quiet.

I have no idea about the exhaust, but Demand are excellent at what they do. I have just fitted a cat back system to Miffy and I couldn't be happier.

I also haven't seen many M57 transmission tunnel kits about, but without any mechanical gear sticks to worry about there is a lot of real estate freed up for storage, switches and cup holders. This is probably the tidiest, but homemade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGUu_sqNvIw

Looking forward to seeing how you do with this conversion

geobloke wrote:

I was actually at MW Eng last Monday to swap and exhaust with a guy from Scotland. I got to see a 300tdi to M57 and a TD5 to M57 conversion. The former was mated to an R380, LT230 and the latter to a ZF auto and actuated LT230. Plus a third M57 and auto sat on a cradle being work on prior to fitting.

That 300 is mine! Very excited to get the old girl back with a whole new lease of life. I’ve owned an l322 for about 5 years with the same engine thats going in my 110. I roughly know my way around the engine, so I’m confident that it’s a reliable enough unit.

BuckBlu110 wrote:

geobloke wrote:

I was actually at MW Eng last Monday to swap and exhaust with a guy from Scotland. I got to see a 300tdi to M57 and a TD5 to M57 conversion. The former was mated to an R380, LT230 and the latter to a ZF auto and actuated LT230. Plus a third M57 and auto sat on a cradle being work on prior to fitting.

That 300 is mine! Very excited to get the old girl back with a whole new lease of life.

And a lovely 110 it is too Yeah sorry mate, had my hands in your engine bay and on the first date too Looks tidy by the way. So why did you decide to keep the R380/LT230 and not go for an auto?

geobloke wrote:

Nice Mo. How long have you had this conversion? Opinions, thoughts, experience?

I was wondering if the Ashcroft tunnel would work. Good to know about the Disco lever as well. I do like the positive feel of a lever. And I see you have the Disco handbrake lever as well

Mo Murphy wrote:

geobloke wrote:

Nice Mo. How long have you had this conversion? Opinions, thoughts, experience?

I was wondering if the Ashcroft tunnel would work. Good to know about the Disco lever as well. I do like the positive feel of a lever. And I see you have the Disco handbrake lever as well

Thanks Geobloke, it's been back on the road since I finished converting it in June.
It's an M57n and 6hp26x 6 speed auto from a 2005 BMW X5 with a 1.2 Lt230.
Mild stage 1 tune on the original 218bhp to about 250bhp and 500nm of Torque.
Most of my bits and support came from House of Torque and some bits came from MW.
It's a straightforward enough conversion if you have basic mechanical skills and can do basic electrics.
So far it's been perfect ! No problems and no disappointments. I took it to Spain in September,a 2500 mile round trip and it was perfect on the autoroute there and back and perfect on the lanes. With the 6hp gearbox locking up in every gear you get full engine braking on descents like a manual.
You also get the perks of sport mode and tiptronic manual changes if required, though if manual was my thing I wouldn't have gone auto 😉
If you choose to use it, it has more performance than the suspension and brakes can deal with so you have to be a bit sensible with it ! It is a lovely flexible engine though, it'll poodle along happily with the TDIs at a relaxing 60mph and it'll bimble along at 85mph to catch them up after you've stayed longer at the services to finish your baguette and coffee !
Fuel consumption has been 26-30mpg which is on a par with the 200 it replaced. This could be improved with 1:1.1 or 1.0 transfer gearing which it will quite comfortably pull.
Would I do it again ? Absolutely. Would I recommend it as a conversion ? Absolutely !
HTH
Mo

Emphatic That's great to hear. I was chatting with the Wife and I could honestly see her thinking, no way would it be that much quieter than with the TD5, but...

Good to know about the engine braking aspect too, I do use that a lot whilst navigating the B C D and green roads of Wales So fuel consumption is equivalent to what the standard TD5 is capable of and better than a heavily tuned TD5 by miles.

That is a good question. If the M57 is significantly lighter than the TD5/TDI engine have you down graded your front springs?

BuckBlu110 wrote:

It’s got a 1.2 transfer box at the min but I’m going to be changing that in the new year for a refurb unit of which may become a 1:1 if need be.
I have thought about an overdrive but because I’ve got a puma gear stick arrangement I’m not sure how the third stick would work out, I’ll have to do a bit of thinking to get it to engage.