P38 M57 install

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ned_

ned_

Active Member
Posts
131
Location
Ireland
My car 'one eye' had a 2.5 M51 that needed work, so Im swapping in an M57. I've no idea what Im doing, Ive done all the jobs before, or thereabouts, but this is a big old bite to chew. I'll record my thoughts as I go and hopefully save some of you from making my mistakes.

ybC6jLD.png


No. 1: bring a 6x3 garden fence post to sit the engine on, when you go to collect it.

2. Plan for oil to make a mess of your shed, your garden, everywhere. I didnt and it took a great deal of effort to clean up the mess. This is a wet job.

3. Go to charity shop and buy a set of old clothes for the operation, and then throw them away when you have the engine got.

This engine has a very elaborite series of pipes and radiators located all around it, more than I've ever seen on an engine. Still trying to identify them all.
There is a ton of videos and reading material online about this engine, way more than for the M51.
Ebay has a ton of reasonably priced spare parts for it.
I drained the cololing system and the fluid was a perfect clear green colour.

It's all been good news so far. I'll update this regularly but progress will be slow, I have a stressful job and a family as well as other projects going on.
 
Ned my friend i may or may not have asked you at some stage if you spent your honeymoon stood up in a canoe. Now i am convinced you indeed did wearing a bag over your head a straight jacket and leg irons. Anyone who seriously thinks people need a diagram to remove four nuts from an headlamp should not be attempting your new suicidal task. ;):D:D
 
Wammers I am built to make mistakes. I do not mind at all. I'll make a few more and then I'll die quite happy, content with my mistake quota.
 
ned_ said:
Wammers I am built to make mistakes. I do not mind at all. I'll make a few more and then I'll die quite happy, content with my mistake quota.
Click to expand...

Go for it mate you never know until you try. Hope you don't fall on your face though, the M51 is so much easier and cheaper to get running properly. Specially in a car that has all the systems to run it. M57 is a different animal systems wise. Which your P38 simply does not have. You have taken a lot of work on.
 
It's a complicated looking engine on the surface. The cooling system is more elaborate than I've seen before, and it has a radiator for the diesel fuel?

I havn't been able to dig into the engine yet, my girlfriend needs attention this week and thats far more important.

Break it down, take photos, ask questions, think about, understand.

I deal with mad complicated stuff in work (and bluff my way through it) - no reason I can't do this.
With the internet to help, it's possible.

Also if you add time.... I'm in no rush.
If you think about something for long enough, you'll get it.
 
ned_ said:
It's a complicated looking engine on the surface. The cooling system is more elaborate than I've seen before, and it has a radiator for the diesel fuel?

I havn't been able to dig into the engine yet, my girlfriend needs attention this week and thats far more important.

Break it down, take photos, ask questions, think about, understand.

I deal with mad complicated stuff in work (and bluff my way through it) - no reason I can't do this.
With the internet to help, it's possible.

Also if you add time.... I'm in no rush.
If you think about something for long enough, you'll get it.
Click to expand...

The cooling system is the least of your problems. Hope you are good at electronics and soldering. Just had a look at RAVE for TD6 you really have given yourself some work. Hope you have plenty of cash to spare. :D
 
There are plug and play loms available, modified ECU's, with and without immobilisers.
They come with a loom for the engine and also a loom for the body.

51222081_2067272216685342_1556171354053541888_n.jpg


There is a facebook page called 'landrover bmw engine conversions' and there are 3 vendors on there (and another in Poland) with looms available for the earlier 97-2001 engines.
They cost around £300.

Apparently the 4HP-24 box from the Thor 4.6 (1999+) - that box, with designation 065, will work with the Diesel P38.

BGrJGMy.jpg


I certainly hope thats correct! Thats what I have been told, and I have no reason to doubt it.

I'm going to compile a list of knowns and unknowns later.
And thanks everyone for the words of encouragment, it is appreciated. That guys 6x6 is a work of art, lovely.
 
Last edited:
I have no idea why LR insisted on fitting small gutless car engines into their latter flagship models.

RRC had the 119hp vm diesel, yes it was unreliable regarding HG but it was easy to fix when it broke and was quite refined for a diesel.

And kicked the 2-300tdi up the arse in every department.

The P38 Should of had the 6cyl 3.1 VM in my opinion.

Much more power and torque than the m51.

Heck the m51 produced less torque than the VM 425!

Vm 2.4 had 330nm

m51 had 270nm!!

The 6cyl VM had 140hp and 384nm much more power just as economical very easy to fix etc etc.
 
Henry_b said:
I have no idea why LR insisted on fitting small gutless car engines into their latter flagship models.

RRC had the 119hp vm diesel, yes it was unreliable regarding HG but it was easy to fix when it broke and was quite refined for a diesel.

And kicked the 2-300tdi up the arse in every department.

The P38 Should of had the 6cyl 3.1 VM in my opinion.

Much more power and torque than the m51.

Heck the m51 produced less torque than the VM 425!

Vm 2.4 had 330nm

m51 had 270nm!!

The 6cyl VM had 140hp and 384nm much more power just as economical very easy to fix etc etc.
Click to expand...

Why would BMW have used Italian engines?
 
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