What direction should I take my E61?

[regular_car_fella]

So with what is currently going on with my car I've had to do some thinking on what I want to do with it. I've already decided to take out the front drivetrain and swap to RWD using xdelete for now. I have however had the thoughts of making more power and I can't imagine that the stock 6hp19 is going to be terribly happy at some increased power (500-550whp). One side of this is how I will be getting to that power with either a single turbo kit built by a guy up in Minneapolis, or go upgraded twins and keep the low down torque. Then there is the side of the drivetrain where I could do what some of the other members have done and swap in a manual box from a RWD 535i or 335i, or do a newer conversion of a RWD 8HP70 transmission from an N57 car. I do drive this thing everyday, but it isn't my only mode of transport. Granted, this is for far future planning and none of it will be happening soon, but I'm curious if any other forum members have done similar things with their car and what your experiences are.

Thanks!

 

[JohnDaviz]

Just my opinion. But if i would have the possibility i would stay AWD and switch to 8HP.
Then just see what makes the stock turbos happy and stay there. Once you want more, you have an amazing awd 8hp and can just slap on some upgraded turbos and call it a day. (whatever comes with upgraded turbos. Will it be PI or WMI).

 

[regular_car_fella]

Just my opinion. But if i would have the possibility i would stay AWD and switch to 8HP.
Then just see what makes the stock turbos happy and stay there. Once you want more, you have an amazing awd 8hp and can just slap on some upgraded turbos and call it a day. (whatever comes with upgraded turbos. Will it be PI or WMI).

I would stay AWD if the front axles allowed for it, but i really like my wagon when its low and have had good results in bad conditions while it was just in RWD. I do think upgraded twins will be the move though

 

[island road]

I have 4 E61s - One is converted to RWD with M5 rear subframe with LSD and front RWD Subframe and N54 MT. It had hybrids but now doing a Custom MT equal length ST.

Another one has xdelete and removed all front axels has stock AT and hybrids is my daily. Other two are getting prepped for BAT.

It really all depends on your goals and how much you want to spend. In traffic and your daily stick with AT. The stock AT will handle hybrids but 8HP is for sure going to be a cool upgrade and pretty common. Want more fun swap to AWD MT or RWD MT depending on your goals again. RWD MT will be harder to find AWD MT are pretty common.

ST or Hybrids, unless you have a shop that can make a good kit, knows about flow dynamics is not a hack then a ton of off the shelfs manifolds will fit. I have test fitting a handful myself. Then just have any shop make you the hot side parts.

If going hybrids only go with Hydra HP650s or HP800s, if you want more power add the N53 head he has with the HP800.

If going ST do yourself a favor first and relocate the DSC to M5 location, coolant to passenger side and AC lines. It frees up a ton of space and I would highly suggest this would be the first step even if going twins.

Here is what it looks like when complete. Tons of room for intake and or ST kit. E61 Intake setup