Bmw X5 advice

[PAWEABMW]

Hi everybody haven't been on for a while hope you are all well...........i just bought a 2002 Bmw X5 3.0l petrol great wagon but a beast on fuel i've decided to install an LPG kit what do you guys think of the following combination .....also anyone done an X5 before are there any issues to be aware of.....i believe its the 3.0 M54 engine

ESGI OR STAG ECU

OMVL DREAM REDUCER XXI

OMVL INJECTORS

8MM FUEL PIPE

I want to keep the cost down so im going with the ESGI or Stagg ecu as i've used the ESGI before with good results albiet on a low powered engine........

[LPGC]

Those components wouldn't be my first choice for a BMW straight 6...

The reducer isn't really critical for the 3L engine, you could pretty much get away with most reducers. The OMVL Dream reducer isn't the most pressure stable even at these power levels, though.

I wouldn't go with the ESGI ECU for this motor, it could give good results but I would rather fit an ECU that offers rpm correction - I don't often use RPM correction when calibrating most installs, but I would prefer to fit an ECU with the facility on the BMW straight 6. I like AEB ECUs (which do have RPM correction) for 8 cylinder normally aspirated and turbo applications but not for 6 cylinder applications. In the recent past I have used KME ECUs on BMW straight 6's with great results. As a second (maybe third or 4th!) choice (and preferred over ESGI and AEB) I would go with Stag.

OMVL injectors wouldn't be a really bad choice but I would prefer to fit injectors with down-draught gas outlets (the OMVLs are sidedraught outlet) - On most BMWs with a straight 6 engine the bonnet clearance can mean OMVL injectors need to be mounted to the drivers side of the engine where the engine slopes down and away from the bonnet (on top of the coil pack / head trim cover), meaning fairly long pipe runs between injectors and manifold. This wouldn't be much of an issue with the X5 because the bonnet clearance is greater, so the injectors could be mounted atop the inlet manifold. However, I would still consider two points before going with OMVL injectors: 1. There is nothing to mount the injectors to on the inlet manifold side (though I have seen plenty where the installer has at least made a bracket, but that bracket is secured to the inlet manifold with self tappers into the plastic manifold!). 2. Pipe runs will still be longer than with downdraught injectors. Downdraught injectors can sit almost directly atop the inlet manifold's spuds but OMVLs would need to be mounted above and to one side to allow the bend in the pipe from horizontal to vertical. The OMVLs would be easier to site and pipe up, would offer the performance, but would mean slightly longer pipe runs and some thought on how to secure them..

Simon

[PAWEABMW]

Thanks great stuff Simon wasn't sure as ive only ever done 4 cyl low bhp cars before with esgi kit,are the hana blue injectors suitable for this job ? also what reducer would you reccomend ? the one supplied with the kit is a Gold reducer whatever that is lol or the Magic jet altho i didn't fany the idea of a seperate solenoid to hook up with the magic jet reducer......

I also seen a kit with an LPG Tech ecu......any experience with this brand or would the Stagg be a better choice.....

Thanks again

[LPGC]

No problem, you're welcome.

I have used MJ injectors and have modded the narrow trim strip that sits above the port side of the manifold runners in order to fit them (as said, the OMVLs would be easier to fit!). I expect you'd need to do something similar with the Hana's. Incidentally, although I have mentioned some issues with fitting OMVLs, years ago I used to fit nothing else except OMVL injectors even on straight 6 BMWs... But wouldn't be my choice these days for reasons I have explained.

If you didn't already have the Gold reducer I would advise a KME Silver reducer rather than the Gold. The Gold / Silvers are very similar, the Gold has two outlets and (not just for that reason) can flow more gas (for more bhp) than the silver, but the Silver has been more reliable in my experience and you won't need the flow ability of the Gold for the 3L. Would prefer the Silver over the MJ but the MJ would work no probs. On MJ reducers I often use a male/male fitting to attach (screw) the filter solenoid directly to the reducer - but there are no problems related with mounting a filter solenoid remotely.

Simon

[PAWEABMW]

Hi Simon i've decided to go with the OMVL'S for cost and as you said the side outlets suits the X5, plenty of bonnet clearance,the kit i ordered was an Lpgtech 326 ecu with a Tommasetta Artic reducer up to 240bhp,i have a few questions about the install i wonder could you help

1.Lambda sensor wires are they needed on the Bmw installs (LPGTECH 326 ECU)..........on the esgi i did not need them

2.Injector nozzle size not sure if they come the correct size...will they need drilled for the 3.0l M54 engine

3.Reducer is the Tommasetta arctic set as standard for high flow or does it need to be adjusted for the Bmw engine

4.Setup is there any special way of setting up the Valtronic M54 or can i use the Auto calibration feature

5.Is it ok to use the + injector wire for a switched live on these engines (dont want to trip the management light) maybe not relevant but better to check

6.Is it ok to tap the coil pack for the rpm signal ...(dont want to trip the management light) maybe not relevant but better to check

Sorry for all the question lol wanna make sure everythings done correctly first time if possible.....made so many mistakes on my first install lol had the forum tortured

thx again for all the advice

[LPGC]

Hi again

In answer to your questions:

1. No you don't need to, but it is very easy to do so on the BMW 6 cylinder engines as all the lambda connector plugs are very easily accessible and handily positioned for connecting up, so you might as well... If you don't have a code reader that will show live data then definitely connect to lambdas.
2. I'm nor sure if they will come the correct size either... It depends on your supplier and what stock they have. You will need at least 2.5 nozzles but often with OMVL injectors you only get the one set of nozzles that are fitted and they are often smaler than 2.5mm (installers build up a stock of OMVL nozzles!). You would struggle to drill OMVL Superlight injector nozzles, I wouldn't even attempt it. However, you should be able to remove the nozzles completely and adjust reducer pressure to about 1 bar,
3. See 2
4. I don't think your engine is Valvetronic (not to be confused with Vanos / Double Vanos) - I have assumed it isn't Valvetronic throughout anyway!
5. Yes
6. WIth the LPG Tech system you will (I believe) need to connect to an rpm signal (you wouldn't have had to with some of the other systems). Yes you can connect to a coil pack. There might be 3 or 4 wires to each coil pack on this engine, if so then 2 wires might be the same colour (and/or thicker) to a particular pin on each coil, with 1 or 2 coloured differently (and/or a little thinner) to each coil. Connect to one of those that is a different colour at each coil. Don't worry about connecting to the wrong wire, you won't hurt anything but you won't see an rpm signal if you get the wrong wire.

Simon

[PAWEABMW]

Cheers Simon....aye see what u mean with the OMVL nozzles think i'll just leave em be for the time being see how it runs........sry your correct it's not valvetronic just the twin vanos engine.....

[PAWEABMW]

Good progress today with the usual problems lol,these Damm X5'S are a pain to work on plenty of space but you need 2 metre long arms and legs to get access i'm sore now from standing on the spare wheel to get access to the engine bay even sometime lying in the bloody engine bay..... feel like i've got a kicking lol......

After wiring everything up front end the car is now misfiring on petrol on a cylinder code p1342....with a CEL showing im wondering could this be a leak in the manifold where the new lpg injectors were installed,i drilled and tapped them for a nice tight screw fit with sealant on the threads,prob not the problem,i did have one of the petrol injector wires pull completely out of its plug,which i reinstalled i wonder could that be the issue........typical would have to be the hardest bloody injector to get at no6 lol

Also do the Lpg ECU fuses need to be in once the injector wires have been cut and joined to the lpg wires ? or should the petrol engine run ok stand alone with no power to the LPG ECU

Funtime tommoro .......hope it doesnt bloody rain that all i'll need....think i'll have a beer

Thx for the help guys.....

[LPGC]

You should try working on some of the American pickups etc... You really do need to climb in with the engine!

P1342 is misfire on cylinder 1 during engine start, front engine cylinder... But still check the wiring at the plug you broke. And maybe check other wiring such as those to the cam sensor if you've had them disconnected or might have pulled on them too.

You don't need to put the LPG fuse in yet, and wouldn't be a good idea to do so.

Simon

[PAWEABMW]

Aye can imagine lol it all looks easy on the discovery channel lol got it sorted Simon thx......... idiot i left one of the coil leads off duh.....guess thats whats happens when you get tired always make silly mistakes,plenty more to come im sure lol