There’s something about a late-model BMW that appeals to most enthusiasts. Take a BMW E39 540i Sport, for instance. Its turn-of-the-century design is becoming increasingly popular in the automotive community. But, regardless of your opinion about the E39 540i’s looks, everyone would agree that its performance could be perked up to more modern standards for a large car. Sure, the M5 E39 put out almost 400 hp, but the 540i put out less than 300. So this seller decided to swap in a GM engine out of Pontiac GTO, for a rather unorthodox approach to more power.
The 2001 BMW 540i Sport you see here is powered by a 6.0 LS2 V8 paired with a T56 6-speed transmission. With the interior and exterior remaining mostly unchanged, you wouldn’t initially suspect that this Beemer has some serious business going on under the hood, until your eyes picked up on the “560i” badge, cue ball shift knob, and lowered ride height.
For $18,500, you could take this LS-swapped BMW home, and make it a garage queen or weekly quarter-mile competitor. Would you dish out the dough for this custom build, or would you go for a comparatively priced Chevrolet C5 Corvette?
Before you make up your mind, see the video of the 560i on the dyno, then tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.
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