Converting LH drive to RH drive?

[nzM5]

Ive got a E34 M5 left hand drive and am thinking of buying a right hand drive car and transfering the parts (dash, steering rack, etc) over to the M5. Has anyone done this before? Is it possible, or would it be easier to transfer the running gear out of the M5 to the right hand drive car?

[Ausmpower]

You need to consider the wiring harnesses, brake pedal linkages etc.

Engine and g/box into a rh drive is much easier....

[nzM5]

Thanks. Do you know if the M5 has the same floor pan as a regular 5 series - Im thinking about the rear suspension and diff mounts, etc

[Ausmpower]

As far as I'm aware yes they share the same chassis and subframes unlike late M3's.

Make sure your transplantee car has the same (vacuum or hydraulic boosted) brake system as the Lh drive one otherwise that will be pita to swap over.

[wingman]

Will you be able to get it complianced?

[mattyb]

yeh i was just thinking that too. i guess if the drivetrain went into the rh drive vehicle it wouldnt be a problem but the other way aroung gets all kind of messy with engineering tickets. but the rh swap will only ever be the vin/chassis of whatever it is(assuming not M5) and not a certified m5 like the m5 lh drive you already have. is it possible to just keep the lh m5 the way it is?

[genphreak]

yeh i was just thinking that too. i guess if the drivetrain went into the rh drive vehicle it wouldnt be a problem but the other way aroung gets all kind of messy with engineering tickets. but the rh swap will only ever be the vin/chassis of whatever it is(assuming not M5) and not a certified m5 like the m5 lh drive you already have. is it possible to just keep the lh m5 the way it is?I'd keep the M-car. Lots of little things are different. The rear subframe, trailing arms, axles not to mention all the drivetrain, interior. Why not keep the M-car? It's easier to move accross anything that is good on the other and keep the authenticity and value.

The M-car is hand made after all.

If you are woindering what I mean, just wait until you've torn it all apart and put it back together again and driven it for a few years afterwards. M-cars are very special. Just my 2c. :) I'd hate to do a drive side conversion too- hard work and cost. Yuk!

[Ausmpower]

There are a few M5 (S38) conversions getting around.
The FLOOR PAN between the two cars is identical as is the rear subframe.

You will need to swap the trailing arms,sway bars, rear hub carriers etc, front suspension and front sub frame.

In Aus you also need the brakes: discs, calipers, Abs unit, master cylinder and booster.

There's an E30 running around over here with the S38 and 740 (same as M5) brakes.