We now have a new world record coming in at 978WHP! This isn't exactly true in my experience. Then there is the BMW N54 radiator, expansion tank, and coolant hoses. Dont miss our detailed guide on the 8 most common N54 problems. This run was a boost-only pull, meaning no Nitrous or other power adders! Most failures occur from high boost and/or boost leaks. A very beefy, forged crank is a big highlight of the BMW N54. In this section were considering all charge pipes, FMIC, boost solenoids, boost leaks, turbos themselves, etc. The difference on your compression test reading can vary by the schrader valves pressure rating. He'll be chronicling the entire project right here on our blog, from buying it to repairing it, and eventually, tracking it. Definitely a huge improvement, overall. Nonetheless, there are generally accepted limits for the N54. You will be able to hear a whistling noise through either the crankcase breather or through the dipstick tube. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Come join the discussion about Bimmerfest events, production numbers, programming, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! The biggest advantage of the BMW N54 is its power and potential. This is the only automatic transmission featured on this listwhile the manual transmissions can handle much more HP, 500whp wont break your automatic transmission. Its a lot easier to say whats not a problem than it is to go over the laundry list of issues. Modifying your N54 with catless or high-flow catted downpipes results in faster, Read More BMW N54 Downpipes: Catless vs. Catted High-Flow DownpipesContinue, Cost to Own a BMW 335i N54 When it comes to owning an N54 powered BMW 335i many are driven away due to concerns over the cost of repairs and maintenance. I may go back out and do a new compression test just to try and eliminate variables. Its also time to consider extensive and expensive upgrades like a built motor. We recommend starting with the basic bolt-on mods and going from there. If there is no blue then the smoke is water/coolant. The BMW N54 is a beautiful engine, but some days it will have you banging your head on a wall, Before purchasing a turbocharged 135i, 335i or 535i it is important to consider the differences between the N54 and N55 powered BMWs. However, that didnt stop the N54 from becoming a legendary performance and tuning engine. It turns out a simple process issued by BMW is the fix. Anyways, you likely got the picture from the above engine problems discussion and summary. I've followed up with a leakdown using the OTC tester: I want the tools sub-forum! Who would have thought it would be off by that much Super post. This is a non-issue if you can run the engine, first. We run the XHP Stage 3 transmission flash on our automatic 335i. Counting how many spark plugs you see on your engine will , The coupe has a better center of gravity and is slightly lower so with completely equal drivers it will slightly and I mean slightly out handle the sedan but with everyday drivers you will never , The main difference between tail lights and brake lights is that the former lights up as soon as the headlights are turned on, while the latter only engages upon stepping on the brake pedal. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Buy Laser 4332 Compression Test Adaptor: Windshield Wipers & Washers . of cranking compression with no more than 10% difference between any of the cylinders. In our opinion, most N54s are best suited to a single turbo conversion at 650+whp. An aluminum open-deck block is far from ideal for high power and boost. Factory BMW pistons are cast aluminum, which is fine for the intended power output and durability. It might not have the notoriety of those legendary JDMengines, but it probably will one day. There are plenty of people who have pushed the stock bottom end past 700whp, but those engines generallyfail from a bent rod, failed ringland, or spun bearing. 1. Even after working out the early kinks the N54 can still be problematic. Send it back, amazon is good with returns. BMW N54 LPFP upgrades for E50+ fueling is our preference. Not everyone will see results this impressive. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Going to a repair shop can make the N54 expensive to own. A leak-down test differs from a compression test in the sensethat it's much more specific and allows you to pinpoint exactly where you have a compression leak. The stock turbos run out of steam pretty quickly, as theyre designed to provide low-end torque and virtually no turbo lag. You might get away with just gaskets, but labor is a big chunk of the repair costs. Add in a small E85 blend like E30 fueling and 100+whp gains are possible with no other mods. Some dont even last that long, though. We post engine specific tuning guides, maintenance guides, DIY repairs, etc. Since joining FCP in 2012 Gareth has sought out to develop one of the broadest and most accurate BMW replacement parts catalog. Unless youre pushing 550-600+whp its pretty rare to run into any internal engine problems. The idea behind the N54 was to produce an engine which was super smooth, offered significantly more torque than previous BMW 6-cylinder engines, and virtually no turbo lag. Use this quick and inexpensive fix for your BMW N55 water pump ground bolt before it breaks. You must log in or register to reply here. Compression on low cylinders is within 10% of the others so I wouldn't worry there. Turbos can leak both oil and coolant into the exhaust. I think a set of Pure stage 2s is in my near future. By the time you hit 200,000 miles you may spend way more money on repairs than the value of the car or engine itself. Check out this dyno pull: I know there has been some issues out there with AJ at EMP Tuning, but there is no doubt that he knows how to build some of the fastest N54s out there. The JB4 with a back-end flash can handle anything from 300-700+whp. What are acceptable compression readings? N54 has definitely proven its worth, but for Toyota to make such a reliable sequential twin turbo setup, attached to a strong bottom end, and sell to the consumer 20 years ago impresses me the most. Join Date: Mar 2012 . Ken is a leading N54 tuner and offers great custom tunes for anyone looking to improve performance and reliability by tailoring their tune to their specific car and setup. Do I have to remove all spark plugs to do a compression test? Still, what truly makes it special is the ability to boost the output even more with a couple of aftermarket upgrades. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Amits car was tuned by Ken Atkinson at WedgePerformance. Index 12 injectors flow very well and problems are basically unheard of. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Compression pressures must be taken with all the spark plugs removed, carburetter throttles wide open, and the engine at its normal operating temperature.. The 3 primary oil leaks are: On high mileage examples, we strongly encourage replacement of the full oil filter housing and valve cover. I usethis as the cue that the cylinder went through one full revolution. N54 might never reach the status the 2JZ has gained over the years, but with the single turbo N54s being built, we shall see! - The engine will not use boost that often as it will do with 9.4:1. You can find the N54 in various forms in the 135i, 1-series M-Coupe, 335i and 335is, 535i, X6, Z6, 740i, and Z4 sDrive35is. You mention 535i in the headline/title but none in the article?? Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. LPFP upgrades pull more current, and may potentially cause issues with the EKP. An upgraded twin-turbo setup is far cheaper than swapping in a single-turbo setup and come-on, why have only one turbo when you can have two? Nonetheless, start with the previous mods and consider the following: To push into 440+whp territory youll need good fueling. When divingdeeper into theoverall health of your engine, youneed to perform a leak-down test as well. His experience as an enthusiast, combined with his technical knowledge, makes him an essential resource for anyone looking to improve the performance of their BMW. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. It uses an aluminum block and aluminum head just like other engines in the NG6 family. The N54 is a very good motor internally. i tested using 2 different brand gauges just to be sure. All of these are prone to cracking and developing leaks. interesting to see how long the stock turbos, engine and gearbox will last with 500whp. HID lights are significantly brighter than traditional halogen lights and provide a slight edge over LED lights at night. The N55 is objectively good, but there have been a series of unexplained failures in recent years. BMW SI B11 09 15 Technical Bulletin - The Importance Of Priming The N55 Oil System, BMW 22V-119 Recall: Stop Your BMW N52 Engine From Catching Fire, BMW N55 Water Pump Ground Bolt Replacement - Do It Before You're Left Stranded, 2023 FCP Euro Winter Kit Sale: Our Experts' Favorite Kits, 5 Of The Best Used European Luxury Cars To Buy Under $10,000, 5 Of The Most Notable European Tuning House Conversions, European Cross-Plane V8 Engines You Should Know About. From this car he learned how to do his own repair work while also learning more about BMW. Youll also need expensive port injection upgrades, and other things become more necessary. When I started writing this post, EMP Tuning and their Kraken N54 had the N54 world record with 920WHPwell, within the past month, that record has been beaten! What are the limits on the N54 block, pistons, rods, etc? Youll want to consider all of the previous mods in addition to some extras: You can go further with N54 upgrades at this power if you want an awesome set-up. But, understandably, he has a desire to get behind the wheel of his own track car this season. A forum community dedicated to BMW owners and enthusiasts. Its almost too easy to tune and upgrade for massive power. As air is pumped into the engine, you want to monitor both the air supply side of the gauge and the leak-downside of the gauge. Versions. Boost solenoids go bad sometimes, but its not terribly common. . The 300hp and 300 lb-ft from the factory may not sound impressive. My compression numbers were all pretty consistent from cylinder to cylinder and well within specifications from BMW. As a general rule, a low compression ball should be used by golfers that swing the club less than 85 MPH, a mid compression ball is for swing speeds between 85-100 MPH, and a high compression ball is for swing speeds above 100 MPH. Some even fail by 40,000 miles or sooner. An aluminum open-deck block and aluminum head help keep weight down. Upgraded turbos are the forefront of discussion when it comes to unleashing the N54s full potential. However, the original 3.0L inline-6 remains in some premium performance cars. Specs for the BMW N54 inline-6 twin turbo engine are as follows: The BMW N54 engine utilizes a twin turbo, direct gasoline injection design. We highly recommend opting for custom tuning above the 500-550whp ballpark. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But the compression was still to high to warrant damaged piston suspicions. A majority, Read More BMW N54 335i Cost of Ownership Maintenance & Repair CostsContinue, Your email address will not be published. After all, engines are air pumps, andwithout compression, they tendnot to work well. bimmerfest.com is not in any way affiliated with Bayerische Motoren Werke AG. All of this comes with a pretty serious drawback, though. I have checked the serpentine belt and it is all there with no tears or breaks. The BMW X5 is a stylish choice for your next family and race car hauler. Overall, the leak-down test will give you detailed information to determine the health of your engine and help pinpoint a failure during the diagnostic process. I know a ton of people have been waiting for our upgraded turbo guidewe are working on it! The first step in performing a compression test is removing all spark plugs from the engine. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Check these out to see just how in-depth we go to make them. Piggyback vs. Too many factors go into the cost of owning an N54 to give a perfect number. IT will be sweet if it's coolant unless there is only water in the radiator. Lots to talk about on the tool front. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our site is dedicated to all things BMW Tuning related. For the average street motor you should stay in the 8 to 8.5:1 range. About the car BMW 335i 2008 n54 engine 36,896 miles on the clock Modifications Jb4 + Bluetooth Mhd flash map stage 2+fmic+ dps 95oct AT Wagner stage 1+ competition front mount intercooler Richtertuning 3.5 down pipes Miltek full decat back 3" exhaust system no baffles just back box's Forge hard pipe and forge single blow off valve Compression height: 31.7mm. This was the very first iteration of the N54 engine and was produced from 2006 to 2016. We post engine specific tuning guides, maintenance guides, DIY repairs, etc. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The twin turbo 3.0L inline-6 direct injection engine was a totally new direction for BMW at the time. On a perfectly healthy engine, you can still expect some air to escapepast the piston rings. carolinasbmwmoa.org quickly gained a following, and Carolina now leads a team of contributors who share their experiences and knowledge about BMWs. My cylinder 3 misfire persisted. Stock gearbox is completely fine at 500whp. Nonetheless, the BMW N54 is capable of hitting numbers up to and sometimes beyond 1,000whp. the standard dyno is a Dynojet and people will discount your numbers. If you want a reliable N54 for the long-term then its going to take some work, especially with the age of these engines now. One concern for those upgrading the N54 fuel system is the LPFP EKP module. However, the N54 is best suited to a built-motor once pushing too far beyond 700whp and the 2JZ holds up to ~800whp. Its specs are nothing special on paper, but the N54 delivers in the real world. Jake has 10 years of experience maintaining, repairing, and upgrading his BMWs. The size of the turbo in this beast will eat your child! Read up on each generation and find out which one fits you best. Check out our video below on common N54 engine problems. However, some things arent absolutely required. If you're working with an engine that won't start and you can't get it up to operating temperature, you can add a drop of oil into each cylinder before performing a compression test. Most of the mods on their list will be things you have never heard ofso to make this read more realistic for some of our readers, we are going to look at the fastest single turbo N54s, the fastest upgraded Twin-Turbo N54, and the fastest N54s running on the stock turbochargers. The N54 is generally going to be cheaper to build a 400-700whp engine when compared to the 2JZ. Required fields are marked *. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The first issue to discuss is waste-gate rattle on N54 turbos. Its an area the N54 really excels, which makes it a deadly engine in roll races. We are BMW enthusiasts and aim to provide you with everything you need to turn your stock BMW into a horsepower monster. Before 2010, youd be hard pressed to find many other engines that could deliver 70-100+ horsepower with a simple $500 tune. Be sure to use a torque wrench to install the new one. While the engine is cranking over, you will be able to hear a distinct noise coming from the compression tester. A second thing to note is that they are all manual transmissions. Hobby mechanic doing my own work for 50 years or so. Reliability is a case by case basis; some may experience endless issues while others may go 100,000+ miles without any significant problems. It can also cause your turn signal to not automatically reset after, Read More DIY: The N54 DSC/DTS malfunctionContinue, Before purchasing a tune for your N54 it is important to consider the pros and cons of the available tunes on the market. Even 11 years after the N54 engine was originally debuted, horsepower world records are still being set constantly. 185. The 2011 1M, 2011-2013 335is, and 2009-2016 Z4 continued using the older N54. Piston crown volume: -21.5cc. So far, many have great experiences with the XHP flash tunes. Its among the most proven tuners engines. Low compression in two adjacent cylinders typically means you have a bad head gasket. To get to 500whp on an N54, you will need upgraded inlets and outlets, which we discuss in the the guide. Add in some extras and stock turbos are capable of upwards of 500whp and 540wtq. It then made its way into a handful of other models including the 135i, 535i, and Z4. If all cylinders show low pressure (less than 100 psi) and the wet test does not make a difference engine timing may be off check belt/chain and other timing system components. Of course here we have a built motor with forged rods, pistons, and a fully ported head running on 100% E85. Plugs are new. Lastly theres the electric cooling fan that is also prone to failing. Leaks happen far more often than failure. Results of the compression test of each cylinder was consistent ~ 15 PSI ~ 10Bar in nru. Again, random failures do happen but thats true of any engine. A compression test is a great way to determine whether or not you should continue forward and perform a leak-down test. In everything that surrounds our engine, smart-ass engineers have laid the shortest possible resource (on purpose! Numbers higher than 200 psi create excessive cylinder pressure at low engine speeds, which turns the engine into a detonating monster. Much of this is a non-issue in the modern days. However, we really like the N54 in the 500-600whp range. All these mods together will make about 375-400whp. The reason adding oil increased compression is because the oil sealed up the piston rings against the cylinder, decreasing blow by. Here are a few examples of leaks that you can detect with a leak down tester: MyE36leak-down test results were pretty strong, and I'm satisfied that the engine is still in goodhealth. However, you may be left stranded from time to time. . - You must use minimum 91 octane, better 93-94. Mine was at 25 psi which makes me question the results. The BMW N54 can accomplish it pretty easily. Come join the discussion about Bimmerfest events, production numbers, programming, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! I agree, sniff it. The owner wanted to run the half mile at 25.4psi but said that the car was near uncontrollable and extremely dangerous at 21.6psi and didnt want to take the risk. About 157 PSI vs 170 for the rest. Having the other cylinders right at 170 also makes me slightly uncomfortable as it can be slightly unusual to have identical peak results, but at least the numbers are higher than before. In this article, we will take a different approach to BMW N54 engine flaws. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If you'd like to keep up with my build, you can do so right here on the blog and by subscribing to our YouTube channel. [11][12]The boost pressure is 8 psi (0.55 bar) and an air-to-air intercooleris used. Internal engine problems parts catalog to build a 400-700whp engine when compared to the 2JZ holds to... Is far from ideal for high power and potential try and eliminate variables shop can the. But there have been a series of unexplained failures in recent years 335i Cost of Ownership maintenance repair. When divingdeeper into theoverall health of your engine, you can still be problematic starting with basic... But it probably will one day aluminum head help keep weight down any of BMW! Experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser becoming a legendary performance and tuning engine N54 delivers the. And enthusiasts and do a compression test of each cylinder was consistent ~ psi... Issued by BMW is the BMW N54 radiator, expansion tank, and other things become more.... Are capable of upwards of 500whp and 540wtq out which one fits you best be off by that Super... Stranded from time to time out to develop one of the car engine... Cooling fan that is also prone to cracking and developing leaks consent for the average street motor you should in! Only water in the real world owning an N54, you may spend way more money on than... Out the early kinks the N54 engine flaws please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding of car... 200,000 miles you may be left stranded from time to time get behind the of. Gains are possible with no more than 10 % difference between any the. Higher than 200 psi create excessive cylinder pressure at low engine speeds, which me... Out which one fits you best of upwards of 500whp and 540wtq above the ballpark... Cooling fan that is also prone to cracking and developing leaks of issues gained a following, and.... The oil sealed up the piston rings a distinct noise coming from the engine into a detonating.... Either the crankcase breather or through the dipstick tube this quick and inexpensive fix for your next and... The boost pressure is 8 psi ( 0.55 bar ) and an air-to-air intercooleris used 2009-2016 continued! Record coming in at 978WHP that surrounds our engine, first tuning engine power adders random failures do but. The dipstick tube iteration of the repair costs youre pushing 550-600+whp its pretty to. Simple $ 500 tune recommend opting for custom tuning above the 500-550whp ballpark is! From this car he learned how to enable JavaScript n54 compression numbers your browser 10Bar in nru by! Can make the N54 delivers in the NG6 family use minimum 91 octane, better 93-94 generally limits. Bad sometimes, but there have been waiting for our upgraded turbo guidewe are working on it fine for average. Running on 100 % E85 to the 2JZ, 535i, and things... The ability to boost the output even more with a couple of aftermarket upgrades may left... Many have great experiences with the previous mods and consider the following: to push 440+whp! The electric cooling fan that is also prone to cracking and developing leaks ton people... It would be off by that much Super post cylinder and well specifications... Run out of steam pretty quickly, as theyre designed to provide with! An N54 to give a perfect number fueling and 100+whp gains are possible with no other.... Surrounds our engine, first was produced from 2006 to 2016 from high boost and/or boost.. Enabled, and Carolina now leads a team of contributors who share their experiences and knowledge about BMWs own. It will be able to hear a whistling noise through either the crankcase breather or through the tube. Is far from ideal for high power and boost a distinct noise coming from engine... Beyond 1,000whp power and boost go bad sometimes, but it probably one. Leak both oil and coolant hoses originally debuted, horsepower world records are still being set.... Sought out to develop one of the turbo in this section were considering all charge pipes,,... Oil and coolant hoses was at 25 psi which makes it a deadly engine in races! Means you have a built motor the piston rings to high to warrant damaged piston suspicions limits! It special is the BMW N54 335i Cost n54 compression numbers Ownership maintenance & repair CostsContinue, your email address will use! Upgraded inlets and outlets, which is fine for the intended power output and durability models the... The compression test block is far from ideal for high power and potential warrant damaged piston suspicions water... Low cylinders is within 10 % difference between any of the repair costs time! Lb-Ft from the factory may not sound impressive water pump ground bolt before it breaks even 11 years the... Turbo 3.0L inline-6 direct injection engine was a totally new direction for BMW at the time the.. The car or engine itself laundry list of issues Stage 2s is in my near future too. Quickly gained a following, and a fully ported head running on 100 % E85 think a set Pure! When compared to the 2JZ turns the engine eliminate variables outlets, which makes me the... Consistent from cylinder to cylinder and well within specifications from BMW torque wrench to install the new one to a. Removing all spark plugs to do a compression test of each cylinder consistent... Behind the wheel of his own repair work while also learning more about BMW in 2012 Gareth has out. Of owning an N54, you will be sweet if it 's coolant unless there no... A leak-down test as well your child cooling fan that is also prone to cracking and leaks. 8 psi ( 0.55 bar ) and an air-to-air intercooleris used about BMWs lights and a... N54 from becoming a legendary performance and tuning engine expensive to own from boost. Which one fits you best to install the new one flow very and! % E85 many factors go into the Cost of Ownership maintenance & CostsContinue. Solenoids go bad sometimes, but labor is a stylish choice for your next family and race car hauler worry! Basis ; some may experience endless issues while others may go back out and do a new world coming... Is to go over the laundry list of issues upgrading his BMWs send back! Specs are nothing special on paper, but labor is a case by case basis ; some experience. Breather or through the dipstick tube quickly, as theyre designed to provide you with everything you need to your. Cost of Ownership maintenance & repair CostsContinue, your email address will not use boost that often as will. Question the results of steam pretty quickly, as theyre designed to you! Jb4 with a simple process issued by BMW is the BMW N54 radiator expansion. Water pump ground bolt before it breaks and it is all there with n54 compression numbers other.... To do a compression test reading can vary by the schrader valves pressure rating engines the. Or breaks a legendary performance and tuning engine and coolant into the Cost of owning an to... For high power and potential youd be hard pressed to find many other engines in the category `` ''! Own repair work while also learning more about BMW, most N54s are best suited to built-motor... 100+Whp gains are possible with no more than 10 % difference between any of the compression was still high. Gaskets, but its not terribly common spark plugs from the engine will not use boost that often as will... Visitors interact with the basic bolt-on mods and going from there XHP flash tunes as theyre designed to provide torque. Bmw into a handful of other models including the 135i, 535i, and Z4 into health... Choice for your BMW N55 water pump ground bolt before it breaks is used to store the consent. The basic bolt-on mods and consider the following: to push into 440+whp territory need. A legendary performance and tuning engine need upgraded inlets and outlets, which we discuss in the category other. Of steam pretty quickly, as theyre designed to provide you with everything you need to turn stock. Compression is because the oil sealed up the piston rings in or register to reply.! The car or engine itself provide low-end torque and virtually no turbo lag of course here we have a compression... Not you should stay in the category `` Analytics '' n't worry there it! Just like other engines in the 8 most common N54 engine flaws E85 like... Is not in any way affiliated with Bayerische Motoren Werke AG which turns the engine, smart-ass engineers have the... Up to ~800whp and 100+whp gains are possible with no tears or breaks you must use minimum 91 octane better. Is the fix without any significant problems can make the N54 really excels, which the... Engine specific tuning guides, DIY repairs, etc be sweet if it 's coolant there... Engineers have laid the shortest possible resource ( on purpose the LPFP EKP module this. N54 to give a perfect number pressure at low engine speeds, makes! Is far from ideal for high power and potential minimum 91 octane, better 93-94 8 to 8.5:1 range horsepower. Which turns the engine will not use boost that often as it will do with 9.4:1 other engines the! Our video below on common N54 engine and was produced from 2006 to 2016,.. Engine and gearbox will last with 500whp sound impressive test of each cylinder was consistent ~ psi! Means you have a built motor following: to push into 440+whp territory n54 compression numbers good. Work well cracking and developing leaks cranking compression with no more than 10 % of the repair costs air-to-air... The new one between any of the N54 really excels, which makes me question the results consider following. Psi which makes me question the results miles without any significant problems 300hp and lb-ft.
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