All these mods together will make about 375-400whp. You can take the same approach with any of the list. E90/E91/E92/E93 (2006 - 2013) N54 Compression test. IT will be sweet if it's coolant unless there is only water in the radiator. However, since the air and fuel are both more highly compressed, there will be more heat. The BMW X5 is a stylish choice for your next family and race car hauler. We are BMW enthusiasts and aim to provide you with everything you need to turn your stock BMW into a horsepower monster. Theyre praised for being able to withstand insane amounts of power without exploding, but there is another turbocharged inline-6 which rivals the performance of those two engines and thats the BMW N54. The new design also showed with a number of ongoing problems in the early days. Can , In V6 or V8 engines, the spark plug wires are on both sides of the engine. But anyways, here are the four fastest N54s out there, and all happen to be 335is. Today we are bringing you a post of the 7 fastest N54s in the world. Consider other things to replace while its down. A lot of this is either basic maintenance at high mileage or less common failures. Some even fail by 40,000 miles or sooner. Nonetheless, start with the previous mods and consider the following: To push into 440+whp territory youll need good fueling. Want to take things even further? 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. My cylinder 3 misfire persisted. Compression height: 31.7mm. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The VANOS system isnt unique to the N54 engine; it is used in many variations of BMW engines. The N54 engine is a very popular platform with enthusiasts due to the potential power that can be unlocked. As a rule, most engines should have 140 to 160 lbs. We post engine specific tuning guides, maintenance guides, DIY repairs, etc. Plugs are new. Also, if a bolt snaps it is a scary thing. N54 HPFP Failure CEL Codes: These are common codes, certain ones might not indicate a failed HPFP (such as a cylinder misfire code) P142E: low pressure in HPFP system - injection disables to protect catalytic converters 2FBF: Fuel pressure at injection release 2FBE: Fuel pressure after motor stop 29DC: Cylinder injection switch off It typically will trigger when youre making a turn. Nonetheless, there are generally accepted limits for the N54. A forged crank and rods deliver solid strength. The standard dyno is a Dynojet and people will discount your numbers if you dyno it on anything else. My 335i was likely around 430-440whp at the time. Those awards were issued back when the engine was new and the problems we justmentioned were so common, but it still goes to show how good the N54 really is. (HF ones are fine, read instructions.). In 2018, she decided to combine her passion for BMWs by creating a blog specifically for BMW enthusiasts in the region. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Occurs during a cold start; While the manual transmission is significantly stronger, even the DCT tranny will be alright at 500whp. Thats where knocking out preventative maintenance with overlap in labor is hugely important to save money. BMW N54 LPFP upgrades for E50+ fueling is our preference. The compression test can be done either hot or cold. For reference, under 5% leak-down is amazing, 10% is good, 15% just acceptable, and 20% meansyou'll be spending a lot of money in the near future. With twin turbo upgrades the BMW N54 can push ~700whp while single turbo conversions are good for 800-1,000+whp. The list could go on and on. The biggest thing is that they basically max out rail pressures to allow for additional torque. Combine that with DOHC and variable valve timing and the N54 is good for 7,000 RPM redline. Instead of listing every single part well break this down in the following categories: Keep in mind were not covering an exhaustive list of anything that can go wrong. Turbo inlets & outlets unleash a good amount of power and torque. This isn't exactly true in my experience. In this section were considering all charge pipes, FMIC, boost solenoids, boost leaks, turbos themselves, etc. The N54 drive belt is something to discuss for a moment. One of the biggest restrictions on the N54 powered 135i, 335i and 535i is the factory catted downpipes. All of this comes with a pretty serious drawback, though. If you have read our 500hp N54 guide, you know that you can achieve a 500hp N54 for a mere $1,500well at that price tag you will be landing 500hp at the crankand more like 450hp to the wheels. By removing the plugs, the cranking effort required from the starter motor is significantly reduced. While the above list of issues is in no specific order the cooling system is a good starting point. The 2011 1M, 2011-2013 335is, and 2009-2016 Z4 continued using the older N54. I usethis as the cue that the cylinder went through one full revolution. I promise we only send like one email per month. 1: 175 2: 170 3: 170 4: 170 5: 170 6: 157 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. 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. Its expensive to do that work at a repair shop, though. The DCT transmissions just cant handle the torque that a manual can. What is a bad compression reading? Be sure to use a torque wrench to install the new one. This post will cover the various BMW N54 flash maps along with supporting mods and expected horsepower on each map. CSF has an all aluminum radiator that is a good solution once the OEM N54 radiator fails. 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. Truly severe problems like internals or timing chains are rare. What matters is on the inside and what the N54 is capable, not what it does in stock form, and thats what makes the N54 legendary. Installed Centerline Angle: The ICA (Installed Centerline Angle) generally measures the position between cam timing and the crankshaft position of the engine. Leaks happen far more often than failure. See what the wealthiest enthusiasts spent their money on to get the car of their dreams back in the 80s. A few simple upgrades and tuning can push the N54 to 400+whp. 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. dry out. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Engines such as the RB26 or 2JZ are put up out a pedestal and treated like the greatest engines of all time. You want to ensure that the air supply gauge remains steady as any drop in air supply pressure can skew the results. Sure, the twin-turbocharged petrol engine provides enough power as it is. Definitely replace the drive belt every 6-8 years and 80,000 to 100,000 miles. You must log in or register to reply here. At 24psi of boost, this engine probably wont last very long without needing upgraded turbos. They still fail sometimes, but its far far less an issue then in the early days. Unfortunately, this is possibly the easiest way to write about BMW N54 engine problems. 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. Our garage currently includes a 2008 135i, 2007 335i, and 2008 535i. Your email address will not be published. Its maybe less impressive by modern standards, but the N54 can still hang with some of the great modern turbo engines. Piggyback vs. But, understandably, he has a desire to get behind the wheel of his own track car this season. Your email address will not be published. We plan to answer all of these questions and, Read More BMW N54 Fueling Mods GuideContinue, While the BMW N54 can push incredible power and torque through the small stock twin turbos, many enthusiasts look to take their N54 to the next level. How does E85 factor into all of this? Check out our video below on common N54 engine problems. To note this post is based on the V8.1 maps available for the N54. Rods, rod bearings, and pistons are the primary concern around this power. Although the TwinPower Turbo system of the N54 is known for being problematic, it did a fantastic job of minimizing turbo lag and making the N54 feel like a larger naturally aspirated engine rather than a small turbocharged engine. An N54 that already has index 11 or 12 (12 in a perfect world) is a HUGE find. To complete a leak-down test, you will need a leak-down tester, an air compressor with sufficient CFM, and a way to determine if your engine is top dead center (TDC) or not. The reason for this is that the piston rings expand when warm. As you can imagine, this motor is fully built out with forged rods, pistons, and the whole 9-yards. N54 stock turbos do fail naturally, though. 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. Buy Laser 4332 Compression Test Adaptor: Windshield Wipers & Washers . All versions have a bore of 84.0 mm (3.31 in), a stroke of 89.6 mm (3.53 in), a compression ratio of 10.2:1 and the redline is 7000 rpm. The humble cross-plane crankshaft has been the heart of many of Europe's, and the world's, greatest V8s. done stone cold, fuel pump fuse was pulled night before and car ran until it stalled out. Labor is the real killer. 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. Has an oil and coolant leak as well. It doesnt typically reduce life-span by too much if at all. It will always hold a special place for its accomplishments, especially on the excellent E chassis. Read More BMW N54 30FF Engine Fault Code 30FF Diagnosis & Repair GuideContinue, So youve probably had this warning light come on before, and if you haventyou will. Some expensive issues like N54 turbos or fuel injectors are likely best to address when problems actually happen. Best practice is to have the engineslightly warmwhen you plan to do a compression test. BMW offered an extended warranty for 8 years and 82,000 miles for this problem. No such issues after flashing. It can get expensive to build a useable 600+whp N54, so dont set your goals too high. Single-turbo N54 builds without a doubt will produce higher HP than twin-turbo builds, but that isnt to say you cant produce some serious power without giving up the platform the N54 was built on. Its also time to consider extensive and expensive upgrades like a built motor. There are very good parts of the N54 that were way overbuilt. If youre still looking for more power after tuning the N54 there are so many directions to go. The twin turbo 3.0L inline-6 direct injection engine was a totally new direction for BMW at the time. The entire cooling system can be problematic. of cranking compression with no more than 10% difference between any of the cylinders. I am sure he has run compression tests on more than few motors. Downpipes bolt directly to the turbochargers and the factory catalytic converters create significant back-pressure which results in slower turbo spool. Some dont even last that long, though. However, we really like the N54 in the 500-600whp range. Since joining FCP in 2012 Gareth has sought out to develop one of the broadest and most accurate BMW replacement parts catalog. You should start to worry if one of your cylinders is getting close to 100 psi. The first issue to discuss is waste-gate rattle on N54 turbos. A hot compression test is done with the engine warm to ensure all the parts are up to temp and the clearances are as expected. Coming in at 978WHP, this is the closest the N54 has come to hitting the 1,000 club. In our opinion, most N54s are best suited to a single turbo conversion at 650+whp. Zach is a BMW enthusiast with a passion for performance. When he's not spending time during work hours building the BMW Catalog, he's wrenching on ourVW GTI TCRsas part of the crew and race team. As a rule, most engines should have 140 to 160 lbs. 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. Who would have thought it would be off by that much Super post. It uses an aluminum block and aluminum head just like other engines in the NG6 family. I think a set of Pure stage 2s is in my near future. OK. The reason adding oil increased compression is because the oil sealed up the piston rings against the cylinder, decreasing blow by. It will be heavier than the e46 m3. Not too much input I can give here, as my engine diagnosing expertise is mostly on the N54. BMW's love for aluminum bolts has caused more than a few issues. Tuning and upgrades is a long topic for the BMW N54 engine. See if you can find out if the serpentine belt was recently replaced. Its V8 weighs 445 lbs, while the N54 weighs 429 lbs. Jump to Latest Follow However, some things arent absolutely required. Quite often, the temperature rise of the gas during the compression dictates a limit for the safe or reasonable pressure rise. Theyre usually tired after 100,000+ miles, but may still run for a while. However, for tuning purposes,, Read More Diagnosing a Failing BMW VANOS System When to Repair Your BMW VANOSContinue, Why Upgrade my N54 Downpipes? Anyways, you likely got the picture from the above engine problems discussion and summary. It might not have the notoriety of those legendary JDMengines, but it probably will one day. If you go to a repair shop for everything then bills get very expensive. This is where he developed his love of the automotive industry. A compression test determines the relative compression between individual cylinders whilea leak-down test determines the sealing ability of the valves, head gasket, and piston rings. Last up is walnut blasting. This stock turbo N54 is FBO (full bolt-on) with ugraded inlets and outlets, a Stage 1 Fuel-it LPFP and a custom tune by BQ Wedge Performance using a Cobb Accessport. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. The N54 was BMWs first mass produced turbocharged engine. Performing a compressiontest when the engine is cold is generallya less precise approach. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Small stock turbos, a longer stroke, and moderately high compression allow for massive low-end torque. A lot of the stuff around the engine is problematic, but the actual engine itself isnt a major concern. Why am I featuring it at #4 instead of #2? The 30FF BMW fault code is one you do not want to see on your BMW. 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 might get away with just gaskets, but labor is a big chunk of the repair costs. XHP makes transmission flashes for the ZF 6HP found in most automatic N54s. My compression numbers were all pretty consistent from cylinder to cylinder and well within specifications from BMW. Low compression in one cylinder usually indicates a bad exhaust valve. I did a dance and took photos. And maybe not just tools but things we have bought and can indorse. So I understood ( for daily driving ) 10.2:1. Its a good range where youre not stressing the OEM turbos too much. BMW began phasing out the N54 in 2009 and replaced it with the N55 which is arguably worse than the N54. 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. No upgrades exist as far as were aware, and none have ever failed on their own (rod bearings can ruin the crank if they go bad, though). 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. She is a proud owner of a BMW M3 and has been an active member of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (BMW MOA) for many years. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. N54 compression results (125k miles) got some unexpected compression results on a 125k n54 motor that for last 20k miles has been neglected by previous owner/s. Check these out to see just how in-depth we go to make them. Spring)You Wish Performance 4 Exhaust, Fueling:Fuel-It Stage 4 Bucketless Platinum w/Ethanol SensorFuelab Fuel Pressure Regulator on the return line1000cc Injectors, Tuning/Boost Management:Tuned byEMP TUNINGMHDBoost BoxSplit Second AIC6 Fuel ControllerN2MB Wotbox, Transmission:Stock 6 Speed Unopened GearboxSpec Twin Disc Clutch (Custom Order)Steel Single Mass FlywheelE46 M3 Trans MountsRTD Low Profile Short Throw Shifter, Differential:M-Factory Limited SlipUpgraded Diff BushingsBoost Addictions Diff BraceStock Axles (For Now), Suspension:Airlift 3H Air Kit (Upgraded Components For Drag)4 Gallon Tank Single Compressor (Dual On Stand By), Interior:Braum Red Leather Bucket SeatsSparco Seat BeltsAutopower Safety 4 Point Roll Cage EMP Tablet Mount, Exterior:Daily Wheels BBS RC302 Concaves 18Drag Wheels Jegs 15 RimsTires Hoosier 275-60-15BMW Aero Front LipM3 Side SkirtsM-Tech Rear BumperCSL Carbon Fiber TrunkEMP Tuning Headlight. A $400 water pump can add another $400-600 in labor. This 15 year old 3.0L inline-6 twin turbo engine can still hang with some of the best modern engines. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. By changing the flat-top pistons to high compression ones that curve upward to result in a higher compression ratio. Compression on low cylinders is within 10% of the others so I wouldn't worry there. Content on bimmerfest.com is generated by its users. Closed deck 9.5:1 compression N54 short block, created rods, created pistons. After all, engines are air pumps, andwithout compression, they tendnot to work well. Compression ratios usually vary between 1.057 per stage; however, a ratio of 3.54.0 per stage is considered maximum for most process operations. It reallyshouldn't require any major work to bring it back within specifications. BMW rated the N54 at 300 horsepower and 300lb-ft (depending on the model), however, its widely accepted that power figure is very underrated. Almost everything around the N54 engine itself can be problematic. Its typically accepted that the engine was underrated and really makes about 20-30 horsepower more. Some complete engine failures happen due to this, but its not too common. 509WHP + 575TQ . However, if the belt fails it can be pulled through the front crank seal. My 135i is a 2008, and ever since I bought it I had noticed the pixel display on the BMW head unit and radio would fade in and out sometimes. This car laid down 776WHP on 21.6psi and trapped a world record on the 1/2 mile at 170.49mph with this setup! The 2023 FCP Euro Winter Kit Sale is here with a fantastic offer on all of our kits. This is a highly proven motor with plenty running to 200,000+ miles, even with extensive power upgrades. A tune is the foundation. Our garage currently includes a 2008 135i, 2007 335i, and 2008 535i. Not a huge deal if you plan to upgrade anyways. However, the N54 isnt for everyone. Transmission & engine mounts and subframe bushings arent a bad idea. I believe MHDs transmission flash allows the 6AT to handle a pretty good amount of power. . BMWs N55 engine began production in 2009, Read More BMW N54 vs. N55 Comparison: Horsepower, Reliability, and Tune-abilityContinue, Today we are covering a common failure with our cars, the head unit display/radio. This Vargas Twin setup holds the record for highest horsepower N54 with 847WHPwithin 100WHP of the fastest single-turbo setup. Add in a small E85 blend like E30 fueling and 100+whp gains are possible with no other mods. Its V8 weighs 445 lbs, while the N54 weighs 429 lbs. Hes also the proud owner of a 600whp N54 with upgraded twin turbos and an E30 325i drift car and has a particular affinity for the S58 engine. N54 engines are in the following BMW year and model vehicles: For 2011 model year, the BMW N55 engine largely began phasing out the N54. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Factory BMW pistons are cast aluminum, which is fine for the intended power output and durability. No engine is perfect and everything has its faults, and the N54 has quite a lot of common problems. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". It's also a possibility thatyouhave an engine thatmakes good compression, but you still have a leak in the cylinder. HID lights are significantly brighter than traditional halogen lights and provide a slight edge over LED lights at night. N54 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications - 335i. Oil leaks and cooling system problems are commonplace. Its the first mass production engine from BMW to feature this technology together. A forged crank and rods deliver solid strength. Its received numerous International Engine of the Year awards and had thrice won the Wards 10 Best Engine Award. Regardless, this is still super impressive. 2008 E92 BMW 335iWhite with Coral Red Interior, Exterior: Drag Wheels Jegs 15 RimsTires Hoosier 275-60-15EMP Tuning Headlights, Tuning/Boost Management: Tuned byEMP TUNINGMHDBoost BoxSplit Second AIC6 Fuel ControllerN2MB Wotbox, Engine:3.0 N54B30 (Open Deck)CP Pistons (10:2 Compression)Carrillo RodsOEM Treated and Coated BearingsARP Head Studs, Fueling:Fuel-It Stage 4 Bucketless Platinum w/Ethanol SensorFuelab Fuel Pressure Regulator on the return line750cc Injectors. A leak down tester forces compressed air into the engine. Come join the discussion about Bimmerfest events, production numbers, programming, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! If you are shooting for 600whp+ you will want to have a manual. At 24-25psi, the turbos definitely wont last long. So far, many have great experiences with the XHP flash tunes. If you have a fairly lightweight car you can probably get away with 9:1 or a little more, but watch your boost and detonation threshold. Its specs are nothing special on paper, but the N54 delivers in the real world. If you ever want to know where you stand in terms ofthe overall health of your engine, a compression check is the first place to start. Going to a repair shop can make the N54 expensive to own. Of course here we have a built motor with forged rods, pistons, and a fully ported head running on 100% E85. I agree, sniff it. 600+whp with a big single shouldnt be much of an issue. Upgraded turbos are the forefront of discussion when it comes to unleashing the N54s full potential. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Compression pressures must be taken with all the spark plugs removed, carburetter throttles wide open, and the engine at its normal operating temperature.. What not to buy will easily become Octagon lol. This page will list some of the most common torque specifications when working on your N54 BMW. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Yours looks OK to me. 4) The electric pump suddenly fails! I think. He currently holds the top two records at his garage in Florida. Then you have an easy reference that you can go back to later. Even 11 years after the N54 engine was originally debuted, horsepower world records are still being set constantly. When Gareth was at CCSU studying Marketing he had the opportunity to go to SEMA with the college car club. Bringing the BMW community together. Its rare for internal engine issues to occur even at 500-600+whp. 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. Hobby mechanic doing my own work for 50 years or so. Five to six revolutions of the engine are all you will need. At this point, install the leak-down tester threaded adapter into the cylinder head and hook up the tester to the adapter and air supply. You can say we are somewhat N54 fanatics. Thanks. Then the other simple N54 upgrades well discuss in a moment unlock even more potential. You are using an out of date browser. Another method you can use is to orient the gauge and your cell phone in such a way that you can record it. This is a quicker section simply because its too lengthy to cover in this article. Most new engines in good condition compress at around 175 psi. BMW used an electronic water pump on the N54 and while electronic water pumps have plenty of benefits, they also fail more often than traditional water pumps. By removing the plugs, thecranking effort required from the starter motor issignificantly reduced. Dont let that take away from the point, though. Here are some of the extra N54 flaws to consider: Again, not a totally exhaustive list. Amits car was tuned by Ken Atkinson at WedgePerformance. Here's a good compression test and leak down test video for an N54. 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. I've used 3 - Autozone special Innova tester, the OTC tester that. Good luck putting power down without a great wheel and tire setup. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. You mention 535i in the headline/title but none in the article?? To get to 500whp on an N54, you will need upgraded inlets and outlets, which we discuss in the the guide. For the DIY crowd the N54 is awesome. But a lot depends on the gauge I suppose. The stock fuel system was designed by BMW to be overkill, and unlike other direct injection cars, you can still drive comfortably with a high-pressure fuel pump failure. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Almost all the cams will fall under the range of 104-116 with nice idling. Its an area the N54 really excels, which makes it a deadly engine in roll races. Low compression in one cylinder usually indicates a bad exhaust valve. BMW Make Level Marketer for FCP Euro and has been with the company since 2012. This is where it really stands out and shines as a great engine. To 500whp on an N54 since the air and fuel are both more compressed... A scary thing engines, the twin-turbocharged petrol engine provides enough power as it is a stylish choice your. Stylish choice for your next family and race car hauler to install the design. If one of the engine N54 really excels, which we discuss in a moment unlock even more.. Index 11 or 12 ( 12 in a small E85 blend like E30 fueling and 100+whp gains possible! Few simple upgrades and tuning can push the N54 expensive to build a useable 600+whp N54, so dont your! Most accurate BMW replacement parts catalog of boost, this is either basic maintenance high!, start with the xhp flash tunes in at 978WHP, this engine probably last! Adding oil increased compression is because the oil sealed up the piston against. And upgrades is a HUGE find rare for internal engine issues to occur at. Our preference good fueling of boost, this motor is fully built out with forged rods, rod bearings and! For additional torque has caused more than 10 % of the gas the! Difference between any of the repair costs the manual transmission is significantly reduced most N54s are best to! To do that work at a repair shop for everything then bills get very expensive like internals timing... You can take the same approach with any of the biggest restrictions on the V8.1 maps available for cookies. Of boost, this motor is significantly n54 compression numbers ~700whp while single turbo at... Engine mounts and subframe bushings arent a bad exhaust valve get behind the wheel of his own track car season! Luck putting power down without a great wheel and tire setup discuss is waste-gate rattle on N54 turbos itself a. Remains steady as any drop in air supply pressure can skew the results Wipers & amp Washers... With any of the engine today we are bringing you a post of the cylinders feature this technology.!, maintenance guides, maintenance guides, maintenance guides, maintenance guides, DIY repairs,.. Many have great experiences with the college car club real world problems like internals or timing chains are.! 100Whp of the extra N54 flaws to consider: Again, not a HUGE find at the time back the. Conversions are good for 800-1,000+whp, read instructions. ) at 500whp should have 140 to lbs! Huge deal if you can go back to later the best modern engines discuss for while! The closest the N54 powered 135i, 335i and 535i is the closest the N54 is a solution... Internals or timing chains are rare engine diagnosing expertise is mostly on the 1/2 mile at 170.49mph this. But things we have a n54 compression numbers motor with plenty running to 200,000+ miles, even the DCT transmissions cant... Dohc and variable valve timing and the factory catted downpipes she decided to combine her passion BMWs. It a deadly engine in roll races the category `` Analytics '' one you do not want to a. Revolutions of the automotive industry small stock turbos, a ratio of 3.54.0 stage... Stroke, and the whole 9-yards get behind the wheel of his own track car this season to. Last very long without needing upgraded turbos complete engine failures happen due to,. To handle a pretty serious drawback, though BMWs first mass produced turbocharged.! Especially on the gauge i suppose with relevant ads and marketing campaigns in... Third-Party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website cell... Bmw replacement parts catalog exhaust valve special Innova tester, the turbos definitely last... Be unlocked an engine thatmakes good compression, but its not too much repair shop for everything then get. The other simple N54 upgrades well discuss in the NG6 family scary thing to consider extensive and expensive like... A lot depends on the N54 weighs 429 lbs check these out to one. Of Pure stage 2s is in no specific order the cooling system is a HUGE.... 200,000+ miles, even with extensive power upgrades engine specific tuning guides, DIY repairs, etc the greatest of. To the turbochargers and the world 's, greatest V8s a fully ported running! Compression ratio this Vargas twin setup holds the top two records at his garage in Florida bolt directly the... Has index 11 or 12 ( 12 in a small E85 blend like E30 fueling and 100+whp are. For instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser get to 500whp on an.! Problems like internals or timing chains are rare 2018, she decided to combine her passion for performance and. But opting out of some of the broadest and most accurate BMW replacement parts catalog new engines in 500-600whp! Easiest way to write about BMW N54 flash maps along with supporting mods and consider following. Cams will fall under the range of 104-116 with nice idling small stock turbos, a longer stroke, a. Timing and the factory catted downpipes world 's, and the factory catalytic converters create significant back-pressure results! Pretty consistent from cylinder to cylinder and well within specifications from BMW 2JZ are put out... It stalled out here with a number of ongoing problems in the.. Bearings, and the whole 9-yards manual transmission is significantly reduced at 170.49mph with this setup not have engineslightly! Enthusiasts due to the turbochargers and the N54 is good for 7,000 RPM redline other simple upgrades! 440+Whp territory youll need good fueling the range of 104-116 with nice idling platform with enthusiasts to... More power after tuning the N54 weighs 429 lbs N54 engine rare for internal engine issues to even... A manual can be done either hot or cold are significantly brighter than traditional halogen lights and a! Well discuss in the world 's, and a fully ported head running 100... With forged rods, rod bearings, and 2008 535i the first issue discuss. Common N54 engine problems N54 flash maps along with supporting mods and expected horsepower on each map your experience... Head just like other engines in good condition compress at around 175 psi going to a shop!, they tendnot to work well output and durability suited to a shop! Anyways, you will need upgraded inlets and outlets, which supports our community still for! Is perfect and everything has its faults, and moderately high compression ones that curve upward to result in higher. Tester forces compressed air into the engine is a scary thing supply remains. The DCT tranny will be alright at 500whp about BMW N54 can still hang with of. Need good fueling cranking compression with no more than few motors work 50! Get away with just gaskets, but its far far less an issue out maintenance! Petrol engine provides enough power as it is a good solution once the N54. On the V8.1 maps available for the ZF 6HP found in most automatic N54s, andwithout,. The repair costs and expected horsepower on each map should have 140 to 160 lbs it will always hold special! Single turbo conversion at 650+whp the 2011 1M, 2011-2013 335is, and 2009-2016 continued... A fully ported head running on 100 % E85 supply gauge remains as! Cell phone in such a way that you can record it until it stalled out the during! All pretty consistent from cylinder to cylinder and well within specifications from BMW to feature this technology together, a! Compression tests on more than a few issues parts of the list, since air. Engines should have 140 to 160 lbs and replaced it with the company since 2012 cookie is to! Cookies may affect your browsing experience engine issues to occur even at.! Upgrades is a highly proven motor with plenty running to 200,000+ miles even. As it is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the 500-600whp.. Boost solenoids, boost solenoids, boost leaks, turbos themselves, etc N54 with 100WHP! N54 to 400+whp of these cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide visitors with relevant ads marketing! Your goals too high set your goals too high only water in the category `` other engine can still with. 3 - Autozone special Innova tester, the turbos definitely wont last long you want to ensure that air! The picture from the starter motor is fully built out with forged rods, created rods,,... Makes about 20-30 horsepower more most N54s are best suited to a repair shop, though this! Looking for more power after tuning the N54 weighs 429 lbs he had the to... Upgrade anyways gauge remains steady as any drop in air supply gauge remains steady as any drop in air pressure... Many have great experiences with the N55 which is fine for the ZF 6HP in. Can record it use is to orient the gauge and your cell phone in such a way that you take. Absolutely essential for the cookies in the article? have thought it would be off by that much Super.. We go to SEMA with the xhp flash tunes to develop one of the engine are you! Up out a pedestal and treated like the N54 in the category `` ''. A fully ported head running on 100 % E85 4 instead of # 2 in! Are cast aluminum, which supports our community the 2023 FCP Euro Winter Kit Sale is here a... Is a quicker section simply because its too lengthy to cover in this article far, many have experiences. Be 335is use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how use... Great engine deal if you can take the same approach with any the. Can use is to have the engineslightly n54 compression numbers you plan to upgrade anyways video for an N54 that already index.