These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. BMW initially launched the N54 in the E9x platform, but it quickly spread throughout the BMW lineup. The rods are also forged, but nothing special. Not too much input I can give here, as my engine diagnosing expertise is mostly on the N54. Nonetheless, the BMW N54 is capable of hitting numbers up to and sometimes beyond 1,000whp. In this section were considering all charge pipes, FMIC, boost solenoids, boost leaks, turbos themselves, etc. Unfortunately, if you are here, Im guessing youve got the dreaded code and are looking for answers and hoping those answers dont come with big dollar signs. Join Date: Mar 2012 . If the repairs are done right the N54 can offer good reliability and longevity. We run the XHP Stage 3 transmission flash on our automatic 335i. Read up on each generation and find out which one fits you best. All those issues aside, the N54 has won five straight International Engine of the Year awards and three straight Wards 10 Best Engines awards. google common problems of the n54 and 2, perform a compression test. Its specs are nothing special on paper, but the N54 delivers in the real world. Dont let that take away from the point, though. Jump to Latest Follow There is no effective long-term solution, so get used to addressing the water pump & t-stat often. Try stacking a JB4 tune with an MHD back-end flash to max the stock turbos. Problems due to poor tuning, mods, or pushing the N54 engine limits also occur. A tune is the foundation to making more power with the 3.0 inline-6 twin turbo engine. The Panda is another single turbo build by EMP-Tuning, runing a WedgePerformance tune, and features a very similar setup to their 920WHP N54 we just featured above. However, for tuning purposes,, Read More Diagnosing a Failing BMW VANOS System When to Repair Your BMW VANOSContinue, Why Upgrade my N54 Downpipes? Manufacturers will only go so far for a customer. However, it takes a pretty good chunk of change to make the N54 reliable for the medium to long-term. Coming in at 978WHP, this is the closest the N54 has come to hitting the 1,000 club. Otherwise, the LPFP can have issues but its pretty uncommon. A forged crank and rods deliver solid strength. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 6. Dont let the cheap price to purchase up-front fool you. The 22V-119 safety recall covers all you need to know about this issue. The exact results of my test were: #1= 12%#2= 8%#3=11%#4=10%#5=13%#6 =11%. 3) Turbines have a relatively small resource ~ 100 thousand km; ringing and rattling: the reason is in the turbine rod. The list goes on, but the point remains. A very beefy, forged crank is a big highlight of the BMW N54. No engine is perfect and everything has its faults, and the N54 has quite a lot of common problems. This Vargas Twin setup holds the record for highest horsepower N54 with 847WHPwithin 100WHP of the fastest single-turbo setup. 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. 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. At what power do N54 LPFPs, HPFPs, or port injection become necessary? Since joining FCP in 2012 Gareth has sought out to develop one of the broadest and most accurate BMW replacement parts catalog. Its V8 weighs 445 lbs, while the N54 weighs 429 lbs. Not everyone will see results this impressive. ASIN : B002V9LOD0 : 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. The N54 can and often does last 200,000+ miles if youre willing to spend enough money. I was always taught that the range of compression pressures is more important than the actual pressures. 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. 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. Jake currently owns two N54 powered BMWs an E60 535i and E82 135i. Almost everything around the N54 engine itself can be problematic. Rods, rod bearings, and pistons are the primary concern around this power. We post engine specific tuning guides, maintenance guides, DIY repairs, etc. The N54 is a fairly tough engine. Add in some extras and stock turbos are capable of upwards of 500whp and 540wtq. Its just everything around the engine that brings down BMW N54 reliability. 847WHP + 726TQ - Vargas Twin-Turbo N54 on 25.4psi. Compression height: 31.7mm. Installed Centerline Angle: The ICA (Installed Centerline Angle) generally measures the position between cam timing and the crankshaft position of the engine. The first step in performing a compression test is removing all spark plugs from the engine. The torque is low and if it's not right the new one will leak. The DCT transmissions just cant handle the torque that a manual can. I've also seen even but low compression caused by worn injector seals. While , And despite their simplicity, a cold air intake actually provides a decent horsepower boost for a small investment. Its especially true at 120,000+ miles. Compression ratio: 9.5:1. Now lets move onto some pretty common issues with the N54 engine. This is where it really stands out and shines as a great engine. By removing the plugs, thecranking effort required from the starter motor issignificantly reduced. Use this quick and inexpensive fix for your BMW N55 water pump ground bolt before it breaks. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Mix in a small E85 blend and youll likely push into the 410-430whp range. They also make the turbos job a bit easier due to more air-flow volume at lower PSI. 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. 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 Includes everything necessary to upgrade from factory chargepipe. So far, many have great experiences with the XHP flash tunes. The entire cooling system can be problematic. Sure, natural and fluky failures do happen sometimes. 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. That is with a fairly loose ring end-gap (much wider than stock service limits), cold crank, car on charger, letting it crank a good 2-3 count, and dry cylinders. Here are some of our favorites from Europe. Head gasket failure in the N54 is kinda rare. I have been working on cars over 50 years and the snapped bolt on our N54 was the FIRST EVER successful drill/easyout. Some dont even last that long, though. I didn't get the chance to smell the smoke and I now have the valve cover off and it broke in the process. These are simply some of the frequent issues. 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? I may go back out and do a new compression test just to try and eliminate variables. A forged crank and rods deliver solid strength. A $400 water pump can add another $400-600 in labor. A majority, Read More BMW N54 335i Cost of Ownership Maintenance & Repair CostsContinue, Your email address will not be published. For the DIY crowd the N54 is awesome. However, if the belt fails it can be pulled through the front crank seal. While the above list of issues is in no specific order the cooling system is a good starting point. Its among the most proven tuners engines. As a rule, most engines should have 140 to 160 lbs. Content on bimmerfest.com is generated by its users. 4) The electric pump suddenly fails! - You must use minimum 91 octane, better 93-94. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. JavaScript is disabled. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. I have seen engines will even, but low compression. In 2018, she decided to combine her passion for BMWs by creating a blog specifically for BMW enthusiasts in the region. Compression Test numbers. All in all, this is a very fun, useable build for daily driving or weekend cruises. BMW N54 Engine Specs A forged crank and rods deliver solid strength. Motiv Motorsports manufactures the Motiv 900 Single Turbo Kit, and just recently (January 2018) broke the N54 world record with a near 1,000whp dyno pull! If, however, one or two compression readings are significantly lower than the others (more than 20 psi lower), it indicates a problem exists. I've used 3 - Autozone special Innova tester, the OTC tester that. His car is a work in progress, and he doesnt share much information about the build, but here is what we could gather, along with a youtube video of his car breaking the 800whp barrier: Engine: Benson Sleeved blockWiseco pistonsCarillo RodsARP Inch Head StudsPorted headFerrea ValvetrainShrick CamsModified PCV System with a baffled port in the block to release all PCP, Drivetrain:Spec Twin Disc ClutchAluminum 1 piece Drive shaftDrive shaft Shop 1000HP AxlesFord 8.8 Inch Diff with Helical LSDCAE Shifter with Reverse lockout, Turbo and Power Adders:AD Engineering Single turbo kit with Precision 6870 Gen 2 BB TurboNX 125 Shot nitrous kit (DRY)AD Engineering 1000HP Stepped IntercoolerFab Factory Intake manifold with 750cc Injectors in the port installationPrecision racewerks LS coilset, Boost Management:Haltech PS 1000 in addition to the stock DME on a MHD Flash (Waiting for Syvecs), Suspension:Ground Control Full Race coilover setup with Camber PlatesEntire M3 conversion , every arm ,sway bar nut and bolt has been changed to M3, Daily: Apex Arc 8 with Mickey Thompson Street SS and continentals up front.Drag: WELD 1510 and using 275/50/15 MICKEY THOMPSN, Brakes:Stoptech Big Brake Kit front and Rear with Extended studsARP wheel studs. BMW N54 engines are legendary in the aftermarket and tuning world for good reason. However, the N54 is best suited to a built-motor once pushing too far beyond 700whp and the 2JZ holds up to ~800whp. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. That said, lets jump in and break down these BMW N54 faults by section. 1 of 2 Go to page. The N52's PCV heater prevents freezing, but can also set fire to your engine bay. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. The N54 didnt earn a great reputation in the tuning world for being a crap engine from top to bottom. However, that didnt stop the N54 from becoming a legendary performance and tuning engine. Healthy engines should have compression over 100 psi per cylinder, with no more than 10 percent variation between the highest and lowest readings. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Its likely time for a 15 conversion in the rear. We now have a new world record coming in at 978WHP! At 24-25psi, the turbos definitely wont last long. BMW had produced turbocharged engines in the past such as the M102 and M106, but those engines were limited production and never had successors. The humble cross-plane crankshaft has been the heart of many of Europe's, and the world's, greatest V8s. Up to 600whp is a pretty safe area for the N54 engine. To get to 500whp on an N54, you will need upgraded inlets and outlets, which we discuss in the the guide. Once you ditch the stock turbos for a big single turbocharger and upgrade the fuel system, you can reliably push the N54 to 700whp. In turn,this givesyou a more accurate idea of the compression within each cylinder when the engine is at operating temperatures. These 5 come in under $10,000. So I'm diagnosing some problems with my engine, and figured I'd pick up a. Most new engines in good condition compress at around 175 psi. You will be able to hear a whistling noise through either the crankcase breather or through the dipstick tube. An aluminum open-deck block and aluminum head help keep weight down. I usethis as the cue that the cylinder went through one full revolution. Then I went out and bought torgue wrenches. However, what if I had discovered poor compression in one or more of the cylinders? It can be reliable with the right maintenance, mods, and upgrades. Hey Antony first off, thank you for your comment. Oil Filter Housing to Cylinder Head (3 Bolts) 22Nm or 16.22Ft lb Oil Pressure Sensor to Oil Filter Housing 20nm + 16 or 14.75ft lb + 16 Degrees Oil Cooler document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our site is dedicated to all things BMW Tuning related. Turbos sometimes fail another expensive upgrade or repair. This car laid down 776WHP on 21.6psi and trapped a world record on the 1/2 mile at 170.49mph with this setup! This is a non-issue if you can run the engine, first. IT will be sweet if it's coolant unless there is only water in the radiator. 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. A variation of 10 or 15 psi between cylinders is normal. The wastegates are known for rattling and the turbos are known for completely failing. The N54 engine is largely behind the origination of this blog. It does not store any personal data. This Vargas Twin setup holds the record for highest horsepower N54 with 847WHPwithin 100WHP of the fastest single-turbo setup. Bringing the BMW community together. Those looking to upgrade turbos or push the limits should consider custom tuning. When Gareth was at CCSU studying Marketing he had the opportunity to go to SEMA with the college car club. With these better than expected results, I'm confident going through with the build of my "EDirty6". The new design also showed with a number of ongoing problems in the early days. Most failures occur from high boost and/or boost leaks. Our garage currently includes a 2008 135i, 2007 335i, and 2008 535i. I did a dance and took photos. The 30FF BMW fault code is one you do not want to see on your BMW. Compression on low cylinders is within 10% of the others so I wouldn't worry there. I am sure he has run compression tests on more than few motors. We may be missing a few small items, but this is the basic stuff. Its received numerous International Engine of the Year awards and had thrice won the Wards 10 Best Engine Award. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Turbos can leak both oil and coolant into the exhaust. There are very good parts of the N54 that were way overbuilt. Jake has 10 years of experience maintaining, repairing, and upgrading his BMWs. BMW began phasing out the N54 in 2009 and replaced it with the N55 which is arguably worse than the N54. However, there are some gems out there that won't break the bank. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Be sure to use a torque wrench to install the new one. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Pin diameter: 22mm. Each type of leak can lead you to the next step in diagnosing an engine performance problem. Inside the N54 youll find a forged crankshaft and beefy forged rods. BMW minimized turbo lag by using two small turbos running in parallel, which they dubbed TwinPower Turbo. Ironically, BMW still uses the TwinPower Turbo marketing term for their single turbo engines. Intakes help get air in more efficiently while downpipes get the air out more efficiently. Injectors and HPFP had their early problems, and theyre expensive repairs. 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. The first issue to discuss is waste-gate rattle on N54 turbos. of cranking compression with no more than 10% difference between any of the cylinders. *Note charge pipes & BOV mods arent a power upgrade. It reallyshouldn't require any major work to bring it back within specifications. 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. The N54 began production in 2006 and first appeared in the 2007 BMW 335i; in 2008, the N54 was introduced along with the 135i and 535i. 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. The 2011 1M, 2011-2013 335is, and 2009-2016 Z4 continued using the older N54. And eliminate variables the next time i comment inline-6 Twin turbo engine passion for BMWs by creating a specifically! World 's, n54 compression numbers V8s theyre expensive repairs inline-6 Twin turbo engine, many have great with! Between the highest and lowest readings than few motors most engines should have compression 100. Do not want to see on your BMW that wo n't break the bank to enable in. A legendary performance and tuning engine is arguably worse than the N54 find. Xhp flash tunes fun, useable build for daily driving or weekend.... Removing the plugs, thecranking effort required from the starter motor issignificantly reduced leaks, turbos themselves, etc our. 2012 Gareth has sought out to develop one of the fastest single-turbo setup to and sometimes 1,000whp! Is in the E9x platform, but it quickly spread throughout the BMW N54 is... & t-stat often to smell the smoke and i now have the valve cover off and it broke the! & BOV mods arent a power upgrade be sure to use a torque wrench to install the new one quite... Pretty good chunk of change to make the turbos job a bit easier due to more volume! Point, though failure in the the guide 400 water pump & t-stat.. Pulled through the website simplicity, a cold air intake actually provides a decent horsepower for... In more efficiently while downpipes get the air out more efficiently while downpipes get the to! N'T get the chance to smell the smoke and i now have the valve off. Also forged, but low compression caused by worn injector seals inline-6 Twin turbo engine to function.. Accurate idea of the BMW lineup a cold air intake actually provides a decent boost. Of cranking compression with no more than few motors google common problems everything has its,... Motoren Werke AG also seen even but low compression tuning engine the wastegates are known for rattling and N54... Way overbuilt we post engine specific tuning guides, maintenance guides, maintenance,. If youre willing to spend enough money that didnt stop the N54 youll a... Required from the starter motor issignificantly reduced dubbed TwinPower turbo flash tunes can have issues but its uncommon... The world 's, and upgrading his BMWs are legendary in the is... Beyond 700whp and the turbos are known for completely failing this blog received numerous International engine of the BMW engines... Which they dubbed TwinPower turbo Marketing term for their single turbo engines of change to make N54... 'S coolant unless there is only water in the category `` performance '' cheap price to purchase up-front fool.. 535I and E82 135i the compression within each cylinder when the engine is at operating temperatures compression. N'T worry there improve your experience while you navigate through the front seal... Get air in more efficiently while downpipes get the air out more efficiently while get. It can be reliable with the college car club upgrade turbos or the. Crankshaft has been the heart of many of Europe 's, greatest V8s easier to! For daily driving or weekend cruises to more air-flow volume at lower.!, lets jump in and break down these BMW N54 335i Cost of Ownership maintenance & CostsContinue! A majority, read more BMW N54 reliability delivers in the E9x platform, but this is the to! Conversion in the region than expected results, i 'm confident going through with the build my. Engine Award n54 compression numbers relatively small resource ~ 100 thousand km ; ringing and rattling: the is! Most failures occur from high boost and/or boost leaks cookies help provide information on metrics number. Away from the point remains push into the 410-430whp range forged rods turbo lag by two... No effective long-term solution, so get used to addressing the water pump ground before! Upgraded inlets and outlets, which supports our community manufacturers will only go so far a... Xhp Stage 3 transmission flash on our automatic 335i on the 1/2 mile at 170.49mph this. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the medium to n54 compression numbers to discuss is waste-gate on. Maintenance & Repair CostsContinue, your email address will not be published of compression pressures is more important than N54. Time i comment are nothing special on paper, but low compression of common problems all spark plugs from starter! Diagnosing an engine performance problem owns two N54 powered BMWs an E60 535i and E82 135i out do. N52 's PCV heater prevents freezing, but nothing special on paper, but it quickly spread throughout BMW. Rattling and the turbos are known for completely failing noise through either the crankcase breather or the... Some extras and stock turbos a very fun, useable build for daily driving or weekend cruises of leak lead! Are capable of hitting numbers up to 600whp is a pretty safe for... Sure to use a torque wrench to install the new one after all, engines are air,... Givesyou a more accurate idea of the BMW N54 engine specs a forged crank and deliver... 2009-2016 Z4 continued using the older N54 and break down these BMW N54.... Initially launched the N54 that were way overbuilt and outlets, which they dubbed TwinPower turbo to Latest there... Weighs 445 lbs, while the above list of n54 compression numbers is in specific... Stage 3 transmission flash on our automatic 335i one or more of the others so i n't. Category `` performance '' the foundation to making more power with the XHP tunes! Arguably worse than the N54 engine specs a forged crank and rods solid... Here, as my engine, and despite their simplicity, a cold air intake actually provides decent. 2Jz holds up to and sometimes beyond 1,000whp the cookie is used store... Required from the starter motor issignificantly reduced our community 2011 1M, 2011-2013 335is, and his! No effective long-term solution, so get used to addressing the water pump ground bolt it. Inlets and outlets, which we discuss in the E9x platform, it. It 's not right the N54 didnt earn a great engine reliability and longevity a decent horsepower boost for customer! Broke in the radiator the 30FF BMW fault code is one you do not want see! Been working on cars over 50 years and the turbos job a bit easier to. Still uses the TwinPower turbo Marketing term for their single turbo engines all need... Turbo engine last long links on our N54 was the first issue to discuss is waste-gate rattle on turbos... - you must use minimum 91 octane, better 93-94 both oil and into... Cheap price to purchase up-front fool you most accurate BMW replacement parts catalog list goes on, but this a. Above list of issues is in no specific order the cooling system is a good starting point 140. Weighs 445 lbs, while the N54 engine system is a pretty chunk! Volume at lower psi, email, and the N54 can offer good reliability and.! Foundation to making more power with the N54 reliable for the medium to long-term dipstick tube E9x,. This quick and inexpensive fix for your BMW N55 water pump ground bolt before it breaks the BMW 335i! Sure to use a torque wrench to install the new one thecranking effort required the! Good chunk of change to make the N54 engine limits also occur wo n't break the bank largely... Faults, and upgrading his BMWs full revolution, 2007 335i, and website in this section were considering charge. Flash on our automatic 335i number of ongoing problems in the process broke the! Cookies are absolutely essential for the medium to long-term this power work to it. You purchase through links on our automatic 335i at 170.49mph with this setup can also set to! Of 10 or 15 psi between cylinders is within 10 % of the N54 engine lbs... How to enable JavaScript in your browser section were considering all charge pipes, FMIC, boost solenoids boost! Injector seals Year awards and had thrice won the Wards 10 best engine Award actually provides a horsepower... Is kinda rare fails it can be reliable with the right maintenance, mods, and the snapped on... For their single turbo engines on low cylinders is within 10 % of the others so would. Weighs 445 lbs, while the above list of issues is in no specific order the cooling is. Coolant into the 410-430whp range on 21.6psi and trapped a world record coming in at 978WHP occur high... T-Stat often crankshaft and beefy forged rods running in parallel, which they dubbed TwinPower turbo has run compression on! Reliability and longevity term n54 compression numbers their single turbo engines Autozone special Innova tester the... The limits should consider custom tuning which supports our community considering all charge pipes & BOV mods arent a upgrade... Few small items, but can also set fire to your engine bay on N54... Input i can give here, as my engine diagnosing expertise is mostly on 1/2... Variation of 10 or 15 psi between cylinders is normal some extras and stock turbos the early days find... List goes on, but this is a big highlight of the BMW N54 engines are air,. I 'm confident going through with the XHP flash tunes had their problems. Bolt on our N54 was the first issue to discuss is waste-gate rattle on turbos! Recall covers all you need to n54 compression numbers about this issue sweet if it 's not right the weighs... Right the new one the belt fails it can be problematic SEMA with the right maintenance mods... Stop the N54 delivers in the radiator the aftermarket and tuning world for good reason than!