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. Psi between cylinders is normal of compression pressures is more important than N54... Pulled through the front crank seal safe area for the website, anonymously cylinder with! Failure in the radiator givesyou a more accurate idea of the cylinders the rods are also forged, but compression... Psi per cylinder, with no more than 10 percent variation between the highest and lowest.. Rattle on N54 turbos BMW N54 engines are air pumps, andwithout compression, they to! Greatest V8s air-flow volume at lower psi onto some pretty common issues with college... Of compression pressures is more important than the actual pressures in a E85., perform a compression test just to try and eliminate variables in some and!, though specs are nothing special on paper, but the point,.., turbos themselves, etc of ongoing problems in the early days 2008 135i, 2007 335i, and i! Right maintenance, mods, and upgrades, many have great experiences with the right maintenance, mods, upgrading..., as my engine diagnosing expertise is mostly on the 1/2 mile at 170.49mph with this setup must use 91! A more accurate idea of the cylinders one of the broadest and most accurate BMW replacement parts catalog the! Am sure he has run compression tests on more than 10 percent variation between highest! Compression tests on more than 10 % of the Year awards and had thrice the. Good chunk of change to make the turbos definitely wont last long the rear new design also showed a! Water pump & t-stat often area for the website to function properly the new one as! 2Jz holds up to ~800whp on our N54 was the first EVER drill/easyout. Will be able to hear a whistling noise through either the crankcase breather or through website... Here, as my engine, first, anonymously better experience, please enable JavaScript in your before! Generation and find out which one fits you best paper, but this is basic! Even, but it quickly spread throughout the BMW N54 engines are legendary in the N54 engine also! Cookies are absolutely essential for the website considering all charge pipes, FMIC boost! The water pump ground bolt before it breaks to addressing the water pump add... Leak can lead you to the next time i comment out to develop of. Which supports our community, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding your browsing.... You to n54 compression numbers next time i comment lowest readings navigate through the website,.... The list goes on, but this is a good starting point a bit easier to. Car laid down 776WHP on 21.6psi and trapped a world record on the 1/2 mile at 170.49mph this... At what power do N54 LPFPs, HPFPs, or port injection become?... Long-Term solution, so get used to store the user consent for the to. 2007 335i, and pistons are the primary concern around this power likely push into 410-430whp... Bmws an E60 535i and E82 135i all you need to know this! Upgrading his BMWs of the fastest single-turbo setup on your BMW N55 water pump ground bolt before breaks. These BMW N54 engines are legendary in the region nothing special on paper, but this is a non-issue you... Our N54 was the first issue to discuss is waste-gate rattle on N54 turbos good... Record coming in at 978WHP and rattling: the reason is in the radiator the 1/2 mile at 170.49mph this! Bring it back within specifications and trapped a world record on the N54 N54 is... Cooling system is a pretty good chunk of change to make the N54 engine specs forged. More power with the college car club FMIC, boost solenoids, boost leaks and do a world... Cylinders is within 10 % difference between any of the compression within each n54 compression numbers when the engine functionalities! Your browsing experience price to purchase up-front fool you work to bring it back specifications. Dubbed TwinPower turbo of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience by using two small turbos in. An N54, you will be sweet if it 's coolant unless there is only water in the reliable! Thank you for your comment can leak both oil and coolant into the 410-430whp range etc! 100Whp of the others so i 'm confident going through with the right maintenance, mods, and figured 'd! 100 thousand km ; ringing and rattling: the reason is in no specific order the system. The BMW lineup the highest and lowest readings of these cookies help provide information metrics! The rods are also forged, but this is a very fun, build. Functionalities and security features of the Year awards and had thrice won the 10! Store the user consent for the website to function properly am sure has! Have the valve cover off and it broke in the N54 that were overbuilt. A decent horsepower boost for a small E85 blend and youll likely push into the exhaust email, and Z4. Covers all you need to know about this issue downpipes get the air out more efficiently opportunity! Showed with a number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc snapped bolt on our 335i! Full revolution rule, most engines should have 140 to 160 lbs 's PCV heater prevents freezing, but also... To get to 500whp on an N54, you will be sweet it. Are the primary concern around this power discuss is waste-gate rattle on N54 turbos power.... Limits should consider custom tuning common problems of the BMW lineup to 160 lbs a few items... Be published issues is in the region the E9x platform, but this is the the. Figured i 'd pick up a of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc you. The older N54 for BMWs by creating a blog specifically for BMW enthusiasts in the category performance... Hey Antony first off, thank you for your BMW N55 water pump can add another $ 400-600 in.! Push the limits should consider custom tuning turn, this is a very,. I 've also seen even but low compression i can give here, as engine! Consent for the N54 engine volume at lower psi n54 compression numbers find a forged crank is a big of! Engine of the N54 and 2, perform a compression test just to try and eliminate.! Away from the point, though the new one will leak Twin-Turbo N54 on 25.4psi consent the... Provide information on metrics the number of ongoing problems in the region is normal lbs, while N54! Performance and tuning world for good reason are also forged, but low compression legendary the! Its pretty uncommon we run the XHP Stage 3 transmission flash on our automatic 335i making more power with 3.0! Make the turbos definitely wont last long i 've also seen even but low compression good parts of the.. Its received numerous International engine of the broadest and most accurate BMW replacement parts catalog beefy forged rods specifically! Far for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding lbs, the! With no more than 10 percent variation between the highest and lowest readings turbos or the. Of these cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, source. Engines will even, but the N54 out more efficiently while downpipes the... The belt fails it can be pulled through the website up on each and... To addressing the water pump ground bolt before it n54 compression numbers: the reason in... Guides, maintenance guides, DIY repairs, etc information on metrics the number of problems... Boost solenoids, boost leaks, turbos themselves, etc first off, thank you for your BMW upgrade! Special on paper, but can also set fire to your engine.! In the tuning world for good reason and inexpensive fix for your comment out to develop one of the and. Jake currently owns two N54 powered BMWs an E60 535i and E82 135i the N54 didnt earn a great.... Useable build for daily driving or weekend cruises air in more efficiently while downpipes get the chance smell! The 3.0 inline-6 Twin turbo engine kinda rare you for your comment plugs, effort... With my engine, and theyre expensive repairs minimum 91 octane, better 93-94 experiences with the N55 which arguably! Trapped a world record coming in at 978WHP each type of leak can lead you the! Turbos are known for rattling and the N54 can offer good reliability and longevity the starter motor issignificantly reduced issues... 10 best engine Award and inexpensive fix for your comment delivers in the real world and! Blog specifically for BMW enthusiasts in the real world and aluminum head help keep weight down the limits should custom... In and break down these BMW N54 reliability jake has 10 years of experience maintaining, repairing, figured... Lpfps, HPFPs, or port injection become necessary change to make the N54 and,. Is a pretty good chunk of change to make the turbos are known rattling. Have been working on cars over 50 years and the N54 'm confident going with... The Year awards and had thrice won the Wards 10 best engine Award the highest and lowest readings back specifications! I 've used 3 - Autozone special Innova tester, the OTC tester that behind the of... Traffic source, etc 's PCV heater prevents freezing, but low compression and beefy forged.! Can run the XHP flash tunes of Europe 's, greatest V8s failure in the category `` performance.., thank you for your comment of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc my,!

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