BMW had produced turbocharged engines in the past such as the M102 and M106, but those engines were limited production and never had successors. Get help answering any questions you have. There we went over those 8 problems in more depth. Buy Laser 4332 Compression Test Adaptor: Windshield Wipers & Washers . The reason for this is that the piston rings expand when warm. The N54 oil pan is fine to simply replace the gasket. Bringing the BMW community together. It's the first mass production engine from BMW to feature this technology together. All those issues aside, the N54 has won five straight International Engine of the Year awards and three straight Wards 10 Best Engines awards. These were brand new turbos replaced by BMW under the extended warranty for waste-gate rattle. Godly expensive for extremely little benefit but would be "neat" Did your OTC compression gauge have the needle at zero when you first got it? 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. I meant, mine did not look like that. . Next Last. Set up a dial indicator so that the dowel or extension touches near the top of the rotation. Definitely a huge improvement, overall. 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. Here are some of our favorites from Europe. Mahle Motorsports N54 pistons are forged for strength, light weight, and low drag to be a modest upgrade over the stock BMW pistons. At what power do N54 LPFPs, HPFPs, or port injection become necessary? The list of mods to push about 375-425whp looks something like this: Again, this is a very simple list. The other unfortunate aspect is that single turbo builds are very expensive. sensors sometimes fail with that kind of age. The standard dyno is a Dynojet and people will discount your numbers if you dyno it on anything else. Fortunately, the engine itself is very strong and reliable even at 500-600+whp. As a rule, most engines should have 140 to 160 lbs. In this article, we discuss everything about the BMW N54 twin turbo engine including problems, reliability, tuning & upgrading, specs, and more. Oil leaks and cooling system problems are commonplace. The rods are also forged, but nothing special. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Proper installation is essential to ensure that your lights do not interfere with other drivers. Intakes help get air in more efficiently while downpipes get the air out more efficiently. OK. Come join the discussion about Bimmerfest events, production numbers, programming, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! This post will cover the various BMW N54 flash maps along with supporting mods and expected horsepower on each map. Its an impressive accomplishment for what it is on paper. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I didn't get the chance to smell the smoke and I now have the valve cover off and it broke in the process. The BMW X5 is a stylish choice for your next family and race car hauler. 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. Better to change immediately with a thermostat, because the age of this little bastard is also short and miserable. Coming in at 978WHP, this is the closest the N54 has come to hitting the 1,000 club. Intake valves should be cleaned every 70,000 to 100,000 miles. Required fields are marked *. Buying a cheap European luxury car can be intimidating. Most of the fastest N54s feature fully built motors and a modification list that will run you well over $50,000. 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. Look into aluminum charge pipe upgrades and maybe add in a BOV for some extra sounds & fun. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our site is dedicated to all things BMW Tuning related. The difference on your compression test reading can vary by the schrader valves pressure rating. The leak-down gauge will show you the percentage of air that is leaking out of the cylinder. 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. Does the white smoke diminish as the engine warms up any? 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. For this, you're going to want to use a dedicated long-reach spark plug socket. 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. After all, engines are air pumps, andwithout compression, they tendnot to work well. Some even fail by 40,000 miles or sooner. This is where it really stands out and shines as a great engine. Toyota 1GZ-FE: Everything You Need To Know, Ford 3.7L V6 Duratec: Everything You Need To Know, Mercedes M273: Everything You Need To Know, Valvetrain: DOHC 24 Valves Dual VANOS. Youll also need expensive port injection upgrades, and other things become more necessary. 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. How do you do a compression test on a BMW? Its an area the N54 really excels, which makes it a deadly engine in roll races. Transmission & engine mounts and subframe bushings arent a bad idea. If you don't have someone toassist youwith the gauge while you're cranking the engine over, don't worry becauseyou can do it yourself. To clear off space on the shelves, we're is bringing you the Winter Garage Sale with our lowest prices of the year. It may not be totally true as of now since there are long-term fixes to some old issues, such as fuel injectors. Poor compression can also have an effect on engine performance inregards to the balance of poweracross each cylinder. What are the limits on the N54 block, pistons, rods, etc? This is a non-issue if you can run the engine, first. Built motors aren't cheap, so we'll call the 2JZ cheaper for the 700-800whp ballpark. Those looking to upgrade turbos or push the limits should consider custom tuning. Then theres the basic maintenance stuff on high mileage models. It should be noted that other NG6 engines use an aluminum-magnesium construction, while the N54 uses a standard aluminum block. Stock gearbox is completely fine at 500whp. Index 12 injectors flow very well and problems are basically unheard of. The two cars above didnt feature any NOS to hit their numbers, so they would likely put down more than this N54 if they had. Even 11 years after the N54 engine was originally debuted, horsepower world records are still being set constantly. My cylinder 3 misfire persisted. As per the N54, the compression ratio is 10.2:1, the bore is 84.0 mm (3.31 in), the stroke is 89.6 mm (3.53 in) and the displacement is 2,979 cc (181.8 cu in). 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. Last up is walnut blasting. Your email address will not be published. Only parts costs are listed above, so consider labor if youre not able or willing to DIY. The entire cooling system can be problematic. The 300hp and 300 lb-ft from the factory may not sound impressive. We are hoping to soon add an F80 M3 and F82 M4 GTS. If you go to a repair shop for everything then bills get very expensive. I am sure he has run compression tests on more than few motors. Then I went out and bought torgue wrenches. Then you can hook those sensors to a computer and data log the compression and leakdown and graph it. Combine that with DOHC and variable valve timing and the N54 is good for 7,000 RPM redline. It does not store any personal data. How does E85 factor into all of this? Do I have to remove all spark plugs to do a compression test? Performing a compressiontest when the engine is cold is generallya less precise approach. When Gareth was at CCSU studying Marketing he had the opportunity to go to SEMA with the college car club. The size of the turbo in this beast will eat your child! Labor is the real killer. 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The new design also showed with a number of ongoing problems in the early days. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our site is dedicated to all things BMW Tuning related. For the DIY crowd the N54 is awesome. Nonetheless, start with the previous mods and consider the following: To push into 440+whp territory youll need good fueling. 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. A lot of N54s already have the updated HPFPs that dont often have problems. See if you can find out if the serpentine belt was recently replaced. Here is a video of their dyno run hitting 919WHP, and a couple highway pulls: 2007 BMW 335iSpace Grey/Coral Red Interior, Engine:Motiv Closed Deck 3.0 N54B30CP Pistons (10:2 Compression)Carrillo RodsOEM Treated and Coated BearingsARP Head StudsPorted and Polished HeadFerrea Valve TrainBFI Solid Engine MountsBimmer Life Ignition Coil SystemNGK 95770 Plugs (.25 Gap), Turbo/Exhaust:You Wish Performance Top Mount Twin Scroll KitT4 DividedBorg Warner SXE36950mm Tial MVS (20lbs. To become a vendor visit: https://bit.ly/ss-vendor-apply. 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. CSF has an all aluminum radiator that is a good solution once the OEM N54 radiator fails. Send it back, amazon is good with returns. - Editor. An aluminum open-deck block and aluminum head help keep weight down. Low compression in one cylinder usually indicates a bad exhaust valve. Manufacturers will only go so far for a customer. Tuning and upgrades is a long topic for the BMW N54 engine. The strength of the bottom end makes the N54 legendary, and its what allows the N54 to reach upwards of 800 horsepower. Plugs are new. Caused by valves not sealing properly due to heat damage and/or carbon build up. Pistons are cast yet remain pretty strong. An N54 that already has index 11 or 12 (12 in a perfect world) is a HUGE find. I plan on addressing the leaks but want to know if you guys would bother??? That said, lets jump in and break down these BMW N54 faults by section. It doesnt typically reduce life-span by too much if at all. dry out. gareth1@fcpeuro.com. Carolina Stone is the founder and lead contributor of carolinasbmwmoa.org, a popular blog dedicated to all things about BMWs. e92 M3 will be about same weight as e92 335i. This Vargas Twin setup holds the record for highest horsepower N54 with 847WHPwithin 100WHP of the fastest single-turbo setup. If youre looking for big power and adding port injection fueling upgrades then its less an issue. The N54 can and often does last 200,000+ miles if youre willing to spend enough money. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It will always hold a special place for its accomplishments, especially on the excellent E chassis. BMW began phasing out the N54 in 2009 and replaced it with the N55 which is arguably worse than the N54. Cars like the M3 were known and loved for their high-revving naturally aspirated engines which made you work hard for the power. Zach is highly knowledgeable about all things BMW, but his expertise in tuning and performance mods sets him apart. Some dont even last that long, though. Injectors, turbos, oil leaks, and cooling system issues are just a few reliability issues. On modest boost an FMIC isnt required, but its a good N54 upgrade for consistent performance. . 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. he can be reached at Check out our video below on common N54 engine problems. Thanks for your reply. Item model number 4332 : Manufacturer Part Number LAS4332 : Additional Information. 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. For this, you're going to want to use a dedicated long-reach spark plug socket. You can say we are somewhat N54 fanatics. Unlike the N52, N53, and the N55, the N54 does not use BMW's Valvetronic system; instead it uses BMW's Dual VANOS system. He'll be chronicling the entire project right here on our blog, from buying it to repairing it, and eventually, tracking it. test at 230ft above sea level on a . In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. You will be able to hear a whistling noise through either the crankcase breather or through the dipstick tube. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". However, that didnt stop the N54 from becoming a legendary performance and tuning engine. Most engines drive the water pump with a serpentine belt. I believe MHDs transmission flash allows the 6AT to handle a pretty good amount of power. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You must log in or register to reply here. Its probably a bit less common than the other cooling system problems, but it does happen. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The nice part about this test is that the leaking aironly has a few places escape from. A few mostly non-issues include: The N54 still earns a great rep in the tuning and upgrades world for good reason, though. I think you're on the right track. We post engine specific tuning guides, maintenance guides, DIY repairs, etc. The N54 didnt earn a great reputation in the tuning world for being a crap engine from top to bottom. 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. of cranking compression with no more than 10% difference between any of the cylinders. XHP makes transmission flashes for the ZF 6HP found in most automatic N54s. Even new turbos are prone to rattle. Made from aircraft grade aluminum to ensure reliability. No, the N54 does not offer good reliability. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Water pumps often fail in the 60,000 to 100,000 mile ballpark. Lots to talk about on the tool front. I have checked the serpentine belt and it is all there with no tears or breaks. Inside the N54 youll find a forged crankshaft and beefy forged rods. 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. It may not display this or other websites correctly. It can be reliable with the right maintenance, mods, and upgrades. From an enthusiast standpoint, there are few engines today that can offer a similar return on the dollar in terms of modifications. I agree, sniff it. carolinasbmwmoa.org quickly gained a following, and Carolina now leads a team of contributors who share their experiences and knowledge about BMWs. HID lights are significantly brighter than traditional halogen lights and provide a slight edge over LED lights at night. However, some things arent absolutely required. Its a lot easier to say whats not a problem than it is to go over the laundry list of issues. Carolina has been a BMW enthusiast since she first got her driver's license. The 30FF BMW fault code is one you do not want to see on your BMW. And a shout-out to EMP Tuning for building the two fastest N54s in the world. The N54 engine is largely behind the origination of this blog. Want to take things even further? Here are some of the extra N54 flaws to consider: Again, not a totally exhaustive list. The list goes on, but the point remains. For example, a $50 oil pan gasket can run about $600-1,000 in labor. Can you do a compression test on a cold engine? By removing the plugs, the cranking effort required from the starter motor is significantly reduced. The DCT transmissions just cant handle the torque that a manual can. The engine must be at top dead center during this test as a compression leaktypically occurs at TDC when thehighest cylinder pressure occurs. This page will list some of the most common torque specifications when working on your N54 BMW. A proper tune and besides that, you should be prepared to change spark plugs and coils if misfires occur. BMW offered an extended warranty for 8 years and 82,000 miles for this problem. As you can imagine, this motor is fully built out with forged rods, pistons, and the whole 9-yards. Hey Antony first off, thank you for your comment. Compression is everything in an enginepoor compression can cause misfiresas well as poor ignition. Hello everyone I am curious what compression numbers should be on the n54 Also, only the coils and plugs need to be removed correct? Its just everything around the engine that brings down BMW N54 reliability. - You must use minimum 91 octane, better 93-94. 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. 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. Boost solenoids go bad sometimes, but its not terribly common. N54 might never reach the status the 2JZ has gained over the years, but with the single turbo N54s being built, we shall see! Occurs during a cold start; 509WHP + 575TQ . For the average street motor you should stay in the 8 to 8.5:1 range. Mix in a small E85 blend and youll likely push into the 410-430whp range. Then there are the fuel injectors. What are acceptable compression readings? It then made its way into a handful of other models including the 135i, 535i, and Z4. The lower reading from the "China" tester doesn't mean it wasn't accurate. Its also time to consider extensive and expensive upgrades like a built motor. Go. JavaScript is disabled. Now 500whp and 120k+ miles on the DCT and you will probably start slipping and need to replace the internal components. In turn,this givesyou a more accurate idea of the compression within each cylinder when the engine is at operating temperatures. . By removing the plugs, thecranking effort required from the starter motor issignificantly reduced. I think a set of Pure stage 2s is in my near future. My case is likely an anomoly, however, this is an example that the stock turbos can let go at any time in the 20+PSI range. The dreams of setting an N54 world record are probably very far out of sight for just about every one that is reading this. Alright maybe theyre not truly endless. Lets lay out a good progression in terms of upgrading the BMW N54 engine. Of course here we have a built motor with forged rods, pistons, and a fully ported head running on 100% E85. - You are limited in achieving engine tuning power gains ( max 400hp @ crank, my estimation and my goal ) 9.4:1. In this section were considering all charge pipes, FMIC, boost solenoids, boost leaks, turbos themselves, etc. Peak power and torque numbers were officially rated at 302hp at 5,800 rpm and 295lb-ft of torque at 1,400-5,000 rpm; however, tests have found that these numbers were lower than what the engine actually produced. Check these out to see just how in-depth we go to make them. You are using an out of date browser. I was just thinkingyou could rig up two HPFP Pressure Sensors in place of the gauges on a leakdown tester. Head gaskets dont leak. If youre at all a stickler for having a clean dash like I am, it will drive you nuts. The N54 is part of the NG6 BMW engine family. Piggyback vs. BMW E90 335i with N54 engines (2006), MINI, Mercedes-Benz M156 (AMG engine manufactured from 2006), Peugeot 207 and 307, Renault 12 16 valve . While the above list of issues is in no specific order the cooling system is a good starting point. The first step in performing a compression test is removing all spark plugs from the engine. No engine is perfect and everything has its faults, and the N54 has quite a lot of common problems. 847WHP + 726TQ - Vargas Twin-Turbo N54 on 25.4psi. 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. Turbo longevity also becomes a concern. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. 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. It's a new year, and that means new inventory. Compression height: 31.7mm. 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 Some expensive issues like N54 turbos or fuel injectors are likely best to address when problems actually happen. 1) Injectors fail; dying mainly due to poor fuel quality and traffic in traffic jams. You can also run both for the best performance. Ive considered an f10 M5 or even the 2010 X5M for the power handling of the s63. An aluminum open-deck block is far from ideal for high power and boost. BMW N54 Engine Specs A forged crank and rods deliver solid strength. BMW initially launched the N54 in the E9x platform, but it quickly spread throughout the BMW lineup. 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. The first step in performing a compression test is removing all spark plugs from the engine. It varies on a case-by-case basis, but well do our best to give a general ballpark. 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. I've followed up with a leakdown using the OTC tester: I want the tools sub-forum! BMW N54 rods, bearings, pistons, and cranks dont have issues. The high-pressure fuel pump is known for failing and BMW ended up with a class action lawsuit against them for the issue. A tune is the foundation to making more power with the 3.0 inline-6 twin turbo engine. Anyways, you likely got the picture from the above engine problems discussion and summary. 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.

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