Here are some of the extra N54 flaws to consider: Again, not a totally exhaustive list. A very beefy, forged crank is a big highlight of the BMW N54. We may be missing a few small items, but this is the basic stuff. What are the limits of the stock N54 fueling system? The other unfortunate aspect is that single turbo builds are very expensive. In turn,this givesyou a more accurate idea of the compression within each cylinder when the engine is at operating temperatures. Who would have thought it would be off by that much Super post. If you are shooting for 600whp+ you will want to have a manual. When divingdeeper into theoverall health of your engine, youneed to perform a leak-down test as well. Despite its reputation as a strong factory motor, upgrading to a big, Read More BMW N54 Upgraded Twin Turbo GuideContinue. Sure, natural and fluky failures do happen sometimes. It turns out a simple process issued by BMW is the fix. Boost solenoids go bad sometimes, but its not terribly common. Piston crown volume: -21.5cc. e92 M3 will be about same weight as e92 335i. However, it takes a pretty good chunk of change to make the N54 reliable for the medium to long-term. A lot of the stuff around the engine is problematic, but the actual engine itself isnt a major concern. Thats where knocking out preventative maintenance with overlap in labor is hugely important to save money. 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. Both the compression test and the leak-down test are complementary to one another and should becompleted togethergive you the complete picture. Ive considered an f10 M5 or even the 2010 X5M for the power handling of the s63. All those issues aside, the N54 has won five straight International Engine of the Year awards and three straight Wards 10 Best Engines awards. Again, random failures do happen but thats true of any engine. Amits car was tuned by Ken Atkinson at WedgePerformance. The 2023 FCP Euro Winter Kit Sale is here with a fantastic offer on all of our kits. The N54 is part of the NG6 BMW engine family. Add in some extras and stock turbos are capable of upwards of 500whp and 540wtq. Is a brake light and running light the same? They still fail sometimes, but its far far less an issue then in the early days. Intakes help get air in more efficiently while downpipes get the air out more efficiently. It uses an aluminum block and aluminum head just like other engines in the NG6 family. It can get expensive to build a useable 600+whp N54, so dont set your goals too high. If you want a more reliable N54 then its a good idea to do a lot of this as preventative maintenance. I can only speak for the results I got on my built motor which reads right around ~200-210psi. google common problems of the n54 and 2, perform a compression test. Lastly theres the electric cooling fan that is also prone to failing. Zach is a BMW enthusiast with a passion for performance. 6. Low compression in two adjacent cylinders typically means you have a bad head gasket. 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. The exact results of my test were: #1= 12%#2= 8%#3=11%#4=10%#5=13%#6 =11%. Since joining FCP in 2012 Gareth has sought out to develop one of the broadest and most accurate BMW replacement parts catalog. carolinasbmwmoa.org quickly gained a following, and Carolina now leads a team of contributors who share their experiences and knowledge about BMWs. My cylinder 3 misfire persisted. Our garage currently includes a 2008 135i, 2007 335i, and 2008 535i. Low compression in one cylinder usually indicates a bad exhaust valve. What do you guys think about the N54, is it as legendary as the JZ or RB engines? 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. This is a material usually reserved for racing and other "heavy duty" turbo applications. The 30FF code will usually read DME: Turbocharger, charge-air pressure too low. done stone cold, fuel pump fuse was pulled night before and car ran until it stalled out. No such issues after flashing. I have been working on cars over 50 years and the snapped bolt on our N54 was the FIRST EVER successful drill/easyout. 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. With over 200 automotive articles published, Jake brings a balance of writing skill, hands-on BMW experience, and technical knowledge to the table. However, there are a number of BMW N54 gaskets prone to leaking oil. More on that in a moment. Too many factors go into the cost of owning an N54 to give a perfect number. Not everyone will see results this impressive. 847WHP + 726TQ - Vargas Twin-Turbo N54 on 25.4psi. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The 30FF BMW fault code is one you do not want to see on your BMW. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. He'll be chronicling the entire project right here on our blog, from buying it to repairing it, and eventually, tracking it. There's nothing more frustrating than having to stop half way through your compression test to charge your battery. Index 12 injectors flow very well and problems are basically unheard of. The high-pressure fuel pump is known for failing and BMW ended up with a class action lawsuit against them for the issue. The engine must be at top dead center during this test as a compression leaktypically occurs at TDC when thehighest cylinder pressure occurs. Versions [ edit] N55B30M0 [ edit] Applications: 2009-2017 F10/F11/F07 535i 2010-2013 E90/E91/E92/E93 335i 2010-2013 E82/E88 135i 2010-2017 F25 X3 xDrive35i 2011-2013 E70 X5 xDrive 35i The tests across all six were: #1= 200 PSI#2= 200 PSI#3= 210 PSI#4= 195 PSI#5= 195 PSI#6= 205 PSI. Sometimes it was perfectly fine, other times you couldnt make out, Read More BMW Head Unit Display Failure (E90-E93, E82, E88) Faded Pixel Display FixedContinue, In our general MHD post we discussed some of the basics of the MHD tuning app and installation. Theyre usually tired after 100,000+ miles, but may still run for a while. You will be able to hear a whistling noise through either the crankcase breather or through the dipstick tube. No, the N54 does not offer good reliability. That said, lets jump in and break down these BMW N54 faults by section. 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 engine utilizes a twin turbo, direct gasoline injection design. The 2618 is a low silicon and high expansion material with better . The new design also showed with a number of ongoing problems in the early days. Unlike the N52, N53, and the N55, the N54 does not use BMW's Valvetronic system; instead it uses BMW's Dual VANOS system. 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. Intake valves should be cleaned every 70,000 to 100,000 miles. Here, we will simply list out a holistic list of frequent N54 failures with less analysis on each. Other great off-the-shelf tuning options like MHD flash tunes are a good choice, too. 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. The twin turbo 3.0L inline-6 direct injection engine was a totally new direction for BMW at the time. However, what if I had discovered poor compression in one or more of the cylinders? The N55 is objectively good, but there have been a series of unexplained failures in recent years. The N52's PCV heater prevents freezing, but can also set fire to your engine bay. At 24psi of boost, this engine probably wont last very long without needing upgraded turbos. There are very good parts of the N54 that were way overbuilt. A forged crank and rods deliver solid strength. Compression pressures must be taken with all the spark plugs removed, carburetter throttles wide open, and the engine at its normal operating temperature.. Jake has 10 years of experience maintaining, repairing, and upgrading his BMWs. Compression is everything in an enginepoor compression can cause misfiresas well as poor ignition. See what the wealthiest enthusiasts spent their money on to get the car of their dreams back in the 80s. You must log in or register to reply here. I've also seen even but low compression caused by worn injector seals. You can take the same approach with any of the list. A variation of 10 or 15 psi between cylinders is normal. 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. From an enthusiast standpoint, there are few engines today that can offer a similar return on the dollar in terms of modifications. Even 11 years after the N54 engine was originally debuted, horsepower world records are still being set constantly. I know a ton of people have been waiting for our upgraded turbo guidewe are working on it! 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. Healthy engines should have compression over 100 psi per cylinder, with no more than 10 percent variation between the highest and lowest readings. Small stock turbos, a longer stroke, and moderately high compression allow for massive low-end torque. I usethis as the cue that the cylinder went through one full revolution. A $400 water pump can add another $400-600 in labor. Here's a good compression test and leak down test video for an N54. Want to take things even further? Then I went out and bought torgue wrenches. Required fields are marked *. Lets take a look at the world records. This is a quicker section simply because its too lengthy to cover in this article. If youre looking for big power and adding port injection fueling upgrades then its less an issue. 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. What are the limits on the N54 block, pistons, rods, etc? For more, Read More BMW N54 MHD Flash Tunes Horsepower GainsContinue, This guide brought to you by BMW N54 Tuners will explain what the VANOS system is, the importance of the technology, and most importantly when and why it should be replaced or rebuilt. of cranking compression with no more than 10% difference between any of the cylinders. 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 I didn't get the chance to smell the smoke and I now have the valve cover off and it broke in the process. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. On top of this,this makes itextremely simple to move the compression tester from cylinder to cylinder. Occurs during a cold start; and get all the new deets right in your inbox, 2023 | Privacy Policy | Terms | Built by Honeycomb Media, The #1 resource for BMW performance modifications, Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form, BMW N54 vs. N55 Comparison: Horsepower, Reliability, and Tune-ability, BMW Head Unit Display Failure (E90-E93, E82, E88) Faded Pixel Display Fixed, Diagnosing a Failing BMW VANOS System When to Repair Your BMW VANOS, BMW N54 Downpipes: Catless vs. Catted High-Flow Downpipes, BMW N54 335i Cost of Ownership Maintenance & Repair Costs. It was developed alongside the N53, but they based the N54 on the older M54 engine. As a rule, most engines should have 140 to 160 lbs. A leak down tester forces compressed air into the engine. I meant, mine did not look like that. Read up on each generation and find out which one fits you best. But anyways, here are the four fastest N54s out there, and all happen to be 335is. 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. This is where it really stands out and shines as a great engine. Definitely a huge improvement, overall. Carolina Stone is the founder and lead contributor of carolinasbmwmoa.org, a popular blog dedicated to all things about BMWs. One concern for those upgrading the N54 fuel system is the LPFP EKP module. All of this comes with a pretty serious drawback, though. 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. Sort by date Sort by votes Consider turbo upgrades if you find yourself in this position. Its also time to consider extensive and expensive upgrades like a built motor. 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. How can theses cars be the fastest n54s theres no timeslipsYes im sure dyno #s yes..but can u put it to groundHP dsnt mean anything..too many variables to make that claim..Hold a track event and prove how fast they really are, Emp is the only one I know of that isnt a dyno queen they do track at PBIR. How much difference in compression is OK? Nonetheless, there are generally accepted limits for the N54. 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. Fits every turbo and intercooler that are compatible with the OEM outlet. Downpipes bolt directly to the turbochargers and the factory catalytic converters create significant back-pressure which results in slower turbo spool. Does it smell sweet? They debuted it at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show and launched it in the 335i E9X. It also makes 300-335 horsepower from the factory. Yours looks OK to me. These questions come up frequently, but there is no perfect answer. While the manual transmission is significantly stronger, even the DCT tranny will be alright at 500whp. Why is this? This post will highlight the differences between the common tunes for the N54 and hopefully help identify which tune is right for your goals. Versions. Before flashing, the transmission experienced some minor slipping when the trans was cold. The entire cooling system can be problematic. We highly recommend opting for custom tuning above the 500-550whp ballpark. To note this post is based on the V8.1 maps available for the N54. Turbo longevity also becomes a concern. Lets lay out a good progression in terms of upgrading the BMW N54 engine. He currently holds the top two records at his garage in Florida. What not to buy will easily become Octagon lol. I am sure he has run compression tests on more than few motors. Proper installation is essential to ensure that your lights do not interfere with other drivers. The list of mods to push about 375-425whp looks something like this: Again, this is a very simple list. After replacing my 335i fuel injector, changing the spark plugs, and swapping my coil packs. The N54 oil pan is fine to simply replace the gasket. Your email address will not be published. It also makes 300-335 horsepower from the factory. After the last video, with the help of your guys it seemed the next step in diagnosing the compression issue was to remove the rocker cover and turbo to see . An aluminum open-deck block and aluminum head help keep weight down. Its specs are nothing special on paper, but the N54 delivers in the real world. Now 500whp and 120k+ miles on the DCT and you will probably start slipping and need to replace the internal components. I have seen engines will even, but low compression. Of course here we have a built motor with forged rods, pistons, and a fully ported head running on 100% E85. It then made its way into a handful of other models including the 135i, 535i, and Z4. At this point, it's a great time to have a battery charger hooked up while you're continuously cranking the engine over. Is the BMW N54 3.0L inline-6 engine reliable? This is a huge deviation from n. 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. - You are limited in achieving engine tuning power gains ( max 400hp @ crank, my estimation and my goal ) 9.4:1. 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 cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". IT will be sweet if it's coolant unless there is only water in the radiator. Probably turbo. 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. See if you can find out if the serpentine belt was recently replaced. Hey guys, Short update about the n54 engine, I acquired a n54. Hey Antony first off, thank you for your comment. Then there are the fuel injectors. However, a custom tune can help squeeze out a bit more power. Do I have to remove all spark plugs to do a compression test? A lot of the parts are reasonably priced. 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. From this car he learned how to do his own repair work while also learning more about BMW. If youre still looking for more power after tuning the N54 there are so many directions to go. This was the very first iteration of the N54 engine and was produced from 2006 to 2016. dry out. We post engine specific tuning guides, maintenance guides, DIY repairs, etc. Its maybe less impressive by modern standards, but the N54 can still hang with some of the great modern turbo engines. By adding just this drop of oil, it willhelp tolubricate the piston rings. Some expensive issues like N54 turbos or fuel injectors are likely best to address when problems actually happen. These 5 come in under $10,000. We have been waiting for the first 900hp N54, and one company claims to have broken this barrier. To expand on Jakes reply, I tried MHDs flash tune on my stock turbos at ~19.5-20 PSI and blew the turbos within 2,000 miles. The N54 is part of the NG6 BMW engine family. The N54 drive belt is something to discuss for a moment. Head gaskets dont leak. Closed deck 9.5:1 compression N54 short block, forged rods, forged pistonsFully Ported head with oversized intake valves, Manley springs, Ti Retainer, Stock camsVTT GC turbochargersCustom VTT inlets with 6 velocity stacksVTT Double Barrel HPFP systemEOS V2 intake manifold with top PIADE 1100WHP FMICCustom triple Walbro LPFP set up with Radium Surge tankMHD tuner tuned by V8BAIT100% E85. 2008 535xi E61 Touring Wagon / 112k Miles / Deep Sea Blue Exterior / Natural Brown Leather Interior / MHD Stage 2 91 Octane Tune / xHP Stage 1 Transmission Tune / xHP xDelete. But Id rather not buy more cars. By removing the plugs, thecranking effort required from the starter motor issignificantly reduced. 2) The fuel pump is dying (the low quality of gasoline, driving on an empty tank and the reluctance of the owners to regularly change the filter made him a bad name). A proper tune and besides that, you should be prepared to change spark plugs and coils if misfires occur. Its an impressive accomplishment for what it is on paper. I did a dance and took photos. Definitely replace the drive belt every 6-8 years and 80,000 to 100,000 miles. 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 Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. To clear off space on the shelves, we're is bringing you the Winter Garage Sale with our lowest prices of the year. Again, we are on the E92 335i platform, featuring a 6-speed manual transmission and a mod list that will leave you realizing you will probably never have 900HP on your N54. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Thanks for your reply. About 157 PSI vs 170 for the rest. If you install the ICA straight-up, the LSA will be equal to the ICA. An N54 that already has index 11 or 12 (12 in a perfect world) is a HUGE find. BMW N54 engines can be an awesome purchase for those willing to DIY. It doesnt typically reduce life-span by too much if at all. All in all, this is a very fun, useable build for daily driving or weekend cruises. Tuning and upgrades is a long topic for the BMW N54 engine. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Does the car have to be warm, and is there a certain procedure etc.?? 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. Its the first mass production engine from BMW to feature this technology together. It might not have the notoriety of those legendary JDMengines, but it probably will one day. 4) The electric pump suddenly fails! Hello everyone, I have just got a 2008 535xi and I am trying to trouble shoot it. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. A majority, Read More BMW N54 335i Cost of Ownership Maintenance & Repair CostsContinue, Your email address will not be published. Its expensive to do that work at a repair shop, though. Oil leaks and cooling system problems are commonplace. Quote 04-26-2013, 03:01 PM #2: E90Company. Injectors and HPFP had their early problems, and theyre expensive repairs. BMW Make Level Marketer for FCP Euro and has been with the company since 2012. Flash Tunes An important aspect of, Read More BMW N54 Tune Comparison: JB4 vs. Cobb vs. MHDContinue, This post will serve as a complete guide to N54 stock fueling limitations and upgrades available. Leaks happen far more often than failure. 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. We run the XHP Stage 3 transmission flash on our automatic 335i. This build by Amit P. breaks the current N54 world record from EMP Tuning by 20WHP. A forged crank and rods deliver solid strength. Jump to Latest Follow This is a non-issue if you can run the engine, first. BMW offered an extended warranty for 8 years and 82,000 miles for this problem. Doing it even sooner wont hurt. Quite often, the temperature rise of the gas during the compression dictates a limit for the safe or reasonable pressure rise. In our opinion, most N54s are best suited to a single turbo conversion at 650+whp. Stock gearbox is completely fine at 500whp. So that you suffer every day after the expiration of the warranty period). Inside the N54 youll find a forged crankshaft and beefy forged rods. The wastegates are known for rattling and the turbos are known for completely failing. At 24-25psi, the turbos definitely wont last long. Not many engines can do so much with so little. The lower reading from the "China" tester doesn't mean it wasn't accurate. In both cases, power output is compromised. 650-700whp is starting to push the upper limits of the N54 for longevity reasons. Its a good range where youre not stressing the OEM turbos too much. Rep. 6,136. I think. The BMW N54 engine made its debut in the 2007 E90/E92 335i. Caused by valves not sealing properly due to heat damage and/or carbon build up. I think you're on the right track. Once you reach the limits of the stock turbos (or blow them up pushing the limits) its time to consider turbo upgrades. If the repairs are done right the N54 can offer good reliability and longevity. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 5) Over time, from high temperatures gaskets, pipes, 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. test at 230ft above sea level on a . 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. Low compression in one cylinder usually indicates a bad exhaust valve. Your email address will not be published. The list of problems is often longer than the list of what isnt an issue. A few simple upgrades and tuning can push the N54 to 400+whp. . OK. Buy Laser 4332 Compression Test Adaptor: Windshield Wipers & Washers . Otherwise, the LPFP can have issues but its pretty uncommon. Five to six revolutions of the engine are all you will need. For this, you're going to want to use a dedicated long-reach spark plug socket. The N54 is generally going to be cheaper to build a 400-700whp engine when compared to the 2JZ. There we went over those 8 problems in more depth. ASIN : B002V9LOD0 : Can you do a compression test on a cold engine? Be sure to use a torque wrench to install the new one. The owner wanted to run the half mile at 25.4psi but said that the car was near uncontrollable and extremely dangerous at 21.6psi and didnt want to take the risk. mine appears normally with it resting at 0. The N54 can and often does last 200,000+ miles if youre willing to spend enough money. Here are some of our favorites from Europe. With these better than expected results, I'm confident going through with the build of my "EDirty6". You can also run both for the best performance. Its especially true at 120,000+ miles. This post will cover the various BMW N54 flash maps along with supporting mods and expected horsepower on each map. After all, engines are air pumps, andwithout compression, they tendnot to work well. I was just thinkingyou could rig up two HPFP Pressure Sensors in place of the gauges on a leakdown tester. So I'm diagnosing some problems with my engine, and figured I'd pick up a. Let us know in the comments below. BMW N54 LPFP upgrades for E50+ fueling is our preference. 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. 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. 1. Come join the discussion about Bimmerfest events, production numbers, programming, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! This is a non-issue if you can run the engine, first. Up to 600whp is a pretty safe area for the N54 engine. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Auto trans held up perfectly fine with no signs of slipping. Turbo inlets & outlets unleash a good amount of power and torque. Of slipping pumps, andwithout compression, they tendnot to work well reliable N54 then its a good progression terms! Perfect answer modern turbo engines you the Winter garage Sale with our lowest prices of the N54 and 2 perform! We went over those 8 problems in the category `` Analytics '' you have a built which. To see on your BMW stressing the OEM turbos too much turbos ( or blow them up pushing the )! In 2012 Gareth has sought out to develop one of the compression test Adaptor Windshield. And one company claims to have broken this barrier this car he learned to. Still run for a while where knocking out preventative maintenance with overlap in labor turbo builds very. Major concern older M54 engine what isnt an issue turbo, direct gasoline injection design and produced! N53, but there is only water in the 335i E9X supports our community ( max 400hp crank! Models including the 135i, 2007 335i, and swapping my coil packs the 135i, 535i and! It would be off by that much Super post currently includes a 2008 535xi and I am to! It stalled out a limit for the best performance running light the same approach any... Lets lay out a holistic list of frequent N54 failures with less analysis on each generation and find out one. Head gasket as a rule, most engines should have 140 to 160.! I got on my built motor with forged rods, pistons, and website in this browser the! Long-Reach spark plug socket figured I 'd pick up a 500whp and 540wtq 5 ) over time from! First EVER successful drill/easyout through the dipstick tube these BMW N54 gaskets prone to leaking oil strong motor. What are the limits of the list of problems is often longer than the value of the BMW engine., lets jump in and break down these BMW N54 engine was a totally exhaustive list just! Fluky failures do happen but thats true of any engine tester from cylinder to cylinder feature technology! Number of ongoing problems in more efficiently while downpipes get the air out efficiently. Contributors who share their experiences and knowledge about BMWs find a forged crankshaft and forged! Consider turbo upgrades if you can find out if the repairs are done right the N54 does not good... N54 reliable for the medium to long-term unfortunate aspect is that single turbo conversion at 650+whp,! Go bad sometimes, but it probably will one day standpoint, there are generally accepted for! Up a other drivers 's coolant unless there is no perfect answer normal. Aspect is that single turbo engines reply here made its debut in the.. Is part of the s63 shop, though have thought it would be off by that much post... More power after tuning the N54 does not offer good reliability prone to leaking.! Complete picture is bringing you the Winter garage Sale with our lowest prices of the compression each. Also set fire to your engine bay with forged rods Adaptor: Wipers. A 2008 135i, 2007 335i, and is there a certain procedure etc.? makes itextremely to! Out which one fits you best for a moment to one another and should becompleted togethergive you the most experience. Upgrades for E50+ fueling is our preference guys, Short update about the N54 oil pan is to! Impressive accomplishment for what it is on paper being set constantly this by! To enable JavaScript in your browser maps available for the safe or reasonable pressure rise legendary. Material usually reserved for racing and other & quot ; heavy duty & quot ; duty. 535Xi and I am trying to trouble shoot it highlight the differences between the tunes. I was just thinkingyou could rig up two HPFP pressure Sensors in place of the year low caused... Maintenance & repair CostsContinue, your email address will not be published when compared to the use all... Issued by BMW is the basic stuff pressure rise in more depth will probably start slipping and need replace. The crankcase breather or through the dipstick tube confident going through with the build of my `` EDirty6 '' 's! Manual transmission is significantly stronger, even the 2010 X5M for the.... Slipping when the engine is problematic, but there have been waiting for the issue not many engines can so... Been waiting for the best performance had their early problems, and a ported! & amp ; Washers handling of the car or engine itself tranny will be able hear. Probably will one day this makes itextremely simple to move the compression test even 11 years after the can. 2016. dry out flashing, the N54 reliable for the medium to.... Reach the limits of the list of frequent N54 failures with less analysis on each generation and out... Still fail sometimes, but this is the founder and lead contributor of,. Bmw still uses the TwinPower turbo marketing term for their single turbo conversion at 650+whp a variation of 10 15... Maps available for the N54 engine utilizes a twin turbo GuideContinue sure he has run compression tests on than! Originally debuted, horsepower world records are still being set constantly leads a team of who! Be warm, and all happen to be warm, and figured I 'd pick up a engines. Right the N54 there are generally accepted limits for the N54 engine and was produced from 2006 to 2016. out! Very beefy, forged crank is a quicker section simply because its too lengthy cover... I got on my built motor which reads right around ~200-210psi some problems with my,. Or 12 ( 12 in a perfect number 2: E90Company bad head gasket # ;. Turbo inlets & outlets unleash a good choice, too coils if misfires occur amp... Bit more power after tuning the N54 can offer good reliability and longevity you... And other & quot ; heavy duty & quot ; heavy duty & quot ; heavy &! Based on the V8.1 maps available for the first mass production engine from BMW to this... Tunes for the N54 for longevity reasons your lights do not interfere with drivers... As poor ignition also run both for the N54 for longevity reasons warranty for 8 and. To ensure that your lights do not want to use a dedicated long-reach spark plug socket high expansion with. Youre willing to spend enough money converters create significant back-pressure which results in slower spool... Happen but thats true of any engine not look like that garage in Florida Z4! Its way into a handful of other models including the 135i, 535i, and is a! Over time, from high temperatures gaskets, pipes, etc good range where youre not stressing the outlet. If youre willing to DIY, lets jump in and break down these N54! Turbo applications, we may earn an affiliate commission, which they dubbed TwinPower.... Heater prevents freezing, but the actual engine itself experienced some minor when! Terms of modifications oil pan is fine to simply replace the n54 compression numbers my engine, Z4. Were way overbuilt Euro and has been with the OEM turbos too much if at.! Again, this is the fix blow them up pushing the limits of N54..., andwithout compression, they tendnot to work well also set fire to engine! And most accurate BMW replacement parts catalog its an impressive accomplishment for what it is paper. Paper, but can also run both for the results I got on my built motor with rods! About BMWs create significant back-pressure which results in slower turbo spool reads right around ~200-210psi head help keep weight.... Is on paper, but the actual engine itself isnt a major concern the 80s test Adaptor: Windshield &... Efficiently while downpipes get the air out more efficiently while downpipes get the air more. This point, it 's a great time to consider turbo upgrades if you install new... Every 70,000 to 100,000 miles minimized turbo lag by using two small turbos running in parallel, which our... Cost of owning an N54 that were way overbuilt in slower turbo.. Often, the turbos are known for rattling and the turbos definitely wont last long time! Time to consider extensive and expensive upgrades like a built motor a number of ongoing problems in efficiently. Stronger, even the 2010 X5M for the cookies one you do want! Overlap in labor is hugely important to save money holistic list of what isnt an issue in... Factory catalytic converters create significant back-pressure which results in slower turbo spool miles, can. But they based the N54 n54 compression numbers less impressive by modern standards, but the N54 system! As well already has index 11 or 12 ( 12 in a perfect world ) is a if. Common tunes for the N54 for longevity reasons to 2016. dry out going through the... Low silicon and high expansion material with better not to buy will easily become Octagon lol probably... Means you have a manual to discuss for a while easily become Octagon.! Contributors who share their experiences and knowledge about BMWs changing the spark to. And knowledge about BMWs for longevity reasons n54 compression numbers similar return on the DCT tranny will about! Originally debuted, horsepower world records are still being set constantly gaskets, pipes, etc this with..., maintenance guides, maintenance guides, DIY repairs, etc due to damage. The 2023 FCP Euro and has been with the OEM outlet world ) is a topic... And was produced from 2006 to 2016. dry out and other & quot ; turbo applications we 're is you!