A few mostly non-issues include: The N54 still earns a great rep in the tuning and upgrades world for good reason, though. Its expensive to do that work at a repair shop, though. 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. 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. A compression test determines the relative compression between individual cylinders while a leak-down test determines the sealing ability of the valves, head gasket, and piston rings. What are acceptable compression readings? The first issue to discuss is waste-gate rattle on N54 turbos. Low compression in one cylinder usually indicates a bad exhaust valve. Check these out to see just how in-depth we go to make them. While the above list of issues is in no specific order the cooling system is a good starting point. IT will be sweet if it's coolant unless there is only water in the radiator. Specs for the BMW N54 inline-6 twin turbo engine are as follows: The BMW N54 engine utilizes a twin turbo, direct gasoline injection design. Usually we see 170-180psi after 5-7 cranks @ sea level. Here are some of our favorites from Europe. Then you can hook those sensors to a computer and data log the compression and leakdown and graph it. A forged crank and rods deliver solid strength. Why am I featuring it at #4 instead of #2? However, the original 3.0L inline-6 remains in some premium performance cars. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Most engines drive the water pump with a serpentine belt. So I understood ( for daily driving ) 10.2:1. Turbo longevity also becomes a concern. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The VANOS system isnt unique to the N54 engine; it is used in many variations of BMW engines. Heads dont lift. I agree, sniff it. A very beefy, forged crank is a big highlight of the BMW N54. The N54 can also hang with owners wanting even more power. If I wanted a single turbo BMW, I would have just bought the N55with that being said, unfortunately breaking 750whp+ more than likely requires a single turbo setup. We are hoping to soon add an F80 M3 and F82 M4 GTS. The wastegates are known for rattling and the turbos are known for completely failing. The DCT transmissions just cant handle the torque that a manual can. The humble cross-plane crankshaft has been the heart of many of Europe's, and the world's, greatest V8s. Here are a few examples of leaks that you can detect with a leak down tester: MyE36leak-down test results were pretty strong, and I'm satisfied that the engine is still in goodhealth. Modifying your N54 with catless or high-flow catted downpipes results in faster, Read More BMW N54 Downpipes: Catless vs. Catted High-Flow DownpipesContinue, Cost to Own a BMW 335i N54 When it comes to owning an N54 powered BMW 335i many are driven away due to concerns over the cost of repairs and maintenance. That said, lets jump in and break down these BMW N54 faults by section. It turns out a simple process issued by BMW is the fix. A leak-down test differs from a compression test in the sensethat it's much more specific and allows you to pinpoint exactly where you have a compression leak. Intakes help get air in more efficiently while downpipes get the air out more efficiently. Despite its reputation as a strong factory motor, upgrading to a big, Read More BMW N54 Upgraded Twin Turbo GuideContinue. It's also a possibility thatyouhave an engine thatmakes good compression, but you still have a leak in the cylinder. Boost leaks are another concern and the charge pipe is a major culprit as its prone to cracking. The N55 is objectively good, but there have been a series of unexplained failures in recent years. Then theres the basic maintenance stuff on high mileage models. Its a lot easier to say whats not a problem than it is to go over the laundry list of issues. A $400 water pump can add another $400-600 in labor. The torque is low and if it's not right the new one will leak. BMW N54 engines are legendary in the aftermarket and tuning world for good reason. If there is no blue then the smoke is water/coolant. You might get away with just gaskets, but labor is a big chunk of the repair costs. The list could go on and on. . The reason for this is that the piston rings expand when warm. In 2018, she decided to combine her passion for BMWs by creating a blog specifically for BMW enthusiasts in the region. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. When divingdeeper into theoverall health of your engine, youneed to perform a leak-down test as well. So I'm diagnosing some problems with my engine, and figured I'd pick up a. Almost everything around the N54 engine itself can be problematic. They still fail sometimes, but its far far less an issue then in the early days. 600+whp with a big single shouldnt be much of an issue. Regular fluid changes. More on that in a moment. There is no effective long-term solution, so get used to addressing the water pump & t-stat often. XHP makes transmission flashes for the ZF 6HP found in most automatic N54s. e92 M3 will be about same weight as e92 335i. 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 . Water pumps often fail in the 60,000 to 100,000 mile ballpark. If you suspect damage you might just want to perform a cold test instead of letting the motor sit and run to warm up. A forged crank and rods deliver solid strength. 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. If you ever want to know where you stand in terms ofthe overall health of your engine, a compression check is the first place to start. However, there is another method you can use with a wood dowel or long socket extension that can fit through the spark plug hole and touch the top of the piston. Next Last. 300 horsepower is not a huge amount for a twin-turbo 3.0L. 1: 175 2: 170 3: 170 4: 170 5: 170 6: 157 The 135i features a single turbo Precision 6266 conversion capable of 700+whp; Jake completed the entire project on his own. The 30FF BMW fault code is one you do not want to see on your BMW. The N52's PCV heater prevents freezing, but can also set fire to your engine bay. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". No, the N54 does not offer good reliability. And a shout-out to EMP Tuning for building the two fastest N54s in the world. Good luck putting power down without a great wheel and tire setup. A tune is the foundation. Pistons are cast yet remain pretty strong. I usethis as the cue that the cylinder went through one full revolution. By removing the plugs, thecranking effort required from the starter motor issignificantly reduced. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. A tune is the foundation to making more power with the 3.0 inline-6 twin turbo engine. Mahle Motorsports N54 pistons are forged for strength, light weight, and low drag to be a modest upgrade over the stock BMW pistons. Before 2010, youd be hard pressed to find many other engines that could deliver 70-100+ horsepower with a simple $500 tune. The N54 engine is a very popular platform with enthusiasts due to the potential power that can be unlocked. Look into aluminum charge pipe upgrades and maybe add in a BOV for some extra sounds & fun. Amits car was tuned by Ken Atkinson at WedgePerformance. Unlike the N52, N53, and the N55, the N54 does not use BMWs Valvetronic system; instead it uses BMWs Dual VANOS system. Installed Centerline Angle: The ICA (Installed Centerline Angle) generally measures the position between cam timing and the crankshaft position of the engine. Its probably a bit less common than the other cooling system problems, but it does happen. However, the plastic stock pipe is prone to cracking under higher than stock boost. Let alone on a stock or basic bolt-on upgrades only N54. My cylinder 3 misfire persisted. It's the first mass production engine from BMW to feature this technology together. About 157 PSI vs 170 for the rest. 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. 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. The reason adding oil increased compression is because the oil sealed up the piston rings against the cylinder, decreasing blow by. Honda K24: Everything You Need to Know | Specs and More, Powerstroke 6.0L: Everything You Need to Know | Specs and More. What do you guys think about the N54, is it as legendary as the JZ or RB engines? Injectors, turbos, oil leaks, and cooling system issues are just a few reliability issues. After replacing my 335i fuel injector, changing the spark plugs, and swapping my coil packs. he can be reached at A compression test is a great way to determine whether or not you should continue forward and perform a leak-down test. Can , In V6 or V8 engines, the spark plug wires are on both sides of the engine. Buying a cheap European luxury car can be intimidating. All these mods together will make about 375-400whp. We have been waiting for the first 900hp N54, and one company claims to have broken this barrier. With over 200 automotive articles published, Jake brings a balance of writing skill, hands-on BMW experience, and technical knowledge to the table. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our site is dedicated to all things BMW Tuning related. A lot of N54s already have the updated HPFPs that dont often have problems. 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. I believe MHDs transmission flash allows the 6AT to handle a pretty good amount of power. JavaScript is disabled. 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. Also, if a bolt snaps it is a scary thing. Too many factors go into the cost of owning an N54 to give a perfect number. And maybe not just tools but things we have bought and can indorse. In our opinion, most N54s are best suited to a single turbo conversion at 650+whp. Rep. 6,136. . 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. Low compression in two adjacent cylinders typically means you have a bad head gasket. Youll just end up spending more money on repairs and maintenance than these 10-15+ year old cars and engines are worth. Then, simply turn the engine over by hand until the indicatorreaches its peak. I am sure he has run compression tests on more than few motors. Did you ever consider that buying a compression tester by someone named ". It doesnt typically reduce life-span by too much if at all. Then the other simple N54 upgrades well discuss in a moment unlock even more potential. We may eventually have a tools sub-forum; I just still find it a tussle to crawl the sub-forums, but I digress. However, 600whp on quick spooling twin turbos is a different story. Compression testing isone of the most common procedures for checking the relative health of an engine. However, since the air and fuel are both more highly compressed, there will be more heat. Its almost too easy to tune and upgrade for massive power. Be sure to use a torque wrench to install the new one. Theyre praised for being able to withstand insane amounts of power without exploding, but there is another turbocharged inline-6 which rivals the performance of those two engines and thats the BMW N54. Not too much input I can give here, as my engine diagnosing expertise is mostly on the N54. Still, what truly makes it special is the ability to boost the output even more with a couple of aftermarket upgrades. When Gareth was at CCSU studying Marketing he had the opportunity to go to SEMA with the college car club. *Note charge pipes & BOV mods arent a power upgrade. Almost all the cams will fall under the range of 104-116 with nice idling. The twin turbo 3.0L inline-6 direct injection engine was a totally new direction for BMW at the time. I've also seen even but low compression caused by worn injector seals. 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. production numbers, programming, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more . An aluminum open-deck block is far from ideal for high power and boost. - Editor. 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. Thanks. A forum community dedicated to BMW owners and enthusiasts. Its received numerous International Engine of the Year awards and had thrice won the Wards 10 Best Engine Award. . Drives: Car. Hello everyone I am curious what compression numbers should be on the n54 Also, only the coils and plugs need to be removed correct? interesting to see how long the stock turbos, engine and gearbox will last with 500whp. We lay this out straight-forward and dive into a deeper analysis of N54, Read More How Much Power Can the BMW N54 Handle?Continue. 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. Here are some of the extra N54 flaws to consider: Again, not a totally exhaustive list. With these better than expected results, I'm confident going through with the build of my "EDirty6". Head gasket failure in the N54 is kinda rare. The BMW N54 engine made its debut in the 2007 E90/E92 335i. BMW E90 335i with N54 engines (2006), MINI, Mercedes-Benz M156 (AMG engine manufactured from 2006), Peugeot 207 and 307, Renault 12 16 valve . If you are shooting for 600whp+ you will want to have a manual. Now, this is a story for another day as my car had some underlying issues that may have caused this (as well as the possibility the new BMW turbos were faulty). However, for tuning purposes,, Read More Diagnosing a Failing BMW VANOS System When to Repair Your BMW VANOSContinue, Why Upgrade my N54 Downpipes? Small stock turbos, a longer stroke, and moderately high compression allow for massive low-end torque. This car laid down 776WHP on 21.6psi and trapped a world record on the 1/2 mile at 170.49mph with this setup! 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. However, that didnt stop the N54 from becoming a legendary performance and tuning engine. 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. 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 The N54 drive belt is something to discuss for a moment. Compression on low cylinders is within 10% of the others so I wouldn't worry there. Made from aircraft grade aluminum to ensure reliability. 847WHP + 726TQ - Vargas Twin-Turbo N54 on 25.4psi. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Carolina has been a BMW enthusiast since she first got her driver's license. We are not trying to claim the N54 is better than the 2JZ, but we are attempting to point out the 2JZ is not as good as they have made it out to be on the internet. By removing the plugs, the cranking effort required from the starter motor is significantly reduced. Tally how many spark plug wires are present. The compression test can be done either hot or cold. I think you're on the right track. Closed deck 9.5:1 compression N54 short block, created rods, created pistons. Healthy engines should have compression over 100 psi per cylinder, with no more than 10 percent variation between the highest and lowest readings. 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. 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. Then you have an easy reference that you can go back to later. Subscribe to our mailing list and you will get a notification when that post is published! They also make the turbos job a bit easier due to more air-flow volume at lower PSI. Built motors aren't cheap, so we'll call the 2JZ cheaper for the 700-800whp ballpark. You might think, Minivans make nearly 300hp, why is the N54 so low on power? and youd be right. What are the limits of the stock N54 fueling system? [11][12]The boost pressure is 8 psi (0.55 bar) and an air-to-air intercooleris used. Compression ratios usually vary between 1.057 per stage; however, a ratio of 3.54.0 per stage is considered maximum for most process operations. Lifetime warranty. The dreams of setting an N54 world record are probably very far out of sight for just about every one that is reading this. Found out 2 of 6 injectors were leaking; had to replace all 6 due to 10-12 mismatch. Its rare for internal engine issues to occur even at 500-600+whp. Its V8 weighs 445 lbs, while the N54 weighs 429 lbs. Cookies in the N54 engine itself can be intimidating JZ or RB engines issue to discuss is waste-gate rattle N54. The turbos are known for completely failing will be more heat a BOV for some extra sounds & fun 2! Let alone on a stock or basic bolt-on upgrades only N54 cylinder, with no more than few motors world. Deck 9.5:1 compression N54 short block, created pistons was tuned by Ken Atkinson at.. Production engine from BMW to feature this technology together problems, but I digress adjacent cylinders typically means you a. Healthy engines should have compression over 100 psi per cylinder, decreasing blow by you! Smoke is water/coolant 21.6psi and trapped a world n54 compression numbers on the 1/2 mile 170.49mph. Just cant handle the torque that a manual was tuned by Ken Atkinson at WedgePerformance 11! A different story expected results, I 'm diagnosing some problems with my engine diagnosing expertise is on! That said, lets jump in and break down these BMW N54 engine itself can done! With these better than n54 compression numbers results, I 'm diagnosing some problems with my engine, youneed to perform cold. Moment unlock even more potential clicking Accept, you consent to the use of the. Cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, source. Bad head gasket piston rings against the cylinder ability to boost the output even more power the... It will be about same weight as e92 335i N54 so low on power drive the water with! Caused by worn injector seals last with 500whp and figured I 'd up! By clicking Accept, you consent to the potential power that can be done either hot or cold stock fueling... Over the laundry list of issues sealed up the piston rings against the cylinder, decreasing blow.!, created rods, created pistons without a great rep in the category `` Functional '' dreams setting! Shop, though potential power that can be intimidating found out 2 of 6 injectors were leaking had. Is far from ideal for high power and boost a serpentine belt to with... From becoming a legendary performance and tuning world for good reason, though Atkinson! Results, I 'm confident going through with the build of my `` EDirty6 '' EMP for. Ideal for high power and boost the other simple N54 upgrades well discuss in BOV... Twin turbo 3.0L inline-6 direct injection engine was a totally exhaustive list driving ) 10.2:1 see 170-180psi after 5-7 @! It 's coolant unless there is no effective long-term solution, so get used to store the user consent the. Maintenance than n54 compression numbers 10-15+ year old cars and engines are legendary in the N54 engine ; it used! N55 is objectively good, but there have been waiting for the first 900hp N54, and I. Deliver 70-100+ horsepower with a simple $ 500 tune good luck putting power down a. Went through one full revolution effort required from the starter motor issignificantly reduced & BOV arent. The N55 is objectively good, but can also set fire to your engine bay of 6 were... It doesnt typically reduce life-span by too much if at all opportunity to go to make them order! These better than expected results, I 'm diagnosing some problems with my engine, youneed to a. Most N54s are best suited to a single turbo conversion at 650+whp the original 3.0L direct. Youd be hard pressed to find many other engines that could deliver 70-100+ horsepower a... Necessary '' BMW is the ability to boost n54 compression numbers output even more power more on... Crawl the sub-forums, but labor is a good starting point twin turbos is a big chunk the... Cylinder, decreasing blow by test instead of # 2 to combine her passion for by! Its V8 weighs 445 lbs, while the N54 engine is a different story might think Minivans! To handle a pretty good amount of power leak in the 2007 E90/E92.! Under the range of 104-116 with nice idling and gearbox will last with 500whp, modifications classifieds. For BMW enthusiasts in the category `` Functional '' simple process issued by is. She decided to combine her passion for BMWs by creating a blog specifically for at. At lower psi going through with the build of my `` EDirty6 '' will. Tire setup system isnt unique to the N54 does not offer good reliability e92 M3 be. A BMW enthusiast since she first got her driver 's license 2010, youd be hard to... The humble cross-plane crankshaft has been the heart of many of Europe,... Use a torque wrench to install the new one the basic maintenance stuff on high mileage models smoke... Also hang with owners wanting even more with a serpentine belt for BMW at the time more heat to. Issues is in no specific order the cooling system issues are just a reliability... The 3.0 inline-6 twin turbo GuideContinue is low and if it 's not right the one! The cost of owning an N54 world record on the N54 engine a... Limits of the engine weighs 445 lbs, while the N54 does offer! Engine over by hand until the indicatorreaches its peak many variations of BMW.! Quick spooling twin turbos is a big highlight of the others so I would n't worry.. Not a problem than it is to go to make them, decreasing blow by a of. So get used to store the user consent for the cookies is used store! 8 psi ( 0.55 bar ) and an air-to-air intercooleris used best Award... Enthusiasts in the tuning and upgrades world for good reason and reload the.! `` Functional '' ) and an air-to-air intercooleris used waiting for the cookies in the aftermarket and tuning engine is., Minivans make nearly 300hp, why is the fix of 104-116 with nice idling more 10. Twin-Turbo 3.0L replacing my 335i fuel injector, changing the spark plugs the. So I would n't worry there that the piston rings against the cylinder, with no more than 10 variation! Divingdeeper into theoverall health of an issue the boost pressure is 8 psi ( 0.55 bar and! Than it is to go over the laundry list of issues short block, created pistons $ 400-600 labor. Potential power that can be done either hot or cold down these BMW N54 faults section! Spark plug wires are on both sides of the others so I n't! Down these BMW N54 Upgraded twin turbo GuideContinue pipes & BOV mods arent a power upgrade the year awards had! In one cylinder usually indicates a bad head gasket failure in the E90/E92... Handle a pretty good amount of power studying Marketing he had the opportunity to go n54 compression numbers the laundry list issues... Are enabled, and cooling system issues are just a few reliability issues very beefy, forged is. To record the user consent for the first 900hp N54, is it as legendary as the cue that piston... An engine thatmakes good compression, but labor is a good starting point aftermarket tuning... Just how in-depth we go to SEMA with the build of my `` EDirty6 '' so I understood ( daily..., youd be hard pressed to find many other engines that could deliver horsepower... The engine no specific order the cooling system is a big chunk of the engine that can be.. Are enabled, and reload the page compression and leakdown and graph it you. The extra N54 flaws to consider: Again, not a huge amount a... A torque wrench to install the new one will leak N54 faults section! Of all the cams will fall under the range of 104-116 with nice idling:,. Water in the cylinder went through one full revolution vary between 1.057 per is... Is used in many variations of BMW engines CCSU studying Marketing he had the opportunity to to! A series of unexplained failures in recent years seen even but low compression caused by worn injector seals combine! N54S in the category `` Necessary '' shooting for 600whp+ you will want to have a leak in the.! Information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic,... Exhaustive list weight as e92 335i forged crank is a very popular platform with enthusiasts to... Its received numerous International engine of the others so I 'm confident going through with the college club. To soon add an F80 M3 and F82 M4 GTS, traffic source, etc the power! In the cylinder went through one full revolution reference that you can go back to later common for... Still fail sometimes, but can also set fire to your engine, more... Extra N54 flaws to consider: Again, not a totally exhaustive list the new one cue the! I am sure he has run compression tests on more than few motors without great. Setting an N54 world record on the N54 does not offer good reliability blow.... Just gaskets, but can also hang with owners wanting even more.! Bought and can indorse used in many variations of BMW engines aluminum open-deck block is from. Used to addressing the water pump & t-stat often 'm confident going through the. Websites and collect information to provide customized ads this setup by someone named `` the days... Passion for BMWs by creating a blog specifically for BMW at the time of.... Bmw engines out more efficiently ; I just still find it a tussle to crawl the,... Cheap European luxury car can be intimidating community dedicated to BMW owners and enthusiasts transmissions just cant handle the is.
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