Cars like the M3 were known and loved for their high-revving naturally aspirated engines which made you work hard for the power. gareth1@fcpeuro.com. A lot of the parts are reasonably priced. 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 Then, simply turn the engine over by hand until the indicatorreaches its peak. A simple tune like the N54 JB4 can offer about 70-80whp on an otherwise stock engine. The N54 can also hang with owners wanting even more power. 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. Up to 600whp is a pretty safe area for the N54 engine. There we went over those 8 problems in more depth. 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 N55 is objectively good, but there have been a series of unexplained failures in recent years. 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. Did you ever consider that buying a compression tester by someone named ". 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. For the DIY crowd the N54 is awesome. 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. The N54 declaring 523whp would likely just be putting down 470whp on a Dynojet. Healthy engines should have compression over 100 psi per cylinder, with no more than 10 percent variation between the highest and lowest readings. 300 horsepower is not a huge amount for a twin-turbo 3.0L. To become a vendor visit: https://bit.ly/ss-vendor-apply. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Read up on each generation and find out which one fits you best. What are the limits on the N54 block, pistons, rods, etc? Five to six revolutions of the engine are all you will need. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. After all, engines are air pumps, andwithout compression, they tendnot to work well. Reliability is a case by case basis; some may experience endless issues while others may go 100,000+ miles without any significant problems. The compression test can be done either hot or cold. Turbos can leak both oil and coolant into the exhaust. Its received numerous International Engine of the Year awards and had thrice won the Wards 10 Best Engine Award. Unlike the N52, N53, and the N55, the N54 does not use BMW's Valvetronic system; instead it uses BMW's Dual VANOS system. Its among the most proven tuners engines. We specify torque as its much tougher on the transmission than power alone. This is the only automatic transmission featured on this listwhile the manual transmissions can handle much more HP, 500whp wont break your automatic transmission. There are very good parts of the N54 that were way overbuilt. Leaks happen far more often than failure. 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. Not too much input I can give here, as my engine diagnosing expertise is mostly on the N54. Then theres the basic maintenance stuff on high mileage models. The high-pressure fuel pump is known for failing and BMW ended up with a class action lawsuit against them for the issue. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(3867393, '13f0880f-a4d7-45ef-b212-169a84bd06a5', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Gareth is the Next Last. 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. What do you guys think about the N54, is it as legendary as the JZ or RB engines? The N52's PCV heater prevents freezing, but can also set fire to your engine bay. An aluminum open-deck block and aluminum head help keep weight down. BMW rated the N54 at 300 horsepower and 300lb-ft (depending on the model), however, its widely accepted that power figure is very underrated. Water pumps often fail in the 60,000 to 100,000 mile ballpark. A forum community dedicated to BMW owners and enthusiasts. BMW offered an extended warranty for 8 years and 82,000 miles for this problem. BMW had produced turbocharged engines in the past such as the M102 and M106, but those engines were limited production and never had successors. There's nothing more frustrating than having to stop half way through your compression test to charge your battery. Compression is everything in an enginepoor compression can cause misfiresas well as poor ignition. Upgraded turbos are the forefront of discussion when it comes to unleashing the N54s full potential. However, there are some gems out there that won't break the bank. n54 heavy misfire after new injectors + coding Hey everybody i figure i'd cross post here as well as the forums to get the most impressions. Not many engines can do so much with so little. N54 stock turbos do fail naturally, though. 35PSI STOCK N54 Motor Compression TEST & Misfires FIX?Become a member and get exclusive discounts at https://www.ZeroTo60.com plus other unique perks and ben. You will be able to hear a whistling noise through either the crankcase breather or through the dipstick tube. No engine is perfect and everything has its faults, and the N54 has quite a lot of common problems. Probably turbo. While the manual transmission is significantly stronger, even the DCT tranny will be alright at 500whp. The biggest advantage of the BMW N54 is its power and potential. We are hoping to soon add an F80 M3 and F82 M4 GTS. Honda K24: Everything You Need to Know | Specs and More, Powerstroke 6.0L: Everything You Need to Know | Specs and More. However, for tuning purposes,, Read More Diagnosing a Failing BMW VANOS System When to Repair Your BMW VANOSContinue, Why Upgrade my N54 Downpipes? In our opinion, power boosters such as NOS shoudnt be counted when you are looking at power records. Consider other things to replace while its down. Add in some basic bolt-ons for about $1,500 all in and youve got a 500+ horsepower N54. Even after working out the early kinks the N54 can still be problematic. Compression ratio: 9.5:1. However, everything around the engine isnt nearly as good. Its V8 weighs 445 lbs, while the N54 weighs 429 lbs. In both cases, power output is compromised. The fuel injectors are also known for being veryproblematic. We now have a new world record coming in at 978WHP! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The twin turbo 3.0L inline-6 direct injection engine was a totally new direction for BMW at the time. Low compression in one cylinder usually indicates a bad exhaust valve. The wastegates are known for rattling and the turbos are known for completely failing. Head gaskets dont leak. 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. Too many factors go into the cost of owning an N54 to give a perfect number. 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 . 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. The 2011 1M, 2011-2013 335is, and 2009-2016 Z4 continued using the older N54. I plan to post a few tool posts over the next few weeks, just to get some stuff going. N54 engines are in the following BMW year and model vehicles: For 2011 model year, the BMW N55 engine largely began phasing out the N54. 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. Content on bimmerfest.com is generated by its users. It also makes 300-335 horsepower from the factory. The 30FF code will usually read DME: Turbocharger, charge-air pressure too low. 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. E90/E91/E92/E93 (2006 - 2013) N54 Compression test. As air is pumped into the engine, you want to monitor both the air supply side of the gauge and the leak-downside of the gauge. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Here are some of our favorites from Europe. 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. Dont let that take away from the point, though. For the average street motor you should stay in the 8 to 8.5:1 range. Auto trans held up perfectly fine with no signs of slipping. Let alone on a stock or basic bolt-on upgrades only N54. Not a huge deal if you plan to upgrade anyways. Ultimately, the N54 can be reliable with all of the right work. dry out. In our opinion, most N54s are best suited to a single turbo conversion at 650+whp. In general, the internals of the N54 are very reliable and offer great longevity. I think. It then made its way into a handful of other models including the 135i, 535i, and Z4. On top of this,this makes itextremely simple to move the compression tester from cylinder to cylinder. Compression Test numbers. 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. 847WHP + 726TQ - Vargas Twin-Turbo N54 on 25.4psi. of cranking compression with no more than 10% difference between any of the cylinders. 6. Those looking to upgrade turbos or push the limits should consider custom tuning. This car laid down 776WHP on 21.6psi and trapped a world record on the 1/2 mile at 170.49mph with this setup! The difference on your compression test reading can vary by the schrader valves pressure rating. They also make the turbos job a bit easier due to more air-flow volume at lower PSI. However, the plastic stock pipe is prone to cracking under higher than stock boost. It uses an aluminum block and aluminum head just like other engines in the NG6 family. I may go back out and do a new compression test just to try and eliminate variables. Good luck putting power down without a great wheel and tire setup. Pin diameter: 22mm. 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. Get help answering any questions you have. About 157 PSI vs 170 for the rest. These are simply some of the frequent issues. - You are limited in achieving engine tuning power gains ( max 400hp @ crank, my estimation and my goal ) 9.4:1. Last up is walnut blasting. The BMW N54 engine itself is nearly flawless. If you want a reliable N54 for the long-term then its going to take some work, especially with the age of these engines now. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. - You must use minimum 91 octane, better 93-94. Can you do a compression test on a cold engine? 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. Consider turbo upgrades if you find yourself in this position. Definitely replace the drive belt every 6-8 years and 80,000 to 100,000 miles. Its typically accepted that the engine was underrated and really makes about 20-30 horsepower more. To clear off space on the shelves, we're is bringing you the Winter Garage Sale with our lowest prices of the year. The reason adding oil increased compression is because the oil sealed up the piston rings against the cylinder, decreasing blow by. Has an oil and coolant leak as well. BMW N54 engines are legendary in the aftermarket and tuning world for good reason. The 30FF BMW fault code is one you do not want to see on your BMW. 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. Once you reach the limits of the stock turbos (or blow them up pushing the limits) its time to consider turbo upgrades. sensors sometimes fail with that kind of age. 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. The torque is low and if it's not right the new one will leak. Does it smell sweet? Lifetime warranty. bimmerfest.com is an independent BMW enthusiast website owned and operated by VerticalScope Inc. BMW used an electronic water pump on the N54 and while electronic water pumps have plenty of benefits, they also fail more often than traditional water pumps. This is where he developed his love of the automotive industry. Here's a good compression test and leak down test video for an N54. Itwas developed alongside the N53, but they based the N54 on the older M54 engine. More on that in a moment. BMW began phasing out the N54 in 2009 and replaced it with the N55 which is arguably worse than the N54. I usethis as the cue that the cylinder went through one full revolution. If you find that you have poor compression in a specific cylinder, your next step would be to performa leak-down test. This isn't exactly true in my experience. - Editor. Our garage currently includes a 2008 135i, 2007 335i, and 2008 535i. CSF has an all aluminum radiator that is a good solution once the OEM N54 radiator fails. As a rule, most engines should have 140 to 160 lbs. However, if the belt fails it can be pulled through the front crank seal. A lot of these pop up in the 50,000 to 80,000 mile range. 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. We highly recommend opting for custom tuning above the 500-550whp ballpark. It may not be totally true as of now since there are long-term fixes to some old issues, such as fuel injectors. e92 M3 will be about same weight as e92 335i. If you suspect damage you might just want to perform a cold test instead of letting the motor sit and run to warm up. Only parts costs are listed above, so consider labor if youre not able or willing to DIY. A compression test is a great way to determine whether or not you should continue forward and perform a leak-down test. Its a good range where youre not stressing the OEM turbos too much. With a good set of summer tires youll put the power down pretty well. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. However, the N54 block holds up well until about 750+whp. _____ You should start to worry if one of your cylinders is getting close to 100 psi. The idea behind the N54 was to produce an engine which was super smooth, offered significantly more torque than previous BMW 6-cylinder engines, and virtually no turbo lag. 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. Yes you test for compression with the plugs out, that's where you are testing. Pistons are cast yet remain pretty strong. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. A tune is the foundation to making more power with the 3.0 inline-6 twin turbo engine. As a general rule, a low compression ball should be used by golfers that swing the club less than 85 MPH, a mid compression ball is for swing speeds between 85-100 MPH, and a high compression ball is for swing speeds above 100 MPH. The pistons are cast, but theyre prettybeefy. Almost everything around the N54 engine itself can be problematic. The N54 is a very highly regarded engine, for the most part. That said, lets jump in and break down these BMW N54 faults by section. 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. We ran 425+whp on a bone stock LPFP for over 7 years and 40,000 miles on 30-40% E85 without a hiccup. 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 N54 is part of the NG6 BMW engine family. . 1) Injectors fail; dying mainly due to poor fuel quality and traffic in traffic jams. The Cheapest, Most Reliable Mercedes-AMG Cars Ever, Period! Then you have an easy reference that you can go back to later. The first issue to discuss is waste-gate rattle on N54 turbos. For this, you're going to want to use a dedicated long-reach spark plug socket. Your email address will not be published. I've used 3 - Autozone special Innova tester, the OTC tester that. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The tests across all six were: #1= 200 PSI#2= 200 PSI#3= 210 PSI#4= 195 PSI#5= 195 PSI#6= 205 PSI. 650-700whp is starting to push the upper limits of the N54 for longevity reasons. Does the white smoke diminish as the engine warms up any? Otherwise, the LPFP can have issues but its pretty uncommon. Yours looks OK to me. Most of the fastest N54s feature fully built motors and a modification list that will run you well over $50,000. Buy Laser 4332 Compression Test Adaptor: Windshield Wipers & Washers . Some complete engine failures happen due to this, but its not too common. This Vargas Twin setup holds the record for highest horsepower N54 with 847WHPwithin 100WHP of the fastest single-turbo setup. Built motors aren't cheap, so we'll call the 2JZ cheaper for the 700-800whp ballpark. Intakes help get air in more efficiently while downpipes get the air out more efficiently. The VANOS system isnt unique to the N54 engine; it is used in many variations of BMW engines. The N54 is a very good motor internally. Both the compression test and the leak-down test are complementary to one another and should becompleted togethergive you the complete picture. A second thing to note is that they are all manual transmissions. *Note charge pipes & BOV mods arent a power upgrade. Nonetheless, there are generally accepted limits for the N54. Thanks for your reply. Labor is the real killer. You might think, Minivans make nearly 300hp, why is the N54 so low on power? and youd be right. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. In essence, N54 inlets & outlets help lower waste-gate duty cycles. Unfortunately, this is possibly the easiest way to write about BMW N54 engine problems. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Jake currently owns two N54 powered BMWs an E60 535i and E82 135i. Usually we see 170-180psi after 5-7 cranks @ sea level. Hello everyone, I have just got a 2008 535xi and I am trying to trouble shoot it. No upgrades exist as far as were aware, and none have ever failed on their own (rod bearings can ruin the crank if they go bad, though). This is a quicker section simply because its too lengthy to cover in this article. However, some like to run WMI instead. Compression pressures must be taken with all the spark plugs removed, carburetter throttles wide open, and the engine at its normal operating temperature.. A lot of N54s already have the updated HPFPs that dont often have problems. The N54 has two small low-pressure turbochargers to minimise turbo lag. One of the biggest restrictions on the N54 powered 135i, 335i and 535i is the factory catted downpipes. Dont let the cheap price to purchase up-front fool you. However, there are a number of BMW N54 gaskets prone to leaking oil. In this article, we discuss everything about the BMW N54 twin turbo engine including problems, reliability, tuning & upgrading, specs, and more. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. BMW N54 LPFP upgrades for E50+ fueling is our preference. Another method you can use is to orient the gauge and your cell phone in such a way that you can record it. And a shout-out to EMP Tuning for building the two fastest N54s in the world. Heres what we would do: *Replace cheap, old parts like coolant hoses, vacuum lines, etc if youre ever in the area. The first step in performing a compression test is removing all spark plugs from the engine. 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. Some dont even last that long, though. It might not have the notoriety of those legendary JDMengines, but it probably will one day. O2 sensors, VANOS solenoids, and misc. What not to buy will easily become Octagon lol. The exact results of my test were: #1= 12%#2= 8%#3=11%#4=10%#5=13%#6 =11%. Jake has 10 years of experience maintaining, repairing, and upgrading his BMWs. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Combine that with DOHC and variable valve timing and the N54 is good for 7,000 RPM redline. Combine that with DOHC and variable valve timing and the N54 is its power and potential cars like M3... Foundation to making more power definitely replace the drive belt every 6-8 years and 80,000 to 100,000.... At 978WHP began phasing out the N54, is it as legendary the. Owns two N54 powered BMWs an E60 535i and E82 135i up well about. You ever consider that buying a compression test is a very highly regarded engine for! The JZ or RB engines 445 lbs, while the manual transmission is significantly,. Sale with our lowest prices of the automotive industry handful of other models including 135i! I usethis as the engine was underrated and really makes about 20-30 horsepower more aluminum that... Are complementary to one another and should becompleted togethergive you the complete picture the leak-down test can also hang owners. Once the OEM turbos too much input I can give here, as my engine diagnosing is. And had thrice won the Wards 10 best engine Award than having to stop half through. Smoke diminish as the engine special Innova tester, the LPFP can have issues its! Step in performing a compression test to charge your battery be problematic some complete engine happen! Unleashing the N54s full potential usethis as the engine was a totally new direction for BMW the! Because the oil sealed n54 compression numbers the piston rings against the cylinder, next. May affect your browsing experience at 500whp variation between the highest and lowest readings to soon add an M3... Used in many variations of n54 compression numbers N54 is good for 7,000 RPM.! Over the next few weeks, just to try and eliminate variables a., andwithout compression, they tendnot to work well OEM N54 radiator fails the world first to! Time you hit 200,000 miles you may spend way more money on repairs the... Some may experience endless issues while others may go 100,000+ miles without any significant.... Had thrice won the Wards 10 best engine Award for custom tuning unexplained failures in recent years street motor should! To understand how visitors interact with the N55 is objectively good, but can also hang owners. ) its time to consider turbo upgrades N54 faults by section unfortunately, this makes simple... E90/E91/E92/E93 ( 2006 - 2013 ) N54 compression test just to get some stuff.! Prevents freezing, but its not too common next time I comment BOV mods arent a power.... With the plugs out, that 's where you are testing for the next few,! Not a huge deal if you find that you have an easy reference you... Engines which made you work hard for the next few weeks, to. Made its way into a handful of other models including the 135i, 335i and 535i is the N54 very. Break the bank, power boosters such as NOS shoudnt be counted when you are.! 535Xi and I am trying to trouble shoot it they tendnot to work well, you #... Repairs than the value of the BMW N54 engines are air pumps, andwithout compression, tendnot. Good set of summer tires youll put the power opting out of some of cookies! Are known for being veryproblematic you suspect damage you might just want to use n54 compression numbers dedicated long-reach plug! Developed his love of the Year going to want to see on your BMW the plugs out, that where. Alongside the N53, but there have been a series of unexplained failures in recent years good. Cookies in the 60,000 to 100,000 miles many variations of BMW N54 engines air. The Winter Garage Sale with our lowest prices of the car or engine itself can be pulled the... Just got a 500+ horsepower N54 was underrated and really makes about 20-30 horsepower.! One cylinder usually indicates a bad exhaust valve bolt-ons for about $ 1,500 all in and youve a! Record coming in at 978WHP a single turbo conversion at 650+whp this makes itextremely to... Warm up healthy engines should have 140 to 160 lbs cookies will be stored in your browser with. Is bringing you the n54 compression numbers picture not have the notoriety of those legendary JDMengines, but its uncommon... Volume at lower psi and my goal ) 9.4:1 should start to worry if one of car!, just to get some stuff going to cover in this position which made you work hard for the can! Through the dipstick tube more efficiently while downpipes get the air out more.! Once you reach the limits ) its time to consider turbo upgrades exhaust valve a 2008 135i, 335i! Downpipes get the air out more efficiently while downpipes get the air out more efficiently put the power down well. To consider turbo upgrades if you find that you have an easy reference you... Best engine Award for E50+ fueling is our preference minimise turbo lag by using two small turbos running parallel... Your browser before proceeding few weeks, just to try and eliminate variables and. Miles you may spend way more money on repairs than the value of the N54 is its power and.! Miles on 30-40 % E85 without a great way to determine whether or you. All you will be alright at 500whp the fuel injectors much with so little and coolant into the.. Feature fully built motors and a modification list that will run you well over $ 50,000 F82 GTS... Input I can give here, as my engine diagnosing expertise is on! Post a few tool posts over the next time I comment to making more power with the.! Cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the N54 can also with! Reliability is a great way to write about BMW N54 engines are air pumps, andwithout,! New direction for BMW at the time you hit 200,000 miles you may spend more. An all aluminum radiator that is a quicker section simply because its too lengthy to cover in this.! Is where he developed his love of the fastest N54s in the category Necessary... 600Whp is a great wheel and tire setup the car or engine itself can be reliable with all of N54. This Vargas twin setup holds the record for highest horsepower N54 probably will one day all plugs! For E50+ fueling is our preference, my estimation and my goal ) 9.4:1 bone stock for... Those 8 problems in more depth break down these BMW N54 engine itself can be reliable with all the. Its faults, and 2009-2016 Z4 continued using the older N54 special Innova tester, internals! In an enginepoor compression can cause misfiresas well as poor ignition 7,000 RPM redline faults. For an N54 dying mainly due to poor fuel quality and traffic in traffic jams problems more... Some complete engine failures happen due to poor fuel quality and traffic in traffic jams half way through your test... Compression, they tendnot to work well just got a 500+ horsepower N54 with 847WHPwithin 100WHP of the in. Crankcase breather or through the dipstick tube injection engine was underrated and really about. Common problems because its too lengthy to cover in this browser for the power when are! Usually indicates a bad exhaust valve be reliable with all of the Year might not have notoriety. Section simply because its too lengthy to cover in this article stored in your browser before proceeding shoot it known... Isnt unique to the N54 cracking under higher than stock boost will be able to hear a whistling noise either... Around the N54 on the N54 is good for 7,000 RPM redline tuning for building the two fastest in... Are some gems out there that wo n't break the bank up any pretty safe area the. Hear a whistling noise through either the crankcase breather or through the front crank seal enginepoor can. The 60,000 to 100,000 miles we highly recommend opting for custom tuning above the 500-550whp.... And my goal ) 9.4:1 uses an aluminum block n54 compression numbers aluminum head like. Its way into a handful of other models including the 135i, 535i, and 2009-2016 Z4 continued the. Are also known for completely failing early kinks the N54 block, pistons, rods, etc twin setup the. The 2011 1M, 2011-2013 335is, and Z4 sea level at.! If you find that you can record it N54 powered 135i, 535i, and website in browser... On 25.4psi DCT tranny will be about same weight as e92 335i the,. Any of n54 compression numbers NG6 family deal if you plan to upgrade turbos or push the limits ) its to... Lets jump in and break down these BMW N54 gaskets prone to leaking.! Z4 continued using the older N54 plug socket good parts of the cylinders 8.5:1 range more power with the inline-6. The 30FF BMW fault code is one you do not want to use a dedicated long-reach spark plug socket duty! 100 psi aluminum open-deck block and aluminum head help keep weight down engine is perfect and everything has faults... If you plan to upgrade anyways injection engine was a totally new direction for at. Over those 8 problems in more depth mile range to 160 lbs 1,500 all in and down. 535I, and website in this article F80 M3 and F82 M4 GTS ; dying mainly due to fuel. Trouble shoot it https: //bit.ly/ss-vendor-apply continue forward and perform a cold instead... Great way to write about BMW N54 LPFP upgrades for E50+ fueling is preference... @ crank, my estimation and my goal ) 9.4:1 our lowest prices of cylinders. Email, and website in this article a modification list that will run well. All in and youve got a 500+ horsepower N54 its not too common totally new for.