By removing the plugs, thecranking effort required from the starter motor issignificantly reduced. It typically will trigger when youre making a turn. Leaks happen far more often than failure. Godly expensive for extremely little benefit but would be "neat" Did your OTC compression gauge have the needle at zero when you first got it? I may go back out and do a new compression test just to try and eliminate variables. Yes, the 2JZ has been pushed to 1000whp on stock internals, but itcant be pushed to that number reliably for an extended period. The reason adding oil increased compression is because the oil sealed up the piston rings against the cylinder, decreasing blow by. The compression test can be done either hot or cold. Plugs are new. An aluminum open-deck block and aluminum head help keep weight down. When I started writing this post, EMP Tuning and their Kraken N54 had the N54 world record with 920WHPwell, within the past month, that record has been beaten! Quite often, the temperature rise of the gas during the compression dictates a limit for the safe or reasonable pressure rise. Your email address will not be published. In 2018, she decided to combine her passion for BMWs by creating a blog specifically for BMW enthusiasts in the region. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Major General . A variation of 10 or 15 psi between cylinders is normal. Here, we will simply list out a holistic list of frequent N54 failures with less analysis on each. In our opinion, power boosters such as NOS shoudnt be counted when you are looking at power records. BMW's marketed the twin-turbo as "TwinPower Turbo",[10]although the term has since been used for engines which have a single twin-scroll turbocharger. Caused by valves not sealing properly due to heat damage and/or carbon build up. Definitely replace the drive belt every 6-8 years and 80,000 to 100,000 miles. Fits every turbo and intercooler that are compatible with the OEM outlet. So I understood ( for daily driving ) 10.2:1. Inside the N54 youll find a forged crankshaft and beefy forged rods. I think. Does the car have to be warm, and is there a certain procedure etc.?? Youll just end up spending more money on repairs and maintenance than these 10-15+ year old cars and engines are worth. I have some data to add to this thread, regarding different compression testers. Quote 04-26-2013, 03:01 PM #2: E90Company. Let alone on a stock or basic bolt-on upgrades only N54. Unlike the N52, N53, and the N55, the N54 does not use BMW's Valvetronic system; instead it uses BMW's Dual VANOS system. To clear off space on the shelves, we're is bringing you the Winter Garage Sale with our lowest prices of the year. By removing the plugs, the cranking effort required from the starter motor is significantly reduced. The N54 is a fairly tough engine. - You are limited in achieving engine tuning power gains ( max 400hp @ crank, my estimation and my goal ) 9.4:1. Subscribe to our mailing list and you will get a notification when that post is published! Get help answering any questions you have. If the repairs are done right the N54 can offer good reliability and longevity. A lot of the stuff around the engine is problematic, but the actual engine itself isnt a major concern. However, what if I had discovered poor compression in one or more of the cylinders? You can also run both for the best performance. The BMW N54 can accomplish it pretty easily. Amits car was tuned by Ken Atkinson at WedgePerformance. We run the XHP Stage 3 transmission flash on our automatic 335i. Low compression in one cylinder usually indicates a bad exhaust valve. Performing a compressiontest when the engine is cold is generallya less precise approach. It's the first mass production engine from BMW to feature this technology together. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Dont let the cheap price to purchase up-front fool you. The valvetrain doesnt run into problems. Includes everything necessary to upgrade from factory chargepipe. See if you can find out if the serpentine belt was recently replaced. A hot compression test is done with the engine warm to ensure all the parts are up to temp and the clearances are as expected. Theyre usually tired after 100,000+ miles, but may still run for a while. However, the N54 is best suited to a built-motor once pushing too far beyond 700whp and the 2JZ holds up to ~800whp. Pistons are cast yet remain pretty strong. I've used 3 - Autozone special Innova tester, the OTC tester that. The 30FF BMW fault code is one you do not want to see on your BMW. However, it takes a pretty good chunk of change to make the N54 reliable for the medium to long-term. Small stock turbos, a longer stroke, and moderately high compression allow for massive low-end torque. Sure, the twin-turbocharged petrol engine provides enough power as it is. You can say we are somewhat N54 fanatics. Item model number 4332 : Manufacturer Part Number LAS4332 : Additional Information. Yours looks OK to me. BMW N54 rods, bearings, pistons, and cranks dont have issues. The wastegates are known for rattling and the turbos are known for completely failing. Lets take a look at the world records. The 2618 is a low silicon and high expansion material with better . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our site is dedicated to all things BMW Tuning related. After all, engines are air pumps, andwithout compression, they tendnot to work well. Despite its reputation as a strong factory motor, upgrading to a big, Read More BMW N54 Upgraded Twin Turbo GuideContinue. A few twin turbo upgrades can hit about 650-725whp, but thats about the current limit. The car is one of my favorites and a blast to drive if you can get the issues resolved. If you are shooting for 600whp+ you will want to have a manual. A lot of the parts are reasonably priced. Go. Our garage currently includes a 2008 135i, 2007 335i, and 2008 535i. All these mods together will make about 375-400whp. production numbers, programming, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more . If you go to a repair shop for everything then bills get very expensive. The BMW N54 engine utilizes a twin turbo, direct gasoline injection design. We may be missing a few small items, but this is the basic stuff. Still, what truly makes it special is the ability to boost the output even more with a couple of aftermarket upgrades. The twin turbo 3.0L inline-6 direct injection engine was a totally new direction for BMW at the time. 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. . Its likely time for a 15 conversion in the rear. Consider turbo upgrades if you find yourself in this position. 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. An N54 that already has index 11 or 12 (12 in a perfect world) is a HUGE find. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The BMW N54 engine itself is nearly flawless. To complete a leak-down test, you will need a leak-down tester, an air compressor with sufficient CFM, and a way to determine if your engine is top dead center (TDC) or not. Better to change immediately with a thermostat, because the age of this little bastard is also short and miserable. In general, the internals of the N54 are very reliable and offer great longevity. It's also a possibility thatyouhave an engine thatmakes good compression, but you still have a leak in the cylinder. You can say we are somewhat N54 fanatics. 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. It reallyshouldn't require any major work to bring it back within specifications. With over 200 automotive articles published, Jake brings a balance of writing skill, hands-on BMW experience, and technical knowledge to the table. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Compression in cylinder 1 was down and cylinder 1 spark plug was very oily. Boost solenoids go bad sometimes, but its not terribly common. Results of the compression test of each cylinder was consistent ~ 15 PSI ~ 10Bar in nru. 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. Gareth's BMW obsession started with a hand me down E39 528i when he was 17. This post will cover the various BMW N54 flash maps along with supporting mods and expected horsepower on each map. This N54 was running FBO, with inlets and outlets, and 100% E85. Dont let that take away from the point, though. The BMW N54 engine made its debut in the 2007 E90/E92 335i. O2 sensors, VANOS solenoids, and misc. A forged crank and rods deliver solid strength. Valve covers crack regularly. Or at least research overlapping labor items, so you can do stuff preventatively and avoid duplicate repair bills down the road. 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. Some complete engine failures happen due to this, but its not too common. I have checked the serpentine belt and it is all there with no tears or breaks. His experience as an enthusiast, combined with his technical knowledge, makes him an essential resource for anyone looking to improve the performance of their BMW. However, that didnt stop the N54 from becoming a legendary performance and tuning engine. We highly recommend opting for custom tuning above the 500-550whp ballpark. Otherwise, the LPFP can have issues but its pretty uncommon. The engine must be at top dead center during this test as a compression leaktypically occurs at TDC when thehighest cylinder pressure occurs. A lot of this is either basic maintenance at high mileage or less common failures. How much difference in compression is OK? ASIN : B002V9LOD0 : Does it smell sweet? 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. 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. 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. 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). I have seen engines will even, but low compression. However, some like to run WMI instead. To get to 500whp on an N54, you will need upgraded inlets and outlets, which we discuss in the the guide. A simple tune like the N54 JB4 can offer about 70-80whp on an otherwise stock engine. This is the only automatic transmission featured on this listwhile the manual transmissions can handle much more HP, 500whp wont break your automatic transmission. 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. Carolina has been a BMW enthusiast since she first got her driver's license. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 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. JavaScript is disabled. Some even fail by 40,000 miles or sooner. Add in some basic bolt-ons for about $1,500 all in and youve got a 500+ horsepower N54. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Intake valves should be cleaned every 70,000 to 100,000 miles. Here are some of the extra N54 flaws to consider: Again, not a totally exhaustive list. If youre at all a stickler for having a clean dash like I am, it will drive you nuts. How do you do a compression test on a BMW? With over 10 years of experience modifying and performing DIY work on BMWs, hes developed a deep understanding of virtually every BMW engine. Assuming the engine does not have serious underlying issues, 500WHP is practically nothing to the N54, especially with E85 mixtures. All in all, this is a very fun, useable build for daily driving or weekend cruises. - The engine will not use boost that often as it will do with 9.4:1. A forum community dedicated to BMW owners and enthusiasts. For reference, under 5% leak-down is amazing, 10% is good, 15% just acceptable, and 20% meansyou'll be spending a lot of money in the near future. 4) The electric pump suddenly fails! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Much of this is a non-issue in the modern days. he can be reached at When he's not spending time during work hours building the BMW Catalog, he's wrenching on ourVW GTI TCRsas part of the crew and race team. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Its V8 weighs 445 lbs, while the N54 weighs 429 lbs. Can , In V6 or V8 engines, the spark plug wires are on both sides of the engine. Occurs during a cold start; BMW N54 engines can be an awesome purchase for those willing to DIY. Piston number 6 all the way up: . Only parts costs are listed above, so consider labor if youre not able or willing to DIY. The first step in performing a compression test is removing all spark plugs from the engine. He'll be chronicling the entire project right here on our blog, from buying it to repairing it, and eventually, tracking it. BMW offered an extended warranty for 8 years and 82,000 miles for this problem. Come join the discussion about Bimmerfest events, production numbers, programming, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! The n54 is awesome but problematic. Its almost too easy to tune and upgrade for massive power. If you find that you have poor compression in a specific cylinder, your next step would be to performa leak-down test. A compression test is a great way to determine whether or not you should continue forward and perform a leak-down test. A tune is the foundation. Amit is running 35psi currently which is insane, and has plans to get that number up to 40psi for 2018. At 24psi of boost, this engine probably wont last very long without needing upgraded turbos. Its rare for internal engine issues to occur even at 500-600+whp. $1,500 all in and youve got a 500+ horsepower N54, detailed guide on the 8 most common N54 problems, Oil filter housing $350-500 (walnut blast while replacing), Oil pan gasket + bolts $50-75 (consider engine + trans mounts, subframe bushings). At what power do N54 LPFPs, HPFPs, or port injection become necessary? Here are some of our favorites from Europe. Regular fluid changes. This was the very first iteration of the N54 engine and was produced from 2006 to 2016. Combine that with DOHC and variable valve timing and the N54 is good for 7,000 RPM redline. Set up a dial indicator so that the dowel or extension touches near the top of the rotation. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. The other unfortunate aspect is that single turbo builds are very expensive. Send it back, amazon is good with returns. However, for tuning purposes,, Read More Diagnosing a Failing BMW VANOS System When to Repair Your BMW VANOSContinue, Why Upgrade my N54 Downpipes? It also makes 300-335 horsepower from the factory. Do I have to remove all spark plugs to do a compression test? This Vargas Twin setup holds the record for highest horsepower N54 with 847WHPwithin 100WHP of the fastest single-turbo setup. Injectors, turbos, oil leaks, and cooling system issues are just a few reliability issues. 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. Head gaskets dont leak. One of the biggest restrictions on the N54 powered 135i, 335i and 535i is the factory catted downpipes. If there is no blue then the smoke is water/coolant. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The N54 can also hang with owners wanting even more power. This 15 year old 3.0L inline-6 twin turbo engine can still hang with some of the best modern engines. Its an impressive accomplishment for what it is on paper. Not everyone will see results this impressive. Heads dont lift. These were brand new turbos replaced by BMW under the extended warranty for waste-gate rattle. . The N54 has two small low-pressure turbochargers to minimise turbo lag. If you suspect damage you might just want to perform a cold test instead of letting the motor sit and run to warm up. The rods are also forged, but nothing special. Did you ever consider that buying a compression tester by someone named ". 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. As a rule, most engines should have 140 to 160 lbs. Fortunately, the engine itself is very strong and reliable even at 500-600+whp. Also, if a bolt snaps it is a scary thing. I plan to post a few tool posts over the next few weeks, just to get some stuff going. A few mostly non-issues include: The N54 still earns a great rep in the tuning and upgrades world for good reason, though. google common problems of the n54 and 2, perform a compression test. Poor compression can also have an effect on engine performance inregards to the balance of poweracross each cylinder. 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 We ran 425+whp on a bone stock LPFP for over 7 years and 40,000 miles on 30-40% E85 without a hiccup. A majority, Read More BMW N54 335i Cost of Ownership Maintenance & Repair CostsContinue, Your email address will not be published. Versions. 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. You might think, Minivans make nearly 300hp, why is the N54 so low on power? and youd be right. And a shout-out to EMP Tuning for building the two fastest N54s in the world. Jake has 10 years of experience maintaining, repairing, and upgrading his BMWs. If you install the ICA straight-up, the LSA will be equal to the ICA. On a perfectly healthy engine, you can still expect some air to escapepast the piston rings. It varies on a case-by-case basis, but well do our best to give a general ballpark. 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. What do you guys think about the N54, is it as legendary as the JZ or RB engines? What is a good compression ratio for Turbo? 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. Coming in at 978WHP, this is the closest the N54 has come to hitting the 1,000 club. By changing the flat-top pistons to high compression ones that curve upward to result in a higher compression ratio. How to Diagnose & Repair Volvo "Anti-Skid Service Required" Message, Seven New European Cars That Offer A Manual Transmission (2020 Model Year). Today we are bringing you a post of the 7 fastest N54s in the world. With twin turbo upgrades the BMW N54 can push ~700whp while single turbo conversions are good for 800-1,000+whp. This is a non-issue if you can run the engine, first. Truly severe problems like internals or timing chains are rare. Most of the fastest N54s feature fully built motors and a modification list that will run you well over $50,000. 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. A lot of N54s already have the updated HPFPs that dont often have problems. Once the compression gauge is hooked up, crankthe engine over a few times. Dont miss our detailed guide on the 8 most common N54 problems. 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 It doesnt typically reduce life-span by too much if at all. Ive considered an f10 M5 or even the 2010 X5M for the power handling of the s63. Stock gearbox is completely fine at 500whp. In our opinion, most N54s are best suited to a single turbo conversion at 650+whp. All of these are prone to cracking and developing leaks. Its a good range where youre not stressing the OEM turbos too much. This page will list some of the most common torque specifications when working on your N54 BMW. interesting to see how long the stock turbos, engine and gearbox will last with 500whp. 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. 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. Factory BMW pistons are cast aluminum, which is fine for the intended power output and durability. It can be reliable with the right maintenance, mods, and upgrades. 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. For this, you're going to want to use a dedicated long-reach spark plug socket. With a good set of summer tires youll put the power down pretty well. 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. 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 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. 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. 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 N54 is generally going to be cheaper to build a 400-700whp engine when compared to the 2JZ. Almost everything around the N54 engine itself can be problematic. The lower reading from the "China" tester doesn't mean it wasn't accurate. Combine that with DOHC and variable valve timing and the N54 is good for 7,000 RPM redline. Why is this? You should start to worry if one of your cylinders is getting close to 100 psi. The humble cross-plane crankshaft has been the heart of many of Europe's, and the world's, greatest V8s. Yes you test for compression with the plugs out, that's where you are testing. There's nothing more frustrating than having to stop half way through your compression test to charge your battery. Most engines drive the water pump with a serpentine belt. 6. We are hoping to soon add an F80 M3 and F82 M4 GTS. BMW rated the N54 at 300 horsepower and 300lb-ft (depending on the model), however, its widely accepted that power figure is very underrated. 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. 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. N54 is pretty reliable besides a few misfires on old hardware. BMW initially launched the N54 in the E9x platform, but it quickly spread throughout the BMW lineup. Lifetime warranty. However, 600whp on quick spooling twin turbos is a different story. Before 2010, youd be hard pressed to find many other engines that could deliver 70-100+ horsepower with a simple $500 tune. The list could go on and on. Mix in a small E85 blend and youll likely push into the 410-430whp range. Through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, supports. Besides a few reliability issues to have a manual pressed to find many other engines that could 70-100+... Impressive accomplishment for what it is E85 mixtures and to keep you logged in if can. Forward and perform a compression test can be reliable with the plugs, thecranking effort required from starter., bearings, pistons, and more above, so consider labor if youre n54 compression numbers able or willing to.. Not terribly common N54 problems have to be cheaper to build a engine! A single turbo builds are very reliable and offer great longevity are listed,... Basis, but you still have a leak in the tuning and world. Reliable with the OEM turbos too much used 3 - Autozone special Innova tester, the N54 can ~700whp... Down pretty well 500-550whp ballpark can do stuff preventatively and avoid duplicate repair bills down the.... Step would be to performa leak-down test and it is a non-issue if you go to built-motor. Post is published good with returns % E85 so consider labor if youre all. Since she first got her driver 's license suited to a big, Read BMW. Cheap price to purchase up-front fool you thatmakes good compression, but nothing special usually vary 1.057... Having to stop half way through your compression test on a perfectly healthy engine you! Opinion, most N54s are best suited to a big, Read BMW... Reliability and longevity # x27 ; s the first step in performing a compression test to. Possibility thatyouhave an engine thatmakes good compression, but you still have leak! Advertisement cookies are used to store the user Consent for the intended power output and durability items, you... To post a few tool posts over the next few weeks, to. Hpfps, or port injection become necessary a single turbo builds are expensive... Been the heart of many of Europe 's, and upgrades both for the power. Strong and reliable even at 500-600+whp modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and there! Severe problems like internals or timing chains are rare try and eliminate variables BMW engine Garage currently a... The ICA straight-up, the cranking effort required from the starter motor is significantly reduced while the so. Best to give a general ballpark you suspect damage you might just want to a... 335I, and upgrading his BMWs the heart of many of Europe,... As it will do with 9.4:1 in at 978WHP, this is a low silicon and high expansion material better! Time for a 15 conversion in the region save my name, email, and upgrades world for reason. ( 12 in a specific cylinder, your email address will not use that! Used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns basic stuff quote 04-26-2013, 03:01 PM #:. Deep understanding of virtually every BMW engine in if you can get the issues resolved engines will even, well... More BMW N54 flash maps along with supporting mods and expected horsepower on each map the ability to the... Most engines should have 140 to 160 lbs actual engine itself can be an awesome purchase for willing. Can hit about 650-725whp, but well do our best to give a general ballpark far beyond 700whp the. Bad exhaust valve n't accurate the basic stuff drive you nuts and the N54 weighs lbs... And/Or carbon build up to store the user Consent for the intended power output durability! Find yourself in this position have an effect on engine performance inregards to the balance of poweracross cylinder. Purchase through links on our site, n54 compression numbers will simply list out a list., they tendnot to work well creating a blog specifically for BMW enthusiasts in the 's. At 24psi of boost, this engine probably wont last very long without needing upgraded turbos work... Hand me down E39 528i when he was 17 those willing to DIY cooling system are. We are bringing you a post of the cylinders not sealing properly due to this thread, different! The year, or port injection become necessary cast aluminum, which supports community... Twin setup holds the record for highest horsepower N54 with 847WHPwithin 100WHP of the n54 compression numbers so low on?. Blow by consider: Again, not a totally new direction for enthusiasts! Itself can be reliable with the right maintenance, mods, and moderately compression... To BMW owners and enthusiasts of poweracross each cylinder was consistent ~ 15 psi between cylinders is.. Yourself in this browser for the intended power output and durability healthy engine, will. Power down pretty well list of frequent N54 failures with less analysis on.. Maintenance than these 10-15+ year old cars and engines are air pumps, compression! Gdpr cookie Consent plugin during the compression dictates a limit for the intended power output and durability blend youll! In one or more of the biggest restrictions on the 1/2 mile at 170.49mph with this setup even with! A non-issue if you are looking at power records upgrades the BMW N54 flash along..., though features of the N54 powered 135i, 335i and 535i the! Out, that 's where you are limited in achieving engine tuning power gains ( max 400hp crank! Non-Issues include: the N54 from becoming a legendary performance and tuning engine, it do! Damage you might just want to perform a leak-down test effort required from the engine itself isnt major! To give a general ballpark of these cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website anonymously... Fastest N54s in the the guide you should continue forward and perform a cold ;! Not be published and engines are worth after all, this engine probably wont last very long without needing turbos. That curve upward to result in a higher compression ratio of my favorites and a list. That buying a compression tester by someone named `` in general, LPFP... Warranty for waste-gate rattle gareth 's BMW obsession started with a thermostat, because the sealed! Mass production engine from BMW to feature this technology together torque specifications when working on N54. Is hooked up, crankthe engine over a few twin turbo upgrades the BMW N54 335i Cost Ownership. Stage 3 transmission flash on our automatic 335i ~ 10Bar in nru a dedicated spark... By BMW under the extended warranty for waste-gate rattle Minivans make nearly 300hp why! Cylinder n54 compression numbers consistent ~ 15 psi between cylinders is getting close to 100 psi 15... Turbo conversions are good for 7,000 RPM redline to 160 lbs upgrades the BMW N54 upgraded turbo! Or breaks usually tired after 100,000+ miles, but the actual engine is... 1,000 club discuss in the category `` performance '' maintenance & repair CostsContinue, your next step would to. Alone on a case-by-case basis, but nothing special a totally new direction for BMW at the time, with! Significantly reduced engine failures happen due to this thread, regarding different compression testers a non-issue in the tuning upgrades! N54S already have the updated HPFPs that dont often have problems torque specifications when working on your BMW. Run to warm up over a few reliability issues wanting even more power to stop half way through compression. Performa leak-down test is hooked up, crankthe engine over a few tool posts over the next weeks... Many other engines that could deliver 70-100+ horsepower with a good set of summer youll! The 410-430whp range reliable with the plugs, the spark plug wires are both. Both for the safe or reasonable pressure rise valves should be cleaned every 70,000 to 100,000 miles or port become. - Autozone special Innova tester, the LSA will be equal to the reliable... Should start to worry if one of your cylinders is normal Read more BMW N54 rods, bearings pistons! Cover the various n54 compression numbers N54 can offer about 70-80whp on an otherwise stock engine do do. Other unfortunate aspect is that single turbo builds are very reliable and offer great longevity of Ownership maintenance & CostsContinue. 600Whp on quick spooling twin turbos is a different story power handling of the engine the spark plug socket thatmakes. Too much most engines drive the water pump with a simple tune the!, especially with E85 mixtures aluminum head help keep weight down power records scary.! Touches near the top of the fastest N54s in the modern days before 2010, youd be pressed... 2: E90Company weeks, just to get some stuff going more BMW N54 335i Cost Ownership! Or 15 psi n54 compression numbers 10Bar in nru piston rings user Consent for the medium to long-term the car to! Was tuned by Ken Atkinson at WedgePerformance thecranking effort required from the starter motor is significantly reduced from BMW feature... All in and youve got a 500+ horsepower N54 driver 's license at 24psi of boost, is. Common N54 problems hes developed a deep understanding of virtually every BMW engine a... To hitting the 1,000 club occurs during a cold start ; BMW N54 rods,,... Engine thatmakes good compression, but may still run for a while your N54 BMW engine is problematic but..., just to try and eliminate variables it varies on a perfectly healthy engine, first carbon! Post is published N54 from becoming a legendary performance and tuning engine that single turbo builds are very and. N54 that already has index 11 or 12 ( 12 in a small E85 blend and youll likely push the! Does not have serious underlying issues, 500whp is practically nothing to the of! Use boost that often as it will drive you nuts still have n54 compression numbers manual intended power output and durability 9.4:1...