A compression test determines the relative compression between individual cylinders whilea leak-down test determines the sealing ability of the valves, head gasket, and piston rings. 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. Its almost too easy to tune and upgrade for massive power. Pin diameter: 22mm. 1) Injectors fail; dying mainly due to poor fuel quality and traffic in traffic jams. Thats where knocking out preventative maintenance with overlap in labor is hugely important to save money. E90/E91/E92/E93 (2006 - 2013) N54 Compression test. 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. I would also note that the claimed stock turbo world record is 523whp, but this was achieved on a different Dyno than the N54 standard. I have been working on cars over 50 years and the snapped bolt on our N54 was the FIRST EVER successful drill/easyout. However, the N54 block holds up well until about 750+whp. We are hoping to soon add an F80 M3 and F82 M4 GTS. - The engine will not use boost that often as it will do with 9.4:1. The N54 claiming 523whp would likely only be putting down 470whp on a Dynojet. The numbers above tell methat my engine makes good compression in each of the cylinders. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Bringing the BMW community together. Boost leaks are another concern and the charge pipe is a major culprit as its prone to cracking. I think. The engine must be at top dead center during this test as a compression leaktypically occurs at TDC when thehighest cylinder pressure occurs. Buy Laser 4332 Compression Test Adaptor: Windshield Wipers & Washers . The new design also showed with a number of ongoing problems in the early days. The N54 didnt earn a great reputation in the tuning world for being a crap engine from top to bottom. BMW rated the N54 at 300 horsepower and 300lb-ft (depending on the model), however, its widely accepted that power figure is very underrated. The lower reading from the "China" tester doesn't mean it wasn't accurate. In general, the internals of the N54 are very reliable and offer great longevity. Its received numerous International Engine of the Year awards and had thrice won the Wards 10 Best Engine Award. Going to a repair shop can make the N54 expensive to own. I was always taught that the range of compression pressures is more important than the actual pressures. Definitely a huge improvement, overall. CSF has an all aluminum radiator that is a good solution once the OEM N54 radiator fails. By adding just this drop of oil, it willhelp tolubricate the piston rings. 2) The fuel pump is dying (the low quality of gasoline, driving on an empty tank and the reluctance of the owners to regularly change the filter made him a bad name). It blows white smoke and misfires of multiple cylinders. This is a material usually reserved for racing and other "heavy duty" turbo applications. What are the limits of the stock N54 fueling system? 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. Only parts costs are listed above, so consider labor if youre not able or willing to DIY. If youre still looking for more power after tuning the N54 there are so many directions to go. The reason adding oil increased compression is because the oil sealed up the piston rings against the cylinder, decreasing blow by. Not a huge deal if you plan to upgrade anyways. The N54 is generally going to be cheaper to build a 400-700whp engine when compared to the 2JZ. There we went over those 8 problems in more depth. MMP turbo inlets and outletsJB4 custom tuning backendfuel-it stage 2 LPFPdual meth injectionDPs without catsBig Tom intercoolerTFT charge pipecustom 3 intercooler up pipeNGK .022 gapped spark plugs, How much power can the N54 engine handle in stock form? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 5) Over time, from high temperatures gaskets, pipes, etc. 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. Up to 600whp is a pretty safe area for the N54 engine. 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. At 24psi of boost, this engine probably wont last very long without needing upgraded turbos. There are very good parts of the N54 that were way overbuilt. How does E85 factor into all of this? An upgraded twin-turbo setup is far cheaper than swapping in a single-turbo setup and come-on, why have only one turbo when you can have two? You need to remember BMW wasnt aiming to produce a crazy high horsepower legendary engine when they developed the N54, they were just developing a solid turbocharged engine for their luxury cars. Problems due to poor tuning, mods, or pushing the N54 engine limits also occur. Hey guys, Short update about the n54 engine, I acquired a n54. A forum community dedicated to BMW owners and enthusiasts. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Then you have an easy reference that you can go back to later. Dont let the cheap price to purchase up-front fool you. However, the plastic stock pipe is prone to cracking under higher than stock boost. 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. The BMW N54 engine utilizes a twin turbo, direct gasoline injection design. Healthy engines should have compression over 100 psi per cylinder, with no more than 10 percent variation between the highest and lowest readings. Intakes help get air in more efficiently while downpipes get the air out more efficiently. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our site is dedicated to all things BMW Tuning related. Compression pressures must be taken with all the spark plugs removed, carburetter throttles wide open, and the engine at its normal operating temperature.. dry out. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In turn,this givesyou a more accurate idea of the compression within each cylinder when the engine is at operating temperatures. Best practice is to have the engineslightly warmwhen you plan to do a compression test. Item model number 4332 : Manufacturer Part Number LAS4332 : Additional Information. In 2018, she decided to combine her passion for BMWs by creating a blog specifically for BMW enthusiasts in the region. . 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 Theyre usually tired after 100,000+ miles, but may still run for a while. Who would have thought it would be off by that much Super post. If you are shooting for 600whp+ you will want to have a manual. Carolina Stone is the founder and lead contributor of carolinasbmwmoa.org, a popular blog dedicated to all things about BMWs. Almost everything around the N54 engine itself can be problematic. A few twin turbo upgrades can hit about 650-725whp, but thats about the current limit. The two cars above didnt feature any NOS to hit their numbers, so they would likely put down more than this N54 if they had. No, the N54 does not offer good reliability. The strength of the bottom end makes the N54 legendary, and its what allows the N54 to reach upwards of 800 horsepower. I promise we only send like one email per month. Rep. 6,136. The N54 is a very good motor internally. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. (considering how far other people have pushed the N54, myself included) 1; 2; Next. However, some like to run WMI instead. Counting how many spark plugs you see on your engine will , The coupe has a better center of gravity and is slightly lower so with completely equal drivers it will slightly and I mean slightly out handle the sedan but with everyday drivers you will never , The main difference between tail lights and brake lights is that the former lights up as soon as the headlights are turned on, while the latter only engages upon stepping on the brake pedal. So far, many have great experiences with the XHP flash tunes. Then theres the basic maintenance stuff on high mileage models. Read More BMW N54 30FF Engine Fault Code 30FF Diagnosis & Repair GuideContinue, So youve probably had this warning light come on before, and if you haventyou will. Instead of listing every single part well break this down in the following categories: Keep in mind were not covering an exhaustive list of anything that can go wrong. The biggest thing is that they basically max out rail pressures to allow for additional torque. But, understandably, he has a desire to get behind the wheel of his own track car this season. Both the compression test and the leak-down test are complementary to one another and should becompleted togethergive you the complete picture. Too many factors go into the cost of owning an N54 to give a perfect number. . We may eventually have a tools sub-forum; I just still find it a tussle to crawl the sub-forums, but I digress. interesting to see how long the stock turbos, engine and gearbox will last with 500whp. Weight: 308g. The first step in performing a compression test is removing all spark plugs from the engine. Some complete engine failures happen due to this, but its not too common. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It may not be totally true as of now since there are long-term fixes to some old issues, such as fuel injectors. 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. Again, random failures do happen but thats true of any engine. Our garage currently includes a 2008 135i, 2007 335i, and 2008 535i. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. However, everything around the engine isnt nearly as good. We post engine specific tuning guides, maintenance guides, DIY repairs, etc. HID lights are significantly brighter than traditional halogen lights and provide a slight edge over LED lights at night. It should be noted that other NG6 engines use an aluminum-magnesium construction, while the N54 uses a standard aluminum block. Lifetime warranty. We now have a new world record coming in at 978WHP! i tested using 2 different brand gauges just to be sure. Add in some extras and stock turbos are capable of upwards of 500whp and 540wtq. Its a good range where youre not stressing the OEM turbos too much. The compression test can be done either hot or cold. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. These questions come up frequently, but there is no perfect answer. 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. Assuming the engine does not have serious underlying issues, 500WHP is practically nothing to the N54, especially with E85 mixtures. 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. - Editor. So I understood ( for daily driving ) 10.2:1. Fits every turbo and intercooler that are compatible with the OEM outlet. 6. If you find that you have poor compression in a specific cylinder, your next step would be to performa leak-down test. Again, we are on the E92 335i platform, featuring a 6-speed manual transmission and a mod list that will leave you realizing you will probably never have 900HP on your N54. Amits car was tuned by Ken Atkinson at WedgePerformance. A majority, Read More BMW N54 335i Cost of Ownership Maintenance & Repair CostsContinue, Your email address will not be published. Posts. It might not have the notoriety of those legendary JDMengines, but it probably will one day. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Occurs during a cold start; Come join the discussion about Bimmerfest events, production numbers, programming, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Next Last. The rods are also forged, but nothing special. 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. However, the N54 is best suited to a built-motor once pushing too far beyond 700whp and the 2JZ holds up to ~800whp. The N54 declaring 523whp would likely just be putting down 470whp on a Dynojet. A proper tune and besides that, you should be prepared to change spark plugs and coils if misfires occur. If you have read our 500hp N54 guide, you know that you can achieve a 500hp N54 for a mere $1,500well at that price tag you will be landing 500hp at the crankand more like 450hp to the wheels. You can say we are somewhat N54 fanatics. Quote 04-26-2013, 03:01 PM #2: E90Company. Carolina has been a BMW enthusiast since she first got her driver's license. Why am I featuring it at #4 instead of #2? Is the BMW N54 3.0L inline-6 engine reliable? Better to change immediately with a thermostat, because the age of this little bastard is also short and miserable. Here are some of the extra N54 flaws to consider: Again, not a totally exhaustive list. Good luck putting power down without a great wheel and tire setup. Results of the compression test of each cylinder was consistent ~ 15 PSI ~ 10Bar in nru. sensors sometimes fail with that kind of age. I did a dance and took photos. It's also a possibility thatyouhave an engine thatmakes good compression, but you still have a leak in the cylinder. Its V8 weighs 445 lbs, while the N54 weighs 429 lbs. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The torque is low and if it's not right the new one will leak. Were talking about an engine thats mostly 12-15 years old now. Then there is the BMW N54 radiator, expansion tank, and coolant hoses. 1: 175 2: 170 3: 170 4: 170 5: 170 6: 157 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. It can handle more power with the right turbos, tuning, fueling, etc. 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.