N55 is better than N54

[F87Source]

This needs to be repeated so often it should be stickied.

People also forget N54 internals range based on supplier.

IMO the n55 is a superior engine compared to the n54, it has a much better boost control system in the EWG allowing the tuner to be like I want this much WGDC and it happens no need to mac solenoids and waste gate springs and all that clutter. The injectors are better and do not fail as frequently, the pcv system is better, the HPFP setup is better an is much more reliable, the valvetronic system is better so no more vanos solenoid issues, the turbos no longer have waste gate issues, the F series ecu is so much more advanced and has so much more capabilities for anti lag, flex fuel, canbus integration it makes the n54 ecu (which is already really advanced compared to japanese cars like the sti) look old and obsolete, and the water pump is revamped and fully aluminium and much more reliable. The entire package of the EWG F series n55 (M performance cars or m235i and m2) fixed all the issues of the n54 (and E series n55 + PWG F series n55) and went leaps and bounds better in every aspect.

The only reason why the N55 got so much flack was they switched to a single turbo that was pwg early on with a super low power potential. Then the ewg turbo came out which was larger overall and had a higher power potential but the hpfp didn't have the same capabilities as the rotary style pump the the n54. So overall the n55 had a lower power making potential straight out of the box and the ecu was so much more advanced on the F series that tuning was impossible for so long, so people kept saying the n55 sucked. But that is the worse way to judge an engine by the power potential with factory parts.

But now tuning is fully cracked on the F series n55, along with turbo manufactures making turbos with better manifolds capable of huge power, and HPFP solutions hitting the market. Expect in a couple of years to see the n55 over take the n54 and do things the n54 could never do. Like look at the tuning available for the F series now, anti lag, flex fuel, canbus integration for multiple inputs especially with reflex. Then look at the fuelling solution 700 whp on pump gas or 550 whp on full e85 with an hpfp upgrade. Then they even have canbus controlled EKP upgrades so LPFPS don't burn out the fuel pump modules. Soon upgraded direct injectors and the dual hpfp setup from the S55 (already done on some m2's) with upgrade hpfps strapped to it will make its way to the n55 and you can expect to see 1000 whp on the direct injection, something the n54 still hasn't done.


So imo the F series n55 is a much better platform than the n54, a reason why I waited for the m2 instead of getting a 1m after selling my m235i. BTW not to mention the m2 has the really good quasi dry sump system with excellent baffling and a secondary oil pump to keep the car free from oil starvation even at high G force sustained cornering or braking, something the 1m does not have and cannot retrofit easily since the oil pans are different. Another reason why I chose the m2 since I will see the track alot once again. This actually was the biggest factor in my car picking process since I didnt want to deal with oil starvation issues or accusumps unless I wanted to.



But for stock block power records you will have to look at m235i, m2 guys, or m performance 335i and 435i guys because they have the stronger engines.



Overall I am not hating the the n54, not at all it is a solid platform for making power for cheap. I really respect that platform for what it has done for bmw and our turbo i6 reputation. But honestly with how things are progressing I think the n54's ceiling has been hit and the N55's ceiling will not only catch up soon but far exceed it. Then the B58/S58 will do the same to the n55, and even sooner (like it already is ahead) because tuning, fuelling, and turbos were cracked so quickly due to it being so similar to the F series n55, plus the supra community is pushing so many new companies onto the b58 scene.

Overall I think the rankings for potential will be: S58 > B58 > S55 > N55 > N54

[Lightning]

So many holes in this story, it makes me crave for cheese.

[Sticky2]

So many holes in this story, it makes me crave for cheese.

specifically?

[Lightning]

specifically?

I was replying to F87Source's story.

[Sticky2]

I was replying to F87Source's story.

I thought he made a sound argument...

[F87Source]

I was replying to F87Source's story.

Well please elaborate on those "holes", I would be enlightened to know where I went wrong.

Like is said it's my opinion, based on what I know having spent 7 years with these cars (started with the m235i), and alot of money. If I'm wrong I will happily retract my statement, but I don't think I am. I've done alot of research into the n54 and everywhere I looked bmw improved their design so much with the F series n55, especially with the waste gate - no more vaccumn cansiters, mac solenoids, and vacuum hose leaks. Just simple clean plug and play specify how much wgdc you want and the car does it zero hassle zero complaints. This is how new turbo engines implement waste gate control, a much better solution.

[F87Source]

I thought he made a sound argument...

Thanks...

I know its tough for N54 owners to hear the truth because its their car and their platform, but there's no way around the truth. Look at the new tuning solutions for the F series n55, from ecutek, to MHD, to BM3 they are changing the game with what they are able to do and integrate into the car seemlessly with canbus integration modules. Then look at what happens once the N55 gets a turbo with an upgraded manifold that can finally breathe, they are making insane power even on the stock block. You see 650 whp easily made with a speedtech kit on the stock block zero issues with reliability, and thats on a cast crank N55. You can even see speedtechs videos of street driving the car with no weirdness or driveability issues (depends on if you get a good or a bad tuner), and opening the hood the car looks stock and utilizes alot of the stock components meaning no weird boost control issues. When you see a high power n54 you see a bunch of mods required just to support a big single turbo like mac solenoids, upgraded waste gate springs, port injection etc and that can sometimes lead to driveability issues when the after market parts don't play well. With the n55 pretty much all the stock boost control mechanisms and fuelling mechanisms are controlled by the stock ecu and behave exactly like stock so if it is tuned good the car will drive just as good as it would straight from bmw.

These numbers will only continue to grow now that the n55 is entering the used market, and more fuelling solutions are coming for it. Very soon we will see dual HPFP kits and upgraded high flow fuel injectors (the m5 injectors are already a direct fit - some tuning needed, to the F series n55 and supports alot more fuel flow) that will easily push the N55 to power levels far exceeding the n54 on direct injection only. The n55 now has the tuning, the mods, and the turbos needed to make these crazy power numbers it just needs some owners willing shell out the cash.

[Roll up or pull up]

Well said... well said! I got so much cars but might still get the n55 not sure don't wanna bite off more than I can chew. Something like the 2011 335i n55

[F87Source]

Well said... well said! I got so much cars but might still get the n55 not sure don't wanna bite off more than I can chew. Something like the 2011 335i n55

IMO if you were going to get an N55 I would try to save up a bit more and at the very least get the F series n55 with an EWG so 2014+, this will ensure you get the latest and greatest tuning technology and get the newest turbo technology.

If you can save even more get one with a forged crank: m235i, m2, M performance models (not mppk but real m performance).

[Sticky]

Thought this deserved its own topic.

[slanteyez]

I wouldn't say "better". More like the n55 has caught up to the n54s capabilities. Now Aftermarket support in my opinion n54 is still better. I haven't seen much turbo upgrade options on the n55 compared to the n54 unless you go custom. It seems aftermarket support is shifting to the b58s. For potential holding power limits. N54 might still edge due to the forged crank.

[7plagues]

It's not better if it took 7yrs to even try to catch up....right? Like these aren't stock's, we aren't investing in the future potential horsepower.

[Sticky]

It's not better if it took 7yrs to even try to catch up....right? Like these aren't stock's, we aren't investing in the future potential horsepower.

N54 simply had first mover advantage.

[F87Source]

I wouldn't say "better". More like the n55 has caught up to the n54s capabilities. Now Aftermarket support in my opinion n54 is still better. I haven't seen much turbo upgrade options on the n55 compared to the n54 unless you go custom. It seems aftermarket support is shifting to the b58s. For potential holding power limits. N54 might still edge due to the forged crank.

No it's better because it addresses all the flaws the n54 had as stated above. Then on top of that it improves in terms of thw boost control and ecu. The n55 will have an ecu capable of tuning that the n54 could only dream of and achieve with a stand alone ecu. Fuelling is also better on the F series n55 with hpfp upgrades available, dual hpfps likely in the future, and injector upgrades. Over spinning hpfps like on the n54 imo is a sub optimal solution in terms of long term reliablility.


Also the n55 does have a forged crank on the m performance models and m235i + m2, and x4 m40i.

[Rob@RBTurbo]

Plus pre-turbine O2's are not needed for big custom turbo kits on the N55, such as on the N54. I agree with nearly everything here, nicely written, the only thing the N54 really has is a slightly more stout engine.

[F87Source]

It's not better if it took 7yrs to even try to catch up....right? Like these aren't stock's, we aren't investing in the future potential horsepower.

That's not even how you determine better. This is the issue with the bmw community people always think more power = better, when that's not the full picture. If you want me to be harsh but honest the only good thing about the n54 is alot of decent Stock turbo power with cheap bolt on parts, that's the only good thing the n54 has for it. After that just small nagging reliability issues that is fully addressed on the n55.

The n55 like I said before addresses all the little issues bmw has with the n54 (aka their first an pretty damn good atrempt of a gdi turbo engine), then the F series n55 improve on the n54 in so many ways making it a better motor and platform overall.

The reason why it took so long for the n55 to make power was the ecu was locked and it took forever for someone to figure out how to properly tune these cars. After that fuelling was a problem but finally those two massive obstacles are out of the way we see the true potential of the n55 and it will imo exceed anything the n54 will be capable of with a stock ecu. We are seeing true hpfp upgrades, injectors, canvus integrated tuning, turbo kits with really good turbos such as the efrs, and all tuned with the stock ecu using stock boost control mechisms in the ewg. This means power that is smooth like a factory car without all the hiccups of having to fiddle with waste gate springs, or mac solenoids. Bmw finally brought turbo waste gate control to the modern age with electronic water gates, none of this pneumatic Garbage - I had an sti before and thus was the most annoying part of tuning water gate springs and vaccumn leaks.

[F87Source]

Plus pre-turbine O2's are not needed for big custom turbo kits on the N55, such as on the N54. I agree with nearly everything here, nicely written, the only thing the N54 really has is a slightly more stout engine.

Thanks!

I honestly don't think that's the case when you look at the n55's with forged cranks.

Like speed tecch's car is running an efr 8374 at 600 whp + on an 335i n55 with a cast crank zero issues. This can only be better for forged crank n55's like the m2, and m235i, and m performance cars.

[F87Source]

Oh one more thing in terms of after market support this is how I see it going.


The support is currently on the b58 because of the supra, and since the n55 does share the F series generation with the b58 you do see some trickle over like tuning. HPFP cores (base plate changes) and fuelling are similar so they are also tickling over. Then as the n55 gets older more people will buy it and look for parts hence the after market support will shift back to it again as that phase hits. This is why you're starting to see alot more n55 development in terms of turbos, fuelling, etc. Tuning will also continue to grow on the F series n55 because I believe the ecu and canbus architecture is similar enough to the b58 it'll be ported over.


Honestly if you want me to be brutally honest, for the next few years it's n55 time as these cars get older. Then it will go heavy to the b58 is 5 years time, the only reason why the b58 has so much support now is because of the supra and because tuning was pioneered on the n55 and shifted over to the very similar tuning of the b58. Otherwise from what I have seen after being in the F series n55 platform since 2014 is that the aftermarket has grown immensely for the n55 and is only continuing to grow.

The time of the n54 imo is up, those cars are so old now most people are transitioning to newer models and honestly theres not much left for the aftermarket to do. I also believe the n54 ecu is so old now there not much left in it for further growth, and you likely will not see the same level of canbus integration as on the F series n55.

[Sticky]

Also the n55 does have a forged crank on the m performance models and m235i + m2, and x4 m40i.

I need to sticky this or something. How many more times does it need to be said?

[F87Source]

I need to sticky this or something. How many more times does it need to be said?

It won't matter this has been said alot on other forums and people still don't believe it/or care. Even though the m2 engine has been torn apart with the crank removed and verified that it is indeed forged by many reputable shops + technical documents state so as well.

People just like to hate on the N55 for misinformed reasons so its an easier way to talk smack about the N55 being weak if they assume all N55's have a cast crank.

[Rob@RBTurbo]

It won't matter this has been said alot on other forums and people still don't believe it/or care. Even though the m2 engine has been torn apart with the crank removed and verified that it is indeed forged by many reputable shops + technical documents state so as well.

People just like to hate on the N55 for misinformed reasons so its an easier way to talk smack about the N55 being weak if they assume all N55's have a cast crank.

Tons of N55's out there, most have the cast crank. Production wise it is only the Unicorn N55's that have the forged crank it seems, definitely good to know there are some variants that are more N54 like in that regard. All in all the N55 definitely has a lot of positives, as outlined in the OP, and if you pick the right variant then you are well better off than the N54 in every possible way.

Rob

[F87Source]

Tons of N55's out there, most have the cast crank. Production wise it is only the Unicorn N55's that have the forged crank it seems, definitely good to know there are some variants that are more N54 like in that regard. All in all the N55 definitely has a lot of positives, as outlined in the OP, and if you pick the right variant then you are well better off than the N54 in every possible way.

Rob

Correct, E series n55 you are out of luck.

F series: M Performance models (not mppk), m235i, m2, and x4 m40i (same engine as m2) if you like suvs.


Honestly it's not as "rare" as you may think, especially compared to trying to get a forged pistons n54. If you wanted one you could get one, you just get less selection.

[jeff15]

it just needs some owners willing shell out the cash.

This is what is needed on both N54/N55 platforms lol.

[7plagues]

That's not even how you determine better. This is the issue with the bmw community people always think more power = better, when that's not the full picture. If you want me to be harsh but honest the only good thing about the n54 is alot of decent Stock turbo power with cheap bolt on parts, that's the only good thing the n54 has for it. After that just small nagging reliability issues that is fully addressed on the n55.

The n55 like I said before addresses all the little issues bmw has with the n54 (aka their first an pretty damn good atrempt of a gdi turbo engine), then the F series n55 improve on the n54 in so many ways making it a better motor and platform overall.

The reason why it took so long for the n55 to make power was the ecu was locked and it took forever for someone to figure out how to properly tune these cars. After that fuelling was a problem but finally those two massive obstacles are out of the way we see the true potential of the n55 and it will imo exceed anything the n54 will be capable of with a stock ecu. We are seeing true hpfp upgrades, injectors, canvus integrated tuning, turbo kits with really good turbos such as the efrs, and all tuned with the stock ecu using stock boost control mechisms in the ewg. This means power that is smooth like a factory car without all the hiccups of having to fiddle with waste gate springs, or mac solenoids. Bmw finally brought turbo waste gate control to the modern age with electronic water gates, none of this pneumatic Garbage - I had an sti before and thus was the most annoying part of tuning water gate springs and vaccumn leaks.

Better is a subjective term. My N54 was better when it was beating/even with PS2 N55s in 2017 at Half Mile events just being e85 FBO. The N55 at that time was Better in being more reliable, less parts breaking.

I am just picking on your use of the term "better" in a blanket statement. Hell if you just go by scoreboard of fastest 1/4, 1/2, 60-130 it looks like the n54 is still better.

[F87Source]

Better is a subjective term. My N54 was better when it was beating/even with PS2 N55s in 2017 at Half Mile events just being e85 FBO. The N55 at that time was Better in being more reliable, less parts breaking.

I am just picking on your use of the term "better" in a blanket statement. Hell if you just go by scoreboard of fastest 1/4, 1/2, 60-130 it looks like the n54 is still better.

Again like I said before more power for less doesn't define better, because it took time for the n54 to catch up, especially since the E to F series generation swap essentially reset all development.

Power is not an indicator of better, potential is, technological improvement is, reliability is. When you look at these factors it removes engine development time frame out of the way and shows you true potential, and the n54 will not be able to stack up to the F series n55 all things considered. If you compare via power then by that logic the n54 is better than the s58, b58, and s55 which isn't even remotely a possibility. But later down the road the n55 will be so much better in terms of tuning, fuelling, and even turbo upgrade options I would not be surprised if you started to see the n55 being faster.