[DJSF3014]

Hey guys been lurking for a while have a situation im in now. I know the stock n55 motor is good till about 650 or so. I'm getting very low compression now I don't just wanna slap oem rings back in if that's the problem and pay and do all that work for it to be stock. I'm running an upgraded turbo and will do PI and e85 when available to me so my question is would putting upgraded piston rods and rod bearings help and allow the engine to hold more power or what all would I need to do?? Thanks for all the help and info.

[Munchi435i]

What are your plans for the car? Road course tracking, daily driving, dyno number flexing?? Whats the end game for the car before you start investing money into the endless black pit?!!

What upgraded turbo are you running? Why are you choosing Port Injection?

Please list more details on your car and answer the above questions so we can point you in the right direction. Help us help you!!

[DJSF3014]

Originally Posted by Munchi435i

What are your plans for the car? Road course tracking, daily driving, dyno number flexing?? Whats the end game for the car before you start investing money into the endless black pit?!!

Being a daily driving machine it's got everything already on it that it's gonna have but just wanna have a fun street car that's reliable and want to have the mods supporting for higher numbers so they arient being pushed to the limit.

[DJSF3014]

Originally Posted by Munchi435i

What are your plans for the car? Road course tracking, daily driving, dyno number flexing?? Whats the end game for the car before you start investing money into the endless black pit?!!

What upgraded turbo are you running? Why are you choosing Port Injection?

Please list more details on your car and answer the above questions so we can point you in the right direction. Help us help you!!

It's a 2014 x drive 335i with a bb 3.4 kit all upgrades to go with it has a spool fx-180 hpfp stage 2 lpfp bigger brakes getting bigger intercooler soon

[FastF30]

Originally Posted by DJSF3014

It's a 2014 x drive 335i with a bb 3.4 kit all upgrades to go with it has a spool fx-180 hpfp stage 2 lpfp bigger brakes getting bigger intercooler soon

OEM rods are forged... I'd replace rod bearings for preventive...

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by FastF30

OEM rods are forged... I'd replace rod bearings for preventive...

Correct, i would need to refresh on all the N55 variant differences but IIRC rods are forged but they actually use a cast crank and pistons in your case. Thus, you would probably want forged pistons at a minimum. Replacing all bearings is a given if you are already going that deep. You might want to source a forged crank if you are going fully forged rotating assembly, might be able to use one from another N55, not sure. Then you consider headwork. You didn't state if auto or manual, but in either case you probably dont want to push far above 650whp even if your longblock is built to handle more, you can just run that reliably. Pushing any higher you have to worry about other drivetrain components as well.

[FastF30]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

but in either case you probably dont want to push far above 650whp even if your longblock is built to handle more, you can just run that reliably. Pushing any higher you have to worry about other drivetrain components as well.

Totally agree... but if you want all the fun stuff ... just order one of these for $15k with the available upgrades (scroll down page to see upgrades) and your all set for engine reliability... most importantly... change that oil every 3500 miles if your heavy footing it a lot...

[DJSF3014]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Correct, i would need to refresh on all the N55 variant differences but IIRC rods are forged but they actually use a cast crank and pistons in your case. Thus, you would probably want forged pistons at a minimum. Replacing all bearings is a given if you are already going that deep. You might want to source a forged crank if you are going fully forged rotating assembly, might be able to use one from another N55, not sure. Then you consider headwork. You didn't state if auto or manual, but in either case you probably dont want to push far above 650whp even if your longblock is built to handle more, you can just run that reliably. Pushing any higher you have to worry about other drivetrain components as well.

Okay thank you for the advice I'm 6 speed and already have a stage 3+ clutch as well. If I'm gonna open the engine I wanna do everything all in one shot is there any specific weak points on the n55 that can be addressed? And yea would love to stay around the 650 wheel mark but I already have low compression so might have machine it out. I know I can source a used m2 forged crank is there any specific pistons you recommend or any rings?

[harkes]

Low compression pistons and send it

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by DJSF3014

Okay thank you for the advice I'm 6 speed and already have a stage 3+ clutch as well. If I'm gonna open the engine I wanna do everything all in one shot is there any specific weak points on the n55 that can be addressed? And yea would love to stay around the 650 wheel mark but I already have low compression so might have machine it out. I know I can source a used m2 forged crank is there any specific pistons you recommend or any rings?

I would just find a reputable place that has build N55s before and follow their recommendations for pistons, rings and gap, etc. I had never heard of the place FastF30 linked above, but might be worth looking into them as well.

[DJSF3014]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

I would just find a reputable place that has build N55s before and follow their recommendations for pistons, rings and gap, etc. I had never heard of the place FastF30 linked above, but might be worth looking into them as well.

Yea I did that and have seen some but they are 15k and if I can get the same products or even results without upgrading and just replacing the worn parts why wouldn't I? When it would cost maybe 8k in upgrades be just as good vs 15k plus.

[FastF30]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

I had never heard of the place FastF30 linked above, but might be worth looking into them as well.

Quick search and they are in Oklahoma and have a great Yelp review ... and to top it off you can pay for it with Amazon Pay... lol... I found it on a quick whim googling... but definitely worth looking into in my opinion.. reads like they did all the homework for strengthening this motor... what stands out most is the N54 forged crank to me... would be a great boat motor it's so heavy duty... and Honestly $15k doesn't sound bad for what your getting.. Just my opinion..

P.s. says they offer a closed deck... so they swap out the block or???

Here's their Facebook

[DJSF3014]

[QUOTE=FastF30;26828313]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9;26828266 I had never heard of the place FastF30 linked above, but might be worth looking into them as well.[/QUOTE

Quick search and they are in Oklahoma and have a great Yelp review ... and to top it off you can pay for it with Amazon Pay... lol... I found it on a quick whim googling... but definitely worth looking into in my opinion.. reads like they did all the homework for strengthening this motor... what stands out most is the N54 forged crank to me... would be a great boat motor it's so heavy duty... and Honestly $15k doesn't sound bad for what your getting.. Just my opinion..

P.s. says they offer a closed deck... so they swap out the block or???

Yea I've seen their work before and on the groups seems like it's hit and miss with them. Again a good deal but if I can handle the same power for 1/2 the price that's a better option so trying to really figure out the weak points of the motor and upgrade those or take it out install all brand new and stay under 650 which I plan on anyway.

[FastF30]

Originally Posted by DJSF3014

Yea I did that and have seen some but they are 15k and if I can get the same products or even results without upgrading and just replacing the worn parts why wouldn't I? When it would cost maybe 8k in upgrades be just as good vs 15k plus.

I'd use their list of upgrades as a guide then... but they know all the tricks if there is any...

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by DJSF3014

Yea I've seen their work before and on the groups seems like it's hit and miss with them. Again a good deal but if I can handle the same power for 1/2 the price that's a better option so trying to really figure out the weak points of the motor and upgrade those or take it out install all brand new and stay under 650 which I plan on anyway.

Not sure if he was being sarcastic but their yelp reviews are all awful. That alone would probably eliminate them from my considerations. https://www.yelp.com/biz/ghassan-automotive-perkins

[FastF30]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Not sure if he was being sarcastic but their yelp reviews are all awful. That alone would probably eliminate them from my considerations. https://www.yelp.com/biz/ghassan-automotive-perkins

Totally sarcastic...

[FastF30]

Originally Posted by DJSF3014

Yea I've seen their work before and on the groups seems like it's hit and miss with them. Again a good deal but if I can handle the same power for 1/2 the price that's a better option so trying to really figure out the weak points of the motor and upgrade those or take it out install all brand new and stay under 650 which I plan on anyway.

if my motor... pistons and look into the N54 crank if I was going that deep.... But haven't read anything about these stock motors blowing up... only issue is bearings really... me I'd keep under 600 and call it a day... more worried about driveline at that point... also check out if there is anything to do for oil pick-up... seems the biggest problem is oil starvation when tracking it... Hence bearing failures..

[DJSF3014]

Originally Posted by FastF30

if my motor... pistons and look into the N54 crank if I was going that deep.... But haven't read anything about these stock motors blowing up... only issue is bearings really... me I'd keep under 600 and call it a day... more worried about driveline at that point... also check out if there is anything to do for oil pick-up... seems the biggest problem is oil starvation when tracking it... Hence bearing failures..

Yea I won't be tracking it at all so not an issue. And if doing bearings which in particular? I'm really just trying to bring back a healthy motor but if I'm breaking into it already and I can add a little bit more stiffness while in there why not.

[FastF30]

Originally Posted by DJSF3014

Yea I won't be tracking it at all so not an issue. And if doing bearings which in particular? I'm really just trying to bring back a healthy motor but if I'm breaking into it already and I can add a little bit more stiffness while in there why not.

That also applies to any long sweeping high "G" corner... as for rod bearings I've read stock bearings are the same ones that are used in the S55... I did see somewhere they had upgraded bearings but can't find it right now...

That S54 cam swap video showed his bearings and he's running same HP you want... bearings looked like they were getting toasted.. to many "G's" take off / Hard cornering possible oil starvation????

But last note... SlowSpeed on youtube beat his car like no other (he was 600+)... I mean he really beat the shitts out of it... and it still worked.. driveline was main issue... he was rwd...seeing his videos I have complete confidence in this N55 motor being stock upto 650whp...

[DJSF3014]

Originally Posted by FastF30

That also applies to any long sweeping high "G" corner... as for rod bearings I've read stock bearings are the same ones that are used in the S55... I did see somewhere they had upgraded bearings but can't find it right now...

That S54 cam swap video showed his bearings and he's running same HP you want... bearings looked like they were getting toasted.. to many "G's" take off / Hard cornering possible oil starvation????

But last note... SlowSpeed on youtube beat his car like no other (he was 600+)... I mean he really beat the shitts out of it... and it still worked.. driveline was main issue... he was rwd...seeing his videos I have complete confidence in this N55 motor being stock upto 650whp...

So best just to replace all worn parts that would contribute to low compression and send it. It won't be taking corners hard either and might look into vac bearings or king heard good things about both and leave it at that that guy was auto and had those problem I'm manual and awd so maybe lsd time instead of beefing up the engine.

[FastF30]

Originally Posted by DJSF3014

So best just to replace all worn parts that would contribute to low compression and send it. It won't be taking corners hard either and might look into vac bearings or king heard good things about both and leave it at that that guy was auto and had those problem I'm manual and awd so maybe lsd time instead of beefing up the engine.

I have not personally read anything about Xdrive blowing up yet... I figure it's diverting power to front and back so component stress is less... new rings and bearings and hopefully your all good to go...you'll know more once you start taking the pistons out... make sure you take pictures of the bearings with a little history on them..

[F32Fleet]

Upgraded oil pan and a LSD if you're serious vs checking boxes.