N55 Big Turbo

[one30five]

Some of you may have been following the DCT power threshold discussion. I started it because I have an opportunity to be a Guinea pig, or should I say my 135 does, for a N55 big turbo kit. I had some hesitation thinking that I would be making too much power for the DCT or not enough to make sense of the project.

I met with tuner shop several times and have been educating myself and reading everything I can about other builds, technical data, etc. After some hesitation regarding my DCT and being in somewhat uncharted territory, I have decided to share my 2011 135i for R&D and production of a bottom mount turbo upgrade for N55.

My inspiration is to help the N55 community and to help a successful tuning shop grow in the BMW scene. not to mention have a faster car and hopefully something that will make the N55 guys excited. Oh yeah, and I want to be a little more competitive with my N54 friends. (I know that as a whole, the N54 guys are still way ahead of us)

The owner shared some numbers for a 5858 bottom mount they did on another 135. (N54) the owner of that car backed out once the build was complete, but after only a couple pulls on a dyno and no real tuning or testing.

What I found encouraging was, first and foremost, the owner and his engineers' confidence and experience. Albeit mainly on high power EVOs featured in DSport and Import Tuning. More importantly I got to see the CNC cutting new N54 compressors and the fab shop building a custom manifolds for BMWs. So I know these guys are legit about doing BMW guys proud. Finally, I got to see the logs from the N54 5858 project. and on 15.6 psi it was making good, but safe numbers on 93 and making the power smoothly and higher in the RPMS (no duh, bigger turbo) but I didn't see spikes and power stayed on over 6500 rpm, which is where the DCT will be able to handle it better.

I know I can't apply all N54 knowledge and wisdom to the N55 project, but I we believe that since the platforms are similar and the turbo the same our numbers will be similar. So my point is that I feel safe proceeding with the project and starting off making lower numbers so that some progress can be made for the N55 community.

Before we start I need to
-drive at Powercruise at BIR before I say goodbye for a few months
-Determine how we will tune
-start saving extra $ for DCT upgraded components

I'm trusting my car is in good hands. The shop and the engineers and owner have demonstrated supreme confidence and committed to give me a fully functional, street-reliable, fun driver with power where I feel comfortable and within the limitations of the turbo/ motor

My goals
-Help tuner grow in the BMW aftermarket
-Help, even if by just being a guinea pig, the N55 community
-Be more competitive with my N54 buddies
-Go faster. enough said
-for starters 17psi, mid - high 400s hp/tq, then improve from there (transmission upgrade pending)

I hope to not get a ton of nay sayers and negative shit. If at anytime in the project I feel that the shop is not up to the task or unable to make something work I'll be happy to pull the plug. I am, however, very interested in people's feedback, ideas, experience, etc.

I am NOT a tuning specialist. In fact my knowledge is limited to jet skit motors (supercharged) and semi trucks. But the shop I am working with (which I will name later, upon their permission) can be seen in many publications with featured vehicles making great numbers. They have state of the art equipment and smart guys. They do LS swaps, imports, domestics, bolt on, internal, and custom motor work. they manufactur and sell proven parts. I will post updates and I look forward to CONSTRUCTIVE feedback.

FYI, I want to make this project closer to winter AND after my VANOS recall is addressed, which my dealer estimates to be August (based on my VIN, production date, place amongst their other customer) So official progress reports wont be soon. But the ETA after project starts was estimated at 3 months, conservatively.

Wish us luck!!!

[flinchy]

good luck!

build the product and tuning will come

worrying about how it will be tuned and how to fix the what ifs and maybes only slows down innovation... as long as you have the money to plow on through

sort out what you can now, fix the things that go wrong later - obviously with as much thought and planning beforehand as possible.

[Nugget]

Sounds like an awesome project, 5858 should be a good match for the engine.
Very keen to hear and see updates.

[Orange fever]

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[loesch]

Yes!! Best of luck. Finally a shop that isn't in Cali. haha.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Good luck !!

[one30five]

Cool thing about cost : parts only. That's the trade off. R&D and labor is free for giving up my car for whatever it takes!

So my 335xi will probably not be stock much longer. : )

[one30five]

Not an incredibly exciting update, but the owner gave me his blessing to mention his name and shop.

modern automotive performance of cottage grove MN. If you haven't heard of or seen these guys' tricked EVOs than you need to broaden your horizons.

More relevant to this forum, MAP is walnut blasting N54/N55 intakes. A blast of an N54 at 60k miles yielded 20+ whp. with NO other mods or additional tuning. pictures and info is available at maperformance.com I won't spill too much more of their business that isn't already public, but I will say that my OEM N55 turbo housing will be donated after this project is completed for (possible) turbo upgrades. I say possible, because nothing is in black and white. and im sure they don't need calls about something that hasn't started yet. I did see an N54 compressor come out of the CNC when I was there, then compared to stock. WOAH. Awesome. yeah yeah, there are already options out there. I know. but i'm happy to have a mid west shop growing in the BMW aftermarket. If you are in the mid west check them out. Incredible shop and very smart guys. Walk in to see them working on everything from LS swaps into JDM cars, and turbo LS builds in a 69 Camaro. Not to mention the project 335i that is being modded one step at a time for full documentation of power gains. Oh yeah, and the EVOs featured in DSPORT mag. IF you have ever seen a DSPORT you have probably seen one of their cars, if not in an article then an advertisement

Powercruise is July 15-17. Shortly after that is when we should be getting started.

Thank you Chris, Drew, and Josh for the help and advice and constant consultation to my many concerns, questions, and ideas. Can't wait to get started.

Take care, I hope to be giving you guys some real shit to read and look at before the end of summer

[I35it]

Cant wait to see results!! Thank for doing this! I am curious what DCT upgrades your going to do?

[slampig]

Originally Posted by I35it

Cant wait to see results!! Thank for doing this! I am curious what DCT upgrades your going to do?

Are there any?

Tunning is going to be the key to keeping the DCT alive.

[one30five]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SSP-DCT-Tran...=item43b09e6a0

check it out or search DCT Upgrade on google or ebay. did some research and called a US dealer/ performance shop and they are legit

[Allen@MOTIV]

Originally Posted by one30five

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SSP-DCT-Tran...=item43b09e6a0

check it out or search DCT Upgrade on google or ebay. did some research and called a US dealer/ performance shop and they are legit

We set the 335i DCT world record HP with a car running an SSP clutch pack setup. It worked well.

[one30five]

Originally Posted by Allen@PTF

We set the 335i DCT world record HP with a car running an SSP clutch pack setup. It worked well.

That makes you someone I will want to be talking with pretty soon. Thank you for the validation. I have seen and kept up with what you guys are doing and it all looks great! And it makes me feel confident that professionals like yourself can vouch for this!

[iuhutch]

Originally Posted by one30five

Not an incredibly exciting update, but the owner gave me his blessing to mention his name and shop.

modern automotive performance of cottage grove MN. If you haven't heard of or seen these guys' tricked EVOs than you need to broaden your horizons.

More relevant to this forum, MAP is walnut blasting N54/N55 intakes. A blast of an N54 at 60k miles yielded 20+ whp. with NO other mods or additional tuning. pictures and info is available at maperformance.com I won't spill too much more of their business that isn't already public, but I will say that my OEM N55 turbo housing will be donated after this project is completed for (possible) turbo upgrades. I say possible, because nothing is in black and white. and im sure they don't need calls about something that hasn't started yet. I did see an N54 compressor come out of the CNC when I was there, then compared to stock. WOAH. Awesome. yeah yeah, there are already options out there. I know. but i'm happy to have a mid west shop growing in the BMW aftermarket. If you are in the mid west check them out. Incredible shop and very smart guys. Walk in to see them working on everything from LS swaps into JDM cars, and turbo LS builds in a 69 Camaro. Not to mention the project 335i that is being modded one step at a time for full documentation of power gains. Oh yeah, and the EVOs featured in DSPORT mag. IF you have ever seen a DSPORT you have probably seen one of their cars, if not in an article then an advertisement

Powercruise is July 15-17. Shortly after that is when we should be getting started.

Thank you Chris, Drew, and Josh for the help and advice and constant consultation to my many concerns, questions, and ideas. Can't wait to get started.

Take care, I hope to be giving you guys some real shit to read and look at before the end of summer

No way! So sick, I've been asking Chris to consider n55! Based on their rep, they should be able to deliver an amazing local product. Besides labor, any indicator on parts cost?

[masetcp]

Map are great !!!! They are huge in the Evo community. and I am glad that finally a good company can start really breaking the potential out of these motors. I can't wait for this!

[one30five]

Originally Posted by iuhutch

No way! So sick, I've been asking Chris to consider n55! Based on their rep, they should be able to deliver an amazing local product. Besides labor, any indicator on parts cost?

I wan't to be very careful about quoting prices on here as it is not my business, and its way to early to know what they will have to charge to make some money. I know you want just parts cost, but the turbo will probably be the only off the shelf part and it is listed on their webpage. You can get them for around $300 NIB. I will likely upgrade the FMIC, walnut blast the intake manifold, and possibly need to purchases other sensors, hardware, etc.

Before I met with Chris a MAP service advisor gave me a ballpark verbal quote of $1500 in parts. Later, Chris said it would probably be much less than that.

DISCLAIMER: I do NOT work for MAP. I do not have any vested interest in the company and I have not been authorized to quote pricing on parts or services they provide. Everything I share in this thread is unique to my arraignment and does not necessarily represent the same experience others may have in regards to time, costs, etc.

[iuhutch]

Originally Posted by one30five

I wan't to be very careful about quoting prices on here as it is not my business, and its way to early to know what they will have to charge to make some money. I know you want just parts cost, but the turbo will probably be the only off the shelf part and it is listed on their webpage. You can get them for around $300 NIB. I will likely upgrade the FMIC, walnut blast the intake manifold, and possibly need to purchases other sensors, hardware, etc.

Before I met with Chris a MAP service advisor gave me a ballpark verbal quote of $1500 in parts. Later, Chris said it would probably be much less than that.

DISCLAIMER: I do NOT work for MAP. I do not have any vested interest in the company and I have not been authorized to quote pricing on parts or services they provide. Everything I share in this thread is unique to my arraignment and does not necessarily represent the same experience others may have in regards to time, costs, etc.

No need for walnut blast here...I'm very low on miles.

I also need an FMIC and that is first...been talking to Chris about this.

For the turbo, that is uber cheap. I hope they know the N55 is a reverse rotation fan blade and isnt not easy to reproduce from other turbo OTS compressior blades....

Those price ranges seem a bit optimistic to me...is this a stage 1 or stage 2 upgrade they are R&D ing?

[Nugget]

If you are building a custom manifold no need to worry about the stock turbo being reverse rotation. That would only be an issue if you were sticking with stock housing.

[one30five]

I also need an FMIC and that is first...been talking to Chris about this.

For the turbo, that is uber cheap. I hope they know the N55 is a reverse rotation fan blade and isnt not easy to reproduce from other turbo OTS compressior blades....

1. I am picking up the MAP FMIC Friday. I'll let you know how it goes
2. I am NOT assuming the cost of tuning, R&D,and labor. that is the trade off for giving up my car for 2-3 months (if not more)
3. Custom manifold. turbo position is not an issue. 100% custom set up from the motor - out

[iuhutch]

Originally Posted by Nugget

If you are building a custom manifold no need to worry about the stock turbo being reverse rotation. That would only be an issue if you were sticking with stock housing.

Ahh good call thanks Nugget

[iuhutch]

This is going to be epic!

Yes let me know how it is. 5inch, right? Is it still black? Take a pic or two for me if you can

[JETmn]

Very nice! I need to give Chris hell. I have been on him for 6+ months to get an N55 turbo out there! I have known him since before he started MAP. I think this is going to be a perfect sized turbo for the car too.