How many tuned N54's have had major problems?

Bowzyr · 06-02-2009, 02:16 AM

I don't see many horror stories, which is a good thing! But what are the real stats on how strong our engine is?

How many people have blown turbos or worse yet engines with tuned N54 cars? and what tunes were they running?

What is the highest mileage N54 running around that has been tuned since early on?

You guys see where i'm going with this!

My135 · 06-02-2009, 10:01 AM

I have been runnign JB3 1.22 for 6000 miles, no problem at all.

BlackjackMulligan · 06-02-2009, 11:42 AM

There are no solid numbers as to how many N54s have had issues with tunes and how many haven't.

If you're worried about warrantee, it's simple: DON'T TUNE

If you want to play a little and remain ***relatively*** safe go with a very mild tune like the JB+ set on default, the SSTT, or JB2.

If you go with the higher output tunes, you take your warrantee (and wallet!) in your own hands.

philaf_666 · 06-02-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackjackMulligan

If you want to play a little and remain ***relatively*** safe go with a very mild tune like the JB+ set on default, the SSTT, or JB2.

IMO, running JB3 on low or normal boost is safer than running JB+, SSTT or JB2 simply due to the fact that it's taking more parameters in consideration.

Of course on «turbo melter» map, that another thing...

But still, to date, I think there was only one serious case of problems with a tune and still not 100% sure it was related.

gargoyal · 06-02-2009, 01:28 PM

In general you don’t see a lot of mangled N54 engines. It has forged internals and is well built. Because of the small turbos and the inability to upgrade the fuel injectors, you can only add so much extra boost. Most of the stage 3 tunes are already pushing the injectors and stock turbos to the limit. It is hard to get a N54 above the low 400 hp mark . So far the engine has been holding up at the high 300s and low 400s.
I know of at least 2 335s with over 10,000 of hard driving on a stage 3 tune. It will be real interesting to see if the N54 holds up once the turbo swap kit start coming out.

rcracer_tx · 06-02-2009, 02:20 PM

ASR has pushed their car with upgraded turbos to 523whp with stock fueling and internals. As long as your turbos don't fail catastrophically you shouldn't have any major problems...

ronnyek · 06-02-2009, 02:55 PM

thats what I would add too... the motor is extremely detuned... seems like the motor was built for extreme duty, but then detuned and dinky snails plopped onto it. It IS a tuner car, its just bmw tries to do anything they can to NOT have to cover problems created by a tune.

Raflekt · 06-02-2009, 03:05 PM

I think the problem is not the engine its the HPFP and high temps

1lvr · 06-02-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnyek

thats what I would add too... the motor is extremely detuned... seems like the motor was built for extreme duty, but then detuned and dinky snails plopped onto it. It IS a tuner car, its just bmw tries to do anything they can to NOT have to cover problems created by a tune.

wouldnt you?
I agree though it is a great little tuner and i usualy try wait for the warrenty to expire before changing things but then i end up trading it off before i even get close to going out of warrenty. This time i couldnt resist so im hoping or should i say betting that these guys can handle it. so far so good..

bimmerboy · 06-02-2009, 10:06 PM

I agree, Running a JB3 on a low boost map theoretically would be safer than a JB+ since it monitors/changes more variables...

Quote:

Originally Posted by philaf_666

IMO, running JB3 on low or normal boost is safer than running JB+, SSTT or JB2 simply due to the fact that it's taking more parameters in consideration.

Of course on «turbo melter» map, that another thing...

But still, to date, I think there was only one serious case of problems with a tune and still not 100% sure it was related.

ILMOSTRO · 06-03-2009, 01:44 AM

I had to have my bank 2 turbo replaced this in May. I bought the car in November. I had the Dinan stage two ECU upgrade installed in January. The dealership told me that the Dinan ECU upgrade had nothing to do with the issue. It was a problem with wastegate actuation. Good thing I went with Dinan for the ECU tune or the dealer would have charged me over $2K. Damn!

Add1ct · 06-05-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BR3CK

I had to have my bank 2 turbo replaced this in May. I bought the car in November. I had the Dinan stage two ECU upgrade installed in January. The dealership told me that the Dinan ECU upgrade had nothing to do with the issue. It was a problem with wastegate actuation. Good thing I went with Dinan for the ECU tune or the dealer would have charged me over $2K. Damn!

what dealer was that, I heard some dinan dealers are now refusing to honor warranties and blaming Dinan, leading to a fight btw bmw and dinan at the customer's expense

06-02-2009, 02:16 AM	#1
Bowzyr Private 11 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Santa Barbara, CA iTrader: (0)	How many tuned N54's have had major problems? I don't see many horror stories, which is a good thing! But what are the real stats on how strong our engine is? How many people have blown turbos or worse yet engines with tuned N54 cars? and what tunes were they running? What is the highest mileage N54 running around that has been tuned since early on? You guys see where i'm going with this!
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06-02-2009, 10:01 AM	#2
My135 Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	I have been runnign JB3 1.22 for 6000 miles, no problem at all. __________________ 7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
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06-02-2009, 11:42 AM	#3
BlackjackMulligan Most interesting Roadster 69 Rep 2,224 Posts Drives: '01 Z3.0 Roady;'10 C300 Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Boston 'burbs iTrader: (5) Garage List 2010 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00] 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roa ... [0.00]	There are no solid numbers as to how many N54s have had issues with tunes and how many haven't. If you're worried about warrantee, it's simple: DON'T TUNE If you want to play a little and remain *relatively* safe go with a very mild tune like the JB+ set on default, the SSTT, or JB2. If you go with the higher output tunes, you take your warrantee (and wallet!) in your own hands. __________________ I can't complain, but sometimes I still do........Life's been good to me so far. - Joe Walsh
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06-02-2009, 01:28 PM	#5
gargoyal First Lieutenant 11 Rep 352 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	In general you don’t see a lot of mangled N54 engines. It has forged internals and is well built. Because of the small turbos and the inability to upgrade the fuel injectors, you can only add so much extra boost. Most of the stage 3 tunes are already pushing the injectors and stock turbos to the limit. It is hard to get a N54 above the low 400 hp mark . So far the engine has been holding up at the high 300s and low 400s. I know of at least 2 335s with over 10,000 of hard driving on a stage 3 tune. It will be real interesting to see if the N54 holds up once the turbo swap kit start coming out. __________________ Crimson Red 135i, sport pkg ,blk leather delivered 6/27/08
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06-02-2009, 02:20 PM	#6
rcracer_tx Banned 55 Rep 2,013 Posts Drives: BSM 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	ASR has pushed their car with upgraded turbos to 523whp with stock fueling and internals. As long as your turbos don't fail catastrophically you shouldn't have any major problems...
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06-02-2009, 02:55 PM	#7
ronnyek Captain 23 Rep 682 Posts Drives: 2010 Evo MR Touring Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: space iTrader: (1)	thats what I would add too... the motor is extremely detuned... seems like the motor was built for extreme duty, but then detuned and dinky snails plopped onto it. It IS a tuner car, its just bmw tries to do anything they can to NOT have to cover problems created by a tune.
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06-02-2009, 03:05 PM	#8
Raflekt First Lieutenant 20 Rep 354 Posts Drives: 2009 AW 135i fully loaded Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mexico iTrader: (0)	I think the problem is not the engine its the HPFP and high temps __________________ 2009 AW 135i CP-E CATLESS DPS, AFE EXHAUST , OIL COOLER KIT,FORGE DVV,,BMW PERFORMANCE SIDE SKIRTS AND BMW P . PEDALS, BMW PERFORMANCE SPOILER , BMW PERFOMANCE KIDNEY GRILLS, CODE 3 IC, DIREZZA Z1 STAR SPEC
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06-03-2009, 01:44 AM	#11
ILMOSTRO ilmostro 6 Rep 171 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I had to have my bank 2 turbo replaced this in May. I bought the car in November. I had the Dinan stage two ECU upgrade installed in January. The dealership told me that the Dinan ECU upgrade had nothing to do with the issue. It was a problem with wastegate actuation. Good thing I went with Dinan for the ECU tune or the dealer would have charged me over $2K. Damn!
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