BMW 335i N54 Compression Test: Ready For 17T Hybrids?

[@martinn123321]

N54 is a legendary engine, please show KZbin it true potential!

[@justinp2993]

Your methodical, thoughtful approach is simply wonderful. Not sure how I found your page but sure glad I did. The recent intercooler series was simply outstanding. I am a random 42 year old guy and I bought my 335i a few months ago as a bridge between my traditional 328i's (great driving cars but a little lacking in power) I have been driving for 15 plus years and my toys (Supra and Grand National). So many of these videos are put together by 20 somethings and their credibility and experience is a little lacking. Keep up the good work. I must say you are not making it easy on my pocketbook though, :) now to order the Eldor coils... Thanks again.

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Hi Justin, Appreciate the comment. We are still really learning with the whole filming and editing process, but have been playing around with cars for only a little longer than you. We have been in the automotive industry our whole lives and watched first hand how market and sales tactics effect the average persons opinion. I don't blame the young youtubers for regurgitating what the sales bumf tells them or what they read on a forum somewhere.... but you are right it does make you question their credibility. At least we know we don't know what we are doing :P hehe Hopefully we will save your pocketbook some money. Although we don't make a big deal about it, the point of this video series is that you don't need to spend top dollar to get the performance. Most of the time with expensive off the shelf products you are paying for a marketing team and packaging more so than the actual product development that they lead you to believe. Also kind of jealous of the supra and grand national. How long have you had them?

[@TCGTV98]

Correct! The cylinder 4,5 always have minor compression error compared to all other ones. I got my M54B30 and whenever I check engine smoothness value, its always extremely minor variations. No issues. Ofc its mechanics so in engineering we keep a tolerance around -/+ 5-10% values.

[@matt.108]

Anything 170 or more is perfectly fine. Rear bank gets a lot more of a workout from heat so it’s normal to see it drop off slowly from 1-6

[@tropg]

it sounded like the battery is starting to die half way through, that can affect the time taken for compression to build as the piston is moving slower

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Well spotted. We genuinely didn't notice when we were filming. But that explains some of the variations.

[@HassanEido1]

The battery was giving up lol. 190 is more than fine. Usually 170 180 is ok too. They're all within 5% so you're good 👍

[@dalabu8260]

Looks good send it!

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Let be real, we probably would have regardless...... if the engine is going to blow up, we want to be the ones that do it!! ha

[@Saif0412]

@@ZeroTo60Tube lol There aren't many blown up n54 engines, usually stuff around the block that goes unless you go for crazy power, from what I read crank and pistons are Forged and the block itself is pretty reliable.

[@semperer]

Can Gunked up intake valves with carbon be affecting compression test ?

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Only if it’s on the sealing surface of the valve. Then it definitely will.

[@semperer]

@@ZeroTo60Tube because I just bought 335i n54 and I was measuring compression and I have this in psi 1. 155 2. 160 3. 165 4. 160 5. 162 6. 165 I tried to find someone with this on forum but could find it. My valves are coated in carbon what I saw on camera and also literally liquid oil in intake..

[@timlad123456]

Consider the mileage and that turbo motors have big ring end gaps you should proceed with the build. I am very interested in what your doing to this car because I own an e92 335IS,and I believe what works on a right hand drive bmw should work on a left hand drive bmw. good luck and cheers from across the pond

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

That's a really good point, we were surprised it had this much compression... hehe. Oh man, i'd love an 355IS, you are living the dream with the DCT behind the N54. The next week should be pretty cool with this one getting the port injection.... Looking forward to seeing what the turbos are capable of at 24psi..... then, then we get the big ones fitted... i can't wait.

[@Veptaa]

would you do this with the engine hot or cold? i know in aviation maintenance you do the compression test with an engine that is up to operating temp. wanted to know if it was the same for automotive

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Well one would think that doing at running temp would give a more accurate figure of actual compression during combustion, but on the same note, the main thing people focus on with cars is having similar figures across all cylinders, which is why i don't think the temp is taken in to account too often.

[@traviswilliams8849]

Can I get some more info on what you think of the 17T turbos? I’m really thinking of buying but not getting clear info on how they perform

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Hey Travis, unfortunately we haven’t got them installed yet. Need to get a few things right on the car before we install them. Which is, port injection and the walnut blasting. Hopefully have the turbos on and tuned by the end of next month. Visually to look decent, but until they are on and working under high boost, that’s about all we can say about them. Have you been following this cars build progress?

[@sadafshaw422]

Whats the normal rate of test compression N54 (psi)?

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Anywhere from 180-200psi on a new motor.

[@jeordanrenouf]

have you got a video installing a new lpfp?

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Hi Jeordan, not yet, however the dual LPFP will be done in the next few days and we will film the install. Still not sure if i am going to cut out the bottom of the bucket and go bucketless or not yet.

[@jeordanrenouf]

@@ZeroTo60Tube I'm going for a pretty similar build so its interesting watching your build and getting tips!!

[@thornboroughhomes7953]

Is it just me or are you supposed to crank each cylinder the same number of revolutions & no more than 10 cranks total (If you count, the ones you had less compression on you didn't crank s many times as others have said due to a dead battery and on one cylinder you cranked it like 32 times...)? Also, your supposed to depress the throttle and ( not 100% sure bout this part) wait a few minutes to make sure its able to hold compression and how quickly each cylinder decreases over a period of 2-5 minutes?? These variables may be why some are having conflicting info!

[@paulsimpson8990]

Try recharging your battery and working from back to front

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

That is a good idea. What is the reason to go from back to front? Or just to give the rear cylinders the better cranking speed.

[@paulsimpson8990]

I was thinking you might get the same result i.e 6 cranks out 200 and drops to 190 as the battery dies on cylinder 2. Or charge as you go and make sure you keep the voltage and the CCA consistent. Just a thought as compression testing is notoriously inconsistent and has been replaced by nitrogen leakdown as far as I know. Plenty of people out there with way more experience than me though. Good luck.

[@HassanEido1]

@@ZeroTo60Tube clean the valves first then check compression again I reckon

[@2052lt]

totally normal numbers, send it !!!

[@TurboArt1]

Battery low when doing bank 2

[@NardoGreyRam]

Are these the Most boring N54 videos ever or what?

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

haha, so your saying we are the best at being boring... woohoo!!! Jokes aside would love any tips, we are new to youtube, editing etc. If you have any advice on how to make them more interesting please let us know. Thanks dude!

[@NardoGreyRam]

@@ZeroTo60Tube Hey man sorry for the late reply, i didnt mean you are boring man, what i meant is the video content with respect to the title I dont mean to tell you how to do morr interesting videos because i watched almost al your videos, but just a recommendation, what is expected after installing new parts is to post test video and the impression and effects of before and after the new part installed on driving and/or performance.. But detailed installation instructions are needed by some amd found boring by others, it depends, usually we loom for the end to see the result, and then if convinced to install the same instructions can be viewed. Thanks for your understanding and wish you the best