I Spent Months Trying to Get 700HP Out of My BMW and Here's What Happened

Watching a build on KZbin usually showcases a project being completed perfectly with a best case scenario, very seldom does it show the trials and tribulations one might go through attaining the final product.
Of course, this being my 2009 BMW e82 135i with the N54 engine, the world isn't perfect and its not all sunshine and rainbows. I've struggled to turn it up and this is a small glimpse into the behind the scene issues I've had to endure.
All strife aside, it will be out better than ever in 2025. We still plan to have some sliding winter fun but for big power numbers, they're coming. Don't worry!
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#bmw #135i #n54

[@Twittenberg]

Can't wait to see this thing doing some winter shenanigans

[@punkboy459]

I've had bad experience with PR coils especially when its on manifold side, I was constantly getting misfires and it was pissing me off. I decided to get rid of it and got B58 coils N54 conversion kit by NEXSUS motorsports and they work great flawless so far no misfire with over 5k miles and its not my daily. I'd highly recommend get the b58 kit and I still use 97506 spark plugs. One more thing I also recommend is getting rid junk Jb4 and get MHD single bank fueling, & also get motiv port injection controller. Huge game changer!

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

We are running single bank fueling with MHD BEF, soon to be custom tune. The JB4 is essentially only used as a boost controller / multi map.

[@leveluplife8585]

You’re a real one, keep up the R&D!

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

Will do! Appreciate it!

[@jamestabor587]

Very very cool. A true unique n54 build. Can’t wait to see the day you find a 5 series n63 to build. Very few have done it on KZbin at all

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

I've been looking!! One day!

[@jamestabor587]

@@tony.nextlevelrideshahaha I know. Just like seeing you challenge yourself and do stuff because you want to do it not because “it’s the unreliable nightmare bmw”

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

@jamestabor587 don't think there's a single thing I'd rely on anyone else to do at this point! Every vehicle is unreliable if neglected!

[@akaWilln54]

Love this content, so interesting to see how other people handle diagnostic with these cars.

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

Thanks!! Between RX7's, Subaru's and BMW's. I've become better at diagnosing issues, especially the dumb ones.

[@ZaksWorld14]

Only JB4 people can understand the "Did my speedo stop working" 🤣

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

I mean, the tach was still working so I was tripped out. Lol

[@BrokeMahWallet]

For real 😭🤣🤣

[@khemchee4685]

I use to chase random issues with jb4 all the time, it was always misfiring too. Switched to MHD and it ran a million times better and way more smoother.

[@gomezchris276]

This video just about sums up the life of an n54 owner … i feel the pain 😂

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

It's a love / hate relationship 🥲

[@friguy4444]

Wow. That's one HECK of a Leaky injector! I've had em leaky and bad but I don't think it was ever quite as flowing as that one! But you're sure good at finding that stuff. but I really do wish you could finally have a working and driving N54 like mine (Finally) has been for the last full year. LOL. I guess that must sound lame to people that aren't addicted to the N54 but here in Calgary where I live that car fits me right down to the ground! LOL. The weather the comfort but the performance too is just off the map! IMHO. I also have a built E46 M3 which is rusting now but I don't have to care about scratching it or anything and can drive it like a hoonigan any time anywhere!! WOO HOO!! LETS GO!!

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

It's funny that issues crept up on when I tried fixing one thing, such is life and the N54 curse. Yup, Calgary is a bit of a pain here but thankfully summers are nice, minus the bugs....

[@mikec9155]

if you get a rear camber kit, you can run more negative camber to tuck the tires more under the lip

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

I debated it but didn't want it to adversely affect the handling once I lower it. I do have all the arms so they'll likely go on just in case.

[@17t135i]

There is always something to sort out, my latest issue is direct port methanol 😅 overun on decel.. as under vacuum it sucks the methanol in the lines that go to the distribution box and then solanoid. The issue here is it causes the afr reading to go to 10.28 on decel for too long, the dme then thinks the o2 sensors have stopped working..so now I have 6 check valves coming, one for each nozzle holder..

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

Yeah, I've heard of it syphoning on decel, the check valves will sort your issue though. Just be sure the lines from solenoid to nozzle are as short as possible!

[@all4bspinnin311]

I would highly consider moving towards a nexsys motorsport di delete for the n54. The current setup you have with the jb4 is interfering with dme operation and firing the port in batch fire. By swapping to the di delete, you can drastically simplify the build and integrate port injection under control of the factory dme. No more open loop pi with a di mix underneath causing confusion for the car. Also since you can remove your costly di injectors and hpfp you no longer have to worry about replacing them. Just a di delete, id1300cc injeactors, and PR low pressure fuel pump with 1:1 regulator on the return. Simple, reliable, and safe.

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

Good tip, I'll look into that.

[@Twittenberg]

Real world testing between sequential and batch fire has been done time and time again. No real benefits have been shown on this platform for it. Bms has also released a sequential firing port controller and even state themselves between all their R&D that there really isn't a benefit

[@all4bspinnin311]

@@Twittenberg BMS also has a vested interest in selling their kit. At wide open throttle with high piston speed, it isnt as big of a difference however at lower speeds, theres a considerable difference in fueling accuracy. Ive personally tested an AIC and reflex back to back on the same car and the result was nearly 30 whp from 3500 to 5000 rpm. Short term fuel trims also stay much closer and more stable.

[@jake_3946]

i was having the same problems your having with misfires. i have a single turbo n54 as well. after a lot of spent money we found the problem to be with the evolution recewerks coils. replaced them with stock coils and i havent had a problem since

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

good catch, seems they can be hit and miss. my next step is B58 coils if mine give me issues.

[@Trekulations]

ICE RACING!!!!!!!!

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

Heck yeah!!!

[@friguy4444]

I heard you say youre gapping the plugs to .24?? I had big miss fire problems when i tried 2 step colder plugs at .22 then i went through lots of trials and found that using the 1 step colder gapped to .18 was what fixed it ALL for me! Oh and JSR Jon is my tuner if that matters to anything lol.

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

The PR coils allow you to run a much larger gap, I ran 0.028 prior on my e90 with NGK 97506 and PR coils.

[@7Janiel]

Mine is stock and still misfiring at idle. Does not throw any faults though. It's idling at 600 rpm for a while then it has slight shake and the rpm increases. It has new injectors new plugs new coils new hpfp still does this. At this point i stopped trying to fix it :)

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

Have you don't a walnut blast lately? Could be as simple as that!

[@icommandoi145]

When you changed the injector did you program the new 1 in with its new values?

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

Yup, sure did.

[@exiteternium]

never go JuiceBox, Go Motiv Reflex, time for the new era and new age of technology. Also, i love the blooper reel throwing your wallet at it LOL. i'm currently throwing my wallet at mine from rear main seal pushing out thanks to prior valve cover and PCV failing.... ( thought it was oil pan gasket was the oil leka originally cause it was 40K miles old.. good thing i pulled it off, there was some hardened chunks from the old old gasket in the pan.. i also had the VAC motorsport baffle welded in) had an issue with ECS tuning getting me parts/updates cause they lost the package.. so i ordered replacements at FCP Euro, cause at least FCP will grab shit off the shelf and fill a new box if stuff goes missing and if it does happen to show up on your doorstep, they'll get you a fedex label to RMA. well.. guess what showed up today? my ECS tuning parts and clutch alignment tool ( i have the 8 bolt) well.. now i'll have spares when i need to do the clutch again.. question now is.. do i spend money on a lightweight flywheel and 335IS or Spec Stage 2 clutch? or just get 335IS clutch keep the current flywheel and hit it with a little 500 grit sand paper and the pressure washer to get all the oil and grease out, and then focus on getting replacement turbos, and the rear diff/subframe. but even then i need to get my low pressure sensor working again too.. when it rains it pours.. damn car..

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

When it rains, it not only pours but the clouds cover as it crashes down a lightning storm! I'd throw the cash at the engine bay but knew I'd lose some. It'll take me for my cash and blood if I let it. Lol

[@exiteternium]

@tony.nextlevelrides i went turner lightweight flywheel, with 335is clutch, as the goal is 500 hp, false knock apparently becomes an issue with the dual mass system.

[@Sam-gj3xg]

could your injectors holes in the head be ovaled out. Have heard alot of people just removing them and plugging the DI injectors with titanium bolts and running PI only on maxx ecu

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

Nah, they're ok. Just somehow had a string of lousy injectors somehow.

[@098cpt]

Awesome work ! I've finalized my tune with Terry 2-3 weeks ago, and the car is a blast. JB4+MHD is insane, specially in canada when fuel quality is , let say, variable. Jb4 safety is a must, or worst case I jump into a lower map. Got 607whp at 26.5psi with petrocad 94 special + 50/50 meth 600cc on map8 single turbo. Did you posted your log somewhere ? I would like to compare with mine.

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

That's impressive! I've not posted my log but could email you a copy if you fired us an email.

[@Cleanish_n54]

What manifold is that I bought one from Jackspania racing and wondering what charge pipe would fit

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

I believe it's a BMP manifold. For charge pipes, they all have very poor fitment. Be prepared for a headache!

[@Capt-Blurrie]

Your speedo stopped working after you switched from map 1 to map 2. Any issue there?

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

Not sure, it's never happened since. Maybe I revved it before confirming the map. Strange.

[@Capt-Blurrie]

@@tony.nextlevelrides maybe your second map config might disable it? I have no experience with BMWs especially aftermarket but its a thought. NVM i re-read your comment (It hasn't happened since).

[@murk1352]

Try a little dielectric grease with a brush on the inside of the spark plug boots….✌🏻

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

Done and done! I'm sure to do this with every plug swap!

[@murk1352]

@ Yeah you have to withose ignitions, I’ve seen them throw arches right out of the boot & burn the side (porcelain) of the plug.

[@murk1352]

@ What phone mount you using, seems to work good?

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

@@murk1352 it's a Mira Mount off amazon!

[@murk1352]

@@tony.nextlevelrides Thanks i wanna check it out, I think I’m gonna do a small quality suction cup off the windshield, but still undecided. For now just look at JB4 gauges in my phone, in the 135 cup holder…😂✌🏻

[@friguy4444]

6:10 Around this point in the video he's wondering what he can do to get traction on the car. We'll I don't know that he would be able to have traction at those power levels no matter what tires he would be running. Of course stickier the better but short of pulling power out at certain moments and/or through certain gears (which you can do with apps like XHP and X Delete). But I'm running a similar set up but with 17t upgraded twins which just pour on the torque at low speeds and off the line. (Which i like lol) but even if I have 4X4 turned on for race mode I can't stop all four wheels from spinning through first second and even third! So I don't know other that feathering or just remapping the throttle that there's much he can do about the spin. 😮😂❤

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

I mean, I could do an xDrive swap on the 135i, would be pretty interesting to do with slicks on all four wheels. 🤔

[@friguy4444]

@@tony.nextlevelrides LOL. Wow. You are amazing! I wouldn't even consider a job like that. But I am too Lazy and seem to only do the really challenging things when either I have to OR I really really want to. lol. You were right near the end of the video though about the temps on the asphalt at this time of year in Calgary being too cold for any good traction. Two things happen to us up here when the temps drop. 1. Traction sucks. 2. Our intake air temps go way down and that makes the power and torque go UP! SOOooo that means two fold we are not getting any traction! But it is fun! You ROCK Brother! Thank you!

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

@friguy4444 Thanks! Really appreciate it!! I'll figure something out for next spring / summer, no point doing it now. We will see, V2 coming soon though. 😊

[@PartiBuoy]

Typical. It’s bizzare once it fixes itself.

[@geo335st]

Speedo stopped working after you changed to map 2. You can see it in the video

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

I had a brain fart or its a bad coincidence.

[@murk1352]

Do you have dual walbro 450’s in your tank?

[@tony.nextlevelrides]

Nope, just a single walbro 450 for now.

[@murk1352]

@ On port? There’s you’re problem right there, that’s why you had EKPM problems too & why you’re not making 700hp. If you throw another 450 in there you’ll be all set! I don’t think it’s your hpfp since you put a new one in. Them DI injectors need tons of help, unless you have a good set of index 12’s, I say good cause they crap out too! You put another 450 in there & run the sec on a pressure switch with a relay at 13lbs of boost, you’ll be all set!

[@murk1352]

@@tony.nextlevelrides Precision Raceworks is having their Black Friday sale 10% off the entire site, they do it every yr. You can get the billet bracket & 450 for I think $269, then just throw your 450 in the billet bracket & you’re all set, except for the wiring harness which is $89 right now. But it’s all plug & play no splicing, comes with the relay & the press switch. 👍🏻