9 Ultimate N54 Engine Mods & Upgrades [BMW Tuning] - Increase The Power of Your N54

We look at 9 of the best mods and upgrades for your N54 engine and discuss the best mods for your money and highlight those which don't make much of a difference to your power.
The N54 is a stand out engine, an engineering marvel so let's look at the best mods and upgrades and detail what you need to take your N54 to the 400 to 900hp power figures.
The N54B30 received many awards during its production period from 2006 to 2016. Few other engines can handle significant output increases with standard internals. The 335i with the N54 is an extremely capable car but other models had the N54 fitted with good results.
It's no wonder that Alpina selected this block for some of their extremely limited edition versions. It is considered as one of the finest project engines available by many, capable of producing up to 700hp on factory internals.
The engine, which uses two tiny turbos, does not feel like a turbocharged engine and instead gives the sense of a very big capacity high torque engine.
The engines range in power from 302hp to an amazing 402hp, due to variations in cam profile and engine mapping, demonstrating how adaptable this engine block is.
A turbocharged extremely smooth straight 6 which was in production between 2006 to 2016 and used BMW's direct injection and came with double-VANOS.
The N54's capacity was 3 liters. The block and head were made of aluminum, as opposed to the magnesium metal used in the N53's block and head. The N54 was built on the BMW M54 engine, which was constructed of the same material. The engine's valve system was DOHC with VVT.
Induction kits & and Sports Exhausts - Note that on their own these mods won't ADD much HP (around 20hp) in most N54 stock applications, but when fitted they should allow you to lift power after other upgrades by lessening the restrictive flow.
Turbo mods - Upgrades to turbochargers is the most dramatic method to increase your intakes air supply, which permits you to combust more fuel and make more power. Typically one of the most costly mods but provides the best gains.
Flywheel lightening - a reduced weight flywheel will improve the engines rev changes, this is more of a track focused N54 mod but we've heard people singing the praises of this upgrade on the N54.
Mild sports profile camshafts also known in some areas as "Fast road cams" are worth considering even though the N54 comes with double Vanos - greater valve lift and duration adjustments are the aim here, but we strongly suggest they be fitted by someone qualified to set them up properly, they are not a bolt in upgrade as you need to check clearances and adjust timing. I note that both Shrick & Cat cams offer some good off the shelf cam solutions for the N54 for those seeking extra power (mainly a top end bump) if you know of any others let me know in the comments below.
Mapping - A tuned DME or Remapped N54 offers the most advantage compared to cost, aftermarket ECUs, plug in tuning modules, and inline Tuning boxes are all alternatives.
Head work - The goals of porting and flowing the head are to get air flowing into the engine while removing flow restrictions and turbulence. - the N54 setup is pretty good but there are a few specialists out there for those seeking extra power.
It was one of BMW's first ventures into a commercial turbo application, and it looked a lot like the N53 design but on steroids.
www.torquecars.com/bmw/n54b30...
Videos referenced in this one.
Porting the Head • How Porting, Polishing...
Exhaust mods • When "Performance Exha...
Intake Upgrades • Performance Air Induct...
BMW History & Tuning • Best BMW Tuning Mods [...
Legal Notice: Unless we have inspected your car we can only provide generic theory. All information is provided without warranty, please check any recommendations made with a mechanic locally to verify it would be legal in your area or region and that it would be suitable for your car and your needs.

[@eathanp2044]

This is a brilliant video. Very informative. Thank you

[@lenstar01]

Love your Channel. Keep the content coming. Greetings from DownUnder.

[@torquecars]

Thanks for the encouragement and support my friend. I've so much planned but so little time to things.

[@hisownman]

Awesome video. Please keep the great work coming 👍👍

[@torquecars]

Thanks! Will do! Appreciate all the support my friend.

[@apex-predator1042]

Great vid, i own a Z4 35is so this was really helpfull! 👍

[@gtubecom]

Finally someone knows what he's talking about

[@maziarzarea2540]

Great story telling mate

[@friguy4444]

Nice job!

[@malinoisnation9392]

Good video. Thanks 😊

[@friguy4444]

Actually running the piggy backs like jb4 is great and very safe but the MHD app is even better as you can get a tune done through doing data pulls and sending the I do to a top pro tuner and it's incredible power and safe if done well.

[@torquecars]

Thanks for your tips, I must have a play with the MHD, not had a chance yet.

[@m7mdalqattan214]

Keep going 👍🏻👍🏻

[@torquecars]

Thank you, I will my friend and thanks for the encouragement and support.

[@gangstermoney123]

What do you think about the AFE stage 2 intake?

[@squirtmaker9069]

Dr. Evil drives N54

[@ahw5hcgfyj]

hilarious to see vargas and mmp in the same list as pure and rb. stick with pure or rb guys

[@torquecars]

Good tip, thanks for the suggestion and the feedback I'll investigate this further and take that into account in the next more detailed video on these. I wanted to provide some popular budget options out there for the more modest projects.

[@obdanton69]

those airfilters, that is really not what you want. air density is so important. so hot air not good.

[@OGPedXing]

Yeah as an engineer myself, the dual cones always rubbed me the wrong way. Technically, a good intercooler will actually alleviate nearly all of the issue...dci may be a couple of degrees more than cold air intake while running at speed. However another issue is you are pressurizing the engine bay which reduces the efficiency of the radiator. I feel like the so-called Mr 5 intake where you keep the stock intake, but make a hole in the side and run a second duct to the wheel well is a good solution. All cool air, no extra pressure where you don't want it.

[@friguy4444]

Grwat video but he's wrong about the "TD04" twins. It's widely known that the 17t's can get you up to and over 625HP and 600TQ. Then there's the 19ts but there's not much extra from what I've seen from them compared to the TD04 17T's. Maybe I'm wrong though.

[@DLaVey]

on pump gas?

[@EZ-D-FIANT]

If I can get 400 from one in a 4cyl 2.4 Saab B234r I belive you....

[@Vgk36]

Single turbo these and NEVER look back!!

[@torquecars]

Any brand recommendations my friend, as I'm always eager to hear peoples build specs and suggestions?