Is the N54 the new "Godzilla"? -Story inside

rhodesman

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Mar 21, 2017
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2010 BMW E88 N54 135i
I know that BMW has made some HUGE strides in the N55, and "S" variants of this motor but I swear, a FBO N54 just seems to decimate all. Last night I was on my way back from my Mom's house (a 2 hour drive) and I came upon a 2015 Aston Martin DB9 (took a couple google searches to narrow down the model/year). I'm 98% certain I'm on the money about the model/year. The tailgate had "DB" on it but I couldn't make out if it was a 7, 9, or S. But based on the tail light pattern, the headlight DRL-LED pattern and the profile view and side vent, I'm certain that's the right one. So we're talking a V12 (510 bhp & 457ft-lbs) purpose built exotic sports car, that I was walking away from!

To back up, I stumbled upon him on my way back just cruising down the highway. I pulled up behind and was just sitting behind him like any normal car. He dropped the hammer and started to pull away from me presumably when he noticed my modded LED [Oo oO] behind him. Obviously, I gave chase. Catching up to him, we played leap frog for a couple rounds then when the road cleared I slowed to 45-50MPH and left the car in 4th (yes, I probably should have dropped to 3rd but I didn't want to sit there at such a high RPM). He pulled along side and after a second he went WOT and started to take off. I was a split second slower to hit WOT (I like giving people hope) and after another split second the turbo's were screaming and it was game over! By the top of 4th I was door to door with him and by the middle of 5th I was hitting some serious speed and about a car length ahead. With a corner quickly approaching and backed off.

Considering it was 31*F outside, I didn't think hitting a patch of black ice doing triple digits was good for my health. ;) As I slowed I rolled my window down to give him the thumbs up and he rolled down his and yelled out "Damn, your shit is fast dude!" before taking off again. I wanted to reply back "true, but it's no Aston Martin!" but alas, I think he wanted to save some of his pride and bolt before I could respond.

All in all, I'm still shocked about it but I do know the sub freezing temps helped my car, A LOT, as well as the use of E85. However, even with that, and having full bolt ons, I'm still using stock turbos that have 65K miles on them! So I am quite impressed in any regards that my car was still laying the smack down to a six figure exotic sports car with such high miles on itself.

She very much deserved that visit the car wash before work this AM.
 

Omar@VaderSolutions

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Oct 19, 2016
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N54 135i & N54 335i
i wouldnt say godzilla but def new age "jz"

when i had my booger-mobile (green e90) i also raced an aston martin db9 and Maserati sedan... i waxed them both, a stock turbo car with e85 and auto trans does major damage to other cars. its unbelievable how not many cars can compete. IMO we have been spoiled with the N54 , our standards of "high" hp and stock engine capabilities have been raised through the roof thanks to BMW and that specific engine. honestly no one can compete with it today other than BMW themselves with the S55 and S63. the money: power ratio with the n54 is def a blessing not a lot of us appreciate or realize
 

Twisted Tuning

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N54 and N55 Cars
I love Aston's and they are on e of my personal favorite vehicles. But they are quite a bit heavier than the BMW. But they are quick nonetheless.

I honestly wouldn't even dub the N54 the New 2JZ yet. its getting there but still has quite a ways to go IMO. But definitely is starting to rival the 2JZ and RB26 (albeit not a 3.0L) you wouldn't believe me if i told you what engine is a 3.0L and just as stout as the N54. I'll help a bit, its not a Straight 6, nor did it come turbo.

The old Volvo White block Straight 5s were actually pretty stout also, but were smaller engines and surrounded by weak trans. Sorry, getting off topic.

But yea, take a couple guesses at what engine im talking about.
 

DennisKing

Specialist
Nov 5, 2016
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Portland, OR
I love Aston's and they are on e of my personal favorite vehicles. But they are quite a bit heavier than the BMW. But they are quick nonetheless.

I honestly wouldn't even dub the N54 the New 2JZ yet. its getting there but still has quite a ways to go IMO. But definitely is starting to rival the 2JZ and RB26 (albeit not a 3.0L) you wouldn't believe me if i told you what engine is a 3.0L and just as stout as the N54. I'll help a bit, its not a Straight 6, nor did it come turbo.

The old Volvo White block Straight 5s were actually pretty stout also, but were smaller engines and surrounded by weak trans. Sorry, getting off topic.

But yea, take a couple guesses at what engine im talking about.

Porsche 968 3.0 4cyl

And yes, the 5cyl white block is tough. I have a B23FT in a 242 race car.
 

e30sherm

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Nov 7, 2016
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USA
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'08 135i, 95 318ti M52 swapped
I love Aston's and they are on e of my personal favorite vehicles. But they are quite a bit heavier than the BMW. But they are quick nonetheless.

I honestly wouldn't even dub the N54 the New 2JZ yet. its getting there but still has quite a ways to go IMO. But definitely is starting to rival the 2JZ and RB26 (albeit not a 3.0L) you wouldn't believe me if i told you what engine is a 3.0L and just as stout as the N54. I'll help a bit, its not a Straight 6, nor did it come turbo.

The old Volvo White block Straight 5s were actually pretty stout also, but were smaller engines and surrounded by weak trans. Sorry, getting off topic.

But yea, take a couple guesses at what engine im talking about.
Not sure about white block volvos but my mom had a 850 wagon with over 500k miles on it. It blew a headgasket and she drove it another 40k miles before it finally wouldn't start one day. What's even more impressive, this woman had no idea what the word maintenance even meant lol.
 

Twisted Tuning

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dont tell me mazda 6 lol


that was too easy, lol. But the 3.0L MZR/Duratec in stock form comes with Forged Crank and Rods, and Cast Pistons similar like the N54. way better timing chain setup. 10:1 compression. The bottom end was used in a lot of cars not just the Mazda 6. was designed by Porsche and Cosworth for Ford.

Porsche 968 3.0 4cyl

And yes, the 5cyl white block is tough. I have a B23FT in a 242 race car.

nice nice


Not sure about white block volvos but my mom had a 850 wagon with over 500k miles on it. It blew a headgasket and she drove it another 40k miles before it finally wouldn't start one day. What's even more impressive, this woman had no idea what the word maintenance even meant lol.

thats hilarious.
 
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08_335i

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Nov 3, 2016
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2008 ST 335i
You talk what power motors can handle in stock form, and the n54 is damn near on its own island. The fact we all laugh at race videos with a FBO car on E85 making 450+whp because we all make 500-750+whp on a stock block is actually quite terrifying.
 

Twisted Tuning

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You talk what power motors can handle in stock form, and the n54 is damn near on its own island. The fact we all laugh at race videos with a FBO car on E85 making 450+whp because we all make 500-750+whp on a stock block is actually quite terrifying.


I get what you sayin, and i'ma let you finish, but the engine i said above is the greatest of all time, lmao (in My Kanye West Voice). Nah, joking but the engine above i said can do the same thing. Engine so good infact its used in exotic cars as well. Noble M400, Rossion Q1, M12 GT-3, M12-GTO. Just some fun facts.
 
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08_335i

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Nov 3, 2016
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2008 ST 335i
I get what you sayin, and i'ma let you finish, but the engine i said above is the greatest of all time, lmao (in My Kanye West Voice). Nah, joking but the engine above i said can do the same thing. Engine so good infact its used in exotic cars as well. Noble M400, Rossion Q1, M12 GT-3, M12-GTO. Just some fun facts.
I wasn't disagreeing with your statement :D
 

Rob09msport

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Oct 28, 2017
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09 335i msport le mans 18 x5
A stock internal duratec can take more than 400whp ? I believe the noble is rebuilt with better pistons and rods .
 

bradsm87

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Dec 15, 2016
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In my opinion, the main reason these engines can handle fairly good power in stock form is simple: Good sensitive, instant reacting knock control. Knock wrecks pistons. Knock blows head gaskets. Knock can bend rods. Almost any engine can make huge power in stock form if 1) not revved above factory redline 2) no knock.
 

Cheezy

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I have a friend with an aston martin v8 vantage. He lets me drive it from time to time and im fairly certian my 335xi would fuck it up. The v8 vantage is supposed to make 493hp. I drove a gt3 spec v8 vantage a few years back when i went to abu dhabi/ dubai. Its a detuned variant to 470bhp but it was so much lighter its faster. That track experience is where i got my power goal for my car. All in all n54 is strong, but i wouldnt say godzilla or new jz. We have a tough time breaking 900hp and i dont know a single jz worth mentioning thats less than 1000hp.
 
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Bmwfixerguy1

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They just are not there as a drag racing car yet where he supras are. I think over time there will be some more 2 speed auto swaps and rear end options. The power is there but they are no where near as fast as the Supra purpose built drag cars. I'm going off topic on short words but I think most of you know what I'm tying to say.