[Raymonndo]

Obviously anything is possible but I wonder how difficult it would be to hit 500bhp in the 335i N54?

Vargas stage 1 turbo?
Meth?

Thanks .

[Dave2013]

Apparently it's not that hard!

JB4 map
Decat pipes
Performance exhaust
Meth
New Turbo
Intercooler
Dual cone intake filters and probably a few items I missed.

But....how will it handle and how will it put the power down and stop?! So you then need to look LSD, updated brakes, suspension upgrades etc.

[Lawton438]

If your measuring at the flywheel,

I believe you could do it with
Jb4/Cobb
Front mount intercooler
Catless downpipes
Chargepipe
Meth
Intake.

That should take you upto 500bhp.

[KiwiRD]

Cobb V3 stage 1 aggressive (requires 98 octane) without an upgraded FMIC is theoretically supposed to make 290kW at the flywheel, which is basically 390bhp. So it shouldn't be too hard to pull another 100 beyond that with the above mentioned mods - bigger FMIC, downpipes etc.

[russjonesr]

Once I have done the back end flash I will let you know if you can get to 500 with stage 1's....Vargas say not...they tested to 471 and I think I read a string where a member was dyno'd at 478...that said I guess its which dyno you use!
Obviously I'd love for it the break the 500 but I just can't see it...but as Dave said you need an LSD if you want to go straight

[Ajs_435d]

Are the internals forged?

[windymissile]

The n54 doesn't need forged internals. 700 bhp has been hit without opening the block.
You will need ethanol or race gas to get into the high 400's.
The "stage 2" turbo's flow more air so make it easier to see high numbers on low octane gas.
If you are looking for a reliable 500, you should be looking at RB's.

WM

[Dave2013]

500bhp through the rears.....mental! hope you like buying tyres 😂

[KiwiRD]

Originally Posted by windymissile

The n54 doesn't need forged internals. 700 bhp has been hit without opening the block.
You will need ethanol or race gas to get into the high 400's.
The "stage 2" turbo's flow more air so make it easier to see high numbers on low octane gas.
If you are looking for a reliable 500, you should be looking at RB's.

WM

All N54s have a forged steel crank. Earlier N54s had forged pistons. Later N54s and N55s had hypereutectic.

[Raymonndo]

Interesting stuff! Thanks for the info. Looks like itll just be turbo holding me back mainly.

Yeah I'll get a LSD, had one in my old FWD and it made one hell of a difference!

[gangzoom]

Will you not run into some cooling issues by upping the powe so much?? I know the oil temp in my car can easily get close to the limit where the ECU starts reducing power for 'component protection'. That's simply enthusiastic driving, keeping revs over 5k for more than 10-15 minutes..

Hence I've wasted a fair bit of time and money trying to find decent aftermarket cooling solutions before pushing for big BHP increases...

Realistically I think the best option is the official BMW PPK, which comes with an additional water cooler, but at £1000 for just parts it's not cheap.

[Raymonndo]

Hmm yes definitely something to think about in that case.

An oil cooler in my old car was a must in the summer.

[Lawton438]

Russ, what everyone seems to get confused with when reading threads from America, the Vargas turbos are measured at the wheel so 480 at the wheel for a manual car is around 570 bhp at the flywheel which in the uk seems to be more how a cars power is recorded.

I believe on standard turbos running meth you could see 500 at the flywheel.

[Raymonndo]

I do think Russ's should make 500 given his mods. I agree Lawton, typically as a rule of thumb I'd say +20% on whp?

I think I'm going to go for it this summer . See what I can pull with the standard chargers first .

[G82Dude]

Yea, and how long will it last...?

[RajB]

Originally Posted by gangzoom

Will you not run into some cooling issues by upping the powe so much?? I know the oil temp in my car can easily get close to the limit where the ECU starts reducing power for 'component protection'. That's simply enthusiastic driving, keeping revs over 5k for more than 10-15 minutes..

Hence I've wasted a fair bit of time and money trying to find decent aftermarket cooling solutions before pushing for big BHP increases...

Realistically I think the best option is the official BMW PPK, which comes with an additional water cooler, but at £1000 for just parts it's not cheap.

Just need something like this:

Oil Cooler Twin Kit

A mate has fitted twin oil coolers to his 135i for the same reason you mention.

[gangzoom]

Originally Posted by RajB

Just need something like this:

Oil Cooler Twin Kit

A mate has fitted twin oil coolers to his 135i for the same reason you mention.

I bought the single version for my 335i, the cooler worked but the oil lines failed-in several places.

On a 135i it clear works, but when me and my mechanic has a really good look at the tight spaces around the front of the car we came to conclusions on my M Sport E90, auto, RHD car there simply isn't enough room for the oil lines (the lines are nearly twice as thick as OEM ones).

I thought about getting steel braided lines which are less prone to failure...but in that area you have your radiator lines, automatic transmission cooling lines, power steering line etc. The last thing I want is the oil lines rubbing through any of those.

I have to say I was warned against after market oil cooler by Birds BMW, who know their stuff on 135/335. They told me they stopped selling oil coolers party because of problems with leaking lines. Even the Dinan kit is prone to leaking lines!!

So I cannot honestly say I would recommend any aftermarket oil cooler for a E90 auto RHD 335i. In total including install the ER kit cost me about £800, which isn't that much less than the hardware for the BMW power pack £1100. I'm just waiting to how my car kitty fund is looking after this month, than will probably go for the power pack.

If am one wants to a go at getting the ER cooler to work give me a PM, currently it's just collecting dust on the garage floor.

[russjonesr]

Gents,

I do apologies I have never considered that! You are correct the figures quoted by Vargas and the thread I mentioned both are 471 & 476 whp not bhp!
I did a copy of my .bin file this weekend so plan on using the BMS race flash next week...once that has been done I will see about getting a dyno.

I don't have a problem with oil temp but have an oil cooler

Cheers Russ

[AWSAWS]

Look at the size of this turbo vs what I assume is the stock one!

[umut335i]

I've got the stage 2 Vargas turbos with all the side trimmings, but still need a few bits extra. I do think you can get to 500 but it would need some tweeking. I currently need; Tyres, LSD, Shocks, also a possible HPFP problem (getting this sorted next month hopefully) and also another remap.

Cant wait to get it on the dyno and see some figures once everything is sorted. I was side by side with my mates 1M replica. 135i with stage 1 turbos + side trimmings. He's currently 410WHP

[AWSAWS]

Originally Posted by umut335i

I've got the stage 2 Vargas turbos with all the side trimmings, but still need a few bits extra. I do think you can get to 500 but it would need some tweeking. I currently need; Tyres, LSD, Shocks, also a possible HPFP problem (getting this sorted next month hopefully) and also another remap.

Cant wait to get it on the dyno and see some figures once everything is sorted. I was side by side with my mates 1M replica. 135i with stage 1 turbos + side trimmings. He's currently 410WHP

I'm wanting more and more power. Unfortunately I keep finding myself in heavy traffic and fearing for my license.

[umut335i]

Originally Posted by AWSAWS

I'm wanting more and more power. Unfortunately I keep finding myself in heavy traffic and fearing for my license.

yes, and well, there is that... Also got pulled for speeding lol! They didn't record my speed but done me for incorrectly displayed number plate