E88 135i (N54) Build

ccbsecu

Corporal
Nov 26, 2017
191
140
0
Ride
135i
New to this forum and I recently bought a 2008 E88 135i (MT) with the intent to build a 750+ whp capable car. FWIW - I owned and sold my 2013 E9X supercharged M3 with only 25k miles specifically to buy/build a N54.

The car is a 2008 135i (E88, N54) with MT and M-Sport package. At this time the car has 166,xxx miles, and as you'd expect - EVERYTHING leaks. The canvas top has already been replaced as the rear glass had completely come loose. As it sat when purchased - it was 'FBO' and is running a MHD tune. I also swapped out the stock sport seats for M3 sport seats (best mod for the money IMO).

Next was the decision on what kit to buy, top or bottom, or try and fabricate a kit with my builder...? My decision was made much easier when EMP listed their turbo kit off the Kraken for sale - I am the new owner of this kit. Now the good stuff:

1. Plan is to pull the motor for a complete tear down build. I'll go with CP-Carrillo rod/pistons, ceramic coated, etc...I'll also sleeve the block (Darton), and I am considering a closed deck insert, or some type of reinforcement...ARP everything.
2. The transmission clutch and flywheel will be upgraded to hold the additional power
3. Adding a Wavetrac LSD, Diff Brace, and powerflex diff bushings
4. Coilovers and upgraded control arms (upper/lower/trailing)
5. Subframe bushings and sway bar upgrade
6. DSS Race Axles
7. Stage 3 fuel pump with upgraded return lines
8. Upgraded manifold with port injection
9. Bimmerlife Coils, harness, and NKG plugs, new injectors
10. Solid piped prototype ATM FMIC for the N54
11. New Water Pump, Thermostat, all upgraded fuel/oil/brake lines, catch can, etc...
12. Last - but not least, the DocRace ST 6870 kit.

The car has just recently been delivered to Michigan....build will start right after New Year's. What am I missing from the above list...?

Question for the readers - would you incur the additional expense of the Closed Deck insert, or at the 850 whp (Max) power level - will sleeves be enough?

I'll upload some pics of the car and my trip to Michigan later.
 
  • Like
Reactions: doublespaces

R.G.

Lieutenant
Nov 17, 2016
668
326
0
Henderson, NV
Ride
E92 335, F10 M5
Nice list. Welcome to the N54, we will only silently judge your previous S65 mistake.

Nose heavy. Just remind yourself of that during the process and you'll have a killer build. Shed weight up front any chance you can get. Bumper support bar can be tubed, rather than a 500 lb IC throw a meth tank in the trunk, HIGHLY recommend a vented lightweight hood with a top mount, grab some oil cooler rads for the front, wrap your manifold, pushlock ptfe vac lines, save OEM heatshielding / bossed alum, service diff, solid mounts anywhere / everywhere if replacing bushngs/bearings, strengthen rear end with solid toe arms, and I'm boring myself so I'll stop.

I've got some parts off a friends parted 135 as an FYI, full berk exhaust, chargepipe/bov combo, ER black comp IC with carbon shroud blah blah.
 

ccbsecu

Corporal
Nov 26, 2017
191
140
0
Ride
135i
Nice list. Welcome to the N54, we will only silently judge your previous S65 mistake.

Nose heavy. Just remind yourself of that during the process and you'll have a killer build. Shed weight up front any chance you can get. Bumper support bar can be tubed, rather than a 500 lb IC throw a meth tank in the trunk, HIGHLY recommend a vented lightweight hood with a top mount, grab some oil cooler rads for the front, wrap your manifold, pushlock ptfe vac lines, save OEM heatshielding / bossed alum, service diff, solid mounts anywhere / everywhere if replacing bushngs/bearings, strengthen rear end with solid toe arms, and I'm boring myself so I'll stop.

I've got some parts off a friends parted 135 as an FYI, full berk exhaust, chargepipe/bov combo, ER black comp IC with carbon shroud blah blah.

Thanks for the feedback!

I plan to explore a vented (Carbon) hood. The kit i bought was already ceramic coated and parts of it wrapped....

Full suspension as noted, camber plates, etc...

Just a quick note on the S65....I LOVED that car, but it was heavy and limited on how much further I could push it for power (and $$$). This is my second N54 - and I don’t regret selling the M.

Another time - I’ll make a detailed post on my 335d and all the mods. FWIW - it makes over 500 whp and about 700 wtq. That number is about to be 650/780:)
 

ccbsecu

Corporal
Nov 26, 2017
191
140
0
Ride
135i
Photos from my drive to Michigan from NC. Made it all but the last 40 miles. It’s a miracle I made it that far on the PSS tires :coldsweat:

My builder trailered the car the last 40 miles in a WHITE OUT storm! He’s driving a Ford Ranger with a swapped 2.0 VW TDi (custom compound turbo set up).
54A76D8F-FB9C-41CC-AFFB-19E7B44D2B7A.jpeg
69D664A4-5D51-4BA6-9EB2-537EAC3BC9E3.jpeg
80B55007-025F-4E70-80E3-B7FC81CE695A.jpeg
44EAFE4E-1589-4D75-9146-8562C4B7A2E7.jpeg
 

Cheezy

Lieutenant
Nov 7, 2016
611
225
0
Toledo Ohio
Photos from my drive to Michigan from NC. Made it all but the last 40 miles. It’s a miracle I made it that far on the PSS tires :coldsweat:

My builder trailered the car the last 40 miles in a WHITE OUT storm! He’s driving a Ford Ranger with a swapped 2.0 VW TDi (custom compound turbo set up).
What part of Michigan? Im from toledo, but i have a cabin in Gaylord. Also if you dont already have all your parts picked out, i have a pi kit for sale.
 

ccbsecu

Corporal
Nov 26, 2017
191
140
0
Ride
135i
What part of Michigan? Im from toledo, but i have a cabin in Gaylord. Also if you dont already have all your parts picked out, i have a pi kit for sale.

Johannesburg.

What type kit? I have the manifold fitted for PI
 

Cheezy

Lieutenant
Nov 7, 2016
611
225
0
Toledo Ohio
Johannesburg.

What type kit? I have the manifold fitted for PI
Hey! Thats like 30 mins from my place up there! Maybe if i'm ever up there and not busy we can link up. The kit is AD Engineering, but since you already have custom manifold you won't need it. Good luck with the build, i love fast 1ers and i cant wait to see it done.
 

ccbsecu

Corporal
Nov 26, 2017
191
140
0
Ride
135i
DFF0B624-E079-4BA1-B209-B47E6FCD63D9.jpeg
Any proof or is that a guess?

For the ‘non-believers’ :imp:

This was on stock fuel pump and stock injectors, only a 50/50 Meth to water mix. Upgraded to a HPFP, modified injectors, upped the boost to 45 psi, and then had to cut fuel - still made over 500 whp about 6 months after this dyno.

I’ll detail a full build thread soon where I expect to make 600+.
 

R.G.

Lieutenant
Nov 17, 2016
668
326
0
Henderson, NV
Ride
E92 335, F10 M5
They did a turbo upgrade segment on the 335d on the TV show CAR FIX (great show). Pretty sure it was Jared's, one of the hosts. Those things can def get up and go.
 

ccbsecu

Corporal
Nov 26, 2017
191
140
0
Ride
135i
They did a turbo upgrade segment on the 335d on the TV show CAR FIX (great show). Pretty sure it was Jared's, one of the hosts. Those things can def get up and go.

The D segment was on all girls garage IIRC, and its owned by a friend of mine who lives in the Tampa area - Jarred also has a 335d, but that particular one wasn't his personal car. Jarred did a youtube post with his car on a dyno before/after though.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: R.G.

R.G.

Lieutenant
Nov 17, 2016
668
326
0
Henderson, NV
Ride
E92 335, F10 M5
The D segment was on all girls garage IIRC, and its owned by a friend of mine who lives in the Tampa area - Jarred also has a 335d, but that particular one wasn't his personal car. Jarred did a youtube post with his car on a dyno before/after though.
Hey...I was close
I knew one of those chicks had an E92, didn't know it was M57 :cool:
 
  • Like
Reactions: ccbsecu

ccbsecu

Corporal
Nov 26, 2017
191
140
0
Ride
135i
C0B76A84-603A-4758-BFC2-5E8064CEB4B2.jpeg
B452EEC8-57D0-44B2-8727-4409FF6610E4.jpeg
138BB413-2623-4898-9EE6-F63BA6EF7E37.png
Has anyone considered sleeves like these, or a custom insert for the N54...?
 

ccbsecu

Corporal
Nov 26, 2017
191
140
0
Ride
135i
Just a quick update...and after some additional reflection, I decided to buy a one piece DSS drive shaft :D

Also bought AIC6 Controller just for simplicity, Motiv Boostbox and Mac PnP

Still trying to decide on the catch can set-up.

Pistons are about 5 weeks our - will stay stock compression and stock bore.