Not to resurrect an old thread, but I'm wondering if theses builds went anywhere. Now that VAC has a closed deck option for the N54, this seems like the best of all worlds... until of course the B58 starts getting built...lolSweet, now you just need an S55 block
N52 head swap, injection and vanos controls
- Thread starter Reaper0995
- Start date
Absolutely. My N53 head and Hydra turbos setup is being installed now. Should be done tomorrow actually unless they hit a snag today.
Hit up Hydra. They are a pleasure to work with, one of the best vendors on the platform. And they have a (semi?) closed block in progress too if you want to fully build a N54/3 mutt.
Best to direct questions about their products to them since I haven't ordered their block.
Do you know if Hydra's block is a machined insert locking the cylinders in place at the top of the bore. Hydra, if you're still active on the forum, have you looked at VAC's answer to the closed deck insert for the N54? Can you explain how your solution differs? I would love to find a reasonable solution to the open deck of the N54!
@Hobbs64 check out my build thread below, currently having a bunch of blocks machined with a fully (not semi) closed deck setup, some with and some without the channel between the cyl depending on requirements.
bmw.spoolstreet.com
Thanks for the shoutout @ShocknAwe
Technical - Hydra Performance 135 Leichtbau State of the Art Thread
Yeah when I totaled everything I became hugely disinterested in the S55 setup especially with all the leaks you were having. Nevermind adding weight above the cars COG. I thought about teaming up with a fabricator and a local shop to make some kits for the S55 style system, but I honestly...
bmw.spoolstreet.com
Thanks for the shoutout @ShocknAwe
It’s to bad the n52 block is pathetic, but there are other obstacles that doesn’t make this a good contender. The block needs reinforcements, along with internals, and the valvetronic has it limitations. There are just much better engines out there to build with now, I’m sure a n55 would be a much better platform to work on.
You're right, the N52 block is weak. The N54 block and internals are a better starting point. I will respectfully disagree with you on the valvetronic comment. The S55 also has valvetronic. The S55 is a very expensive engine to rebuild due to the alusil block. It may be a closed deck, but I've worked on one too many Porsche V8's to want to volunteer to play with an alusil block. The S55 isn't built to be modded beyond boost and software. I'm going to finish my build, and we will see how it turns out. At least there will now be pistons designed for this combination.
Wasn’t aware an s block was alusi, but there strong and robust for some reason. Those engines are supporting 9-900 hp, even if it is a closed deck design, there has to be other design advantages between the two. There has been a write up that it’s physically imp to bolt and sale that head to anything other than a n52. The cc’s and bore are 2 issues, but that n53 head may be a better option in the long run.
