N55 swaps/interchangability

[smadasam]

I have a 2011 E90 335i that just spun a rod bearing. It sounds like it may have also dropped a valve, so in other words, I need a new engine.

I haven't found any definitive answers for this question but how interchangeable are the N55s from different years and chassis, so I was hoping the wisdom of the forum could illuminate what would work with what. For example, I know that at some point the turbo went from PWG to EWG, so if I just use the old turbo, can I use a N55 from say a 2014 335i? I also suspect that if you swapped from a different chassis, the oil pans might be different, so you couldn't swap that.

Specially for the E90, when I was looking for a motor, it seemed like there was a difference in the motor going from production dates in 2010 and 2011 for the 2011MY, but I can't imagine that they would be too different. As far as I can tell, I can only buy a N55 produced in 2010 since my car was manufactured in 2010 and be 100% sure it will work. However, if I can get a N55 for other years, it would greatly improve my options. Maybe I could go a little newer with a N55 from a 2015 M235i, or a 2016 M2 for instance.

Thanks for your input!

according to wikipedia, these all have the same engine code as my car:
N55B30M0

Applications:
2009–2017 F10/F11/F07 535i
2010-2013 E90/E91/E92/E93 335i
2010-2013 E82/E88 135i
2010–2017 F25 X3 xDrive35i
2011-2013 E70 X5 xDrive 35i
2011–2015 F30/F31 335i
2011–2014 E71 X6 xDrive 35i
2012–2015 E84 X1 xDrive35i
2013–2016 F32/F33/F36 435i
2014–2018 F15 X5 xdrive 35i
2014–present F16 X6 xDrive35i
2014–2016 F26 X4 xDrive 35i​

maybe these are fine too?
N55B30

Applications:
2011–2018 F06/F12/F13 640i[13]
2012–2013 E82/E88 135is[14]
2012–2015 F20/F21 M135i[15][16]
2012–2015 F01 740i/Li​

N55B30O0

Applications:
2013–2016 F22/F23 M235i
2015–2016 F20/F21 M135i LCI​

N55HP

Applications:
2013–2015 F30 ActiveHybrid 3
​

N55B30T0

Applications:
2015–2018 F26 X4 M40i — 265 kW (355 bhp)
2016–2018 F87 M2 — 272 kW (365 bhp)​

It would be cool to swap the N55 from a M2 if it would work.

 

[GhassanAutomotive]

Hello, this is Zoey with Ghassan Automotive. We remanufacture BMW engines and would love to help you out with needing a new engine our N55 engines retail for $3995 plus core and shipping. You may contact me directly at [email protected] or call at 405-780-0142

Thank you, Zoey

 

[doodlebro]

Packaging is completely different. Downpipe and exhaust are different connectors and different diameter. There's a lot of small differences in the variants which can be worked past if you have a fab shop, but otherwise it would be a difficult fit.

 

[Rob09msport]

Is this damien?

 

[houtan]

Any updates. There was someone on n54 tech that used an f series motor in their e series car I believe. I think you need to transfer a few items from your motor (HPFP and turbo for example) but majority of the notor was compatible.

 

[Rob09msport]

Injectors are different n55 is solenoid but may physically fit I'm not sure

 

[Bnks334]

Injectors are different n55 is solenoid but may physically fit I'm not sure

Yes, they switched over to a top mount injectors at some point (easier to service). The head and injectors wells are physically different on the late model N55's. You would have to swap the head to run the bottom mount injectors. This doesn't matter though as the early E series DME fires them just fine. Same injector basically. Hold-down bracket just sits at the top of the injector well.

HPFP, oil pan, Turbo, and a few others things need to be swapped. I wouldn't bother paying extra for a "loaded" engine unless you are prepared to part out a lot of stuff. Buy something bare for cheaper and swap all your accessories over.

M235i or M2 N55 engine would come with the forged crank but they sell for a big premium as they are newer. As said above, you really just want the block as you'll end up having to swap a lot of the other crap. Unless you want to marry the newer DME to your CAS and try to do a PWG to EWG turbo conversion...

 

[Rob09msport]

The mad 81 fires the solenoid injectors? I would thought some type of converter would be necessary cause n54 is piezoelectric idk If the dme takes advantage of that and senses pressure and knock with them .

 

[9krpmrx8]

The mad 81 fires the solenoid injectors? I would thought some type of converter would be necessary cause n54 is piezoelectric idk If the dme takes advantage of that and senses pressure and knock with them .

The N55 uses the MEVD172, MEVD17KW, and MEVD176K variants of DME.

 

[Rob09msport]

I brain farted someone in our local club wants to go n54 to n55 and I was thinking of that that's why I was saying piezoelectric injectors sorry for confusion on my part

 

[empozer]

I have a 2011 E90 335i that just spun a rod bearing. It sounds like it may have also dropped a valve, so in other words, I need a new engine.

I haven't found any definitive answers for this question but how interchangeable are the N55s from different years and chassis, so I was hoping the wisdom of the forum could illuminate what would work with what. For example, I know that at some point the turbo went from PWG to EWG, so if I just use the old turbo, can I use a N55 from say a 2014 335i? I also suspect that if you swapped from a different chassis, the oil pans might be different, so you couldn't swap that.

Specially for the E90, when I was looking for a motor, it seemed like there was a difference in the motor going from production dates in 2010 and 2011 for the 2011MY, but I can't imagine that they would be too different. As far as I can tell, I can only buy a N55 produced in 2010 since my car was manufactured in 2010 and be 100% sure it will work. However, if I can get a N55 for other years, it would greatly improve my options. Maybe I could go a little newer with a N55 from a 2015 M235i, or a 2016 M2 for instance.

Thanks for your input!

according to wikipedia, these all have the same engine code as my car:
N55B30M0

Applications:​

2009–2017 F10/F11/F07 535i​

2010-2013 E90/E91/E92/E93 335i​

2010-2013 E82/E88 135i​

2010–2017 F25 X3 xDrive35i​

2011-2013 E70 X5 xDrive 35i​

2011–2015 F30/F31 335i​

2011–2014 E71 X6 xDrive 35i​

2012–2015 E84 X1 xDrive35i​

2013–2016 F32/F33/F36 435i​

2014–2018 F15 X5 xdrive 35i​

2014–present F16 X6 xDrive35i​

2014–2016 F26 X4 xDrive 35i​

maybe these are fine too?
N55B30

Applications:​

2011–2018 F06/F12/F13 640i[13]​

2012–2013 E82/E88 135is[14]​

2012–2015 F20/F21 M135i[15][16]​

2012–2015 F01 740i/Li​

N55B30O0

Applications:​

2013–2016 F22/F23 M235i​

2015–2016 F20/F21 M135i LCI​

N55HP

Applications:​

2013–2015 F30 ActiveHybrid 3​

​

N55B30T0

Applications:​

2015–2018 F26 X4 M40i — 265 kW (355 bhp)​

2016–2018 F87 M2 — 272 kW (365 bhp)​

It would be cool to swap the N55 from a M2 if it would work.

 

[empozer]

YES you can. I'm in the middle of swapping a '15 N55 335 AWD into my '11 335i xDrive because I spun a rod bearing. Its not that big of a deal. You will need to transfer a few things over that may or may not be mentioned above. As of the end 2/2012, the N55 switched to the Bosch Fuel Pump. Still, a N55 block is a N55 block!
PARTS requiring a SWAP:
Turbofold (lower mounting bracket)
Wiring Harness
DME
Vacuum Pump
HPFP
Fuel Rail
Valve Cover
Vibration Damper
Engine Brackets which bolt to the sub-frame motor mounts

 

[chrisirvine]

Any more info on your swap, im trying to swap a 2015 335xi motor into my 2013 335xi, and wanted to know if there was anything else involved?

 

[empozer]

Any more info on your swap, im trying to swap a 2015 335xi motor into my 2013 335xi, and wanted to know if there was anything else involved?

You should be fine, Much less work than my automotive adventure. I’d double check/cross reference the following part numbers with realoem:
Oil pan
Wastegate
Vibration Damper
I got a little carried away with my motor swap. It’s turned into a kind of restoration + virtually every conceivable bolt on (a bit of exaggeration).
I’ve found this particular forum extremely helpful to a BMW neophyte like myself.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Mike

 

[MDeeJs]

Any more info on your swap, im trying to swap a 2015 335xi motor into my 2013 335xi, and wanted to know if there was anything else involved?

Did you finish your swap? Im in a search of an engine for my 2013 335xi and I want to know what donor cars I can use. Looks like you are going for PWG to EWG or just swapped everything and keept the PWG? Can you PM me to discus it and not to highjack the thread ?

 

[silverstreak18]

There are differences you need to aware of. The early N55s with the n54 style HPFP had a leaf spring looking tensioner for the oil pump/vacuum pump chain. The later N55s with the piston style pumps have a hydraulic tensioner.

 

[houtan]

Can the tensioner be swapped over?

 

[silverstreak18]

No. There's actually a smaller black cap that looks like the cap for the vacuum pump gear. It has the bolts for the hydraulic tensioner behind it. On the older style motor there is no cap. Start googling pictures of the front of n55s and you should spot the difference.

 

[Bnks334]

No. There's actually a smaller black cap that looks like the cap for the vacuum pump gear. It has the bolts for the hydraulic tensioner behind it. On the older style motor there is no cap. Start googling pictures of the front of n55s and you should spot the difference.

Why does the tensioner have to be swapped in the first place?

 

[silverstreak18]

Why does the tensioner have to be swapped in the first place?

No one said anything about swapping the tensioner. They are unique for the each of the two styles of fuel pumps. So if you were to get a block with the wrong style of tensioner for your pump then you may run into issues. I ran into an issue using the older E chassis N55 in an F30. Oil pump chain kept coming off and we narrowed it down to the pump being the only difference that could cause it.