New member here located in north Texas

N54Wagon

Specialist
Mar 29, 2021
81
28
0
Texas
Ride
2008 535xi
Hey everyone I just picked up a 535xi touring and am about to start the project of replacing all gaskets and while I’m in there I will be installing full vrsf bolt ons. I am looking at getting some big boy turbos but I’ve been having a hard time figuring out which ones to go with. Obviously Pure, RB, VTT, and Hydra are the current front runners. Any advice or recommendations are welcome but please keep it on topic and civil. All hybrid and stock location twins have some failures that’s a given I’m looking for mainly positive experiences and some more info about the fitment on 535xis. Nice to meet all of you!
 

N54Wagon

Specialist
Mar 29, 2021
81
28
0
Texas
Ride
2008 535xi
I should have mentioned I am getting a stage 3 lpfp from spool and a Phoenix manifold from burger with the fuel it kit for pi so my fueling system *should* be more than capable of the 600ish hp I’m looking for currently. Since I plan on going for more power in the future I was looking at the HP800s VTT FRB or the RB GF. Unfortunately Rob is sold out of the GFs at the moment which makes it a tougher choice as I would like to get all of this finished within a few months.
 

fmorelli

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Aug 11, 2017
3,748
3,592
0
57
Virginia
Ride
E89 Z4 35i, F10 535d
Welcome! That's an aggressive schedule - keep us posted. I get the impression this may not be your first N54 (or BMW?)
 

N54Wagon

Specialist
Mar 29, 2021
81
28
0
Texas
Ride
2008 535xi
Definitely not my first bmw but it is my first n54 actually I just did a ton of research and planned it before I found the car I wanted to do it on haha I’ll definitely keep you posted I got all of my vrsf stuff in the mail yesterday just trying to pick turbos now 😂
 

fmorelli

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Aug 11, 2017
3,748
3,592
0
57
Virginia
Ride
E89 Z4 35i, F10 535d
Did you pick up all your stuff to baseline maintenance? That's particularly important with the n54 when looking to bring it up.
 

Groovysapien

Private
Jan 1, 2019
35
9
0
Ride
2009 E90 335i
Hey man, I'm in North Texas also. You can't go wrong with either the HP800s or the VTT FRBs. I have a buddy with the HP800s on a 335is that could give you some insight on them.
 

N54Wagon

Specialist
Mar 29, 2021
81
28
0
Texas
Ride
2008 535xi
Yes sir I ordered a new oem hpfp waterpump thermostat and new gaskets I definitely have the notorious oil pan gasket leak too haha so I’ll be taking care of everything at once. That’s what spurred the all at once method I figured if I’m already dropping the subframe I might as well do the turbos at the same time
 

N54Wagon

Specialist
Mar 29, 2021
81
28
0
Texas
Ride
2008 535xi
Oh that’s awesome I’d love to meet up with some fellow n54 guys I’m up in Amarillo though so probably a little far 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’d love to hear what he thinks of the hp800s I’ve been talking to Omar but he’s been super busy so it’s been hard to get all the info from him
 

N54Wagon

Specialist
Mar 29, 2021
81
28
0
Texas
Ride
2008 535xi
You know I think I made my decision 😂 funny enough I was talking to Omar today and I think I’m going to pull the trigger on the n63 head and some high lift cams with the ti valve train. I noticed his bottom end isn’t built either so that made me hopeful to have a little fun before I blow a hole in it. Side note are there any other wagons with this set up or would I be the first?
 
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Torgus

Brigadier General
Nov 6, 2016
2,671
2,194
0
Boston
Ride
ACF 6466 E92 + METH
You know I think I made my decision 😂 funny enough I was talking to Omar today and I think I’m going to pull the trigger on the n63 head and some high lift cams with the ti valve train. I noticed his bottom end isn’t built either so that made me hopeful to have a little fun before I blow a hole in it. Side note are there any other wagons with this set up or would I be the first?
Welcome.

You would be the 1st I am aware of.

Love to see a dyno of them being pushed with a fully worked n53 head + cams on E85.
 
Last edited:

N54Wagon

Specialist
Mar 29, 2021
81
28
0
Texas
Ride
2008 535xi
Welcome.

You would be the 1st I am aware of.

Love to see a dyno of them being pushed with a fully worked n63 head + cams on E85.
As soon as it’s all installed and driven for a few miles it’s going straight on the dyno I’m super excited
 
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N54Wagon

Specialist
Mar 29, 2021
81
28
0
Texas
Ride
2008 535xi
I have some 535xi H&R springs available if you interested.

And some silicone inlets...
I got some isc coilovers on the way and I just got my vrsf inlets in the mail unfortunately or I would have definitely scooped those from you
 

Jeffman

Major
Jan 7, 2017
1,618
1
628
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I’m planning to do the oil pan gasket and engine mounts for the first time (71K miles) on my ‘08 335xi. Have you done yours yet? I’m curious about the process of dropping the subframe, removing axles, etc.
 
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N54Wagon

Specialist
Mar 29, 2021
81
28
0
Texas
Ride
2008 535xi
I’m planning to do the oil pan gasket and engine mounts for the first time (71K miles) on my ‘08 335xi. Have you done yours yet? I’m curious about the process of dropping the subframe, removing axles, etc.
I wish I could help but I’m prepping to do the subframe drop myself currently
 

doublespaces

Administrator
Oct 18, 2016
9,303
4,331
0
AZ
Ride
2009 E93 335i
You know I think I made my decision 😂 funny enough I was talking to Omar today and I think I’m going to pull the trigger on the n63 head and some high lift cams with the ti valve train. I noticed his bottom end isn’t built either so that made me hopeful to have a little fun before I blow a hole in it. Side note are there any other wagons with this set up or would I be the first?

Welcome.

You would be the 1st I am aware of.

Love to see a dyno of them being pushed with a fully worked n63 head + cams on E85.

Pretty sure you are referring to the N53 head, unless I've missed some conversation about swapping a V8.