Is it possible to turbo a N53?

cycak · 05-22-2022, 07:42 AM

Hi guys, new on here!

Recently bourght a Bmw 325i 3.0 e92, with 200k kilometers. I've been doing alot of maintance on it, and everything is now running smooth and the engines been checked out for pretty everything, gearbox has also been swapped to one with 50k kilometers on it.

Now i know that in most countries it would make the most sense to buy a 335i if i wanted a turbo version as it would be way cheaper. But I'm from Denmark and here we pay a huge tax price on our cars. Like 100%+ in tax. A 335i in the same condition as my 325i which is already 3 to 4 times the price of the german prices, would cost me around 10k euros more to get, and that's before maintance and work. Also at my age I'm not allowed to get insurance on a car with over 250hp

So for me it's not possible to get a 335i both for insurance reasons and for money reasons. So I wanted to do a turbo build out of my N53 engine. What I know is that a N54 is a aluminum engine, and the N53 is a magnisiumaluminium engine. So that would mean that in theory the N53 engine would be able to survive higher amount of boost, since the mag is stronger then alu, but that the N53 doesn't survive high temps (but like over 200 degrees which a car never gets) Also I've read that the N53 has small differences compared to the N54 but I still don't know what differences there are?

I hope you guys could help me out with what the differences are, and what i should look out for when doing a turbo build. I know it's an expensive build, but in the long run, it's cheaper to do as of where I live. Also would the gearbox survive that much more power? I don't wanna do a twin turbo set up, and wanted to go with a single turbo, hoping to push 600+ whp in the long run.

Hope anyone could help me out here. Big thanks

Vulcan50 · 05-22-2022, 11:00 AM

With enough money anything is possible.

Could you swap an n54/55?

Phil325i · 05-22-2022, 12:13 PM

Not heard of anyone doing this. Some owners of N52s in the States have tried supercharging. I think there's a thread or two about it on this forum. I suspect the main difficulty you'll have is revising the software to cope with forced induction...

rjahl · 05-22-2022, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Not heard of anyone doing this. Some owners of N52s in the States have tried supercharging. I think there's a thread or two about it on this forum. I suspect the main difficulty you'll have is revising the software to cope with forced induction...

He's going to have more than software problems with those HP goals. The N52 is just not strong enough to handle 600HP. Don't bash me, it's tough but 600HP is way past it's limits. Maybe 400 as this has been done but how reliable would it be? Didn't digidon start loosing head bolts at about 400HP? And where is that car? If it's still running you would expect to hear about it.

OP would be much better off transplanting an N54 into the car. Both options are probably illegal but at least the N54 could look stock. Getting 600 HP with the N54 is doable and you only need to look at those setups to see what's needed. HP by numbers or dollars as the case may be.

Edit: I forgot to mention the 12:1 compression ratio on the N53. Not a great place to start

hassmaschine · 05-23-2022, 12:36 AM

So, this is an interesting thought - because essentially, the N53 is a non-turbo N54 with higher compression.

The DME is identical to the N54 (MSD80) and is simply calibrated to run without boost. so that part would be relatively trivial to solve. It also uses the same fuel system (because it's direct injected).

But, the rest of the engine is simply not meant for boost. IMO, the N53 is probably an even worse candidate for boost than the N52 - you'd really be way, way better off just swapping in an N54 and recalibrating your existing DME to run an N54 program.

Torgus · 05-23-2022, 08:45 AM

N54 swap really is the best choice.

whyzee125 · 05-23-2022, 10:54 AM

N54 swap the world!

Torgus · 05-23-2022, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whyzee125

LS swap the world!

Yes

Me might as well LS swap it...they make bolt in LS swap kits and even bolt on turbo kits for the E9X chassis.

whyzee125 · 05-23-2022, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgus

Yes

Me might as well LS swap it...they make bolt in LS swap kits and even bolt on turbo kits for the E9X chassis.

Haha! I see what you did there. I'm actually toying with the idea of buying another to LS swap. I'm not even an LS guy but that kit just looks like too much fun.

Torgus · 05-23-2022, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whyzee125

Haha! I see what you did there. I'm actually toying with the idea of buying another to LS swap. I'm not even an LS guy but that kit just looks like too much fun.

I know...and then the sky is the limit as far as what you can do to the engine etc. VERY tempting...also be a fun project for a sleeper build.

Zipper · 10-12-2022, 11:23 PM

Have you attempted this yet? Cause I was thinking of doing a similar thing and Im curious if you had any tips.

05-22-2022, 07:42 AM	#1
cycak Registered 1 Rep 1 Posts Drives: Bmw 325i e92 3.0 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Denmark iTrader: (0)	Is it possible to turbo a N53? Hi guys, new on here! Recently bourght a Bmw 325i 3.0 e92, with 200k kilometers. I've been doing alot of maintance on it, and everything is now running smooth and the engines been checked out for pretty everything, gearbox has also been swapped to one with 50k kilometers on it. Now i know that in most countries it would make the most sense to buy a 335i if i wanted a turbo version as it would be way cheaper. But I'm from Denmark and here we pay a huge tax price on our cars. Like 100%+ in tax. A 335i in the same condition as my 325i which is already 3 to 4 times the price of the german prices, would cost me around 10k euros more to get, and that's before maintance and work. Also at my age I'm not allowed to get insurance on a car with over 250hp So for me it's not possible to get a 335i both for insurance reasons and for money reasons. So I wanted to do a turbo build out of my N53 engine. What I know is that a N54 is a aluminum engine, and the N53 is a magnisiumaluminium engine. So that would mean that in theory the N53 engine would be able to survive higher amount of boost, since the mag is stronger then alu, but that the N53 doesn't survive high temps (but like over 200 degrees which a car never gets) Also I've read that the N53 has small differences compared to the N54 but I still don't know what differences there are? I hope you guys could help me out with what the differences are, and what i should look out for when doing a turbo build. I know it's an expensive build, but in the long run, it's cheaper to do as of where I live. Also would the gearbox survive that much more power? I don't wanna do a twin turbo set up, and wanted to go with a single turbo, hoping to push 600+ whp in the long run. Hope anyone could help me out here. Big thanks
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05-22-2022, 11:00 AM	#2
Vulcan50 Captain 433 Rep 780 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Peoria, IL iTrader: (0)	With enough money anything is possible. Could you swap an n54/55?
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05-22-2022, 12:13 PM	#3
Phil325i Brigadier General 624 Rep 3,201 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	Not heard of anyone doing this. Some owners of N52s in the States have tried supercharging. I think there's a thread or two about it on this forum. I suspect the main difficulty you'll have is revising the software to cope with forced induction... __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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05-23-2022, 12:36 AM	#5
hassmaschine Major General 3975 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	So, this is an interesting thought - because essentially, the N53 is a non-turbo N54 with higher compression. The DME is identical to the N54 (MSD80) and is simply calibrated to run without boost. so that part would be relatively trivial to solve. It also uses the same fuel system (because it's direct injected). But, the rest of the engine is simply not meant for boost. IMO, the N53 is probably an even worse candidate for boost than the N52 - you'd really be way, way better off just swapping in an N54 and recalibrating your existing DME to run an N54 program.
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05-23-2022, 08:45 AM	#6
Torgus Slow. 3782 Rep 7,152 Posts Drives: Single Turbo N54 on Meth! Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 [10.00] 2007 BMW E90 [0.00] 2006 BMW E91 [0.00]	N54 swap really is the best choice. __________________ E92 ACF ST 6466 + Meth Motiv / E70 #1 fully deleted 2.8 race flash / E70 #2 JBD / E90 & E91 both retired Psalm 144
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05-23-2022, 10:54 AM	#7
whyzee125 Brigadier General 1704 Rep 3,680 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	N54 swap the world!
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10-12-2022, 11:23 PM	#11
Zipper Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: '07 BMW 525i Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Have you attempted this yet? Cause I was thinking of doing a similar thing and Im curious if you had any tips.
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