BimmerBoost welcomes the direct fuel injection experts at Xtreme-DI (XDI) - Possible N54 solution coming?

[Sticky]

Many of you that read BoostAddict.com frequently are already familiar with Xtreme-DI. For those of you who are not and mainly stick to BimmerBoost you will be getting a crash course in who XDI is and what they do.

XDI was founded by former Bosch Motorsport engineer Uwe Ostmann. He worked directly with OEM's when direct fuel injection began to propagate consumer vehicles.

Uwe was a part of the Audi LMP1 Le Mans program as head of fuel system and controls. Remember when Audi dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans and nobody could even come close to challenging them to the point it was a foregone conclusion they would win? Yeah, he was a part of that.

Uwe also worked on other OEM GDI race systems including the Corvette C7.R, Ford 3.5 Ecoboost Daytona Prototype, and some other open wheel projects that must remain under wraps.

Suffice it to say, he played in the big leagues. His expertise transferred to forming Xtreme-DI which provides aftermarket direct injection fueling solutions. The XDI-35 high pressure fuel pump was the first HPFP solution for the Ford Ecoboost V6.

Here are a few examples of XDI's work:

- 2000+ hp capable DI fuel system for GM Gen V small blocks
- BMW N55 high flow injectors coming
- DI specific Ecoboost Gen 1 and 2 camshafts
- XDI-35 HPFP on Ford Mustang Ecoboost
- High flow GM Gen V small block injectors
- Ford Focus RS XDI-35 and XDI-60 HPFP's
- 587 whp DI only N55
- F87 M2 N55B30T0 upgraded HPFP system
- 520+ hp DI only F87 M2
- 1300+ HP DI only LT5

XDI is the premier aftermarket source for direct injection fueling solutions and the BoostAddict Automotive Performance Network is thrilled to have them onboard.

For BMW enthusiasts, the N55 applications are already well known but N54 enthusiasts are wondering if they will ever see a true plug and play solution. Well, what you can be told is XDI is working on the N54 but nothing is guaranteed at this point.

The N54's design is problematic:

The concern is, that neither the OEM HPFP nore the current aftermarket solutions actually hold the rail pressure at what the DME is requesting, which is what the injector is made for.

If pressure drops down to 1000psi, the DME fires the DI injector longer to compensate for the lower pressure and still get the right amount of fuel in to hold the target AFR. Problem with that is, that the injection window is limiting in a DI engine. You might spray out the exhaust or into compression or even into combustion. This is a new failure mode that not even BMW shops understand yet. I wouldnt be surprised if that did happen already with other upgrades, but was never identified as this.

If the pressure goes to 3600psi, the piezo stack in the injector has to open against this pressure, which creates forces on the stack that it is not made for.
Just running the injector at the exact desired pressure will ensure the longest lifetime.
Yes, the injectors are sensitive already from the factory, but running them at increased pressure increases the risk of failure even more.
Just like overdriving the Conti pump increases the risk of failure.

Bottom line is, the OEM fuel system in the N54 is already very prone to failure. As long as you keep using those components, there is no chance to have a durable upgrade path.

XDI does have an N54 test car that is going to a big single turbo and we will see what happens. In theory, they have a scalable solution that will support big horsepower. Nothing more will be said at this time and it is entirely possible there will be no N54 solution.

If anyone can do it though, it is XDI.

[Torgus]

People will pay for a real solution that works.

[langsbr]

People will pay for a real solution that works.

LOL in N54 ville? Not if it costs more than a PI setup they won't.

[Torgus]

LOL in N54 ville? Not if it costs more than a PI setup they won't.

I think they will depending on price. But the platform does get cheaper and cheaper you are correct.

[Sticky2]

People will pay for a real solution that works.

Men will, kids won't.

[maxnix]

Men will, kids won't.

That's the bottom line. Things like key locked crankshaft balancers, forged pistons and rods, closed decks and optimized heads cost money. The big advantage (besides no Valvetronics) is that the N54 is a well understood engine and the basic blocks, crankshafts and heads are relatively inexpensive.

[Sticky]

The big advantage (besides no Valvetronics) is that the N54

The big advantage is that it's cheap. Blow a motor and a new one can easily be found for not a lot of money.

Valvetronic is a great point though.

[rileyg]

Agreed, men will pay for the right upgrades. I look forward to what they come up with.

[Sticky]

Agreed, men will pay for the right upgrades. I look forward to what they come up with.

I can't really say much but... it will not be cheap if it works and the target market will be the guys with money invested and the built motor/big turbo N54's.

[E92 420]

Any updates or is this dead?

[Sticky]

Any updates or is this dead?

I don't think they are focused on the N54 but I'll ask.

[Benji335i]

Seems dead...?

[Sticky2]

Seems dead...?

They aren't trying a helix style solution.

[E92 420]

Ok so....

are they still working on it or has it been abandoned?

[Sticky]

are they still working on it or has it been abandoned?

I'll find out but I think they are just going to leave the N54 market to others.

Their N54 solution is just far more complex and expensive and the N54 market just is not worth that development cost today.

[jeff15]

I'll find out but I think they are just going to leave the N54 market to others.

Their N54 solution is just far more complex and expensive and the N54 market just is not worth that development cost today.

I would be interested in their setup but unfortunately only 1% of the market will bite.

[vonhassen]

same here :/

[Sticky]

I don't think it's coming guys. XDI has great stuff but the N54 re-design just isn't worth it.

The overdrive solutions are your best bet.

[vonhassen]

The overdrive solutions are your best bet.

Well looks like I'll keep abusing my Helix 3x for now haha

still not at its limit at my current power though, so there is more to go

Y'all hear anything about how the 4x's are holding up now that they released all those fixes n stuff? I would be down to get one of those and sell my 3x if things ended up shaping up better than I recall them being.