N55 Build Motor

[ap485]

Hello folks!

I thought it's about time to share my build. We have here probably the 1st N55 fully build motor. The project still in the works. All the work has been done by ABR Houston. They have done an amazing job so far. The build motor includes closed deck, ported and polished heads with Ferrea valvetrain.

Here is a picture of the small block:



Here is the cylinder heads





Also, I'll be installing Big Boost 3.4 Turbo kit.
The car still Auto for now. I still debating in between upgrading to a full build Propulsive Dynamics AT or DCT swap.

More pictures to come stay tuned

[F87Source]

Wow Incredible!
I didn't know they offered N55 at the moment. Im going to assume they also honed the cylinder walls and blue printed the entire motor building everything down to the proper tolerences?

Also what kind of pistons and rods did you opt for? Did you get bearings and head studs too?

This is awesome man cant wait to see the progress.

[Sticky2]

Now this a build! Finally some N55 guys pushing limits.

More pics please! I'd like to turn this into an article.

[ap485]

[QUOTE=F87Source;778481]Wow Incredible!
I didn't know they offered N55 at the moment. Im going to assume they also honed the cylinder walls and blue printed the entire motor building everything down to the proper tolerences?

Yes sir. That's part of the process.

[QUOTE=F87Source;778481]Also what kind of pistons and rods did you opt for? Did you get bearings and head studs too?

JE pistons and Manley rods. The bearings are not installed yet. And I'm not sure if ABR is going to use the stock ones. BTW, no one has head studs for the N55's yet.

[ap485]

Now this a build! Finally some N55 guys pushing limits.

More pics please! I'd like to turn this into an article.

That's all I have so far. I'll try to get a few more.

[F87Source]

Hey,
When the engine is out I'd just recommend getting after market bearings put in right then and there, because if you end up requiring them then you'll have to get the motor disassembled again and the crank polished for tolerances.

Also I thought ARP made head studs for the n55 im not sure though, it'd be the limiting factor then imo if you start pushing into the 30psi range. It'd also cost alot of money if you had to get head studs put in after the motor is done because youd have to resurface the deck again and pull out the engine.

Otherwise awesome stuff man! Can't wait to see the progress youve got some good parts and a great builder to take on the job!

[ap485]

Hey,
When the engine is out I'd just recommend getting after market bearings put in right then and there, because if you end up requiring them then you'll have to get the motor disassembled again and the crank polished for tolerances.

Also I thought ARP made head studs for the n55 im not sure though, it'd be the limiting factor then imo if you start pushing into the 30psi range. It'd also cost alot of money if you had to get head studs put in after the motor is done because youd have to resurface the deck again and pull out the engine.

Otherwise awesome stuff man! Can't wait to see the progress youve got some good parts and a great builder to take on the job!

I'll take that in consideration. Thanks

[ap485]

Now this a build! Finally some N55 guys pushing limits.

More pics please! I'd like to turn this into an article.

@Sticky2 I just noticed the photo menu is on the pictures. And, I couldn't find how to edit the 1st post.

Here are the pictures without the menu

[Sticky]

The N54 motor tends to steal the show when it comes modern BMW turbo I6 builds. The N55 motor came to market later when N54 tuning was already going strong which explains why it is not quite as popular (plus BMW limited the turbo size on purpose) but it is the same basic engine architecture with the main change being BMW's Valvetronic system.

When going for big power in theory the capability is a wash between the two. It is good to see more big power N55 builds like what @ap485 is going for.

He went to @alex@ABRhouston for a complete N55 build including a closed deck block and forged internals. It looks absolutely gorgeous.

This is what ABR Houston does:

The block is set up on a custom built plate to hold it in a 5 axis CNC machine. We Machine the lip into the cylinder walls and block walls to accept our closed deck conversion insert. Warming the block up and freezing the insert, we press it in with about half a thousandths press. It’s permanently installed, and machined flat with the top of the block deck. This significantly strengthens the issue of an open deck block- where the tops of the cylinders will “wobble” or move under heavy load. By doing this, we’ve yet to see the limit of the block (so far). Typically we see an average oil and coolant temperature increase of 10-15 degrees due to the insert design (which is unavoidable). This is nothing to be concerned about, as most big engine builds will have an upgraded oil cooler and coolant system.

The block is going to be much stronger than the factory design:

The block is just one part but he is also getting headwork with Ferrea valvetrain components. ABR is able to accommodate whatever you might want to do:

Custom Head Work

Stage 1:
Hot tanked and cleaned.
All ports physically run through
5 angle valve job
New valve guide seals
Valves are cut/ground/tipped and adjusted
Cylinder head surfaced.
This would be considered slightly over stock, since the multi angle job will dramatically change flow over stock angles.
We have this on our own loaner car. Come feel the difference!

Stage 2:
All of the above, plus intake port matching, smoothing and cleaning up.
All rough castings are cleaned up in the ports, attention is spent near the valves. This would be considered a “mild street” cylinder head.
With stock or upgraded turbos, this will be the best bang for your buck.

Stage 3:
All of the above, plus a full CNC port and polish job. Custom race angles and proprietary cuts are used with over 30 years of race engines being built and developed. Cylinder head is match flowed and optimized. This would be considered a “full race” cylinder head.

This engine is going to be mated to a Big Boost 3.4 N55 turbo kit. Their 3.3 setup is good for 620 wheel horsepower so expect much more here.

What will @ap485 hit? We will find out soon enough.

[ap485]

Thanks for the shoutout!

[Juan@BigBoost-Billet]

4G63s EVOs are hitting 750-800 AWHP on the 6564 turbos (The one the 3.4 kit comes equipped with)@ 33 PSI. @ap485 's N55 should be hitting similar numbers!

[Sticky]

4G63s EVOs are hitting 750-800 AWHP on the 6564 turbos (The one the 3.4 kit comes equipped with)@ 33 PSI. @ap485 's N55 should be hitting similar numbers!

He should be in the 800 whp range I'd think?

[natman]

Love oks great

[terryd5150]

How did this turn out?

[Sticky]

How did this turn out?

Pretty old thread but let's give it a shot... @ap485

Also, I think the N54/N55 build recipes are pretty much figured out these days. Several options.