[ap485]

Hello!

I'm new to the forum and I thought it's a good time to share my build. We have here probably the first N55 full 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
JE Pistons
Pauter Connecting Rods
Ported and Polished Heads
Ferrea Valvetrain
Maximumpsi Crank Hub

Here is pic of the small block:



Here is the cylinder heads:





Also, I'll be installing Big Boost 3.4 Turbo kit.



For the transmission, I was debating in between upgrading to a full build Propulsive Dynamics AT or DCT swap. Well, the DCT swap is pretty expensive so, I decide to upgrade the 6AT. ABR is doing the upgrade, as well. So far, I got:

1. PD Clutches and Bushings



2. Cryogenic Process
All trans internal parts (input shaft, basket, etc) has gone thru deep cryogenic process to increase strength and durability.

3. Torque Converter
I sent the torque converter to TCR. They increased the stall to 2800-3000.



4. Trans Oil Cooler
Custom trans oil cooler is up next.

[RoarinForeign]

Sub'd, best of luck on your build!

[SnapCoupe]

I was incredibly tempted to go this route after I spun a bearing, but as you mentioned you're the first "full build" N55, so I wasn't feeling very confident in venturing into the unknown. Good luck with the build!

[kimoboy]

Where did you ported your head.

[ap485]

Originally Posted by RoarinForeign

Sub'd, best of luck on your build!

Originally Posted by SnapCoupe

I was incredibly tempted to go this route after I spun a bearing, but as you mentioned you're the first "full build" N55, so I wasn't feeling very confident in venturing into the unknown. Good luck with the build!

Thanks guys!

Originally Posted by kimoboy

Where did you ported your head.

ABR did it.

[GreQonE]

Looking forward to seeing what this rebuild entails, good luck mate

[Toome]

Subed. Interested to see where this ends up. Good luck man.

[Blackjacks]

Was literally having my oil changed at the shop yesterday and speaking to the owner about doing this exact thing. Well maybe not exact, but closed deck, pistons, rods..etc.

I was literally five minutes ago googling pistons and rods trying to find the parts. Do you mind me asking what compression ratio you went with? Are you going to use factory head studs, as I didn't see anything for the N55 on ARP's site, or any tuners?

Any numbers you are shooting for? I'm super interested with your results on the torque converter and the drivability with the stall, and fuel economy numbers too.

[Bours]

Mind blown ! maybe just like my engine so im pretty interested in your build...


i might have just skipped timing but if valves are bent i might go full rebuild... can you pm me how much a project like that would cost approx... i dont no 120 000 km engine for 6k lol ima go big or go home !

[ap485]

Originally Posted by Blackjacks

Was literally having my oil changed at the shop yesterday and speaking to the owner about doing this exact thing. Well maybe not exact, but closed deck, pistons, rods..etc.

I was literally five minutes ago googling pistons and rods trying to find the parts. Do you mind me asking what compression ratio you went with? Are you going to use factory head studs, as I didn't see anything for the N55 on ARP's site, or any tuners?

Any numbers you are shooting for? I'm super interested with your results on the torque converter and the drivability with the stall, and fuel economy numbers too.

My good is 750-800hp.

The shop used factory compression 10.2:1.

The studs are the biggest obstacle on the project. The shop contact Raceware and ARP. Raceware said we are not doing it. ARP give us the ok but they asked for a ridiculous amount of money for it. So, I’m stuck with the factory studs. Anyhow, TPG ran their S55 build motor with factory studs without issues when they set the S55 world record.

Now on the torque converter. Drivability is my concern too, specially at cruising speed. I’ll report back on this when I get my car back. We will see the results soon.

[NonoxX]

Wow, nice project!
But, I don’t get one thing: how did they manage to convert it from open to closed deck?

[ap485]

Originally Posted by NonoxX

Wow, nice project!
But, I don’t get one thing: how did they manage to convert it from open to closed deck?

Thanks!

Here ABR’s explanation.

“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).”

Take a look at their website below. They have good information in there.

https://www.abrhouston.com/performance-engines/

[ap485]

Originally Posted by Toome

Subed. Interested to see where this ends up. Good luck man.

Originally Posted by GreQonE

Looking forward to seeing what this rebuild entails, good luck mate

Thanks guys!

[CobraMarty]

You need a set of MILVs that add +1mm intake valve lift for that ported head.
Ported head and bigger turbo, you need more valve lift to get more air into the combustion chamber.

[ap485]

Originally Posted by CobraMarty

You need a set of MILVs that add +1mm intake valve lift for that ported head.
Ported head and bigger turbo, you need more valve lift to get more air into the combustion chamber.

Those MILVs seems like a good idea but, the heads were done about 6 months ago. I talked to the shop about it and the problem is that I got custom made valvetrain so; the shop need to re-measure and possibly some re-work have to be done because piston-valve clearance.

Thank you for the offer but, at this time we don’t feel like doing it all over again after all the time already spent testing the heads.

[CobraMarty]

Actually just increases intake valve lift not exhaust. Max intake lift occurs at near BDC so no valve-piston clearance issue.

If your head works with stock valvetronic mechanism, it will work with the MILVs.

Maybe next round of mods.

[ap485]

Originally Posted by CobraMarty

Actually just increases intake valve lift not exhaust. Max intake lift occurs at near BDC so no valve-piston clearance issue.

If your head works with stock valvetronic mechanism, it will work with the MILVs.

Maybe next round of mods.

I might try it next time!

[ap485]

I couldn't find much information on the trans cooler so, I decide to make my own kit. In case some else wants to follow my steps, here a list of parts I bought out of Ebay.

Setrab Oil Cooler 50-625-7612
Setrab M22 to -8AN Male Adapter, 90 Deg
Improved Racing Thermostat FSM-165
Russell -10AN Twist-Lok Hose - 10 ft
Vader Solutions Trans Fittings -8AN (Plugs into the factory cooler lines)
Russell Straight -8AN Twist-Lok Fittings
Russell 90 Deg-8AN Twist-Lok Fitting
Russell 45 Deg -8AN Twist-Lok Fitting

Also, I'll make a custom bracket. I'll include post installation pictures later.

[ap485]

Early birthday present came in. Here is the N55 Precision Receworks Ignition kit. Hopefully, this kit will allow me to run higher plug gap. Previously, I didn't have any other chioce to run a pretty tight gap (0.017-0.018) to prevent misfires when I was running PS2 at 25psi on straight E85.



Also, I really like that PR move the kit installation location. Now, they suppose to be installed on top of intake manifold. That should take away any heat damage concerns specially for people running top mount turbo kits.



Stay tuned. I'm planning to do a DIY as soon as I get my car.

[katsooba]

That pr kit looks promising!

Keep us updated

Awesome work!

[Blackjacks]

Originally Posted by ap485

My good is 750-800hp.

The shop used factory compression 10.2:1.

The studs are the biggest obstacle on the project. The shop contact Raceware and ARP. Raceware said we are not doing it. ARP give us the ok but they asked for a ridiculous amount of money for it. So, I’m stuck with the factory studs. Anyhow, TPG ran their S55 build motor with factory studs without issues when they set the S55 world record.

Now on the torque converter. Drivability is my concern too, specially at cruising speed. I’ll report back on this when I get my car back. We will see the results soon.

O.k perfect, great information thank you!!

The shop I was at is running into the same problem with a customers car who's shooting for 1,000+. Put the engine down, and lifting the heads up.

With the price of these cars and their engines dropping down so fast, it sounds like it's time for a call to ARP and seeing what it would cost to get them to produce something.

I had an 04 GTO before my BMW with a large cam and converter, it was tuned perfectly and I had zero drivability problems when people told me it would never work. Rarely if at all surged, and was a monster at the dragstrip!

Do you know if you can tune these auto's and lock up speeds?

[Blackjacks]

Originally Posted by ap485

I couldn't find much information on the trans cooler so, I decide to make my own kit. In case some else wants to follow my steps, here a list of parts I bought out of Ebay.

Setrab Oil Cooler 50-625-7612
Setrab M22 to -8AN Male Adapter, 90 Deg
Improved Racing Thermostat FSM-165
Russell -10AN Twist-Lok Hose - 10 ft
Vader Solutions Trans Fittings -8AN (Plugs into the factory cooler lines)
Russell Straight -8AN Twist-Lok Fittings
Russell 90 Deg-8AN Twist-Lok Fitting
Russell 45 Deg -8AN Twist-Lok Fitting

Also, I'll make a custom bracket. I'll include post installation pictures later.

Attachment 1803066

I'm so glad you posted this, I'm looking to do the same thing, and also need to fab my own oil cooler up too. You mind telling me how much you are into this ballpark wise??

I was shocked...well not really shocked cause it's BMW related when I saw how much people were charging for aftermarket "BMW" oil coolers. hahaha