Finding the limits of the N52 Internals

Phil@BPC · 10-02-2018, 03:55 PM

Have been meaning to post this for a while. This is the remains of our N52 turbo build and what sparked us to start over with a new N52, sleeve it, H-Beam rods and forged pistons. When pushing close to 600rwhp the stock components couldn't take the abuse for long. The failure we found is that the connecting rod managed to pull the wrist pin out of the piston. After the wrist pin was pulled out the connecting rod decided that it wanted out and see the world by blasting several holes in the block and wiping out the oil pan. This was all with factory stock connecting rods and pistons. This action happened on a straight section of the track up shifting into the next gear.

This is why we like to push these platforms and see what is the weak link and see what can be improved upon and share that information with everyone here. Once we get the other N52 together and back into the car we will make videos and see how well it holds up under pressure. For the N52, if you are going to be producing 500-600rwhp maybe the point where you may want to beef up the internals so this won't happen.

For those who don't know here is the link to the other thread where we revisit our good ol friend the N52

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1484962

desertman123 · 10-02-2018, 05:37 PM

Wow that thing blew up

Awesome work guys!!!!

fravel · 10-02-2018, 06:42 PM

Ka-boom

hassmaschine · 10-02-2018, 09:17 PM

I have to say, 500-600whp, stock internals, on an engine designed with weight savings as much as possible is pretty awesome!

6ixSpd · 10-02-2018, 10:13 PM

Damn that thing REALLY went boom.

Phil@BPC · 10-03-2018, 07:07 AM

Oddly enough the sound it made when it let go was little to nothing. Just lights on the dash and smoke. It definitely made quite the exit though. Hopefully this helps those who plan to make a lot of power on stock internals with the N52.

W37V · 10-03-2018, 07:25 AM

Phil@BPC Seems like that you and DigiDon suffered the same fate, at least according to his 2 sec video.

From his video descriptiuon

Quote:

Finally broke this BMW N52 engine. After years of abuse at pretty high boost pressure the #5 piston gave out. Originally I thought the cylinder head gasket blew out, due to head lifting at higher boost levels, but after further diagnosis realized it had a cylinder issue. As you can see the #5 cylinder piston ring land broke off just below the oil rings. The #5 cylinder wall had slight scratches but was salvageable. I have already replaced the #5 piston with a used unit from a donor engine. After further inspection of the other five cylinders found the cylinder walls, pistons, rings and rods to be in excellent condition. Happy to report she is all back together and running beautifully as usual. These N52 engines are WAY STRONGER than anyone gave them credit for.. It took over 25psi of boost pressure a low fuel delivery situation and some detonation to break something! Incredible in my book.... So seems as though these engines can handle in the vicinity of 600 wheel horsepower with good tuning and the correct fuel... to put that into perspective that is very close to 700 flywheel horsepower in an engine built and designed for 260 flywheel horsepower operation!

JuniorB · 10-06-2018, 07:34 PM

A sleeved n52 with forged internals....they'll be a few disappointments, lol!

Noir · 10-07-2018, 03:19 PM

soooo.... is 400whp "safe"?
lol...

JuniorB · 10-08-2018, 09:11 AM

Looking at the photos, the rod/ piston looks like it's the first to go. The block still looks like it can withstand possibly more with a better rod and piston.

Fritzer · 10-08-2018, 03:48 PM

Where would you even get drop-in, custom internals? Wouldn't you have to custom fabricate essentially everything?

hassmaschine · 10-08-2018, 04:40 PM

nah, you can get custom pistons & rods pretty much anywhere. You can even get them from the BMW OEM supplier (Mahle). Of course, it won't be cheap..

Noir · 10-09-2018, 09:30 AM

^
contacted CP Carillo and got directed to another supplier somewhere in Cali...

Definitely available!

Phil@BPC · 10-22-2018, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noir

soooo.... is 400whp "safe"?
lol...

Oh Yes 400rwhp is safe but getting closer to 600rwhp is where you run into wrist pin pulling out of the piston

CobraMarty · 10-22-2018, 10:08 AM

You guys ROCK! Blowing up things, not quite on purpose but nearly, for the sake of 'Science'.

Sweet, so 'bump up the boost' on these ESS supercharged N52s.

However you will need E40+, meth/washer fluid injection, or an intercooler solution to exceed 6-7+psi.

Noir · 10-22-2018, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CobraMarty

You guys ROCK! Blowing up things, not quite on purpose but nearly, for the sake of 'Science'.

Sweet, so 'bump up the boost' on these ESS supercharged N52s.

However you will need E40+, meth/washer fluid injection, or an intercooler solution to exceed 6-7+psi.

Just waiting for me quote from BPC

Denny347 · 10-28-2018, 09:08 PM

Very impressive gents.

mikeycons · 11-01-2018, 08:54 PM

I'm just trying to figure out how I can get to 350hp lmao before I give up my 60k mile N51 for a 150k mile n54

dwashy · 11-02-2018, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeycons

I'm just trying to figure out how I can get to 350hp lmao before I give up my 60k mile N51 for a 150k mile n54

Yea you should probably just give up and go to that N54, reaching that on an N52 is not for the faint of heart.

mikeycons · 11-04-2018, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwashy

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeycons

I'm just trying to figure out how I can get to 350hp lmao before I give up my 60k mile N51 for a 150k mile n54

Yea you should probably just give up and go to that N54, reaching that on an N52 is not for the faint of heart.

I'm already 6k deep *.

Noir · 11-06-2018, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeycons

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwashy

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeycons

I'm just trying to figure out how I can get to 350hp lmao before I give up my 60k mile N51 for a 150k mile n54

Yea you should probably just give up and go to that N54, reaching that on an N52 is not for the faint of heart.

I'm already 6k deep *.

We should start an AA equivalent

nsjames · 11-06-2018, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noir

We should start an AA equivalent

completely off topic.

I found an imported copy of the cowboy bebop sound track at ameoba music in san francisco.

it's the only CD in my car.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FaFxbyUuaeqZx9Pg7

Paid dearly for it too.

10-02-2018, 03:55 PM	#1
Phil@BPC Lieutenant 463 Rep 489 Posts Drives: E39 M5/ E30 325is Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 BMW M5 [0.00] 1990 BMW 325is [0.00]	Finding the limits of the N52 Internals Have been meaning to post this for a while. This is the remains of our N52 turbo build and what sparked us to start over with a new N52, sleeve it, H-Beam rods and forged pistons. When pushing close to 600rwhp the stock components couldn't take the abuse for long. The failure we found is that the connecting rod managed to pull the wrist pin out of the piston. After the wrist pin was pulled out the connecting rod decided that it wanted out and see the world by blasting several holes in the block and wiping out the oil pan. This was all with factory stock connecting rods and pistons. This action happened on a straight section of the track up shifting into the next gear. This is why we like to push these platforms and see what is the weak link and see what can be improved upon and share that information with everyone here. Once we get the other N52 together and back into the car we will make videos and see how well it holds up under pressure. For the N52, if you are going to be producing 500-600rwhp maybe the point where you may want to beef up the internals so this won't happen. For those who don't know here is the link to the other thread where we revisit our good ol friend the N52 https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1484962
	Appreciate 13 Phyrexia502.50 desertman1232213.50 Biginboca3761.50 Kubricks152.00 N52UNED179.00 Taskmaster2465.00 Fritzer944.50 Donethat339.00 tetsuo1111227.00 CSBM52716.50 lab_rat394.50 e90yyc2424.00 l8nit38.50 Tweet Quote

10-02-2018, 05:37 PM	#2
desertman123 E82 Mudflap Ambassador 2214 Rep 2,219 Posts Drives: '08 128i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1992 Honda Beat [9.50] 2008 BMW 128i [10.00] 2014 BMW 528i [10.00]	Wow that thing blew up Awesome work guys!!!! __________________ My 2008 128i - Sparkling Graphite/Beige - Sport pkg - 6MT - Click me! Parents' 2014 528i - Mineral White/Ivory White - fully loaded Instagram @Andreys_128i and @Honda.Bito
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10-02-2018, 06:42 PM	#3
fravel Colonel 1645 Rep 2,494 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: The Nasti 'Nati iTrader: (1)	Ka-boom __________________
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10-02-2018, 09:17 PM	#4
hassmaschine Major General 3966 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	I have to say, 500-600whp, stock internals, on an engine designed with weight savings as much as possible is pretty awesome!
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10-02-2018, 10:13 PM	#5
6ixSpd Save the manuals! 6012 Rep 6,742 Posts Drives: '16 M3, '23 718 Spyder Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 416 iTrader: (4)	Damn that thing REALLY went boom. __________________ '16 M3 \| '23 718 Spyder Past: E92 M3, F87 M2, E39 M5, etc
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10-03-2018, 07:07 AM	#6
Phil@BPC Lieutenant 463 Rep 489 Posts Drives: E39 M5/ E30 325is Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 BMW M5 [0.00] 1990 BMW 325is [0.00]	Oddly enough the sound it made when it let go was little to nothing. Just lights on the dash and smoke. It definitely made quite the exit though. Hopefully this helps those who plan to make a lot of power on stock internals with the N52.
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10-06-2018, 07:34 PM	#8
JuniorB Major 183 Rep 1,017 Posts Drives: 07 e60 525 N54 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (0)	A sleeved n52 with forged internals....they'll be a few disappointments, lol!
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10-07-2018, 03:19 PM	#9
Noir Major 883 Rep 1,413 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (1)	soooo.... is 400whp "safe"? lol... __________________ See you, space cowboy. *Supercharged*
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10-08-2018, 09:11 AM	#10
JuniorB Major 183 Rep 1,017 Posts Drives: 07 e60 525 N54 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (0)	Looking at the photos, the rod/ piston looks like it's the first to go. The block still looks like it can withstand possibly more with a better rod and piston.
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10-08-2018, 03:48 PM	#11
Fritzer No one sleep in Tokyo 945 Rep 1,507 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 328i//1995 E34 530i Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: San Diego, California -> Austin, Texas iTrader: (3)	Where would you even get drop-in, custom internals? Wouldn't you have to custom fabricate essentially everything? __________________ 2011 E90 328i, 1995 E34 530i, 1992 E32 740i, 1991 E34 525i
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10-08-2018, 04:40 PM	#12
hassmaschine Major General 3966 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	nah, you can get custom pistons & rods pretty much anywhere. You can even get them from the BMW OEM supplier (Mahle). Of course, it won't be cheap..
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10-09-2018, 09:30 AM	#13
Noir Major 883 Rep 1,413 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (1)	^ contacted CP Carillo and got directed to another supplier somewhere in Cali... Definitely available! __________________ See you, space cowboy. *Supercharged*
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10-22-2018, 10:08 AM	#15
CobraMarty Major 619 Rep 1,402 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi e90 + e92 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: BimmerMILVs.com iTrader: (7)	You guys ROCK! Blowing up things, not quite on purpose but nearly, for the sake of 'Science'. Sweet, so 'bump up the boost' on these ESS supercharged N52s. However you will need E40+, meth/washer fluid injection, or an intercooler solution to exceed 6-7+psi.
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10-28-2018, 09:08 PM	#17
Denny347 Major 347 Rep 1,076 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 E90 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (0)	Very impressive gents.
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11-01-2018, 08:54 PM	#18
mikeycons Second Lieutenant 30 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 16,M3 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: new york iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 [0.00]	I'm just trying to figure out how I can get to 350hp lmao before I give up my 60k mile N51 for a 150k mile n54
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