Used vs ReBuilt N55

cranelec · 12-07-2018, 08:26 AM

Based on overwhelming forum advice to find a used engine vs. rebuilding my fu#ked N55, who am I to disagree?
Here is my question: Why is eBay's "Will this part fit" feature" concluding that an N55 from an '13 MT be incompatible with my '11 335i xdrive AWD or an N55 from an '11 X5 N55 be incompatible with my '11 335i xdrive?

mike

bbnks2 · 12-07-2018, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cranelec

Based on overwhelming forum advice to find a used engine vs. rebuilding my fu#ked N55, who am I to disagree?
Here is my question: Why is eBay's "Will this part fit" feature" concluding that an N55 from an '13 MT be incompatible with my '11 335i xdrive AWD or an N55 from an '11 X5 N55 be incompatible with my '11 335i xdrive?

mike

The oil pan... The engine isn't the problem, it's what's bolted to it. You'll need to swap the oil pan and re-use your old HPFP. That is assuming the motor you are looking at even comes with a HPFP. They are usually stripped not loaded.

cranelec · 12-07-2018, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbnks2

Quote:

Originally Posted by cranelec

Based on overwhelming forum advice to find a used engine vs. rebuilding my fu#ked N55, who am I to disagree?
Here is my question: Why is eBay's "Will this part fit" feature" concluding that an N55 from an '13 MT be incompatible with my '11 335i xdrive AWD or an N55 from an '11 X5 N55 be incompatible with my '11 335i xdrive?

mike

The oil pan... The engine isn't the problem, it's what's bolted to it. You'll need to swap the oil pan and re-use your old HPFP. That is assuming the motor you are looking at even comes with a HPFP. They are usually stripped not loaded.

Thank for clearing things up!

Mike

Turbod · 12-07-2018, 10:17 PM

2011 to 2013 changed DME and HPFP as well.

Pladi · 12-08-2018, 02:03 PM

How does the new dme integrate with other modules for transmission and the dash.. like has anyone done this ?

weehe126 · 12-08-2018, 03:23 PM

You don't use the new DME, the connectors on the engine are the same so you use your harness.

Pladi · 12-08-2018, 04:59 PM

Mike my personal concern would be to trust alot of comments from people who have never done this type of swap.... I would only listen to people who have actually done this.

cahme · 12-08-2018, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbnks2

The oil pan... The engine isn't the problem, it's what's bolted to it. You'll need to swap the oil pan and re-use your old HPFP. That is assuming the motor you are looking at even comes with a HPFP. They are usually stripped not loaded.

If you're reusing your oil pan, you will also need to reuse the pickup tube as well.
Also when mixing AT and MT engines, keep your front damper as they'll likely be different.

I swapped an '11 328xi AT N52 into an '07 Z4 MT with N52. Unless you know the parts match, it's likely best to re-use your original accessories.

weehe126 · 12-08-2018, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pladi

Mike my personal concern would be to trust alot of comments from people who have never done this type of swap.... I would only listen to people who have actually done this.

Have you personally swapped an engine? Because my comments are from first hand experience.

cranelec · 12-08-2018, 09:42 PM

For the record, I ran a JB4 on Map 5 for almost a year before I started bolting shit on to my engine. I "met?" Weehee126 on a different forum where I was attempting to learn more about the JB4. Weehee126 offered his help, expertise, etc. and two separate backend flash tunes that he tweaked for me to use and learn.
The guy knows N55's.

Pladi · 12-09-2018, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weehe126

Have you personally swapped an engine? Because my comments are from first hand experience.

I have rebuilt a performance mazdaspeed engine. Never swapped a bmw engine but i am not the one telling him he can do this or that..all i am saying is he has to do his own research before trusting joe does here

cranelec · 12-09-2018, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbnks2

The oil pan... The engine isn't the problem, it's what's bolted to it. You'll need to swap the oil pan and re-use your old HPFP. That is assuming the motor you are looking at even comes with a HPFP. They are usually stripped not loaded.

Yesterday, I bought a loaded used N55 motor off eBay for $5K delivered to my door. The donor car was a 2012 740i with 41K. After several informative comments like bbnks2 above, I cancelled that order and bought a different loaded used N55 motor off eBay from the same seller who drives an FBO N55 & specializes in foreign auto parts.

I'd appreciate any tips/suggestions regarding the removal of my engine and the installation of the following motor. The biggest obstacle appears to be the OFH. My '11 did not come equipped with the oil cooler and I installed an M-type aftermarket bumper. I'd prefer not to change the OFH in a motor with so few miles.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/264081078683

I'm hoping to help offset my costs by selling parts off the loaded engine that are not needed. Evidently, the seller only strips parts off motors that are blown.

mike

bbnks2 · 12-10-2018, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cranelec

Yesterday, I bought a loaded used N55 motor off eBay for $5K delivered to my door. The donor car was a 2012 740i with 41K. After several informative comments like bbnks2 above, I cancelled that order and bought a different loaded used N55 motor off eBay from the same seller who drives an FBO N55 & specializes in foreign auto parts.

I'd appreciate any tips/suggestions regarding the removal of my engine and the installation of the following motor. The biggest obstacle appears to be the OFH. My '11 did not come equipped with the oil cooler and I installed an M-type aftermarket bumper. I'd prefer not to change the OFH in a motor with so few miles.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/264081078683

I'm hoping to help offset my costs by selling parts off the loaded engine that are not needed. Evidently, the seller only strips parts off motors that are blown.

mike

Best bet would be to get an aftermarket oil cooler kit. Or, find a used oil cooler to swap in ($200 on ebay).

As for tips, I would disconnect the driveshaft at the transmission and then pull the engine out from the front. Swap the transmission with the assembly out of the car. It's much easier imo than trying to get at all the bell housing bolts from under the car on your back. Leave the slave on the transmission as well.

This wasn't hard to do. The whole front clip comes off with a handful of bolts. My best advice is to take pictures of all the connections and label everything with painters tape. You don't want to mix up the O2 sensors or anything like that. Before you crank it for the first time, drop some oil down into the oil filter housing. You'll also need to code your DME for the new injectors that are in this new motor.

NewTIS.info has every bit of information you need. You're really going to have to sit down and spend some time sifting through newtis, realoem, and diy's.

Turbod · 12-10-2018, 01:16 PM

I am not sure what issues you'll run into using a F series engine in a E series chassis.

cranelec · 12-10-2018, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbod

I am not sure what issues you'll run into using a F series engine in a E series chassis.

This car is my passion. I'm not a BMW Master Tech. I'm an industrial electrician working for the fourth largest defense contractor in the world. I'm frequently directed to fix shit that I don't even know how to operate.
The difference between what I do at work and working on my car is purely financial. With my car, the cost of my fu#k ups come out of my pocket.
Despite people like Weehee126, Pladi, yourself, bbnks2, and other members, I'm confident I'll fu#k something up.
No more driveway wrenching. The car is gonna sit until:
I read the newtis.info
Erect that HF portable garage (including floor, heat, and my new 21" Costco sourced 5 ton car lift).
The service manager at my local BMW dealership has held that position for fifteen years...he knows less than the forum members I mentioned above...
Yes, there will be issues...but I've always learned more from my mistakes than my successes

12-07-2018, 08:26 AM	#1
cranelec Second Lieutenant 103 Rep 233 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: NEPA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 328i xDrive [0.00] 2011 335i xDrive [0.00] 2007 BMW 328xi [0.00]	Used vs ReBuilt N55 Based on overwhelming forum advice to find a used engine vs. rebuilding my fu#ked N55, who am I to disagree? Here is my question: Why is eBay's "Will this part fit" feature" concluding that an N55 from an '13 MT be incompatible with my '11 335i xdrive AWD or an N55 from an '11 X5 N55 be incompatible with my '11 335i xdrive? mike
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12-07-2018, 10:17 PM	#4
Turbod Major 396 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2014 E84 X1 35i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	2011 to 2013 changed DME and HPFP as well. __________________ 2011 E92 335i \| 11.7@125 SOLD 2017 Camaro SS \| 12.7@114 SOLD 2019 Audi TT RS \| 10.5@130 SOLD 2020 F97 X3M \| 11.0@123 2023 G80 M3 xDrive
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12-08-2018, 02:03 PM	#5
Pladi Lieutenant Colonel 718 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Waterloo, ON Canada iTrader: (0)	How does the new dme integrate with other modules for transmission and the dash.. like has anyone done this ?
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12-08-2018, 03:23 PM	#6
weehe126 Brigadier General 1161 Rep 3,185 Posts Drives: 2017 340i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2)	You don't use the new DME, the connectors on the engine are the same so you use your harness.
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12-08-2018, 04:59 PM	#7
Pladi Lieutenant Colonel 718 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Waterloo, ON Canada iTrader: (0)	Mike my personal concern would be to trust alot of comments from people who have never done this type of swap.... I would only listen to people who have actually done this.
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12-08-2018, 09:42 PM	#10
cranelec Second Lieutenant 103 Rep 233 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: NEPA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 328i xDrive [0.00] 2011 335i xDrive [0.00] 2007 BMW 328xi [0.00]	For the record, I ran a JB4 on Map 5 for almost a year before I started bolting shit on to my engine. I "met?" Weehee126 on a different forum where I was attempting to learn more about the JB4. Weehee126 offered his help, expertise, etc. and two separate backend flash tunes that he tweaked for me to use and learn. The guy knows N55's.
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12-10-2018, 01:16 PM	#14
Turbod Major 396 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2014 E84 X1 35i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	I am not sure what issues you'll run into using a F series engine in a E series chassis. __________________ 2011 E92 335i \| 11.7@125 SOLD 2017 Camaro SS \| 12.7@114 SOLD 2019 Audi TT RS \| 10.5@130 SOLD 2020 F97 X3M \| 11.0@123 2023 G80 M3 xDrive
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