N54 � Aftermarket "Engine Performance Tuning" Kits
MODEL
E60, E61 with N54 engine
E90, E92, E93 with N54 engine
E82, E88 with N54 engine
E71 with N54 engine
SITUATION
Various aftermarket "N54 � Engine Performance Tuning" kits are being aggressively advertised to
BMW owners.
Depending on the manufacturer, these modifications may consist of a "turbo-tuner control
module" (piggyback box) plugged directly into the TMAP sensor / DME connector, waste-gates vacuum
plumbing alterations, or the DME "performance" software programming.
In general, each aftermarket tuner claims a significant increase in engine power and torque of up to 40%
over the stock N54 engine specifications (which are, respectively, 300 hp and 400 Nm).
These alleged performance gains are achieved by an increase of the turbochargers boost in a wide range
of engine speeds, in some cases exceeding the maximum designed turbo pressure of 8.8 psi by 50%.