The N54 engine pistons are cast (and not forged).

jb's335 · 06-08-2011, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elie335

good point.

Not really...

BMW would still not know if you were overboosting your motor just by switching to cast pistons. They would still be able to handle a moderate increase in boost from a tune, and its not like BMW takes the pistons out to inspect them when they suspect you have been modding your car. Yes it would be a deterrent to boosting the motor more because it wouldn't be as strong but I guarantee most people who do bolt-on's do not know what kind of internals their engine has.

Prince ///M · 06-08-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tscdennab

My car's VIN was checked by Mahle and it they said it is cast. And my car is built in October 2008 (second LCI build week).

I have no doubt that the pistons in all the N54 engines are manufactured using the same technology (either cast or forged). It would be stupid for BMW to switch to cast pistons and then release the 1M and 335is with more power and torque.

N54 engine longevity may be explained by the brilliant knock protection in the MSD80/81 DMEs.

My question still remains, for those who say their pistons are forged, how can you tell visually ? Also, it's strange that no one noted a piston code when they inspected their pistons ?

Other sad news is that Mahle said that they do not manufacture aftermarket forged piston kits for the N54 engine

They do not produce AFTERMARKET pistons for the N54... true.

BUT

They actually produce stock forged pistons for Alpina B3 engine which is... guess what? An N54 with low compression forged Mahle pistons.

So, if you want an useless upgrade for your engine (pistons are already forged), ask them for the Alpina components.

STONEY_M5 · 06-08-2011, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn555ic

Where in the world did you get this info from? Is this legit or

Definitely not legit but figured it made hella sense as to why they would switch if they did...

Btw I'm 11/06 so I could care less cuz I'M GOOD!!!

ttbmer · 06-09-2011, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M335i Oreo Package

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn555ic

Where in the world did you get this info from? Is this legit or

Definitely not legit but figured it made hella sense as to why they would switch if they did...

Btw I'm 11/06 so I could care less cuz I'M GOOD!!!

1 ^ hahaha me too

Bash · 06-09-2011, 07:51 AM

90% who posted here make no more than 380/380 whp/tq, and cast pistons can easily handle that. I for one have 10/06 model and i couldnt care less as i would never make more than 400whp.
With that said, i wanted to make sure so i called engine building pros, and made an appointment, when i got there they were eager to know to, so after 2 hours of tearing s h i t apart, they took the pistons out, compared it to a set they had and guess what..... They were made out of silk.... lol

MKE_M3 · 06-09-2011, 07:03 PM

not all casting is the same, perhaps they are cast under high pressures or under other prop technology that give them similar quality to forged?!?!

rader1 · 06-09-2011, 07:55 PM

You're talking about hyperuetectic pistons, which are piston that have silica contet of over 12%. They were developed as a good alternative to forged pistons. Old school forged piston used to be "smaller" than a cast piston at cold startup due to the fact that they expanded more when hot. 'Hypers' are stronger than cast but didn't have the problem of a loose bore when cold. But, that was a while back. They've pretty much got the metallurgy on the forged down to where the difference is inconsequential and more than acceptable in an engine designed to last 100k miles

Jimefam · 06-09-2011, 08:05 PM

The ignorance is strong in this thread! Oh btw RB26 engines=forged crank and cast pistons which have held up to over 900whp on a completely stock block. Lol at the guy going off and cursing how carefully the shop had examined his "forged" pistons only to hear the bottom end wasn't touched.

unfor · 06-09-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimefam

The ignorance is strong in this thread! Oh btw RB26 engines=forged crank and cast pistons which have held up to over 900whp on a completely stock block. Lol at the guy going off and cursing how carefully the shop had examined his "forged" pistons only to hear the bottom end wasn't touched.

That was a joke.

Anyway, I have again confirmed that the pistons are forged in my 08/2006 build.

Forcefed3 · 06-09-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimefam

The ignorance is strong in this thread! Oh btw RB26 engines=forged crank and cast pistons which have held up to over 900whp on a completely stock block. Lol at the guy going off and cursing how carefully the shop had examined his "forged" pistons only to hear the bottom end wasn't touched.

Yeah lol at the guy who has the highest N54 dyno so far, you're right. :facepalm:

Elie335 · 06-09-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unfor

That was a joke.

Anyway, I have again confirmed that the pistons are forged in my 08/2006 build.

I believe you, but how did you get confirmed again?

cn555ic · 06-09-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimefam

The ignorance is strong in this thread! Oh btw RB26 engines=forged crank and cast pistons which have held up to over 900whp on a completely stock block. Lol at the guy going off and cursing how carefully the shop had examined his "forged" pistons only to hear the bottom end wasn't touched.

Regardless if its ignorance, there is some truth to it that going from forge to cast is equating to dollar savings for BMW, and I honestly think thats the reasoning behind it...Whether or not it can hold the same power ratio thats to be debated, on the other hand I am glad I the forged

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 06-09-2011, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M335i Oreo Package

So the reason they changed from forged to cast in the middle of production was to keep people from running insane boost, which they knew was possible with forged pistons. Now cast pistons are now put into all of the motors (1m 335is & 335i)so that if you run excessive amounts of boost your warranty will be voided.

Sincerely,
Hanz Gruber
Director of tune detection

Hanz Gruber?!

From die harD?! lol

Jimefam · 06-09-2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forcefed3

Yeah lol at the guy who has the highest N54 dyno so far, you're right. :facepalm:

I couldn't care less who is making what power that has nothing to do with his story, hats off to your tuner though. And yes I find it funny that someone adamantly assures everyone how carefully his pistons were inspected and they weren't even looked. Also he wasn't the one spouting off alot of ignorance. More psi=more power? Lol NO that is not correct. No ones uses forged crankshafts and cast pistons? lol NO that is not true. The pistons aren't made out of aluminum they're made out of FORGED!? LOL I suppose that's the reason why 660 is the highest HP after so many years of the N54 being out.

Forcefed3 · 06-09-2011, 08:30 PM

Yes, there is plenty of fail in the thread. I was specifically talking about unfor.

bimmertt · 06-09-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimefam

I couldn't care less who is making what power that has nothing to do with his story, hats off to your tuner though. And yes I find it funny that someone adamantly assures everyone how carefully his pistons were inspected and they weren't even looked. Also he wasn't the one spouting off alot of ignorance. More psi=more power? Lol NO that is not correct. No ones uses forged crankshafts and cast pistons? lol NO that is not true. The pistons aren't made out of aluminum they're made out of FORGED!? LOL I suppose that's the reason why 660 is the highest HP after so many years of the N54 being out.

This thread is full of speculation (some of which has been noted as fact

) and misinformation.

cn555ic · 06-09-2011, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimefam

I couldn't care less who is making what power that has nothing to do with his story, hats off to your tuner though. And yes I find it funny that someone adamantly assures everyone how carefully his pistons were inspected and they weren't even looked. Also he wasn't the one spouting off alot of ignorance. More psi=more power? Lol NO that is not correct. No ones uses forged crankshafts and cast pistons? lol NO that is not true. The pistons aren't made out of aluminum they're made out of FORGED!? LOL I suppose that's the reason why 660 is the highest HP after so many years of the N54 being out.

Can you post link of who is making this 660 HP? I have not seen this at all..

mithiral67 · 06-09-2011, 09:35 PM

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=359

unfor · 06-09-2011, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forcefed3

Yes, there is plenty of fail in the thread. I was specifically talking about unfor.

What did I do?

Elie335 · 06-09-2011, 10:46 PM

unfor, can you please reply how you got AGAIN confirmed that the pistons were forged ?

unfor · 06-09-2011, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elie335

unfor, can you please reply how you got AGAIN confirmed that the pistons were forged ?

Yes. The engine shop had a 335i come in ( a late model 2008 car) with water damage in the motor. The pistons were completely different.

Elie335 · 06-09-2011, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unfor

Yes. The engine shop had a 335i come in ( a late model 2008 car) with water damage in the motor. The pistons were completely different.

Thank you, I really appreciate your time asking the shop and sharing your information with us on the forum

06-09-2011, 07:51 AM	#159
Bash First Lieutenant 8 Rep 395 Posts Drives: E92-335i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Beirut iTrader: (0)	90% who posted here make no more than 380/380 whp/tq, and cast pistons can easily handle that. I for one have 10/06 model and i couldnt care less as i would never make more than 400whp. With that said, i wanted to make sure so i called engine building pros, and made an appointment, when i got there they were eager to know to, so after 2 hours of tearing s h i t apart, they took the pistons out, compared it to a set they had and guess what..... They were made out of silk.... lol
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06-09-2011, 07:03 PM	#160
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel 69 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	not all casting is the same, perhaps they are cast under high pressures or under other prop technology that give them similar quality to forged?!?! __________________
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06-09-2011, 07:55 PM	#161
rader1 Banned 71 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: Cobb Stage 2+ 135i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Roanoke, VA iTrader: (0)	You're talking about hyperuetectic pistons, which are piston that have silica contet of over 12%. They were developed as a good alternative to forged pistons. Old school forged piston used to be "smaller" than a cast piston at cold startup due to the fact that they expanded more when hot. 'Hypers' are stronger than cast but didn't have the problem of a loose bore when cold. But, that was a while back. They've pretty much got the metallurgy on the forged down to where the difference is inconsequential and more than acceptable in an engine designed to last 100k miles
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06-09-2011, 08:05 PM	#162
Jimefam Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 226 Posts Drives: 2011 550I Msport Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cumming, Ga iTrader: (0)	The ignorance is strong in this thread! Oh btw RB26 engines=forged crank and cast pistons which have held up to over 900whp on a completely stock block. Lol at the guy going off and cursing how carefully the shop had examined his "forged" pistons only to hear the bottom end wasn't touched.
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06-09-2011, 08:30 PM	#169
Forcefed3 Banned 131 Rep 4,732 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: May 2010 Location: South iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 335i [1.00]	Yes, there is plenty of fail in the thread. I was specifically talking about unfor.
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06-09-2011, 09:35 PM	#172
mithiral67 That guy 120 Rep 5,740 Posts Drives: 2015 Cayman GTS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (4) Garage List 2015 Porsche Cayman ... [0.00]	http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=359
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06-09-2011, 10:46 PM	#174
Elie335 ايلي ٣٣٥ هاهاها 88 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: Vorsteiner e92 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Leb iTrader: (1)	unfor, can you please reply how you got AGAIN confirmed that the pistons were forged ? __________________ Recent exterior modifications
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