BMW N20 Tuning

"All you need to know about tuning the BMW N20 engine!"

The N20 engine stands as a captivating subject within the realm of automotive engineering, representing a paradigm shift in BMW's powerplant design. Introduced in 2011, the N20 marked the debut of BMW's TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine, a departure from the brand's iconic inline-six configurations.

This shift, driven by an inherent commitment to fuel efficiency without compromising performance, speaks volumes about BMW's dedication to engineering innovation.

Under the hood, the N20 showcases a 2.0-liter displacement, turbocharged induction, and direct fuel injection, embodying a blend of power and precision. Its initial power output of approximately 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque signified a formidable force in its class.

As the N20 evolved, revisions were implemented to address concerns and capitalize on technological advancements. These revisions included improvements to the timing chain system to enhance durability, a testament to BMW's commitment to continuous refinement.

One noteworthy feature of the N20 is the innovative TwinScroll turbocharger, a technological marvel that optimizes exhaust gas flow for improved responsiveness.

This, coupled with High Precision Direct Injection, ensures efficient fuel delivery, contributing to both power and fuel efficiency.

For aspiring engineering enthusiasts looking to delve into the intricacies of modifying and upgrading the N20 engine, the canvas is rich with possibilities.

From turbocharger enhancements to advanced tuning solutions, the N20 offers a platform ripe for exploration.

The engineering challenges and opportunities presented by the N20 invite enthusiasts to embark on a journey of optimization, where the fusion of power and efficiency converges in the crucible of innovation.

This article aims to guide engineering minds through the labyrinth of modifications, providing insights into the potential enhancements awaiting those keen on pushing the boundaries of N20 performance.

The BMW N20 have loads of potential and with the right sports upgrades like remaps, turbo improvements and camshafts you will definitely maximize your driving enjoyment.

Let us outline options for your N20 tuning and outline the premier mods that work.

Please watch my video on BMW Tuning Tips. Be sure to keep up with our latest YouTube content and subscribe.

History, Power & Specs of the Engine

It replaced the N53 / N52  and thanks to the turbocharger, it made similar power to the straight 6 predecessor. The Double VANOS and twin scroll turbocharger kept the car in the power band for most of the RPM range.

N20B16

• 168 bhp @5,000 rpm 250 Nm 184 lbft @1,500-4,700 rpm

N20B20

• 154 bhp @5,000 rpm 240 Nm 177 lbft @1,250-4,500 rpm
• 181 bhp @5,000 rpm 270 Nm 199 lbft @1,250-4,500 rpm
• 215 bhp @5,500 rpm 310 Nm 229 lbft @1,350-4,800 rpm
• 241 bhp @5,000 rpm  350 Nm 258 lbft @1,250-4,800 rpm

Tuning the BMW N20 and best N20 performance parts.

Best N20 upgrades

The best N20 upgrades on an engine are typically the ones that give the biggest return for your cash.

We won't be swayed by popular N20 upgrades, they need to be cost effective.

Some N20 engines respond better to extreme cam durations check your engine on a rolling road.

The ecu map and fuel pump and injectors also have an effect on the bhp gains you'll achieve.

Extending exhaust or intake durations can alter the bhp band and on most engines the exhaust and intake durations do not need to match, although most cams and tuners use matched pairs there are some advantages to extending the intake or exhaust durations.

Please watch our video which covers the 5 principles of tuning your car. Be sure to keep up with our latest YouTube content and subscribe.

Best mods for your N20

1. Turbo upgrades - Adding a turbocharger is the most dramatic method to improve intake air supply, this means you are able to utilize more fuel and make power gains. Although one of the most challenging modifications but provides the best gains.
2. Internal engine mods - crank, pistons, conrods & compression ratio including balancing and blueprinting
3. Intake and Exhaust Upgrades - NB: on their own these mods will NOT ADD POWER , but they can help release power after other mods by lessening the restrictive flow.
4. Flywheel lightening - a lower weight flywheel will improve the engines rev changes. But not always suitable for all N20 engines.
5. Engine Tunes - A Remapped N20 ECU provides the most advantage for your outlay, aftermarket ECUs, and inline Tuning boxes are all alternatives.
6. Intercooler upgrades - a bigger intercooler resists heat soak and reducing any restriction in your intake.

N20 Tuning Stages

Typical stage 1 mods often include: Sports exhaust header/manifold, Fast road camshaft, Intake manifolds, drilled & smoothed airbox, Remaps/piggy back ECU, Panel air filters.

Typical stage 2 mods often include: Fast road cam, Ported and polished head, Sports catalyst & performance exhaust, fuel pump upgrades, induction kit, high flow fuel injectors.

Typical stage 3 mods often include: Engine balancing & blueprinting, Twin charging conversions, Crank and Piston upgrades to alter compression, Adding or Upgrading forced induction (turbo/supercharger), Internal engine upgrades (head flowing porting/bigger valves), Competition cam.

ECU mapping will help release the full potential of all the upgrades you've fitted to your N20.

(In some cases, as the factory ECU is locked flashing is not an option, so an aftermarket ECU is the route to take, and many of these will outperform factory ECU's but make sure it has knock protection and that you get it setup properly.)

The N20 engine offers a plethora of aftermarket tuning options, catering to enthusiasts seeking to extract additional performance from their BMWs. Here are some notable aftermarket tunes, tuning boxes, and devices for the N20:

Bootmod3:

Developed by Protuning Freaks, Bootmod3 is a powerful and user-friendly tuning platform that allows enthusiasts to customize and flash tunes to their N20 engine. It provides real-time map switching and an array of customizable features for fine-tuning.

Bimmer Tech (Performance Center):_

Offer a tune with around 19% more power and 26% extra torque, it would be worth investing in a decent intercooler and supporting mods to get the best out of this upgrade.

JB4 by Burger Motorsports:

The JB4 is a widely popular plug-and-play tuning solution offered by Burger Motorsports. It provides significant power gains through optimized boost control and features user-adjustable settings via a mobile app.

Dinan Performance Software:

Dinan is a reputable BMW tuner, and their Performance Software is designed to enhance the N20's power delivery and overall performance. Dinan tunes are known for their reliability and warranty coverage.

Active Autowerke:

Active Autowerke provides custom tuning solutions for BMWs, including the N20 engine. Their software tunes aim to improve horsepower and torque while maintaining reliability.

DME Tuning:

DME Tuning specializes in ECU tuning and offers custom tunes for the N20 engine. Their tunes are designed to optimize power delivery and overall performance.

It will usually give you around 30% more power on turbocharged vehicles and you can expect to see around 15% on NA (naturally aspirated) engines, but your mileage will vary depending on the upgrades you've fitted and the condition of your engine.

Getting air into your N20 is the whole point to any performance tuning task.

The intake manifolds take the air during the suck phase from the filter and allow it to be sucked into the engine and mixed with fuel.

The bore size, shape and flow characteristics of the Plenum can make a noticeable improvement to fuel mixing and power on the N20.

I usually find plenum chambers are crying out for aftermarket parts, although a few OEM provide fairly well optimized plenum chambers.

Fitting big valve kits, doing some port work and head flowing will also improve bhp, and importantly will raise potential for an improved bhp increase on other parts.

N20 Turbo upgrades

NA (naturally aspirated) engines need quite a lot of work when you add a turbo, so we have a separate guide to help you take into account the pros and cons of going this route on your N20

Increased induction with a turbocharger upgrade increases the amount of gasoline an engine can burn, resulting in enormous power improvements.

Here are some notable N20 turbocharger upgrades that have garnered attention and please let us know in the comments if you have other suggestions, or feedback on the ones recommended here:

Pure Turbos Stage 2 Upgrade:

Pure Turbos offers a Stage 2 turbo upgrade for the N20, providing improved airflow and increased power. This upgrade is known for its reliability and ability to deliver substantial gains in horsepower and torque.

VRTuned Turbo Upgrade:

VRTuned offers a direct replacement turbocharger for the N20 engine. Their upgraded turbo is designed to provide better performance and improved response, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts.

BigBoost Stage 3 Turbo Upgrade:

BigBoost's Stage 3 turbo upgrade is designed to significantly increase power and torque. It features a larger compressor wheel and is built to handle higher boost levels for those seeking substantial performance gains.

Pure Turbos Hybrid Turbo Upgrade:

Pure Turbos also offers a hybrid turbo upgrade for the N20. This upgrade retains the stock housing but incorporates a larger, more efficient compressor wheel, resulting in improved performance.

Wagner Tuning N20 Upgraded Turbo:

Wagner Tuning provides a direct replacement turbocharger for the N20 that is engineered to enhance power and response. This upgrade is designed for a straightforward installation.

Vargas Turbo Technologies (VTT) Stage 1 Turbo Upgrade:

VTT offers a Stage 1 turbo upgrade for the N20, focusing on improved spool and power delivery. This upgrade is designed to be a direct replacement for the stock turbocharger.

Forced induction tuning tweaks will increase the power of a vehicle's engine, and turbocharged engines are constructed with sturdier components.

As with every engine, there are areas where it can't take more power than it was designed for.

Finding these limits and installing stronger pistons, cranks, and engine components is essential.

We've seen technicians spend a lot of money upgrading the N20's turbo charger only to have it fail catastrophically shortly after installation.

There is sometimes a bottom-end lag with large turbo units, and although small turbo units may spool up rapidly, they lack the power improvements in the peak rpm range.

To our delight, we've stumbled upon variable vane turbos, in which the vane profile changes with speed in order to reduce latency and boost top-end performance.

Turbos with dual scroll designs divide the exhaust flow into two separate channels and direct each of these at a different angle. They also aid the engine's scavenging capabilities and improve low end spool up which is why these were chosen for the N20.

Air flow sensors AFM/MAF on these engines are often found to have a limitation when the amount of air being supplied into the engine increases significantly.

We saw 4 bar air sensors dealing with significant power increases, when the OEM air sensor only allowed for a considerably lower amount of torque to be applied.

Adding a supercharger or additional turbo will make large performance gains, although more complex to get working. We have this feature on twinchargers if you want to read more.

N20 Fuelling

You will need to ensure that the engine is not starved of fuel so will have to uprate the fuelling when you start going beyond 20% of a bhp and torque increase.It is important to over specify your injectors flow rate.

The Bosch HDEV5.2 solenoid valve injector represents a notable departure from the conventional outward-opening piezo injectors commonly employed in HPI (High-Pressure Injection) engines.

Distinguishing itself with an inward-opening multi-hole valve design, the HDEV5.2 injector showcases advanced engineering principles.

This injector stands out for its exceptional adaptability, offering high variability concerning both spray angle and spray pattern.

Unlike its counterparts, the HDEV5.2 injector is configured to operate within a system pressure range of up to 200 bar, a testament to its robust construction and capacity for precise fuel delivery.

The deployment of the HDEV5.2 injectors is not novel; these advanced injectors have already found application in the N55 engine, underscoring their proven performance and reliability.

The multi-hole valve design and high-pressure capabilities of the HDEV5.2 injectors contribute to efficient fuel atomization and distribution within the combustion chamber. This technology plays a pivotal role in optimizing the combustion process, thereby enhancing overall engine efficiency, fuel economy, and power delivery.

The rule of thumb is to add 20% capacity when specifying an injector, this allows for injector deterioration and allows some spare capacity should the engine require more fuel.

Switching to E85 fuel requires an upgrade as you are burning much more fuel.

A fuel pump upgrade is required and that offered by Precision Raceworks seems a popular option for those higher power N20 tuning projects offering 3 times the flow rate and rated for around 570 whp or 500whp on pure E85. They also offer a sage 2.5 & 3 for those chasing 800whp figures.

Port fuel injection (such as that supplied by BMP) can lift fuel delivery and meet the fuel requirements of other fuel types like E85.

Exhaust Upgrades on the N20

You should look to improve your exhaust if the current exhaust is creating a flow problem.

On most factory exhausts you'll see your flow rate is fine even on modest power gains, but when you start pushing up the power levels you will need to get a better flowing exhaust.

Sports exhausts can help balance the flow of air through the engine.

But if the exhaust is too large, ie: over 2.5 inches bore, you will lose a great deal of the flow rate and end up sapping power and torque.

Usual exhaust restrictions can be located the filters installed, so adding a better flowing sports alternative is the answer. This keeps the car road legal and will flow much better due to it's higher internal surface area and design, so has the added benefit of keeping your car road legal. The alternative decat should be considered an off road only mod, as removing a catalyst is illegal in most territories and regions for road registered cars..

N20 Intercooler Upgrades

Before the intake air charge can reach the engine, an intercooler acts as a radiator, cooling it to the proper temperature.

Take advantage of the large volumes of cold air that reach the radiator by installing an intercooler in front.

An efficient intercooler design may produce 5% to 10% more power and can tolerate heat soak for a longer length of time, correspondingly!

It's almost certain that aftermarket intercoolers will outperform those found in most current turbocharged cars as they are not produced to meet a budget and are generally very well designed.

For the most part, the main advantage is that they remain cooler and enable greater power levels for longer periods of time.

Remember that you want to get as much air into the engine as possible, so if the intercooler's internal core impedes airflow, you'll actually lose power. ' It is the intercooler's internal flow characteristics and cooling fins that are responsible for its performance.

The fins should have the largest surface area, while the inner core should have a restricted number of tapered bends and no internal welds to generate turbulence.."

However, considering the benefits of having a high-quality intercooler installed and the modest loss of airflow inherent in a well-designed intercooler, this argument falls flat.

As a practical matter, using an intercooler that is excessively large will cause obstructions in the flow of air (this is something which can be discussed in more detail in our forum.)

Weak spots Issues & problem areas on the N20

The N20 engines are generally reliable and solid units, as long as you follow the manufacturers service schedules, and use a good quality oil to ensure longevity. Few problems should happen as long as they are regularly serviced and maintained.

BMW N20 engine has generally been considered reliable, but like any complex machinery, it's not entirely free from potential issues. Here are some common problems associated with the BMW N20 engine that have been reported:

Timing Chain Issues:

There have been reports of timing chain issues in some N20 engines. Problems with the timing chain may lead to drivability issues, and in some cases, if not addressed promptly, it could cause engine damage.

We should mention the class action lawsuit alleging timing chain guide failures due to a manufacturing defect.

Valve Cover/PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) Issues:

Some N20 engines have experienced problems with the valve cover and the PCV system. These issues can result in oil leaks and, if left unattended, may lead to more severe problems.

Fuel Injector Problems:

Fuel injector issues, such as clogging or failure, have been reported in a small number of cases. This can affect engine performance and fuel efficiency.

High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Failures:

While not as common as in earlier BMW engines, some N20 engines have experienced high-pressure fuel pump failures. Symptoms may include poor engine performance and difficulty starting.

Coolant Leaks:

Coolant leaks, often from the water pump or other components, have been reported by some N20 owners. These leaks can lead to overheating if not addressed.

Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leaks:

Oil filter housing gasket leaks have been reported, leading to oil seepage. This issue is more of a nuisance but should be addressed to prevent potential long-term damage.

Carbon Build Up

Carbon build up in the head, particularly around the valves which will sap power or create flat spots, this is a larger issue on direct injection engines but should be looked out for on all engines. We have tips on removing carbon build up.

Some of our members have had issues with flat spots or glitches after applying mods and upgrades or tuning, this is not usually related to this engines design, so instead see our article on diagnosing flat spots and problems after tuning which should help you get the bottom of this issue.

Oil Sludge Problems

Oil sludge builds up and can wreck the turbo and or oil pump. DONT IGNORE any rattles or buzzes or hums from the N20.

Regular oil changes are vital on the N20, especially when tuned and will help extend the life and reliability of the engine.

If you would like to know more, or just get some friendly advice on Tuning your N20 engine please join us in our friendly forum where you can discuss tuning options in more detail with our tuning articles to get a full grasp of the benefits and drawbacks of each modification.

Please help us improve these tips by sending us your feedback in the comments box below.

We love hearing about our website visitors projects, especially the mods done and which work best for you on your car. Which helps us keep our guides and tips up to date helping others with their modified car projects. Your feedback and comments are used to keep this page up to date, and help improve the accuracy of these N20 tuning guides which get regular updates and revisions.

This article is flagged for an update, so please pass on specific tips below that I can include. All articles, and content was written by me, Waynne Smith TorqueCars founder. Some outlines are just too general so I appreciate your feedback and suggestions. This entry was filed under BMW. You can leave a response below or join our forum to discuss this article and car modification in detail with our members.

If you liked this page please share it with your friends, drop a link to it in your favourite forum or use the bookmarking options to save it to your social media profile.

Please watch this video and subscribe to my YouTube channel.