Ad: M18 Performance Cast Aluminum Valve Cover

doublespaces

Administrator
Oct 18, 2016
9,303
4,331
0
AZ
Ride
2009 E93 335i
27438

As many of you here know, the N54 has been saddled with a weak, plastic valve cover that is notorious for failing and causing various issues. The original cover was designed for stock boost levels (8psi?) and has shown that it can break multiple times in your vehicle's lifetime. Considering this oem part costs over $400, replacing the valve cover a couple times doesn't make much sense for something that should be reliable.

@m18performance has created a cast valve cover for the N54 which essentially solves this issue and it does so at a low cost. If you were looking for a price friendly aftermarket valve cover option that won't crack over and over then look no further. Personally I will be getting one of these, it literally makes no sense to buy a stock one and risk it breaking again later. Although my VC has not cracked, I will be removing the cover to do some inspection and this is a perfect time to handle this issue once and for all.

The cover weighs 11lbs and comes in at $618.18, (get it?) and has a couple of options including a bracket for the R8 style coils ($50 - No more cutting required and no bracket needed for PR coils) and some 10AN Radium VTA/PCV options ($55/$50). Besides the cover, you'll get a 16AN Oil cap and the required screws. The stock cover fits as well without the bolt holes.

It is currently open for pre-order right now, head on over to the M18 Performance website to place your order:

https://www.m18performance.com/product-p/n54-vc.htm

Photos:

N54-VC-2.pngN54-VC-3.pngN54-VC-4.pngN54-VC-5.pngN54-VC-6.pngN54-VC-7.pngN54-VC-8.pngN54-VC-9.png61048866_10157348584193792_3416666189277954048_n.jpgIMG_20190527_111331_888.jpgIMG_20190527_111334_414.jpgIMG_20190527_111336_741.jpgIMG_20190527_111816_096.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: fredcase

Panzerfaust

Lieutenant
Jul 3, 2018
637
438
0
Chicago
Ride
E92 335i
Definitely gonna be grabbing one of these for when my cams/bearings/SPLOCK go in. As a matter of fact I'm now glad I've waited so long on that install lol, I was going to replace the VC anyway so for an extra 200 to never do it again is a steal.

I do have a few questions though if the vendor is on the forums:

1. Is the coil bracket a necessity, or more for looks? I am running the BL/R8 coils, but they fit perfectly on my stock VC and this VC alone looks identical in shape to the stock VC which obviously doesnt have a specific coil bracket.

2. Does this block off the intake valve holes ala the VTT option?

3. Are the high and low sides of the PCV/CCV system seperated somehow? I.e. if we choose the breather filter for the high side, will we have to go full VTA or can we still configure it to maintain vacuum on the low side? I'm a big fan of my current PCV setup but for $50-100 I'd be willing to try another option assuming it can still be 50/50 VTA.

4. Regarding the oil cap - is there THREADING also 16AN in size, or is that just the size of the opening for the oil cap? I'd like to be able to use my VTT breather cap still if possible (which uses the stock oil cap sealing style for those without it), but I know the benefits of this VC outweigh a third vent tor my setup.

Either way looking forward to this coming out and I hope to be an early adopter!
 

fmorelli

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Aug 11, 2017
3,748
3,592
0
57
Virginia
Ride
E89 Z4 35i, F10 535d
It should read "M10", as it reminds me of the valve cover on my old BMW 2002 :tonguewink:.

Filippo
 
  • Like
Reactions: MDORPHN

M18.racing

Specialist
Mar 20, 2017
59
84
0
Ride
E92 335XI & E89 35i z4
Definitely gonna be grabbing one of these for when my cams/bearings/SPLOCK go in. As a matter of fact I'm now glad I've waited so long on that install lol, I was going to replace the VC anyway so for an extra 200 to never do it again is a steal.

I do have a few questions though if the vendor is on the forums:

1. Is the coil bracket a necessity, or more for looks? I am running the BL/R8 coils, but they fit perfectly on my stock VC and this VC alone looks identical in shape to the stock VC which obviously doesnt have a specific coil bracket.

2. Does this block off the intake valve holes ala the VTT option?

3. Are the high and low sides of the PCV/CCV system seperated somehow? I.e. if we choose the breather filter for the high side, will we have to go full VTA or can we still configure it to maintain vacuum on the low side? I'm a big fan of my current PCV setup but for $50-100 I'd be willing to try another option assuming it can still be 50/50 VTA.

4. Regarding the oil cap - is there THREADING also 16AN in size, or is that just the size of the opening for the oil cap? I'd like to be able to use my VTT breather cap still if possible (which uses the stock oil cap sealing style for those without it), but I know the benefits of this VC outweigh a third vent tor my setup.

Either way looking forward to this coming out and I hope to be an early adopter!

Hey

1. Yes you do need coil bracket for R8 Coils it will hold from shifting side to side. We made cuts on the bracket so you don't need to brake off the plastic peaces of the top r8 coils to fit.

2. Valve cover is strong enough to hold down the gasket but We do recommend blocking off intake ports for high boost. In long run valve cover gasket was not meant to hold tons of boost.

3. Valve Cover has 2 -10an ports for your own PCV/CATCH Can setup, or we offer PCV Valve from RADIUM its meant for HIGH BOOST. You can have it sitting in your valve cover and just run a hose to your intake manifold or you can install it on your catch can end and then route it back to intake manifold. If you want to vent to atmosphere we have RADIUM Barb fitting and a filter (NO Vacuum)

4. Yes valve cover OIL cap thread is for -16an
 

NoQuarter

Major
Nov 24, 2017
1,662
1,066
0
Indiana, USA
Ride
Z4 35is, 535xi, X5 35i
Hey

1. Yes you do need coil bracket for R8 Coils it will hold from shifting side to side. We made cuts on the bracket so you don't need to brake off the plastic peaces of the top r8 coils to fit.

2. Valve cover is strong enough to hold down the gasket but We do recommend blocking off intake ports for high boost. In long run valve cover gasket was not meant to hold tons of boost.

3. Valve Cover has 2 -10an ports for your own PCV/CATCH Can setup, or we offer PCV Valve from RADIUM its meant for HIGH BOOST. You can have it sitting in your valve cover and just run a hose to your intake manifold or you can install it on your catch can end and then route it back to intake manifold. If you want to vent to atmosphere we have RADIUM Barb fitting and a filter (NO Vacuum)

4. Yes valve cover OIL cap thread is for -16an

How about no logo or smaller logo?
 
  • Agree
Reactions: fmorelli

ShocknAwe

Captain
Jan 24, 2018
1,470
1
728
0
Charleston, SC
Ride
N54/3 1er ///Mutt
I want one. Will preorder.

Not sure I understand the coil bracket. Does this hold the PR coils as well?

How does the stock engine cover fit?

What pcv options are there? I'd like to get the whole upper and lower setup from you if you offer it.
 

M18.racing

Specialist
Mar 20, 2017
59
84
0
Ride
E92 335XI & E89 35i z4
I want one. Will preorder.

Not sure I understand the coil bracket. Does this hold the PR coils as well?

How does the stock engine cover fit?

What pcv options are there? I'd like to get the whole upper and lower setup from you if you offer it.

NO COIL BRACKET DOES NOT HOLD PR COILS . You dont need to order R8/stock coil bracket for PR Coils.

Yes stock engine cover fits.

We do not offer catch can for now.