BMW N63

Design

The airflow path through the engine uses a "hot-vee" layout, where the exhaust manifolds and turbochargers are located between the cylinder banks (on the "inside" of the V8) and the intake manifolds are located on the outside of the engine. This is opposite to the traditional layout for a V8, where the intake is inside the "V" and the exhaust manifold is on the outside. The hot-vee layout reduces the width of the engine and decreases the exhaust runner length from the exhaust valves to the turbochargers. The engine uses air-to-water intercoolers, therefore improving throttle response.

Similar to the N54B30, the initial N63 (including the S63) did not use Valvetronic (variable valve lift) because its benefit of reducing of intake vacuum is not as important in turbocharged engines. Due to the presence of turbocharging, the N63 does not use a variable-length intake manifold.

The N63 is BMW's first V8 engine to use direct injection.

The N63/S63 uses a bore of 89 mm and a stroke of 88.3 mm except for the Chinese market 89 mm and a [stroke of 80 mm].

2012 technical update

In 2012, a "Technical Update" was applied to the N63, resulting in the N63TÜ variants (also known as N63B44O1). The main upgrade was the addition of Valvetronic. Other changes include revised turbochargers, removal of the blowoff valve, lighter pistons, forged connecting rods and crankshaft, addition of a valve cover labyrinth oil catch/return system, new valve stem seals, revised fuel system and addition of a second coolant pump.

2016 technical update

A second Technical Update occurred in 2016, resulting in the N63TÜ2 variants (also known as N63B44O2). The major changes are the use of twin-scroll turbochargers, a wider powerband and the oil/coolant heat exchanger being moved to within the "V" of the engine.

2018 technical update

A third Technical Update was introduced in 2018. Two variants are offered: N63B44M3 and N63B44T3. N63B44M3 features improved thermal shielding for the crankcase and the cylinder head, and a new ignition system. The N63B44T3 gains higher pressure (5000psi) injectors, larger twin-scroll turbochargers, a redesigned intake manifold, and an upstream cooling radiator.

Models

N63B40A

This smaller variant was sold in the Chinese market. Due to a shorter stroke length of 80 mm, the capacity is reduced to 3982 cc.

Applications:

• 2013–2016 F12/F13 650i (China only, 300 kW version)
• 2013–2017 F01/F02 facelifted 750i/750Li (China only, 331 kW version)
• 2014–2017 BMW F15 facelifted BMW X5 50i
• 2015–2017 BMW F16 facelifted BMW X6 50i

N63B44O0

The initial version of the N63 produces 300 kW and 600 Nm.

Applications:

• 2008– 2014 E71 X6
• 2008– 2012 F01/F02 750i/750Li
• 2009– 2012 F07 550i GT
• 2010– 2013 F10/F11 550i
• 2011– 2013 E70 X5
• 2011– 2013 F12/F13 650i
• 2011–2014 Wiesmann GT MF4

N63B44O1 (N63TÜ)

The first technical update resulted in an increase of 31 kW and 50 Nm.

Applications:

• 2013–2015 F01/F02 750i/750Li
• 2013–2017 F07 550i GT
• 2014–2016 F10/F11 550i
• 2014–2018 F15 X5
• 2014–2019 F16 X6
• 2013–2018 F12/F13 650i
• 2013–2019 F06 650i

N63B44O2 (N63TÜ2)

The second technical update resulted in peak torque being produced over a 200 rpm wider band.

Applications:

• 2016–2019 G11/G12 750i/750Li sDrive/xDrive
• 2017–2020 G30/G31 M550i xDrive

N63B44M3 (N63TÜ3)

Applications:

• 2019-2020; G05 X5 xDrive50i
• 2019-2020; G07 X7 xDrive50i

N63B44T3 (N63TÜ3)

Applications:

• 2018– G14/G15/G16 M850i xDrive
• 2019–2022; G11/G12 750i/750Li sDrive/xDrive
• 2020–2023; G30/G31 M550i xDrive
• 2020–2023; G05 X5 M50i
• 2020–2023; G06 X6 M50i
• 2020–2022; G07 X7 M50i
• 2021–2022; G07 Alpina XB7
• 2021– G14/G15/G16 Alpina B8 Gran Coupe
• 2022–2023; Land Rover Range Rover (L460)
• 2022-2023; Land Rover Range Rover Sport (L461)

S63

The S63 is the BMW M version of the N63, which debuted in the BMW X6 M and was used in the BMW M5 models from 2011 to 2023. The S63 uses two twin-scroll turbochargers plus a pulse tuned, cross-engine exhaust manifold to keep constant exhaust pulses flowing to the turbos at every 180 degree rotation.

S63B44O0

Applications:

• 2010–2013 E70 X5 M
• 2010–2013 E71 X6 M
• 2011–2014 Wiesman GT MF5

S63B44T0

A technical update to the S63, known as the S63B44T0, debuted on the F10 M5 sedan. This version uses Valvetronic, a 10:1 compression ratio (compared with 9.3:1 for the non-TU version) and 1.5 bar of boost (compared with 1.3). It is the first BMW M engine to use Valvetronic. The rev limit was increased from 6800 rpm to 7200 rpm.

Applications:

• 2011–2017 F10 M5
• 2012–2018 F12/13 M6
• 2013–2018 F06 M6 Gran Coupe

S63B44T2

The S63B44T2 debuted on the 2015 X5 M and X6 M models.

Applications:

• 2015–2019 F85 X5 M
• 2015–2019 F86 X6 M

S63B44T4

The S63B44T4 debuted on the 2018 M5.

Applications:

• 2018–2023 F90 M5
• 2018–2023 F90 M5 Competition
• 2021 F90 M5 CS
• 2019–present F91/92/93 M8
• 2019–present F91/92 M8 Competition
• 2020–2023 F95 X5 M
• 2020–2023 F95 X5 M Competition
• 2020–2023 F96 X6 M
• 2020–2023 F96 X6 M Competition

P63

The P63 is the BMW Motorsport version of the N63, which debuted in the BMW M8 GTE.

Alpina

Alpina uses a variant of the N63 engine, which was hand-assembled at the Alpina plant in Buchloe before being transported to the BMW production line.

For the 2013 model year, the Alpina engine received Valvetronic like all other N63 engines.

M1

Applications:

• 2009–2012 Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo: based on the BMW F01 7 Series
• 2010–2011 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Sedan/Touring: based on the BMW F10/F11 5 Series.

M1/1

Applications:

• 2012–2014 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Sedan/Touring: based on the BMW F10/F11 5 Series

M1/2

Applications:

• 2011–2015 Alpina B6 Bi-Turbo Coupé/Cabrio: based on the BMW F12/F13 6 Series

M2, M2/1

Applications:

• 2014–2015 Alpina B6 Bi-Turbo Gran Coupé: based on the BMW F06 6 Series
• 2012–2015 Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo: based on the BMW F01 7 Series

M2/2

Applications:

• 2015 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Edition 50 Sedan/Touring: based on the BMW F10/F11 5 Series
• 2015–2016 Alpina B6 Bi-Turbo Edition 50 Coupé/Cabrio: based on the BMW F12/F13 6 Series
• 2016 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo: based on the BMW F10/F11 5 Series
• 2016–present Alpina B6 Bi-Turbo: based on the BMW F06/F12/F13 6 Series

M5

The Alpina engine code is N63M30A.

Applications:

• 2016–2019 Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo: based on the BMW G12 7 Series
• 2017–present Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo: based on the BMW G30/G31 5 Series

An evolution of this engine, with better power delivery, is of the N63B44T3 type.

Applications:

• 2019–present Alpina B7: based on the BMW G12 7 Series
• 2020-present BMW F93 M8 Competition
• 2021–present Alpina B8: based on the BMW G16 8 Series

North American recall

In December 2014, BMW North America released a voluntary recall ("Customer Care Package") relating to issues with timing chain stretch, fuel injectors, mass air flow sensors, crankcase vent lines, battery, engine vacuum pump, low pressure fuel sensor and revising the oil service interval.

In 2019 NHTSA addressed the multitude of issues with BMW N63 engines, various class action lawsuits in tow, and never officially declared a mass recall in regard to valve seal issues inherent in the N63 line.

References

References

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