BMW S63 Engine Tuning Case Study – Watch Out for that V8 Rumble!

Ahhh, BMW V8 engines… Although they aren’t famous for their longevity, they sure sound EARGASMIC! And this is exactly the case with the BMW S63, which we’ll be looking at in this article. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t too bad when it comes to its dependability – but we know a way to make it even more reliable! Curious what it is?

Join us as we explore our Awaken Performance BMW S63 engine tuning test results!

Coming up: 

• How much power did our S63-equipped BMW M6 (F06) make?
  
• What were the temperature drops that improved the car’s reliability?
  
• Why did our M6 become DRASTICALLY more practical?

Let’s dive right in!

All You Need to Know About the BMW S63 Engine

Okay, okay, I’ll admit: obviously the V8 layout isn’t the domain of just BMW. 

Chevy’s LS7, Chrysler’s HEMI, or some more modern designs of the bunch like Jaguar’s AJ-V8 and Ford’s Voodoo – all of them sound amazing. But if you take a look at what Europeans put in their cars nowadays… Ugh, let’s just cherish the fact that Bavarians still use a 4.4L engine that isn’t an inline-four! 

Talking about displacement: it’s a good moment to take a brief look at the BMW S63 itself.

Design Details and History of the BMW S63

The BMW S63 engine was introduced in 2009, one year after the BMW N63 it’s based on went into production. While both the “civilian” N and “high-performance” S versions of this V8 share a lot design-wise, there are some key differences between them. 

Starting with the similarities, the two engines:

• Use direct gasoline injection.
• Have two turbochargers configured in a “hot-vee” layout, with both turbos placed between the two cylinder banks (inside the “V”).
• Have the same bore and stroke.
• Feature the same 4.4L displacement, apart from the Chinese market 4.0L variant.

In 2012 and later versions of N63 and S63, BMW started using their Valvetronic variable valve lift system, which made the S63 the first BMW M engine to take advantage of this technology. 

Interestingly, the BMW S63 was the very first mass-produced engine to use the “hot-vee” configuration. But why did they decide to go for it in the first place? Mainly to improve the turbo spool time (providing boost earlier on) and keep the entire engine package compact. There is one inherent downside to this design though, which is even partially included in its name – it can get quite hot. But more on that in a bit.

As for the differences: the M-specific version uses twin-scroll turbochargers instead of the regular ones and its exhaust manifold is pulse-tuned. In simple terms, this means that its internal geometry has been optimized to allow for a nearly constant flow of the exhaust pulses into the turbochargers.

Which BMW Has the S63 Engine?

Depending on the variant, the BMW S63 makes up to 627 hp and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque in its stock form. If you’d like to know what car models were powered by this engine, check out the table we prepared below.

That’s quite a long application list – not too shabby for a high-performance V8 engine. But how does it fare in terms of longevity? Does its practicality actually match the widespread use under the hoods of top-of-the-line BMWs?

Is BMW S63 Reliable?

Have you heard the expressions about not asking a woman her age or a man his salary? Well, the same goes for the BMW S63 engine – don’t ask it if it’s reliable, because the answer is both “yes” and “no.” Let me explain…

Current production S63s are very reliable and have A TON of BMW ECU tuning potential, due to how much power and torque reserves they possess. However, the initial versions of the BMW S63 and even more so the regular N63 were in fact quite problematic. Combine that with the fact that their predecessors, the N62 and S65 also weren’t kings of reliability, and you might see where this reputation comes from. 

What were the main BMW N63 engine problems in its early iterations? 

• Timing chain stretch (yikes!).
• Faulty fuel injectors that were overflowing the combustion chamber with too much gasoline, rinsing engine oil off of the cylinder walls and, consequently, worsening the lubrication.
• Issues with mass airflow sensor, crankcase vent lines, battery, engine vacuum pump, and low-pressure fuel sensor. 
• Too long of an oil service interval.

Again, most if not all of these were already resolved following a few major technical updates in 2012, 2016, and 2018. While BMW S63 engine problems weren’t as major as the ones that the N63 faced, the revisions also affected the M powerplant, positively impacting its reliability and performance.

But it doesn’t mean the improvements end there.

Testing the BMW S63 – Engine Tuning Case Study

Without further ado: let’s take a look at our test results for the BMW S63 engine. 

More specifically – the unit powering a beautiful BMW M6 Gran Coupe (F06) that we had the opportunity to tune with Awaken Performance. Similarly to the M3 (F80) we tested in the BMW S55 engine tuning case study, we took it on a dyno and logged it both prior to and after installing the tune. 

This time we also took it for a longer spin out on the road and tested the… MPG. Yeah, I know: fuel economy is not something everyone’s thinking about when buying a large V8, but our results will surprise you! 

The BMW M6 (F06) Before and After the ECU Tuning

For the sake of our testing process, we decided to take a close look at the things that will be the most important for you, potential Awaken Performance customers. This means the holy trinity of:

• Power & torque (tested at the dyno).
• Temperatures of the engine, engine coolant, and exhaust gasses (data logging).
• Gas mileage (two sets of two 25-mile trips).

Let’s start with how much juice we managed to squeeze out of the car. According to BMW’s factory claims, the M6 (F06) should be making 553 hp and 502 lb-ft (680 Nm) of torque. Of course, Bavarians underrated their car as they always do – we clocked it in at 588 hp and 541 lb-ft (733 Nm) of torque estimated at the crank. Stock.

Fast forward a couple of hours later and with the Awaken Performance BMW engine tuning, we measured an impressive 686 hp and 611 lb-ft (828 Nm) of torque. And that’s with just the remap, no supporting hardware mods were included. All through the means of increased boost pressure from the turbocharger.

If this leaves you wondering how’s the reliability of the engine afterward, we also logged the car to see how it fares with a stronger blowing turbo. The engine coolant temperature dropped from the stock 207°F (97°C) to 189°F (87°C). For the remaining temperatures, i.e., of the engine itself and the exhaust gasses, we witnessed decreases from 205°F (96°C) to 187°F (86°C) and 1229°F (665°C) to 1006°F (541°C).

To achieve these results, apart from lowering the thermostat activation temperature and making the radiator fans turn on quicker, we adjust the fuel mixture of our tunes, so that it’s much more precise. This brings us to the final improvement brought by the Awaken Performance ECU remap – the gas mileage. 

Before the tuning, the BMW M6 we used was able to achieve 21 MPG on average (combined city and highway cruising during our test). When we took it out for a drive after the new engine map was installed, we managed to get 26 MPG while maintaining the same driving style and route. 

In the long term, you could save a lot of money with such a 24% improvement in fuel consumption. That is assuming the average cost of premium gas at around $3.88 per gallon and the average yearly mileage of 15,200 miles, you could achieve annual savings of up to around $540.

If you ask us, with the price of $599 for the tune, this seems like more of an investment than an impulse purchase that your significant other could dislike. Just sayin…

Awaken Performance BMW Engine Tuning

So, you want that extra “oomph” for your BMW S63 engine. Or maybe even the economic aspect convinced you. Well, Awaken Performance Remote ECU Tuning Service should be your go-to option, since we make the whole process a breeze. It’s very simple to prepare for it: just make sure you have an ENET coding cable (you can get one from us) and a Windows laptop. From there, we’ll handle the rest.

What will the entire process look like?

1. Get in touch with us
   
   Once you've made your purchase, we'll hit you up within a day to schedule your remote coding session. Don't worry; we'll even guide you through the software setup on your laptop. If you're in the US, we can lend you a preloaded PC.
   
   
2. Initial scanning session
   
   Connect with our technician for the first time and let us scan your ECU, sort out any errors, and update software if needed. That usually takes from 30 to 60 minutes.
   
   
3. Tuning session
   
   Round two! We'll install your brand-new ECU tune and do another quick data log to ensure everything's humming along smoothly. Prepare an hour of your time for this stage.
   
   
4. Test drive
   
   After we’re done, just hit the road to let your car “stretch its legs” with the new settings. Give it a couple of miles to adapt and… enjoy the ride!

Here's the best part: we stand by our work 100%. That’s why we offer a Money-Back Guarantee. So if the tune doesn't rev your engine the way you hoped, we'll revert to your stock ECU map and refund you in full. A win-win, right?

Is It Worth Tuning Your BMW S63?

Getting an ECU tune for your BMW S63 is a ride worth considering. With Awaken Performance Remote Engine Tuning service, you can expect a boost in performance, reliability, and even fuel efficiency. 

Just picture this: 

• Impressive +17% hp & +11% torque gains
  
• 10% drop in operating temperatures
  
• A whopping 24% improvement in MPG

Sure, the individual results may vary based on factors like driving conditions, ambient air temperature and humidity, or your car's current condition. However, the potential gains make a compelling case. The question is – does it sound compelling to YOU?