BMW N73B60 engine

The production of the engine in multi-series runs was compatible with the production of the 7 series BMW. The development of the first series BMW N73B60 began in early 2000, and the engine came on the assembly line in 2004 and was produced until 2009, after which it was replaced by the next generation N74B60 and N74B66.

BMW car alternator. Depending on the car model and its equipment, alternators of rated current 80 and 140 A can be installed. BMW N73 engine is a 12-cylinder engine with two overhead camshafts, which replaced the M73 and was installed in the BMW 7 Series in the E65, E66, E67 and E68 bodies, as well as Rolls-Royce. The BMW N73 engine belongs to the NG series and is characterized by the presence of the following systems: dual VANOS; intake valve train with variable valve timing with 4 valves per cylinder;

The BMW N73B60 engine is a 6-liter engine that was installed in the 760i E65/760 Li E66/760 LiS E67/Hydrogen 7 E68. The displacement of this engine in cubic centimeters is 5972. The N7Z engine has a total of four lambda probes. The air conditioner compressor drive uses a 4 V-belt corrugated belt’ and the main drive uses a 6-pin corrugated belt. In the N73 engine, the camshafts of each row of cylinders are driven by a separate sleeve chain. N73 pistons are cast, weight-optimized with a convex bottom and notches in the bottom for valve plates. The oil sump of the N73B60 engine, like the N62, consists of an upper and a lower part. Fuel used for the BMW N73B60 engine: AI-95 gasoline; AI-98 gasoline.

What is the best oil to choose for BMW N73B60 engine? Xenum GPX SAE 5w40 oil is an excellent choice. The engine has a cover with the BMW emblem on the intake system. There is also a front panel between the radiator cap and the emblem cover. The cylinder head covers are made of magnesium alloy. For corrosion protection, the cylinder head covers have a special coating. For control functions, the N73 engine has a total of 5 control units interconnected via local CAN bus: one MED 9.2.1 control unit for each cylinder row; one Valvetronic control unit; one high-pressure injector control unit for each cylinder row;

Engine specifications N73B60

Advantages

The N73B60 was the first direct injection gasoline engine in BMW’s history. Direct injection means that fuel is injected under pressure directly into the combustion chamber. Direct injection serves to increase power and fuel economy.

The advantage of direct injection without depletion is the possibility of using conventional exhaust gas cleaning systems with a three-component catalyst. The three-component catalyst allows sulfur content in the fuel. In the N73B60 engine, fuel consumption reduction in the part load range is provided by Valvetronic. This avoids the disadvantages inherent in direct injection with lean mode. The combination of Valvetronic and direct injection (without depletion) reduces fuel consumption while increasing specific power and torque. Compared to the M73 engine, the N73 engine saves 3.6 percent fuel. At the same time, power is increased by 87 kW to 327 kW and torque from 490 Nm to 600 Nm. The N73B60 engine can be used in all countries of the world as it allows sulfur content in gasoline.

Direct injection without depletion produces a homogeneous mixture in the entire combustion chamber. Due to the homogeneous mixture, a conventional exhaust gas cleaning system can be used. With direct injection, the fuel vaporizes in the combustion chamber and cools the mixture. Its density increases (the colder it is, the denser it is) and this increases efficiency, in the case of the N73B60 engine, by almost 10%. Detonation is also reduced, so the N73B60 has a slightly higher compression ratio (from 10:1 to 11.5:1).  A separate air filter housing is fitted for each cylinder row. The air volume is approximately 10.5 liters for the air filter housing, the replacement element of which has a flat grille for reinforcement. Each cylinder row has its own throttle valve.

They are not involved in the load control of the engine. This is controlled by changing the stroke of the intake valves.

Each cylinder row has one additional 2.8-liter front muffler, which operates on the absorption principle. A six-in-one exhaust manifold is fitted to each cylinder row. Together with the catalytic converter housing, the exhaust manifold forms a single unit. For each cylinder row, a supplementary air valve (SLV) is fitted on the side of the cylinder head.

Disadvantages

Reviews of this engine are mostly positive, but still some owners encounter two common problems: engine shakes at idle and Valvetronic failure. In the first case, the cause may be a malfunction of the Valvetronic system, and in the second case, the electric motor that turns the rocker control shaft may be defective.

Recommended:

• Replace the air filter element every 100,000 km.
• Spark plugs should be changed every 120,000 kilometers (every 100,000 miles on U.S. vehicles).
• The timing chain should be replaced every 150,000 km.
• After 200,000 km, the VANOS system must be replaced. The design of BMW engines N73B60, N74B60, N74B66 was characterized by many moving parts, which increase the overall temperature of the engine. In order to avoid engine overheating it is recommended to completely change the coolant every 2 years with obligatory flushing of the system.

Chip Tuning

To increase motor performance, only N73B60 chip-tuning would be a reasonable step: re-flashing the electrical equipment allows you to stabilize the fuel supply, adjusting the functioning of the engine for maximum speed or traction. Electronic firmware allows you to increase the power of the motor up to 609 horsepower without loss of operating life – even the patched motor in practice passes 400,000 km of mileage without the need for major repairs.

Currently, the production of engines continues and original components and analogs of spare parts can be freely found on the secondary car market. Despite the high power, the engine is suitable for replica dealer parts that do not shorten operating life or power – BMW models N73B60, N74B60, N74B66 are a good investment for power lovers.

The N73B60, N74B60, N74B66 range for the BMW 7 Series represents the epitome of reliable design and high performance potential. The engines are moderately voracious and robust, but require regular maintenance.

This engine is installed on the following models:

BMW 7-Series (E65)