#ZedShed BMW Z3 Cobra Kit - Zag2
- Thread starter Lee
- Start date
Did i miss something today lolFear not Dave, you're missing some context. A guy posted some tosh the Tribute Facebook group, and got rapidly corrected for doing so
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2014
- Points
- 181
- Model of Z
- Z4 coupe sport.
Great work so far, we’ll done. Are you also fitting body kit.
Can’t wait.
Roy.
Can’t wait.
Roy.
What a plonker he was ! I had to refer to it on here as I know you and Lee would get it and understand my humour.That guy was hilarious, not sure why he felt he needed to say that but at least he got chance to tell someone other than his mum he has a community college certificate
Apologies to anyone else who took offence to my comment. It was said in jest and other context.
I’d love to get mine into the Zed shed one day to be honest. Not that I know anything is wrong with mine but who knows what lurks beneath 2 years after the refurb work done before my kit went on.
Anyway. If it is ok I will take my coat back off.
Dave
I knew exactly what you meant just didn’t get a chance to reply and put some context to it. The Zedshed was getting dragged into someone else’s politics.
So a nice big juicy update from the last two days. Once we got the gearbox off the first job we did was replace all the indent pins, this really makes the gear change so crisp and gets rid of the sticky 5th gear and not centralising.
All the goodies compliments of BMW.
First pin removed and tapping in the new bush
next the new spring and pin
then the new cap. Rinse repeat for the next two
The 3 old indent pins.
next it’s the hard pins, 5th and reverse. Next photo shows the old bush removed, the liner has broken down causing the pin to stick and the new liner being tapped in.
then rinse repeat for the 5th gear the liner was also worn causing the pin to stick stopping the gear stick centralising. Next two photos show the new caps on reverse and 5th and the old indent pins.
Now the indent pins have been changed it was worth changing some other bits. The pivot bush and the release bearing both the old parts were very worn.
Then all the fresh bits in place.
This was also the time to fix the bolt and re tap the thread on the block, we was lucky this came out because it could of been an engine out job. The end two threads had picked up on the way out most likely due to side loading the bolt.
We then turn’t our attention to the new fly wheel and clutch assembly, the old unit looked pretty good for 80k miles, the clutch disc just started to wear badly between the fibres.
Old pressure plate
Old clutch disc
Old flywheel
close up of the clutch disc, you can see the fibres just starting to break up.
New flywheel torques up
new clutch disc held in place ready for the pressure plate
Annoyingly I never took a photo of it completed but after the gearbox went on we fitted the prop with a new flex disc or Guibo as it’s mostly known, old one looking cracked and tired.
Run out of picture space. Part 2 coming.
All the goodies compliments of BMW.
First pin removed and tapping in the new bush
next the new spring and pin
then the new cap. Rinse repeat for the next two
The 3 old indent pins.
next it’s the hard pins, 5th and reverse. Next photo shows the old bush removed, the liner has broken down causing the pin to stick and the new liner being tapped in.
then rinse repeat for the 5th gear the liner was also worn causing the pin to stick stopping the gear stick centralising. Next two photos show the new caps on reverse and 5th and the old indent pins.
Now the indent pins have been changed it was worth changing some other bits. The pivot bush and the release bearing both the old parts were very worn.
Then all the fresh bits in place.
We then turn’t our attention to the new fly wheel and clutch assembly, the old unit looked pretty good for 80k miles, the clutch disc just started to wear badly between the fibres.
Old pressure plate
Old clutch disc
Old flywheel
close up of the clutch disc, you can see the fibres just starting to break up.
New flywheel torques up
new clutch disc held in place ready for the pressure plate
Annoyingly I never took a photo of it completed but after the gearbox went on we fitted the prop with a new flex disc or Guibo as it’s mostly known, old one looking cracked and tired.
Run out of picture space. Part 2 coming.
Thanks for the info. I completed a Tribute 250 build for someone and fitted the Technix adjustable coil overs. They’re ok for the money but they wanted to get it a little lower and maybe slightly stiffer springs so happy to spend a bit more to get the ride height right. I did the camber kit already when the rear end came out for refurb,new bushes etc.
Attachments
Really nice finish there. I say exactly that to a everyone who wants to covert the Z3 platform. It needs to be lower to look right and to do it you’ll need a camber kit to straighten the wheels up.
Today was quite a relaxed day in the shed. I think having a TV is a distraction we also had a full team of 6 which was nice.
We decided to finish fitting the big hardware so the prop and exhaust went back on, also the front belly brace.
The last few weeks have been a struggle with getting delivery’s, we get 3/4 day gaps and it’s starting to make it hard completing them in two weeks. Normally a big order will be placed in the first few days of the build and most parts have arrived within 5 days. At the moment we’re still waiting on parts from over two weeks ago.
So we also got the new wishbones on with tie rods. Fitted new nuts to the exhaust flanges to make life easier in the future. We also fitted the roll bar. Most of this is loosely in place for now waiting on coilovers to arrive
It was also time to start giving the engine a once over. The ICV (idle control valve) needed a good clean along with TB (Throttle body) both of which were quite sticky. The air filter was old and dirty. All new service items ready and waiting.
we also spotted a leak at the rear of the engine from the rocker, might as well cure that while we’re in there.
Some dusty engine bits. We also de leafed the alternator they’re always blocked.
Dirty air filter
engine tear down has begun, she was quite lumpy when Gareth dropped her of, sounded very much like a vacuum leak. We also decided to replace the water pump and thermostat so going to pick that up on Monday.
Next update Mon/Tues
we also had a full team of 6 which was nice.We decided to finish fitting the big hardware so the prop and exhaust went back on, also the front belly brace.
The last few weeks have been a struggle with getting delivery’s, we get 3/4 day gaps and it’s starting to make it hard completing them in two weeks. Normally a big order will be placed in the first few days of the build and most parts have arrived within 5 days. At the moment we’re still waiting on parts from over two weeks ago.
So we also got the new wishbones on with tie rods. Fitted new nuts to the exhaust flanges to make life easier in the future. We also fitted the roll bar. Most of this is loosely in place for now waiting on coilovers to arrive
It was also time to start giving the engine a once over. The ICV (idle control valve) needed a good clean along with TB (Throttle body) both of which were quite sticky. The air filter was old and dirty. All new service items ready and waiting.
we also spotted a leak at the rear of the engine from the rocker, might as well cure that while we’re in there.
Some dusty engine bits. We also de leafed the alternator they’re always blocked.
Dirty air filter
engine tear down has begun, she was quite lumpy when Gareth dropped her of, sounded very much like a vacuum leak. We also decided to replace the water pump and thermostat so going to pick that up on Monday.
Next update Mon/Tues
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2011
- Points
- 175
Awesome
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2014
- Points
- 181
- Model of Z
- Z4 coupe sport.
Your really getting it done, shame the parts delivery is holding you back. Also shame we haven't a member in BMW parts dept that could help out. You lot never cease to amaze me, and such good looking southerners too,
even with the Z dirt and
grubby overalls. Lmao.
PS; what's ever happened to that ugly chap from Aylesbury.
Roy.
even with the Z dirt and
grubby overalls. Lmao.PS; what's ever happened to that ugly chap from Aylesbury.
Roy.
Nice big juicy update tonight. We’ve finally taken delivery of some key items allowing us to make the dash to the finish line, this build has entered the 3rd week due to delivery delays but we’re now nearly there.
Continuing work on the engine I finally found what I was looking for. When Gareth dropped the car off it kept stalling it was clear there was a vacuum leak somewhere.
Under this cover is the CCV return line to the inlet manifold, we found a split in the hose allowing un metered air into the system.
the split hose
Luckily you can buy these lines individually. The new hose was delivered over night.
We can’t run the engine yet due to removing the old cat pump. These bulky things fall apart and often don’t work at all. We’ve removed it and just waiting for the blank to arrive.
Mid pump removal
Next up was removing the rocker cover and replacing the gasket, a couple of plugs had oil on them so it was leaking plus a leak at the rear.
Rocker cover off
Don’t think I’ve seen such a lean M52 head, very little oil staining on the cams.
Be rude not to replace the plugs. Cheap Bosch plugs out for NGK Iridium.
We also dropped the oil which looked minging. The filter had been in for some time.
Next we fitted a cheeky little upgrade, compliments of @Jjim he wanted to go back to stock so sold his Simota to Gareth. These make a nice roar.
We also finally took delivery of the cheap coilovers. These didn’t disappoint, this complete kit ‘so they say’ does not come with top mounts. They’re also very generic so have front drop link brackets which aren’t needed.
Coilovers now fitted with new Lemforder top mounts.
Whilst installing the coilovers I installed the new brakes and handbrake mech.
Handbrake mech
new disc on
All together
Hit the photo limit
Continuing work on the engine I finally found what I was looking for. When Gareth dropped the car off it kept stalling it was clear there was a vacuum leak somewhere.
Under this cover is the CCV return line to the inlet manifold, we found a split in the hose allowing un metered air into the system.
the split hose
Luckily you can buy these lines individually. The new hose was delivered over night.
We can’t run the engine yet due to removing the old cat pump. These bulky things fall apart and often don’t work at all. We’ve removed it and just waiting for the blank to arrive.
Mid pump removal
Next up was removing the rocker cover and replacing the gasket, a couple of plugs had oil on them so it was leaking plus a leak at the rear.
Rocker cover off
Don’t think I’ve seen such a lean M52 head, very little oil staining on the cams.
Be rude not to replace the plugs. Cheap Bosch plugs out for NGK Iridium.
We also dropped the oil which looked minging. The filter had been in for some time.
Next we fitted a cheeky little upgrade, compliments of @Jjim he wanted to go back to stock so sold his Simota to Gareth. These make a nice roar.
We also finally took delivery of the cheap coilovers. These didn’t disappoint, this complete kit ‘so they say’ does not come with top mounts. They’re also very generic so have front drop link brackets which aren’t needed.
Coilovers now fitted with new Lemforder top mounts.
Whilst installing the coilovers I installed the new brakes and handbrake mech.
Handbrake mech
new disc on
All together
Hit the photo limit
Next we move up front and built up the hubs with all the new hardware.
Front top mount
Hub installed.
All the shinny new bits on. A couple of bits to sort, rattle clips and to re attached the drop links bleed the brakes etc.
The otherside.
To wrap the day up we quickly pulled the thermostat and water pump. Both of which look like they have been done in the last few years.
Old pump and thermostat
Tomorrow will be some of the smaller details like drop links, touch ups and brake bleeding. Might very nearly be done.
One thing I did realise tonight is this Zed is a March built 1999 car, it’s pre facelift along with its interior but has the 2.8TU engine normally only seen in a facelift car. I’ve checked various parts and can confirm all the vin numbers match so it’s factory. I swear BMW made it up as they went along.
Front top mount
Hub installed.
All the shinny new bits on. A couple of bits to sort, rattle clips and to re attached the drop links bleed the brakes etc.
The otherside.
To wrap the day up we quickly pulled the thermostat and water pump. Both of which look like they have been done in the last few years.
Old pump and thermostat
Tomorrow will be some of the smaller details like drop links, touch ups and brake bleeding. Might very nearly be done.
One thing I did realise tonight is this Zed is a March built 1999 car, it’s pre facelift along with its interior but has the 2.8TU engine normally only seen in a facelift car. I’ve checked various parts and can confirm all the vin numbers match so it’s factory. I swear BMW made it up as they went along.
You’re waiting for smog pump blanking plate?
Tony.
Tony.
Always read these extensive reports with some embarrassment, took me 2 days and needed to call help in just to remove 2 rear brakes hoses from their brackets. Hopefully the re fit will be less dramatic.
Hopefully the re fit will be less dramatic.
Yes mate, I remember you made some once didn't think you still did.
If you do I'll take a few
Awesome work finding the oil leaks and the CCV return line split (I totally had to google what that even was!!).
Glad my arrival stall can now be put down to a split pipe rather than my bad driving
Glad my arrival stall can now be put down to a split pipe rather than my bad driving
I'm treating this build as not just paying someone to do it all for me, but to learn as I go along as well. Lee's posts are awesomely detailed and educational as well.Always read these extensive reports with some embarrassment, took me 2 days and needed to call help in just to remove 2 rear brakes hoses from their brackets.
I find it really interesting how mechanics work and the techniques they use. I guess when you've changed the suspension 10+ times on a car it becomes quite easy! First time, not so much..... I Feel like such a n00b even though I am a software engineer and pretty handy at carpentry!