This has been a lovely car to work on. @MuttyMax stunning pre facelift very well spec’d 2.8TU, quite strange to find a pre facelift 1998 car fitted with the TU twin Vanos engine, we’ve given up trying to see if BMW had a pattern in the middle years of the builds.
So this Zed had the wobbly feeling and wanted a little refinement, we also did some cool upgrades, one of which is the one of the best cheap upgrades you can do to the Z3 platform. This chassis is known for being a little bendy so a set of HnR roll bars really help keep this car flat.
All that Boston Greeness
something we noticed was the beam bushes and diff bush had already been changed in the last few years. Upsetting to see though who ever did it damaged to beam fitting the beam bushes.
fresh looking diff bush
we also noticed the cover missing from the fuel filter so this was ordered from BMW.
all the front hardware was removed.
allowing for a MeyleHD kit and some nice upgrades.
Powdercoated the front Z3 M-sport springs.
new callipers and some EBC yellow stuff pads for some extra bite.
Looking good from the inside. Also love the colour of the HnR roll bars.
Shortly after this a test drive and off to get the tracking done.
turning my attention to the rear. I needed to fit some new shocks and a set of Mazza’s finest tank straps. Again the HnR roll bar looking good.
Fresh shocks
Also catch sight of the Z3M rear springs.
Before refitting the wheels I gave the front brakes a nice coat of British racing green paint. The yellow n Green give a Lotus vibe.
has a real nice stance now, the Z3M springs drop the rear a few MM.
Onto the home straight with the jobs. First job was rebuilding the Vanos.
all new seals & bearings.
old seals & bearings removed
the Vanos unit itself, the X8R kit is brilliant. For £169 you get all the new bits including rocket gasket.
then onto the last big job. This nearly broke me today, was way too hot and my hands are way to big
We fitted the M54B30 manifold to this 2.8 engine so she can breath a bit better.
Top manifold is the 3.0 mani and bottom the 2.8 can really see the larger port size.
manifold removed. Looks like a birds nest.
manifold fitted looking all factory.
was a late finish today so tomorrow is test drive time.
So this Zed had the wobbly feeling and wanted a little refinement, we also did some cool upgrades, one of which is the one of the best cheap upgrades you can do to the Z3 platform. This chassis is known for being a little bendy so a set of HnR roll bars really help keep this car flat.
All that Boston Greeness
something we noticed was the beam bushes and diff bush had already been changed in the last few years. Upsetting to see though who ever did it damaged to beam fitting the beam bushes.
fresh looking diff bush
we also noticed the cover missing from the fuel filter so this was ordered from BMW.
all the front hardware was removed.
allowing for a MeyleHD kit and some nice upgrades.
Powdercoated the front Z3 M-sport springs.
new callipers and some EBC yellow stuff pads for some extra bite.
Looking good from the inside. Also love the colour of the HnR roll bars.
Shortly after this a test drive and off to get the tracking done.
turning my attention to the rear. I needed to fit some new shocks and a set of Mazza’s finest tank straps. Again the HnR roll bar looking good.
Fresh shocks
Also catch sight of the Z3M rear springs.
Before refitting the wheels I gave the front brakes a nice coat of British racing green paint. The yellow n Green give a Lotus vibe.
has a real nice stance now, the Z3M springs drop the rear a few MM.
Onto the home straight with the jobs. First job was rebuilding the Vanos.
all new seals & bearings.
old seals & bearings removed
the Vanos unit itself, the X8R kit is brilliant. For £169 you get all the new bits including rocket gasket.
then onto the last big job. This nearly broke me today, was way too hot and my hands are way to big
We fitted the M54B30 manifold to this 2.8 engine so she can breath a bit better.
Top manifold is the 3.0 mani and bottom the 2.8 can really see the larger port size.
manifold removed. Looks like a birds nest.
manifold fitted looking all factory.
was a late finish today so tomorrow is test drive time.
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nice work 
