Steves Z3 engine swap

[Bigwinn]

Hi all

No point putting this on the Z4 forum as no one cares....

I helped Steve with some work on his Z4- he said the only reason he was driving a 4 was because he had lots of cooling issues with the M52 2.8- terminally speaking

So in need of a new project I said lets do this thing

New engine procured and in the process of being stripped down

front of the car off- didn't enjoy popping the welds off

This weekend I think we will get the old engine and gearbox out ready for the swap over

will keep you updated, its been nice to work on an M52 for a change over an M54, despite the DNA being very similar

Stuart

 

[Bigwinn]

 

[Bigwinn]

new bits on the new block-

 

[Bigwinn]

Got the inlet off- happier now I can see the wood for the trees to get the engine out

 

[Bigwinn]

up she rises- old engine out (fairly easily I may say)

New engine has most of the parts transplanted onto it, apart from the inlet which I found easier to wrangle all the loom with that out of the way. Plus every gasket and filter changed/replaced.

Now we just need to split the old gearbox off the old engine, clutch and flywheel transplanted then new engine back in- after a really good clean of the engine bay

Looking forward to the weekend

 

[Lee]

Enjoying this read mate. We do love an enigne out job. The z3/z4 by design makes it a very easy job.

The only thing I do different is remove the aircon pump and power steering pump so I don't have to open those systems.

 

[Bigwinn]

Hi bud!
Good shout- no air con on this one thankfully as I hate messing with them!
Stuart

 

[Bigwinn]

Engine bay clean
New engine mounts fitted

 

[t-tony]

You may find it easier to fit one mount to the subframe and the other to the motor Stuart. Or, fit one to the subframe , lower the engine bracket onto it and loosely fit a nut. You can then lift the other side and put the mount in.

Tony.

 

[Bigwinn]

You may find it easier to fit one mount to the subframe and the other to the motor Stuart. Or, fit one to the subframe , lower the engine bracket onto it and loosely fit a nut. You can then lift the other side and put the mount in.

Tony.

Good shout Tony thanks for the guidance- I will give that a go as it was very tight against the firewall and the brake lines coming out

 

[t-tony]

I would leave the left side one till last (the one below the manifold).

Tony.

 

[Bazza]

Interesting read keep posting please

 

[Bigwinn]

A busy day today

needed to split the old transmission from the old block- done

clutch and flywheel off- done

now ready to replace the rear output seal

just waiting for clutch alignment tool so we can get it all back together

also did some preventative rust works in the bay

 

[t-tony]

You don't really need an alignment tool mate. You will be able to see the edge of the friction disk in 3 places. Just makes sure it is is equidistant from the edge of the pressure plate. I used to use my finger tips.

Tony.

 

[Bigwinn]

You don't really need an alignment tool mate. You will be able to see the edge of the friction disk in 3 places. Just makes sure it is is equidistant from the edge of the pressure plate. I used to use my finger tips.

Tony.

Cheers Tony

as I’ve never done it before I’ll wait for the tool- give me confidence for when I do it next time!

 

[Bigwinn]

Still waiting for the clutch alignment tool...

So go the engine off the stand ready, replaced the rear output seal (never done that before was fairly simple) and attached the flywheel with the new bolts...

I hope to have the engine and box mated, and reinstalled at some point next weekend with the wind in the right direction

 

[Bigwinn]

Clutch aligned

yes!

box back on
Engine into car and started to put front end back together

managed to damage the fuel charcoal canister don’t suppose anyone has a spare?

 

[Lee]

@spurs fan in a coupe got a canister for the chap

Progress looking good mate.

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

@spurs fan in a coupe got a canister for the chap

Progress looking good mate.

Yep
DM me @Bigwinn

 

[Bigwinn]

Well I got some time on the car today

intake back on
Sorted the gear linkage
Loom sorted and secured

a few questions someone may be able to help with

1) I can’t figure out where this small hose that comes off the intake manifold goes?

2) the connector at the end of the injector rail closest to the front of the car- no connectors can go to it and I think it wasn’t connected when i took it off- but I can’t be sure

All that is left to do before we test start it is oil flush, water and pas fluids plus reconnect the blue pipe on the fuel canister (cheers spurs fan)

Fingers crossed