Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

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J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
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  M roadster S50
Location: Cullompton, Devon

Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

So seeing as this is the most relevant forum to the Z I will do the build thread here and copy onto others.

The history.
I've been drifting for 2/3 years now and last year saw me compete in the British Drift Championship at 4 of the 5 rounds.
Last years car was an E36 M3 (3.0L) which developed throughout the year and became a very capable car seeing me qualify 4th at round Teesside and 3rd at Lydden hill.
I finished the season 18th overall in my class (semi Pro), which I was quite pleased with due to it being my first year in proper competition and the leaps and bounds the car made.
Last years car.
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I always like to try and have the long game in my head and was thinking about building an E46 with an M3 EVO engine for mid season last year or start of this season.
Obviously this didn't happen last year but an engine was sourced and dropped off at my main sponsor, Redish Motorsport in Bristol for ARP conrod bolts, New shells and valve shims.
Due to developing the 36, nothing really happened with the 46 and time went by. Until I saw my current Z3m on ebay and my mind started turning again.
The car was on Irish plates with no tax or MOT but it was at £4000 with a couple of days left to go.
Long story short. I got it for £4250.
They guy was a bit impatient to get his hands on the cash so the week after Knokhill, I had to fly back to Devon, Hire a trailer and pickup. Drive to peterborough to pay for and collect the Z, then back home and fly back to Scotland to do a days testing with the team and then drive home.

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So I certainly got my monies worth but the car had a lot of small problems. Caliper stuck on. Vanos noise and a badly leaking roof being the worst.
None of which really worried me as the shell is in excellent condition underneath.

I finally got the engine back from Redish a couple of weeks ago so the build could commence.
James plastigauged all the bearing when taking them off and all were OK. Just.
No 5 and 6 big ends were JUST starting to wear through and were about to spin.
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You can also see the stretch in the conrod bolts.

So new engine was home and the strip commenced.

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The aircon was removed from the car and new engine, as was the exhaust gas recirculation thingy.
As you can see, the new engine look smaller and is certainly lighter for their loss.
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Engine came out without too much trouble and allowed me to have a bit of a clean in the engine bay..
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One small nightmare was that the engine came from an E36 M3 so the looms were completely different.
Loom swapping is a nightmare!
I got my mate to do it :)

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5 paddle clutch and lightened flywheel also went in while she was apart.
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Late nights were had by all and she was done.
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Initial startup was per Redish's instructions with turning over with coils and fuel pump disconnected to lubricate the engine and build pressure.
When she did initially fire up, the idle was a bit rough but due to the power of INPA and plugging her in, the fault was traced to a vanos plug not connected fully. Result.
As she was on the ramp idling, I check through all the readings with Inpa and found a dead Lambda also which got changed.
Such a handy tool!! Saved hours of parts swapping..

As of writing, I've got 370 miles on the new engine. Did a nice trip up to Bristol to see James at Redish Motorsport.
Had to grab this pic.
There are also 2 E46 M3's inside the workshop. One is having a new subframe carrier and boot floor and the other is a full blown track build.

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Next on the list is to fit the coilovers and install the Custom Cages multipoint weld in cage.

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J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
Posts: 80

  M roadster S50
Location: Cullompton, Devon

Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

If you want to follow me on Facebook, that'd be good too. Will be proper up to date updates on there.
http://www.facebook.com/JKdrift
Pierrick
Joined: Fri 31 Aug, 2012 22:47
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  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by Pierrick »

Good start! When does the car has to be ready for thge new season?
J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
Posts: 80

  M roadster S50
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

First BDC event is 12/13 April.
But I need to have the car finished before then and attend some drift practice days to learn the car.
The seating position and so weight distribution is completely different to anything I've drifted before so I will need some seat time if I'm going to hit the ground running.
Pierrick
Joined: Fri 31 Aug, 2012 22:47
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  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by Pierrick »

And where are the events?
swamper
Joined: Thu 13 May, 2010 17:14
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Location: Mossley

Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by swamper »

good thread...keep um coming 8-)
the badness makes me do it...!

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yalden
Joined: Sun 30 Mar, 2008 18:03
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by yalden »

Geesh £4250 seems a royal bargain, especially with the Hamann rear diffuser, ACS front flippers and hardtop!

What brand of coilovers did you opt for? I look forward to seeing your plans with the cage.

To my knowledge, there were only two aftermarket roll-cage options available for the Z3, one was by HMS and the other by Hard Dog - neither of which are easy to come by.

I presume you'll be ditching the original seat and interior? If you consider ditching the centre console (with VDO gauges etc), let me know as I might take those off your hand. :D

Keep the updates coming!
J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
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  M roadster S50
Location: Cullompton, Devon

Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Round 1 13th-14th April Lydden Hill CT4 6ET
Round 2 8th-9th June Pembrey Circuit SA16 0HZ
Round 3 6th-7th July Teesside Autodrome TS6 6XH
Round 4 10th-11th August Lydden Hill CT4 6ET
Round 5 21st-22nd September Knockhill Circuit KY12 9
J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
Posts: 80

  M roadster S50
Location: Cullompton, Devon

Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Sadly, it didn't come with a hardtop. That was another £800....

Custom Cages make a Z3 cage. They make a 6 point "bolt in" and a multipoint weld in.

I've gone for the multipoint

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http://www.customcages.co.uk/Rollcage/L ... Multipoint



I think the centre console is spoken for already. But all parts will be available.. :squeeze:
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pingu
Joined: Fri 30 Apr, 2004 16:01
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  M roadster S50

Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by pingu »

I assume that you know the Z3 has a weak floor and the area around the diff may need to be strengthened.

Looking good :) .
Pingu
J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
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  M roadster S50
Location: Cullompton, Devon

Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Oh yes. I am fully aware of that.
I'm going to plate the rear crossmemeber and run E36 rear diff covers so I can have 2 connection points to the new rear crossmember.
J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
Posts: 80

  M roadster S50
Location: Cullompton, Devon

Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Fitted the new rear coilovers yesterday.
Man what a difference. The rear shocks were completely shot. The car feels so much more stable now which gives alot more confidence.
But the new rears are now showing up the softness of the fronts. They're next on the list and hopefully get a few road miles on them before the car comes off the road for the cage.
J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
Posts: 80

  M roadster S50
Location: Cullompton, Devon

Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Not much has happened recently but I did manage to get the Z on a rolling road.
Managed 326bhp which I was more than happy with.

And got some pics taken..

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J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
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  M roadster S50
Location: Cullompton, Devon

Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

So at long last, I've started the cage install.
Today has been stripping the interior.

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it appears that the floorpan is watertight...
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Spare loom.
Snippy snip...

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Tomorrow will be seam welding all the rear panels and getting ready for the cage welding.
swamper
Joined: Thu 13 May, 2010 17:14
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  M roadster S50
Location: Mossley

Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by swamper »

:shock: brave...very brave ...!!!
the badness makes me do it...!

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J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
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  M roadster S50
Location: Cullompton, Devon

Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Lol.
Done it before. To the M3 for one.
Fortunately, the dash board is the only thing thats got to go back in.
swamper
Joined: Thu 13 May, 2010 17:14
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by swamper »

cant wait to see the end result....
the badness makes me do it...!

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J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
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  M roadster S50
Location: Cullompton, Devon

Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Me neither.
I wish the roll cage fairies would come and do the cage for me...
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yalden
Joined: Sun 30 Mar, 2008 18:03
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by yalden »

Great progress! What are you doing with all the parts you're stripping out? I'd be interested in all your centre console bits and pieces...
J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
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  M roadster S50
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

All the bits are for sale fella.
Currently in the stock exchange. Thought I'd ofer them here before they all go on ebay.
J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Slow progress but busy at work.
Managed to get the rear strut tops seam welded and primered.

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All the sound deadening is off and cleaned up.
And after much head scratching and procrastinating, the car is going to custom cages to have the cage installed. I'm capable of doing it but I'd rather it was right and the way it fits into the tub and goes through the front bulkhead is bloody complicated..

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J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Well I made the decision not to do the cage myself.
Yesterday I took the car up to Custom Cages to get them to fit it.
It would be a shame to waste a car just for the sake of wanting to do the job myself...

Managed to get all the rear axle bushes changed so that's one less job when she's back.
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And got the bumper and bonnet pins sorted too. Which took forever!
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Looked a little bare just before loading and taking up there.
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snoops
Joined: Sat 12 Jun, 2010 17:08
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by snoops »

Great read, look forward to next instalment ... Can't get over all that wiring in the last picture :shock:
Image...........No Mods...... I like him just the way he is
J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
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Location: Cullompton, Devon

Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Tell me about it...
Basically, I cut the loom that goes forward to the headlights etc and took the fuse box apart and passed the whole lot into the cabin.
The fusebox bottom part mounts to the bulkhead but there will be cage there so it had to go. I'll extend the lighting loom and relocate the fusebox inside the cabin. I want to get rid of all the ABS stuff and thin the loom out as much as possible really.
There is soooo much stuff I'm not using from the original car.

I have to say... The wiring loom and thoughts of putting it back into service, are causing me sleepless nights :bawl:
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snoops
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by snoops »

J_K wrote:
I have to say... The wiring loom and thoughts of putting it back into service, are causing me sleepless nights :bawl:
You'll have to invite Zed Carer down now he's retired, last time I saw a dash anything like that it was his on THIS THREAD but yours is quite a bit more advanced and you probably haven't used 500 envelopes.. :wink:
Image...........No Mods...... I like him just the way he is
J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
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  M roadster S50
Location: Cullompton, Devon

Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Lol.
It is more about function than form for me.
And at the moment, time is of the essence.
The next round of the BDC is at Pembrey on the 8th and 9th of June and I intend to be there in the Z.

I do have a really nice electronic dash to go in but is does so much, you have to program it. That can wait till after Pembrey.
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Brian H
Joined: Tue 16 Dec, 2008 19:55
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by Brian H »

J_K wrote:.........I have to say... The wiring loom and thoughts of putting it back into service, are causing me sleepless nights :bawl:
If you were closer I would offer a helping hand. Just a the wrong end of the country for me. :head:
J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

I think being left alone with it for an hour or 2 and it'll be fine.
I took it out so should be able to remember where it goes.

If not, I'll be looking for a wiring diagram :shock:
J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Small side note.
More to do with the drifting that the Z.
Took the M3 down to a local dyno to try and diagnose the problem with the M3 that saw a massive lack of power which essentially made me completely uncompetative at Lydden hill.
First power runs were all around 220bhp. Not good for a 3.0ltr M3.
Last of the runs and it developed a missfire.
The usual coil pack swapping didn't cure it so swapped in the new plugs, which I thought could have been the issue and she ran perfectly making runs between 292bhp and 306bhp.
So.
Everybody change your plugs!!

It now revs like this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6tKNYtrxMM
J_K
Joined: Thu 20 Sep, 2012 21:51
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Got some photos from Custom cages today.
Looks good.

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Brian H
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by Brian H »

That is one serious cage :shock:, looks like a cracking job though.
J_K
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Comes with a serious bill too :shock:
But I thought if it's worth doing then might as well do it right. Hence getting them to fit it.
I might get sick of the drifting soon so wanted to build a car that I can use for other things and this cage should stiffen the chassis right up.
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yalden
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by yalden »

I can see why you wanted them to fit it... looks like a royal PITA!
J_K
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Oh yes.
Very much so. Hence they got the job :)
J_K
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Car has JUST returned.
Couple of cheeky shots.
Will get more when I get her in the workshop with the top off 8-)

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markrnorton
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by markrnorton »

The cage is a work of art, congrats
Still modifying
J_K
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Re: Project Z. BDC Drift car build.

Post by J_K »

Thanks.
It is a quality cage..

No huge updates.
Everything is slow going and busy at work means no progress on the Z.

I have managed to get the drivers seat in.
Lota of hard work. Had to notch the tunnel..

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And it still rubs up against the cage on the outter side..
Hassles..

Apart from that.. I'm no further forward..
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