BMW Z3 Racing 2014

Don't worry Mr-P. I'm not a fan of the standard M wheels.
And I've got over 50 wheels already...
Must sell some.
 
So we've now fitted the H&R ARBs, stiffer rear springs and started work on the flat floor. The rear wing has been remounted and now has 5 angle adjustments. Unfortunately no remap yet but we have plenty of time before the start of the season.
This is not the most up to date picture, but its one I like!
image-2.webp
 
Were you able to create a complete and flat undertray?
What do you do with the exhaust? under or above the tray or do you split the tray with the exhaust in the middle?

You haven't taken the front lights out? at least the left hand side to replace it with a direct air intake
Also, you were talking about a full polyester body (now you only have a polyester hood, right?).
Any news on that? Myself I'm working on moulds for most of the body parts.
I follow an advanced evening course in polyester mould making and some body parts are "my project" during the course.
Next course (September 2014) the planning would be to make a mould for a hardtop that fits over the roll cage (as a normal hardtop will not fit over it).

Regards, Koen
 
The floor is almost done. It's basically an aluminium tray that mounts to the sill and to the body brace the runs fore and aft. We've left a gap in the middle for gearbox/diff cooling as plumbing in a pump and external radiator is a bigger job then we've got time to undertake.

The exhaust exits through the boot lid!
image.webp


We've kept the lights in as the long term plan is to do longer endurance races that go into the night. The cold air feed comes from the radiator intake in the front bumper. If you look closely in the first picture above you can see it in the bottom right hand corner.

We've only got a fibreglass bonnet at the moment, but more parts are in the plan. I don't have the knowledge to make moulds, but do know a few people who can, so possibly will look into it next winter. As you say, a standard hard top will not fit, and is very heavy, but it needs something as it is a much more aero-efficient car with a roof.
 
You could put a smaller aftermarket light next to the air intake (all inside the light cluster)

When my moulds get ready, I could make you a set ;-)
First moulds are for the front and rear fenders and the boot.
Bonnet will be last (as I want to make some adjustments - air vents for the hot radiator air - incorporate the air exit you had to make after fitting and testing).
Then front splitter and maybe rear wing (if I don't find the one I would like already made - and not too pricy).

That's for what doesn't cost me any money.

In parallel (what does cost money):
H&R ARB's
Good suspension (still thinking about the yellow Koni - as they are adjustable)
Should be getting cheap H&R springs soon (if the deal goes)
Have got 3 sets of wheels now, but will need good tires (1 set wet, 2 sets dry)
Bushes and brake lines will need replacing too (was mentioned as a remark - not a failure - on the last MOT of the car)
And still getting local info from people that make roll cages (there are a lot of rally prep companies here, but none for circuit racing).
 
what has been changed since last year?
Looks like:
you lowered the front lip
lip on the bonnet is reduced
extra deflector on the front bumper (on the sides) - did you also widen the bottom end of the front bumper?
you did the brake upgrade and the intake manifold upgrade (with remap?)
is there a gap between the bonnet and the front bumper(was that already there?)
fog lights properly blanked
...is the rear spoiler and mounts different from before or is that the angle of the picture?
Did you get round doing the full under-body-flat-floor?
​
Most important: you added a nice red stripe to your color schema. ;-)
Although the blue part of the bonnet is fading (or is that dust?)
 
So? What's the result of today's testing?
I suppose the brakes are a huge improvement. Easy to get used to the extra stopping power?

Regards, Koen
 
Sorry for the delay in reply, been a busy week.
Everything went very well, the brakes are a massive improvement. We took a bit of time to get the balance right, but once we did they were excellent.
We're having it remapped tomorrow, and the rev limit raised, then we will be organising a power test in the near future.
 
Are the engine modifications worth the effort without a remap?
Or not yet a real difference?
 
Really hard to tell because it was wet, so we had to be very careful getting on the power.
I would say top end is definitely better, and it was still pulling at 7000rpm (we're getting the rev limit raised with the remap) so it is worth it, but we're bound to see more gains after today.
 
Remap done over the weekend, but they came to us so no chance to dyno test.
We're off to Brands Hatch this weekend to test the differences, and to check a few other modifications have worked. After that it will be a dyno run, and then hopefully we will be ready for the first race!
 
I'm extremely jealous, I've always wanted to track my 2.8 properly, but never been able to (bought a saxo VTR then a clio 172 instead)

Set up correctly it must be sooooo much fun!
 
I would certainly want to see the modification you have done so far (with my own eyes - is always better). :-)
 
i love what you are doing
i would like to do something similar for my Bertini GT25 when the fastback coupe version has been developed.
With a single skin lightweight fiberglass body and no boot/bonnet liners there could be some serious weight savings.
plus low cost single skin replacement body panels that could be produced in a coloured gelcoat to cut out painting.

what (if any) race series could the Bertini GT25 be entered in?
 
To be honest, you would probably be absolutely fine in the MSV Team Trophy that we are racing in this year. If you're interested, have a look at www.team-trophy.co.uk or if its your first year try www.trackdaytrophy.co.uk and drop them an email. Very helpful and accommodating.

In the meantime, here is a bit of footage from a very busy track day at Brands today.

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKqPxeQeXdg&feature=youtu.be

Youtube does weird things to the compression and frame size, but you get the picture!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Bloody brilliant...!
 
So after a small break in proceedings today is dyno-test day. We're currently on the way to TDi in Thurrock for the official power test for MSV Team Trophy. All being well I'll report back with figures this afternoon.

While I'm here I thought I would share my newest favourite picture, taken at Brands Hatch:

image.webp
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top