Cheap Performance Tips

Braz86

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Feb 26, 2019
Points
69
Location
Aylesbury, Bucks
Model of Z
Z3
Hi all

Been looking through here for low cost ways to improve performance of my 2.0l Z3. Saw that @Lee mentioned an engine flush through a company, and @Dickymint mentioned a fuel additive that cleans injectors and carbon in the system. The post was from 4 years ago, so wondering how these have both been and if they worked?

Also wondering if there is any point in buying a chip such as https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/254130425834 or similar to help claw back some lost performance?

Also any other low cost tips people have will be appreciated
 

Lee

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
M Power
#ZedShed
Joined
Mar 26, 2014
Points
193
Location
Basingstoke
Model of Z
Z4 Coupe 3.0si
Once you’ve done the above engine cleaning. I would consider a manifold swap, I’ve heard it can be done with the 2.0.
 

Dino D

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 28, 2014
Points
176
Location
Kent
Model of Z
2.8 Manual
Induction kit
Exhaust
Heavy metal knob

Not because it may actually make it faster but because it makes it sound and feel faster - and as you have a 6 pot it is a glorious sound.

I’ve even taken out the sound deadening pad from under the bonnet so I can hear the induction better. Worth at least 5bhp for the sound alone!

It also means you get the feeling of speed without the speeding ticket :thumbsup:

The gearknob removes that saloon car feel and give you a a proper feeling shift - again not actually faster but it feels it :)
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
I don't how much it cost but @Eddie Zedder and (I think) @Murray Wall said new Vanos seals improved the performance from their 2 litre cars.

Tony
 

Mazza

Zorg Guru (V)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Nov 1, 2017
Points
175
Location
Bognor Regis
Model of Z
Z3 1.9 M44 Roadster Z3 2.8 Project
Best way I was told how to improve the speed / performance of the 1.9lt ........is to swap it for a 2.8lt. =))
 

Sean d

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Sep 29, 2015
Points
201
Location
Lincolnshire
Model of Z
Z3 2.8
The problem with your question is you can't put "cheap" and "performace" in the same sentence :D
 

Sean d

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Sep 29, 2015
Points
201
Location
Lincolnshire
Model of Z
Z3 2.8
Induction kit
Exhaust
Heavy metal knob

Not because it may actually make it faster but because it makes it sound and feel faster - and as you have a 6 pot it is a glorious sound.

I’ve even taken out the sound deadening pad from under the bonnet so I can hear the induction better. Worth at least 5bhp for the sound alone!

It also means you get the feeling of speed without the speeding ticket :thumbsup:

The gearknob removes that saloon car feel and give you a a proper feeling shift - again not actually faster but it feels it :)
Good advice, I fitted a Ramair induction filter on my 2.0l and it sounded awesome especially at 6500rpm, cheap as chips as well, you will need the 80mm diameter to fit the MAF
https://www.ramair-filters.co.uk/sh...filter-universal-80mm-offset-neck-164mm-tall/
 

Lee

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
M Power
#ZedShed
Joined
Mar 26, 2014
Points
193
Location
Basingstoke
Model of Z
Z4 Coupe 3.0si
Once you’ve done the above engine cleaning. I would consider a manifold swap, I’ve heard it can be done with the 2.0.
Ignore the manifold swap. Apparently didn’t make much of a change.
 

Lee

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
M Power
#ZedShed
Joined
Mar 26, 2014
Points
193
Location
Basingstoke
Model of Z
Z4 Coupe 3.0si
do you fog it through a vacuum pipe whilst the engine is running
Yeah just where the rubber meets the maf engine side you insert the hose, hold the Revs around 2-3k and spray the can till it’s empty takes a good few minutes to empty. You’ll hear the engine note change as it starts taking out carbon.

Sams smoked like mad when we did it and Niall’s weren’t so bad. Good indication of carbon build up.
 

Braz86

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Feb 26, 2019
Points
69
Location
Aylesbury, Bucks
Model of Z
Z3
Yeah just where the rubber meets the maf engine side you insert the hose, hold the Revs around 2-3k and spray the can till it’s empty takes a good few minutes to empty. You’ll hear the engine note change as it starts taking out carbon.

Sams smoked like mad when we did it and Niall’s weren’t so bad. Good indication of carbon build up.
There's a double pack on eBay 1 engine top, the other a fuel additive. Would you recommend using both for an optimum system flush?
 

Nodzed

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
M Power
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Points
231
Location
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Model of Z
Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Is this snake oil, I fancy giving it a go, is it ok with the MAF
Put it in after the MAF and quite possibly snake oil but the zedshed lads had some impressive results as in tonnes of smoke, I got nothing so assuming my engines were spot on and had no carbon build-up or the bottles I bought were duff?? :whistle:
 

Braz86

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Feb 26, 2019
Points
69
Location
Aylesbury, Bucks
Model of Z
Z3
Good advice, I fitted a Ramair induction filter on my 2.0l and it sounded awesome especially at 6500rpm, cheap as chips as well, you will need the 80mm diameter to fit the MAF
https://www.ramair-filters.co.uk/sh...filter-universal-80mm-offset-neck-164mm-tall/
I fitted a knock off mushroom type to my MR2 turbo years ago, that made it nice and sweet.

Guessing rubber hose replacement is recommended too. If I go aftermarket, I've noticed there are a few pipes and connectors along the duct so will need to factor these in? Not to hot on air intake side of things, if anyone can explain the circled bits of the pic it would be good to know @Sean d?
20190318_181458.jpg
 
Last edited:

Eddie Zedder

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Jun 10, 2015
Points
148
Location
Megawatt Valley, Notts.
Model of Z
Z3 2.0
I don't how much it cost but @Eddie Zedder and (I think) @Murray Wall said new Vanos seals improved the performance from their 2 litre cars.

Tony
Bloody hell Tony, you have the memory of an elephant.

Yes new vanos seals give a definite improvement on a tired engine but won't increase bhp above stock. @Braz86 Don't waste your time on chips that promise 40bhp improvement, the most you will get on a non turbo 2.0 with a remap is 10-12 bhp unless you stick a supercharger on!
 

the Nefyn cat

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
Joined
Oct 19, 2014
Points
174
Location
Actually in Nefyn. My, that took a while.
Model of Z
2.2i Sport
I fitted a knock off mushroom type to my MR2 turbo years ago, that made it nice and sweet.

Guessing rubber hose replacement is recommended too. If I go aftermarket, I've noticed there are a few pipes and connectors along the duct so will need to factor these in? Not to hot on air intake side of things, if anyone can explain the circled bits of the pic it would be good to know @Sean d?
View attachment 97901
Green bit =MAF
Yellow bit=vacuum port, place to squirt sea-foam should you wish to
Red bit=vacuum pipe to servo
 
Top