g8jka - 2.8 Roadster Progress Journal

[g8jka]

Some good mods!
I like the wrap, bet it was nervy doing stuff like that but when it all comes together it looks great!
Still wouldnt mind a red roof

Not that nervy when it's the 4th time wrapping it! Only pita is the whole console has to come out and be stripped down each time. Doesn't take me long getting it out though I've done it probably 20 times .

The red roof completely changed the look of the car I'm really glad I went with red this time. Will just have to wait and see how it holds up. Haven't seen it since I had it done hardtop has been on ever since

Got the rear camera in this afternoon, thought it would be a simple plug and play when replacing the old one but the wiring was different even though the picture showed the wiring I needed. Ended up cutting and joining new and old connections to save fishing the wire through from front to back again

 

[Grumps]

Loving the rear auxiliary points. Looks factory standard. Really neat job.

 

[g8jka]

I'm tempted to fill the gaps at the top and bottom of the panel and coat it with some black paint so it all looks flush and like it came out of the factory like that. Won't be coming off in a hurry though I had to glue it in place due to the stupid design BMW use to fix it to the console. I had no chance of clipping it back together without getting my hand behind, which I couldn't do because the barrels were in the way and couldn't put my fingers through like you can with the original blanking plates removed.

 

[jamie_z4]

Enjoyed reading your thread, lovely motor

 

[g8jka]

Had a spare day on Sunday which gave me (well Gookah!) a chance to get my new manifold fitted. This came from a 3.0 X5, the same as those fitted to the E46 330 which are the ones needed to fit the 2.8 facelifts. All that is needed is the manifold, DISA valve (which is bigger) and a throttle body adaptor plate. My manifold came with a DISA which I picked up for a bargain at £55 and then a throttle body adaptor plate from Bimmertune at around £22. Most people who do this upgrade get the manifold from a 330 which were anywhere from £60 upwards, plus a new DISA at £80 upwards then the adaptor plate. Any M54 3.0 manifold should fit and give the same results. Whilst doing the swap I got a couple of new inlet hoses as the old ones had small splits and changed the accelerator cable as the old one was very stiff.

Halfway point

Everything went as planned and was pretty straight forward, just time consuming and took a couple of attempts getting everything back in place where it came from. I was unsure on what sort of gains this would achieve as people say the difference is massive but I didn't really think I would see that much of a difference. After driving it for a couple of days now, all I can say is WOW! It's like a different car, the power it now gives out in phenomenal and it really has made a massive improvement. It absolutely flies from the off now and pulls hard all the way through upto the limiter. In fact I've hit the limiter quite a few times as it doesn't seem to want to give up. We had it hooked upto INPA and no codes are showing up whereas before I occasionally got a couple of fuel trim codes. It idles perfectly and drives brilliantly. For just over £75 I am very, very impressed with the change its made to the performance

Next job is to upgrade the brakes and change the clutch hose.

 

[t-tony]

upgrade the brakes

Get some S/S braided hoses Dave and do them first, but also change the discs for drilled/Grooved discs and some better pads. It does make a difference.

Tony.

 

[g8jka]

Already got the parts @t-tony, Wezmoto braided hoses, MTEC drilled and grooved discs but just need to get some pads. Thinking of the EBC Ultimax 2 like you have fitted to yours.

 

[t-tony]

Already got the parts @t-tony, Wezmoto braided hoses, MTEC drilled and grooved discs but just need to get some pads. Thinking of the EBC Ultimax 2 like you have fitted to yours.

Now they've been on a week Dave I'm impressed with them. Going to clean my wheels at the weekend and see how much dust they actually produce.

Tony.

 

[Rha]

Had a spare day on Sunday which gave me (well Gookah!) a chance to get my new manifold fitted. This came from a 3.0 X5, the same as those fitted to the E46 330 which are the ones needed to fit the 2.8 facelifts. All that is needed is the manifold, DISA valve (which is bigger) and a throttle body adaptor plate. My manifold came with a DISA which I picked up for a bargain at £55 and then a throttle body adaptor plate from Bimmertune at around £22. Most people who do this upgrade get the manifold from a 330 which were anywhere from £60 upwards, plus a new DISA at £80 upwards then the adaptor plate. Any M54 3.0 manifold should fit and give the same results. Whilst doing the swap I got a couple of new inlet hoses as the old ones had small splits and changed the accelerator cable as the old one was very stiff.

Halfway point

Everything went as planned and was pretty straight forward, just time consuming and took a couple of attempts getting everything back in place where it came from. I was unsure on what sort of gains this would achieve as people say the difference is massive but I didn't really think I would see that much of a difference. After driving it for a couple of days now, all I can say is WOW! It's like a different car, the power it now gives out in phenomenal and it really has made a massive improvement. It absolutely flies from the off now and pulls hard all the way through upto the limiter. In fact I've hit the limiter quite a few times as it doesn't seem to want to give up. We had it hooked upto INPA and no codes are showing up whereas before I occasionally got a couple of fuel trim codes. It idles perfectly and drives brilliantly. For just over £75 I am very, very impressed with the change its made to the performance

Next job is to upgrade the brakes and change the clutch hose.

Nice to hear your happy with it Dave, cos it is impressive and even more so mapped.
Same with the brakes,I allready had the MTEC front discs + new calipers,braided hoses but used the red stuff pads all round.( no significant dust on wheels after a 320ml run) Think the extra stopping power is really needed now, didn't buy the rear discs just left the OEMs on, if you change your rears drilled/slotted and reackon its better I'll do the same cos the brakes when really needed are about on the limit with this conversion, don't ask me how I found this out. "I know, I know" some drivers brakes will never be good enough, just hope I really ain't one.
We live in hope.

Roy.

 

[g8jka]

Thanks @Rha, you write up just reminded me I needed to get it done and I'm pleased I did. Been caught out a couple of times with the brakes now and been going far to fast to brake as late as normal. Hopefully get them done in the next few weeks as I want to get the calipers cleaned and painted and do the handbrake shoes and all the clips whilst I'm doing the work. Will report back when they are done.

 

[Rha]

Such a busy Z'er you make some of us (me) wish we'd got more done in the time we've had our Z's. Had mine for 10yrs in June and haven't done as much as you and your ve had your 2.8 not even a year yet, shame on me.
Well done you.

Roy.

 

[t-tony]

Yeah Roy, anyway now you see the benefit of driving it less, less points on your license. I bet if you made a list of what you have done on that car since you've had it you would surprise yourself mate.

Tony

 

[Rha]

Think the boss would be surprised if she knew the cost.......

 

[t-tony]

And she wouldn't be on her own, would she?

Tony.

 

[Rha]

could've bought a new car with it.............

 

[t-tony]

But, the thing is you never have all of it at one point, so it makes sense to do things gradually - NO?

Tony.

 

[Rha]

You mean, "sorry love no Caribbean Holliday this year, the're short staffed and paying double bubble for volunteers" 4wks later , "narrrr the bar.....s only paid time &1/3 love, last time I volunteer"......... sorry will Skegness be ok???"............

 

[t-tony]

You go to the same S.O.B.S. ( school of bull s***) that I attended mate? Bloody hell, she's just had 8 nights over in Florida at our house.

Tony.

 

[Rha]

Your both spoilt.................................

 

[gookah]

journal hijack....mod clean up required....