Jim's Z3 Journey

[Palmetto]

Just read this thread from start to finish. I love how you accidentally end up with projects. I have a feeling, I'm probably going to be doing the same. I'm thinking about getting a 1.9 for the engine for my E21 project, and hoops, heated seats for the Z.

Hmm just pinging in, but I'd LOVE my subframe refurbed as well -- could we imagine having yours refurbed, fitted onto mine, and have mine refurbed for the Next Guy?

So if I do get a 'spare' Z3, I'll be taking the subframe off to be reconditioned then swapping it with this one, and then moving this one on.

 

[Antm72]

I have a spare beam taken from my 2.8 its free if someone wants it but it may have to be collection.
I powdercoated another before i swapped so the beam is fine, it wasn't replaced for issues

 

[Dino D]

Well Blue is out of hibernation. Battery off the charger and back in the boot, key in and starts up first time

Even better as there wasn’t a drop of oil or liquid on the garage floor

View attachment 133587 View attachment 133589

Hardtop off and back in the garage.

View attachment 133591


Parts being assembled for a little visit to see @Lee next weekend

View attachment 133593 View attachment 133595

Ooh never thought I’d have ‘rear beam envy’

is it an exact match for Montreal Blue
Its the fastest colour so will add at least 7,5bhp and 12 torques

 

[Jjim]

Ooh never thought I’d have ‘rear beam envy’

is it an exact match for Montreal Blue
Its the fastest colour so will add at least 7,5bhp and 12 torques

It’s a very similar blue to Montreal, but without the sparkle. Am expecting at least an extra 20bhp

 

[Dino D]

It’s a very similar blue to Montreal, but without the sparkle. Am expecting at least an extra 20bhp

Ah no sparkle...lose 10bhp for that sorry

 

[Jjim]

Dropped Blue off with @Lee @GazHyde @pgunter

 

[Jjim]

Dropped Blue off with @Lee @GazHyde @pgunter

 

[Dino D]

Dropped Blue off with @Lee @GazHyde @pgunter

Nice to see so many Z’s at the breakfast van. It was looking like a VAG show (with the odd Ford) last few times I was over

still see one dodgy Audi hiding in the corner though

 

[DelGue]

I, too, just read this thread from beginning to end. I was especially impressed with the sub box you built. Previous owner of my Z3 totally trashed the rear console and covers for the seat belt retractors. I have been trying to come up with a plan to TLC that area, and now I have an idea what to do. The problem is, you've set the bar pretty high, so I'm going to have to make certain I do something at least close to what you accomplished! buy

 

[Jjim]

Link to Blue's - Rear beam refresh - https://zroadster.org/threads/jims-montreal-blue-slice-of-goodness-subframe.35417/

 

[Jjim]

Great day down at ZedShed HQ with @Lee @GazHyde @Oldguysrule (Trev) @pgunter @Grumps and @Mazza

First thing was to find Blue under the mess and dirt!

The newly refurbished blue rear beam and arms going in and the old setup coming off:




Rear hubs being built up by Lee and Gaz:

Huge thanks the Malc for the first ever set of brand new fuel tank straps to be ever be fitted!!
These are a fantastic bit of kit and they look great fitted. The master also fitted them to Blue - a sort of christening.

The old ones that came off. How these were never an advisory of the previous MOT I’ll never know.

During the rear beam removal a couple weeks ago, Lee mentioned that the rear anti roll bar could do with replacing. So a purchase of a set of front and rear H&R bars followed. Very happy with these as they are a fantastic bit of kit, really improve the feel of the car into corners, and more importantly were blue to match the under body restoration colour theme

Rear beam being built up and ready for installation:

The installation did apparently call for some unusual positioning:

Definitely a caption the moment photo

@GazHyde bench pressing the car

Rear H&R anti roll bar being attached to the drop links:

New rear brake discs (Mtec grooves and drilled), EBC ultimate pads, refurbished brake calipers (in blue) and handbrake shoes:

Rear beam, arms, anti roll bar and hubs all in place:

Great day with some great banter.

Can’t thank the lads from ZedShed HQ enough. Blue feels like a completely different car! You just don’t realise how amazing these cars actually handle until you go through this process.

So an overview as to what work was carried out:

• Refurbished rear beam installed
• Refurbished rear trailing arms installed
• New bushes for arms - SuperPro Poly
• New beam bushes - Lemforder
• New Diff mount bush - Powerflex Heritage
• New rear drop links - Meyle
• New H&R front and rear anti roll bars & bushes
• New rear brake discs - Mtec grooves and drilled
• New rear brake pads - EBC Ultimate
• New handbrake shoes - Meyle
• New handbrake cables - ATP (needed some modification to fit)
• New rear wheel bearings - Meyle
• New rear dust splash plates - ATP
• New fuel tank straps - designed and supplied by @Mazza
• Lots of various bolts

 

[Grumps]

Great day down at ZedShed HQ with @Lee @GazHyde @Oldguysrule (Trev) @pgunter @Grumps and @Mazza

First thing was to find Blue under the mess and dirt!

View attachment 135271


The newly refurbished blue rear beam and arms going in and the old setup coming off:

View attachment 135273 View attachment 135275


Rear hubs being built up by Lee and Gaz:

View attachment 135277 View attachment 135279


Huge thanks the Malc for the first ever set of brand new fuel tank straps to be ever be fitted!!
These are a fantastic bit of kit and they look great fitted. The master also fitted them to Blue - a sort of christening.

View attachment 135281

The old ones that came off. How these were never an advisory of the previous MOT I’ll never know.

View attachment 135283


During the rear beam removal a couple weeks ago, Lee mentioned that the rear anti roll bar could do with replacing. So a purchase of a set of front and rear H&R bars followed. Very happy with these as they are a fantastic bit of kit, really improve the feel of the car into corners, and more importantly were blue to match the under body restoration colour theme

View attachment 135285 View attachment 135287


Rear beam being built up and ready for installation:

View attachment 135289 View attachment 135293

The installation did apparently call for some unusual positioning:

View attachment 135295


Definitely a caption the moment photo

View attachment 135297

@GazHyde bench pressing the car

View attachment 135299


Rear H&R anti roll bar being attached to the drop links:

View attachment 135301


New rear brake discs (Mtec grooves and drilled), EBC ultimate pads, refurbished brake calipers (in blue) and handbrake shoes:

View attachment 135303


Rear beam, arms, anti roll bar and hubs all in place:

View attachment 135305 View attachment 135307


Great day with some great banter.

Can’t thank the lads from ZedShed HQ enough. Blue feels like a completely different car! You just don’t realise how amazing these cars actually handle until you go through this process.

So an overview as to what work was carried out:

• Refurbished rear beam installed
• Refurbished rear trailing arms installed
• New bushes for arms - SuperPro Poly
• New beam bushes - Lemforder
• New Diff mount bush - Powerflex Heritage
• New rear drop links - Meyle
• New H&R front and rear anti roll bars & bushes
• New rear brake discs - Mtec grooves and drilled
• New rear brake pads - EBC Ultimate
• New handbrake shoes - Meyle
• New handbrake cables - ATP (needed some modification to fit)
• New rear wheel bearings - Meyle
• New rear dust splash plates - ATP
• New fuel tank straps - designed and supplied by @Mazza
• Lots of various bolts

Couple of lovely pics of me and Lee spooning. Apparently I'm Little Spoon!

 

[Mint]

Fantastic work by ZedShed HQ as usual. Looking good @Jjim, I'll never keep up with you now

 

[Jjim]

The before and after of the beam bushes.

The old beam bush, completely knackered and resting on the plate:

The new bush installed, resting correctly and having some cushioning:

 

[Jjim]

Fantastic work by ZedShed HQ as usual. Looking good @Jjim, I'll never keep up with you now

That always depends on the wheel or tyre situation

 

[Grumps]

Fantastic work by ZedShed HQ as usual. Looking good @Jjim, I'll never keep up with you now

Your not kidding, I followed him back!

 

[Mint]

Your not kidding, I followed him back!

Probably not for very long then...

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

Great work by all, as usual. You must be chuffed @Jjim.

 

[Jjim]

Great work by all, as usual. You must be chuffed @Jjim.

Absolutely, @Lee and @GazHyde did an amazing job. Can’t believe how quickly they take it all apart and build it all back up. Also problem solving along the way.

Just can’t wait to take it around some country lanes now

 

[Sean d]

That car will so different pal