Long time BMW owner/BMWCCA member, picking up a '97 2.8 Z3 this week

[e30cabrio]

Dash is in, I was waiting for bulbs that the entire center console has to be disassembled to r&r that just came so progress will resume.

__________________

 

[e30cabrio]

Focals for the rear are in.

 

[e30cabrio]

Weekend progress, wiring was not fun & caused delays.

I thought I posted that ^ this morning.

Almost.

 

[e30cabrio]

Done, very happy.

 

[Esteban]

Be careful reinstalling the row of switches in the center console. The thin plastic between each switch can break easily.

 

[e30cabrio]

I uploaded a quick video.

IMG 6631

Z3 quick drive

youtube.com

Boost!

 

[Althulas]

I wish it was that sunny here at the moment.

 

[e30cabrio]

You'll be happy there when its never under 90 and upwards of 120+ here.

Mad dogs and Arizonans go out in the midday sun!

 

[e30cabrio]

This happened today.
I'm blowing oil from the bottom of the dipstick tube & it's hitting the cat & looked like burning oil, scared me before I verified that was what is happening.

 

[e30cabrio]

Thanks to finally having boost, my 27 year old dipstick tube O ring failed & blew oil onto the cat scaring the crap out of me with billowing blue smoke. I cleaned it up & replaced the O ring.

So far so good.

 

[Ianmc]

blew oil onto the cat

Best keep the cat out of the garage!

 

[e30cabrio]

Looks like I blew a cylinder.

Did a compression test and am 10 to 15 lbs lower than before the SC ( was 188-195) on the still good cylinders (175-185) but have 125 on 3. Oil on top of most pistons 3 is the worst.

 

[e30cabrio]

Another oddity, no blue smoke until temp is at 1/4.

Here are the plugs. (in for under 300 miles).

 

[t-tony]

Only 1 of those running clean and dry. 2nd from the right You have problems.

Tony.

 

[e30cabrio]

I can get an iron block M52 328 motor, is the weight penalty a problem?

 

[t-tony]

I can get an iron block M52 328 motor, is the weight penalty a problem?

I would have no idea to be honest. I guess you'll need to peruse the BMW forums at home.

Tony.

 

[Esteban]

I can get an iron block M52 328 motor, is the weight penalty a problem?

This is subjective. Some folks don’t notice a difference. Others much prefer the lighter cars. What is the difference in price for iron vs alu?

 

[e30cabrio]

I can get the iron one 1/2 the Aluminum (1k for iron, 2 for aluminum) The iron positive is more boost, negative is weight.

 

[e30cabrio]

It was suggested I do another compression test with all plugs out. Here's what I have: Also, the smoke is worse.

 

[t-tony]

You should always carry out comp. tests with all plugs out. I assumed that you would've done.

Tony.