My new to me M44 project

[BlackBMWs]

Here's what I was doing when I was not working on the Z last weekend. Bimmerfest 2016 in Los Angeles. Two track days and a swift drive down through the mountains to get there.

A Scottish pal-o-mine was there with his Dinan supercharged 3.2L M Roadster. A bit more pull than my little NA 1.9.

Too much fun. I hope to get the Z to handle near as well. A Porsche event next weekend, so not working on the Z again... Such a slacker...

Cheers!

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Loving that, some nice machinery on track.

My next track day (first in a Z3) is coming up

 

[Antm72]

Looks like a great day

 

[Low Rider]

Would have been great to watch that live

 

[BlackBMWs]

Hi All! While I haven't had too much time to work on the 97 1.9, I did find a few moments to pick up a 2000 2.3l Z3 with front end damage that I was going to break, but upon closer inspection, it is all repairable and aside from the hood, it is cleaner than the 97 1.9. As such, I decided to renew it as well.

I located a good shape hood, rad support brace, AC fan and ordered a new rad and shroud. Color match paint coming in and will have the hood refinished. Here is the Stahlgrau 2000 with my Schwartz 1997 Z3s

Not as much time to work on the Zs, although last weekend, I was parting out a 98 2.8l Z at the salvage yard for parts for the 2000.

I was back on the track two weekends ago and will be at an AutoX this weekend.

I eat the Camaros and Mustangs (and a few Miatas) in the twisties, only to get devoured in the straights...

Enjoy! Cheers!

 

[Zeti]

Lovely pics for a great time!
I like you're saving the 2.3 as well!
Now we will have a new write up progress, I hope!?
Dan

 

[BlackBMWs]

Hi Dan! Ya, I was thinking so as far as a second renew thread. So I will separate the two. I am more seriously contemplating setting up the 97 for Track/AutoX as I really do enjoy the Verts even where I can make the coupes go faster.

As far as saving the 2.3 Z, I am feeling good about this, as a part of me hates to lose another nice BMW to parts when new life can be breathed back into them even tho it is profitable. As such, it now has a name, Tessa as when I decide to keep them, they get a name.

So, watch for a future renew thread for Tessa, and this one will remained focused on the 97, Zena.

 

[BlackBMWs]

Ok, a more proper update since my last one:

• HK Subwoofer and rear speakers renewed with new replacement drivers. All sounds soooo nice now.
• Mayle HD RSMs installed as both of them were blown and looking at the RSMs they had been for awhile.
• Installed the Bertini rear strut brace. I had to grind down a few of the fatter welds to fit the nuts properly, but all is well now. I mounted it under the rear carpet. Nice addition.
• Scavenged parts from 2 Z3s at the yards. Acquired a spare top, another rear HK system with rollbar hoops. Also a Torsen LSD, xbraces, door panels, Koni adjustable struts, shocks, interior panels, door sills and various intact seals. Also acquired a better condition headlights which I will polish out till I locate a nice set of HID projector replacements, preferabably in glass with UHP AEs. Also a Z3 steering rack to replace the one in my track 318TI. Smaller lock to lock than the stock TI steering rack.
• Acquired a smoked tinted rear zip in window from Germany for Zena. It will go into the spare top to be installed.
• California smogged with no issue whatsoever.
• Completed the trunk tool kit.
• Acquired a pristine M44 oil pan to swap in for the drain plug leaking current one.
• Renewed and strengthened the driver door card. It had become cracked on the inside of the armrest.
• Still looking for a two button FOB to program for the factory Alpine alarm. If I still can't locate one, I will swap in a range enhanced Viper alarm.
• Reinforced and repaired the supports for the glovebox as I see the sagging is a common failure point.
• Pulled a DASC to see what I would need to install one of the ones I have for the TIs to fit to the Z M44. Looks like all I need is a different elbow from the throttle to the Downing intake manifold. This is in thinking of using Zena as a simple track car.
• Acquired a set of proper Z3 front carpets to replace the mismatched leopard ones that came with her.
• Acquired SS brake lines, vented brake setup from a E36 sedan and Hawk HP brake pads for the project bucket. I will research what bolt on caliper will keep the bias for the rear. E34 rears? Future upgrade...
• Ordered custom California license plates. Should arrive in a few weeks.

That's all that comes to mind for the moment.

Be well all!

 

[oldcarman]

Oh to have access to the wrecking yards you have in the USA. Shipping even small parts from the UK is a killer and many times more than the part cost to buy! Good luck with both cars really enjoying the thread and looking forward to the next! JIM

 

[BlackBMWs]

Jim, let me know if you need something. If I come across it, we can sort out details. Cheers!

 

[oldcarman]

Thanks for the offer, very generous of you! Have managed to find most parts already but still need a few pieces to put CC into my 97 1.9. I'll have to dig out my list so will get back to you, if I remember!! lol. JIM

 

[BlackBMWs]

Ya, cool. I may try to pull the mirrors off the salvage car on Sunday if I have a few moments. I don't recall if that car had CC installed.

Cool thing, I just realized my 97 has an OBC. Now I can measure how heavy my foot is.

 

[BlackBMWs]

With Tessa added to the BMW herd at my house, I will prep Zena for compliance for track days. As such, I am looking at roll bars ATM and looking at a Hard Dog Z3 roll bar with a diagonal brace and harness bar.

What do you all use for a compliant track use roll bar? Not going for a cage as I'm not thinking I'm at that level just now. It will see AutoX days and some circuit tracks at intermediate levels.

Thanks! Rich

 

[BlackBMWs]

It's been awhile since I last posted, had been focused on the Ti's and E39 for the season.. While I have been a bit quiet here, I have moved a few things forward...

Zena(M44)

• Acquired 3 sport seats, put the Delrin spacers in for the sliding seat travel. (Only the drivers side really needed them.
• Replaced door and trunk seals
• Acquired an armrest pad
• Replaced the top/frame with a solid used one (straight zipper), reinforced stiitching by hand and replaced back window
• Installed Hawk HP Plus brake pads
• Acquired roll hoops and trim pieces
• Replaced the HK Sub with a newer one, no distortion now.
• Installed a Viper alarm
• Using her as a daily driver zipping around every day
• Replaced license plate.
• 
  
• 

Runs like a top just now and funnier with the grippier seats

Tessa(M52, 2.3)

• Acquired front end components to repair front end damage
• Painted and reassembled the radiator support brace
• Installed a new radiator, A/C radiator (?), drier, fans, plastic airflow vnes, etc...
• Installed used headlights and polished for light test
• Nice shiny Roundels
• An emergency triangle and first aid kit. (Not standard equipment on U.S. cars)
• Acquired a set of HID Halos headlights for after the hood paint job
• Acquired a new battery

Just have to get it California inspected and have the hood painted. Runs smooth and silky. Once I finish up the registration and paint, I'll throw in a replacement clutch.

 

[BlackBMWs]

Picked up $8 worth of PVC parts to front FOGG the M44 airbox using 2" components rather than the 3" I normally use on the TI's, as the Z3 is a little tighter fit in front of the airbox. It still should double the inbound airflow potential. I'll draw from just above the drivers side (U.S) foglight area. Paired with the Remus exhaust, it should make it a bit more peppier.

Also mounted a magnetic phone holder on the top dash. Very convenient view location for when I use my iPhone for a GPS.

Pics to come after the weekend...

 

[Gundun]

Great project thread, please keep it coming!

 

[BlackBMWs]

Installed a set of roll hoops from a 2000 Z to my 97 Z. I paid $25 plus tax for the whole conversion.

Just have to connect up the HK 4" in the panels. Conversion went on without a hitch. No more cracked plastic HK lid!

Installed a set of door sills with the Roadster insert, both inserts on mine were missing. $9

I forgot I had a front and rear set of factory mudflaps I picked up off a Z. We'll see if they get installed. Maybe on Tessa.

Magnetic holder for my iPhone 7. Great height for GPS functions

Adjusted the trunk latch to close properly, it looks like over time they bend a bit. Nice to close the lid without slamming it.

Dry lubed the drivers seat belt retractor as it was either refusing to release or not locking properly. Nice smooth operation once again.

Will work on the speakers, rewire the passenger power connections for the Sport seat, glove box top reinforcement plate and drivers spinning door lock today.

 

[BMBabe]

Awesome write up

 

[BlackBMWs]

Anyone see a write up on replacing the seat belt guides on Sport seats? I saw the great one for standard seats, but the sports are a little different.

Thanks! Rich

 

[BMBabe]

Anyone see a write up on replacing the seat belt guides on Sport seats? I saw the great one for standard seats, but the sports are a little different.

Thanks! Rich

@GazHyde can you help?