My Z3

[Dino D]

I've been reading about this mod on BF.com, popular in the US.
Someone sells a whole new pedal and arm but it's a bit pricey.

Are you going to be in any runs down south, I'd like to experience the engine mods you've done to see how it goes.
Now that my suspension is sorted a little more power will be fine!
And of course you welcome to check out my suspension and bushes!

 

[Ashbandicoot]

It is very popular on e36s over there, it is one of those things that you can either live with the cars faults or sort it out. A new pedal is excessive, I've spend around £20 and achieved the same in essence.

The pedal has a shorter throw so the pedal is flush with the brake to aid heel and toe, but with the bushes uprated and a new clutch stop to get rid of the 'dead' pedal travel I can't see the benefit of the pedal enough to justify its cost.

I'm sure a short swap would be good for us both I am looking at the suspension as I want something that gives me more faith when I corner. I have a front strut and the subframe bush inserts.

I am thinking to go for front wishbone powerflex replacements and H&R ARBs, I don't really want to lower so not sure what suspension setup to go for... any suggestions?

Ash

 

[Dino D]

Ash, I've yet to right a proper review but without doubt the BC racings have. You can set it pretty high, mines is sitting quite high again.
And a full bush overhaul, especially the rear beam bushes. No more steer from the rear at all.

After all that's been down to mine it's unbelievably confident in wet and dry and rides beautifully (I've got it set around mid point, can still go softer or harder).
The is no body roll to speak of (on the road anyway, maybe on track there might be a little) so I don't think ARB's will add much.
I see in the US a lot of guys disconnect te ARBs for what they call autocross.

I think I'll give the clutch stop a try as no time to do all the rest just now. What clutch stop did you use and where from?

 

[Ashbandicoot]

The setup I'm after is a daily driver 5 days a week but a joy to drive 7 days.

I think I will polybush the whole car gradually, the powerflex catalog had me dreaming

The stop I got was
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251169672689?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26ghostText%3D%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D251169672689%26_rdc%3D1

I couldn't find a UK seller so went for this as it was simply the cheapest option incl shipping. It is essentially only a bolt with a foam pad but It is definitely the best value for money creature comfort.

Ash

 

[Dino D]

In that case Ash the fully adjustable BC's will be perfect.

In the summer when the mrs comes along I'll be able to set easily set the ride to comfort (she's not impressed with super firm suspension or cornering speeds!) and then back to my preference for a proper drive. I may even get a track day down and then I can try out the really firm settings!

The clutch stop you got seems to get good feedback on BF.com, think I'll get one ordered. Did you find it fits fine and meets the pedal ok?
I saw that some of the more fancy looking ones needed modification to work properly..

Just hope HMRC don't decide to stop the package and charge £8 for the 'service' plus A VAT charge like they did for my numberplate brackets!

 

[Stormy_be]

Remap done, it arrives at the high rpm very quickly now, just haven't found a clear enough road to test it out fully

Replaced the clutch bushes with some Delrin bushes from Condor Speed Shop and fitted a bigger clutch stop to smooth gear changes

Dismantling things...
View attachment 13559
Clutch arm out, no going back
View attachment 13560

New vs old (typical BMW bush not fit for purpose)
View attachment 13561

No step by step I'm afraid, I was too busy swearing lol

Ash

Don't they have copper inserts too for the brake and clutch pedals?
I need to replace these too (pushed the clutch pedal at an angle when i went drifting - so there is some play left to right in it now).
Did you know about this option? And you had a reason for not to get these? Or you didn't know about it?

Thanks, Koen

 

[Ashbandicoot]

In that case Ash the fully adjustable BC's will be perfect.

In the summer when the mrs comes along I'll be able to set easily set the ride to comfort (she's not impressed with super firm suspension or cornering speeds!) and then back to my preference for a proper drive. I may even get a track day down and then I can try out the really firm settings!

The clutch stop you got seems to get good feedback on BF.com, think I'll get one ordered. Did you find it fits fine and meets the pedal ok?
I saw that some of the more fancy looking ones needed modification to work properly..

Just hope HMRC don't decide to stop the package and charge £8 for the 'service' plus A VAT charge like they did for my numberplate brackets!

Yeah the stop is perfect although if your clutch has considerable movement left to right you may need to uprate bushes aswell.

I have been very lucky with customs, $450 worth of US M3 cams sailed through without a penny to pay

Ash

 

[Ashbandicoot]

Don't they have copper inserts too for the brake and clutch pedals?
I need to replace these too (pushed the clutch pedal at an angle when i went drifting - so there is some play left to right in it now).
Did you know about this option? And you had a reason for not to get these? Or you didn't know about it?

Thanks, Koen

I have seen those with the UUC bushings

Honestly I can't see there purpose, the problem is the OEM bush is not solid

Ash

 

[Stormy_be]

This is what i was talking about
https://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/E30-brakes/BRNZcltchbsh.html
You thoughts please

 

[Ashbandicoot]

Oh I hadn't heard of them! Sounds good but I know when I looked into the bushings, Delrin was the most popular replacement

Ash

 

[Stormy_be]

They do these brass ones as "clutch" and the delrin's as "brakepedal" bushings.
Are these different, brake and clutch bushings? or is the size & diameter the same?

 

[Ashbandicoot]

They are different dimensions. Delrin is the material - you can buy Delrin clutch and brake bushes here

http://www.rogueengineering.com/mm5..._Code=RE&Product_Code=CLU-BUSH&Category_Code=
http://www.rogueengineering.com/mm5..._Code=RE&Product_Code=BRK-BUSH&Category_Code=

Ash

 

[oldcarman]

Personally I'd go with the delrin in both as Ash has. The brass may have a tendency to bind after a bit of aggressive driving in my mind. But for everyday driving I'd still go delrin. They're pretty cheap in the USA shipped direct to UK same price as Canada. JIM

 

[Ashbandicoot]

Polybushed the wishbone 'lollipops'



Originals didn't seem in too bad a condition but I will report on the difference after some spirited driving

Ash

 

[Dino D]

Hi Ash,
Just fitted the same clutch stop today (and no customs charge for a change!!).
Lucky my pedal has only slight play left to right so I won't have to endure the displeasure if changing he bush anytime soon!

Only snag I have is that the new stop does not screw in as much, only about 2 turns. Did you have this issue?
It seems ok as is but if I need it to sit lower I can't adjust further.
I'm thinking the paint in the threads of the bolt into te chassis isn't helping hence why the OEM stop has a plastic plug and not metal...

Got say the stop is nice mod, should have done it sooner!

I also increased the throttle pedal travel whilst down there. I don't think it was fully opening the throttle has when fully depressed I could still move the throttle link under the manifold a bit more ( the racing Z3 thread have me the idea).
Now there is no play left. The extra travel feels good but can't say if I gained extra horses or not yet, need a long private road for that!

 

[Ashbandicoot]

Glad to hear it @Dino D! I think I did only a couple of turns but that was enough that the stop wasn't too high. It really was quite surprising how it improves the feel of driving

I did look at the throttle stop whilst I was there but didn't get round to checking whether there was room for improvment, probably is. After having the big bore throttle body fitted I have never felt the throttle to be lacking though.

Just been to the bodyshop and picked up a few body parts



M mirrors with new plastic bases and M gills filled and painted will fit them first thing Saturday, then I'm off to see a man about an exhaust.

Parted with some cash to Royal Steering Wheels this week as well, going for a sports wheel (not M) with thumb grips added, perforated sides , nappa top/bottom, red stitching.

Cheers


Ash

 

[Jack Ratt]

Hi Ash, what do all these mods do to your insurance premiums?

 

[Ashbandicoot]

Hi Ash, what do all these mods do to your insurance premiums?

The insurance is already alot due to my age - aviva was my previous insurer and even with 4 years NCB they flat out refused to insure me and the Z It is difficult to explain what some mods are and have to compromise on wording. Aftermarket air intake covers cold air intake, manifold and US M3 cams. That is due to their ignorance rather than my dishonesty

On renewal I will try Adrian Flux out as they have a good modded car rep.

Ash

 

[Jack Ratt]

I was asking mainly because of the recent post on another thread about insurance companies raising premiums if you had stickers on your car.
I thought if they put the costs up because of a few stickers they probably hit car enthusiasts really hard if you go for engine and suspension mods.
It's great to see young guys who are really into their cars. I really wished I could have done it when I was younger

 

[Ashbandicoot]

Thanks for the feature @GazHyde !

The main pic of the centre console shows the £1 that taunted me for months, the coin holder is more like a piggy bank that requires smashing to get your money back

Ash