I thought I had found all the Z3 forums and then I stumble across this one!
I have had my 1997 Z3 2.8 since 1998. I bought it in California when it had been in service for a year. It has surprised a few people on the track who assume it is Miata with gills.
With some (good) peer pressure at work I got some RE71-R tires and brought it out to autocross class where two things became apparent. First, all my (original) dampers were shot and my inside rear wheel was coming up in the skid pad. Second, having this car for so many years made me very familiar and bolder than the other students. I would have turned in a better time if I had the discipline to take tight turns smoothly instead of sideways.
If you're in Northern Virginia and want to help me not be the only Z3 on the autocross grid, let me know!
Now I have the bug! I replaced the struts and shocks, got a strut brace, and replaced the roll hoops with a roll bar. My research tells me I should keep things NA. I try to do all my own work.
I'm going search for (and possibly create/necro) a few threads covering my next steps because I need some advice - or at least a gut check on what I'm about to do.
Here's my potential short list:
I have had my 1997 Z3 2.8 since 1998. I bought it in California when it had been in service for a year. It has surprised a few people on the track who assume it is Miata with gills.
With some (good) peer pressure at work I got some RE71-R tires and brought it out to autocross class where two things became apparent. First, all my (original) dampers were shot and my inside rear wheel was coming up in the skid pad. Second, having this car for so many years made me very familiar and bolder than the other students. I would have turned in a better time if I had the discipline to take tight turns smoothly instead of sideways.
If you're in Northern Virginia and want to help me not be the only Z3 on the autocross grid, let me know!
Now I have the bug! I replaced the struts and shocks, got a strut brace, and replaced the roll hoops with a roll bar. My research tells me I should keep things NA. I try to do all my own work.
I'm going search for (and possibly create/necro) a few threads covering my next steps because I need some advice - or at least a gut check on what I'm about to do.
Here's my potential short list:
- Tune covering the installed M50 manifold and planned S52 cams + CAI
- It still understeers after adjusting the shocks and tire pressure - thicker rear sway bar?
- Exhaust - ebay headers (not bought), MagnaFlow cat (bought), MagnaFlow cat-back (bought)
Note: MagnaFlow prices are very consistent across most of the web sites but I found a site with a blanket 25% discount. I won't spam so DM me if you're interested - no commission on my part. - Address the California emissions now that I am less than 20 months away from my final inspection ever
