2.8 M52TU. What upgrades?

[inkey$]

Hi all,

I’ve sold my breadvan and bought a 99 plate 2.8 roadster. Am interested in hearing what people would recommend for adding some subtle mods to the 2.8. I want to retain the OEM look as much as possible but improve all those bits that are ready for attention.

If anyone has suggestions - and even better, pictures or links to U.K. vendors, feel free to add them to the thread too.

Ride (I want ‘stiffened/planted’, not extreme)
- ARBs (H&R?)
- Suspension kits
- Wheels and size (would need to suit Steel Grey)
- Various bushes?
- Strut brace?

Performance/sound (I realise it will be more sound)
- Exhaust/cat-back
- Induction kits

Picking it up tomorrow and keen to get my shopping and job list prepped.

 

[Antm72]

I've modded mine loads from stock.
Latest was the manifold upgrade along with a full suspension and rear end rebuild.

Nothing that looks changed.

Larger inlet for more air.

Sunframe lift kit to reduce camber on the car as its low.

Bilstein suspension on Apex springs

Braided brake lines and uprated discs

Poly anti roll bar bushes.

The lists pretty much endless

 

[Sean d]

Pretty much as above, I'm in the process of rebuilding a 2.8, Eiback springs, Monroe shocks, Meyle top mounts, all rubber on the underside replaced, so rear beam out, all underside parts are to be powder coated, new brake splash guards, all brake lines replaced, braided hoses all round, new wheel bearings, cat back quad exhaust, induction kit, new radiator, and much more.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Here's a short list
- Shocks don't last more than 140,000 km's, new ones are great.

- Fit E36 M3 rubber or poly LCAB's, fixes any tramlining issues you may have read about

- Fit poly rear sub-frame bushes to really plant the ass of the car. You will get more diff whine.

- Fit a front strut brace

- Fit the inlet manifold from a M54B30, really lets the engine breath.

- Fit cruise control. Its a pug and play upgrade for your car.

- Replace your VANOS seals and recapture all that low and mid range torque that you don't realise is missing.

 

[t-tony]

If that's Sterling Grey, this is what I did with my 18" (108 style) wheels on my Z4.

Wheel centres body coloured with the brightest, shiniest silver rims (barrels) they could do. Eibach springs a good starting point on the suspension.

Tony.

 

[5harp3y]

For the chassis

Just do what @Antm72 has done

I've pretty much done the same.

 

[gookah]

new little tree air freshener, to get rid of the smell of the last owner ..

Who may still be on here.....

 

[Dino D]

Sooo basically rebuild it...which is what singing up on this forum makes you do...eventually...!

 

[Lee]

That is going to handle like it's on rails!!

 

[Sean d]

That is going to handle like it's on rails!!

????

 

[Lee]

I saw a load of Ant's photos for a moment thought I was looking at his build thread

 

[Antm72]

That is going to handle like it's on rails!!

I always thought it not bad but now its all back together its great.
The rear end seems to want to follow the front alot more squarley now it pushes hard on the throttle but feels driven from the front making cornering exiting on the loud pedal great fun

 

[Althulas]

I saw a load of Ant's photos for a moment thought I was looking at his build thread

A bit young for senior moments there Lee.

 

[Dennis in Colorado]

@Antm72 Hi!

What cold intact is that. Looks like a good fit. And what manifold did you install? Just making out my Christmas list.

 

[Antm72]

@Antm72 Hi!

What cold intact is that. Looks like a good fit. And what manifold did you install? Just making out my Christmas list.

Manifold is an M54b30 off a 330ci my intake is Simota again i modified the carbon fibre come for a good fit and it was also E46 330 90mm outlet narrows on the bend to fit the 2.8