#ZedShed BMW Z3 Cobra Kit - Zag2

[Lee]

We have a new exciting adventure beginning in the shed, we’ve never been asked to help build a Zed from the ground up ready to be fitted with an AC cobra kit.

The car itself is a 1999 2.8Tu with 80k on the clock. The engine bay needs a little tidy and the interior drying out. The roof is in good condition and everything is working.

Today we moved her into the shed ready to start first thing Monday.

 

[Zag2]

Thanks Lee... Buzzing to get the zshed expertise on the base car so its solid and ready for the next stage.

I bought the car recently for this project, so hope its OK! Certainly shifts on the motorway... A few people on the facebook tribute owners group recommended the Zshed so here I am. I cruised up to the zshed entrance in style, then promptly managed to stall the thing reversing into a space. So the reverse definitely needs looking at, nothing to do with my bad driving or complete lack of clutch control......

Hopefully its going to get a number of upgrades to brakes, suspension and clutch, but lets see how the thread progresses first.

If anyone is interested in the Kobra part of the project, I will be getting the new body kit from Tribute Automotive through their southern agents Classic Coachworks who luckily are just down the road from me. The kit bolts directly onto the Z3 mounting points so its not a complete kit car build, just a re-body. I liked the idea of a modern(ish) car underneath with the cobra styling. Big wheels, shiny loud exhaust, you get the picture.

This is what the kit should look like when its finished and is the kind of thing I am aiming for, although maybe silver.

 

[gookah]

I like the sidepipes, wonder what they had to do to fit them

 

[Jjim]

Following to see what happens with the project

 

[Mazza]

Just wouldn’t be the same using a 1.9 donor car ......

But looking forward to the build

 

[t-tony]

I agree Malc, but also although I get why people build these using a 2.0 6 cyl. car (for the sound of the 6 cyl.) I would really want a 2.8 or 3.0 motor.

Tony.

 

[pgunter]

This is going to be a very interesting build.

There is a Ferrari 250 based on the Z3 by Tribute up for sale at the moment. £30k. Does look nice too.

 

[BelleClassiccoachworks]

Thanks Lee... Buzzing to get the zshed expertise on the base car so its solid and ready for the next stage.

I bought the car recently for this project, so hope its OK! Certainly shifts on the motorway... A few people on the facebook tribute owners group recommended the Zshed so here I am. I cruised up to the zshed entrance in style, then promptly managed to stall the thing reversing into a space. So the reverse definitely needs looking at, nothing to do with my bad driving or complete lack of clutch control......

Hopefully its going to get a number of upgrades to brakes, suspension and clutch, but lets see how the thread progresses first.

If anyone is interested in the Kobra part of the project, I will be getting the new body kit from Tribute Automotive through their southern agents Classic Coachworks who luckily are just down the road from me. The kit bolts directly onto the Z3 mounting points so its not a complete kit car build, just a re-body. I liked the idea of a modern(ish) car underneath with the cobra styling. Big wheels, shiny loud exhaust, you get the picture.

This is what the kit should look like when its finished and is the kind of thing I am aiming for, although maybe silver.

View attachment 164423

I like the sidepipes, wonder what they had to do to fit them

hi chap. they tend to be dummy pipes, otherwise its not even worth mentioning some of the horror stories I've heard about chassis being cut into!
if you would like to see more examples, our website is classiccoachworks.org x

 

[RickyBobby]

We have a new exciting adventure beginning in the shed, we’ve never been asked to help build a Zed from the ground up ready to be fitted with an AC cobra kit.

The car itself is a 1999 2.8Tu with 80k on the clock. The engine bay needs a little tidy and the interior drying out. The roof is in good condition and everything is working.

Today we moved her into the shed ready to start first thing Monday.

View attachment 164397

Looking forward to watching this one ahead of getting mine down - same year and engine as well as similar mileage. Is it the pre or post facelift model?

 

[Lee]

Looking forward to watching this one ahead of getting mine down - same year and engine as well as similar mileage. Is it the pre or post facelift model?

This is a Pre facelift car. Work will start today, had a birthday delay to get out the way

 

[RickyBobby]

Nice one always worth taking time out to celebrate the ageing process - I am constantly on the look out for the human equivalent to the ZedShed so I can book myself in

 

[Lee]

So today we finally made a start. I had to get my birthday celebrations out the way earlier this week, I must be catching the senior contingent of the Zed forum now

First step is always getting the Zed in the air and making a plan and first impressions weren’t great, everything is looking very crispy and we also have a seized calliper up front.

The rear is all intact and looking very original, even the shocks.

The front was looking far worse and the offside calliper was stuck on.

First item to be removed is the exhaust, I’m surprised it came off so easy. The nuts barely resemble nuts anymore.

Considering how she looks everything was coming off relatively easy. Parts piling up quickly ready for powder coat. The front support brace started to crumble once you poked it with a screw driver, luckily we have quite few of these in the cupboard.

weeping rear shocks. Original

Past it brace

Lots of little bits ready for coating.

So finally after a couple of hours the subframe touched the floor, I can confirm the beam bushes were resting on the plate.

shot beam bush, this should be solid.

Couple of close up shots.

To make up some time we decided to strip the front in the same day. Just a brake line left behind.

Photo from below the engine. We will be removing this front subframe tomorrow, the last build allowed us to invest in an engine support brace.

The underside at the rear also looked good.

more stuff to come off tomorrow. Old shocks and fuel tank straps.

Also have the gearbox and clutch work to do. Front hubs also need to be completely disassembled.

Balls reached the photo limit.

 

[Lee]

So the front hubs. Need stripping and painting.

And this is how she sits now. Most parts have been ordered but I do have a few other bits to get. Plus some more things to think about because this will be a Kit car.

 

[t-tony]

Good days work mate. Those flange nuts a welcome bonus I'll bet.

Tony.

 

[andyglym]

Good effort in one day mate

 

[Mazza]

Great days work

And you make it seem so easy

 

[Zag2]

Wow some of those parts look like they have come out of mad max, crispy indeed!

Glad its come apart smoothly and great work in a single day. Its a shame I'm working and can't come over and watch, I'm fascinated by how the process of unbolting everything works.

Now when can we put some shiny bits on....

 

[bertiejaffa]

Loving this - I love this kit and especially in the deep blue with stripes - always considered doing it myself some day

 

[Bazza]

A great thread to follow, a bit of a change from the norm

 

[Pingu]

Loving this - I love this kit and especially in the deep blue with stripes - always considered doing it myself some day

I was nearly persuaded to change my mind and go down the Cobra route. Great looks - and topless. What's not to like?