Glad to see you are still saving these beautiful cars, my MOT tester last week was extremely complimentary about your work on mine https://zroadster.org/threads/taffdaddys-2-2-schnitzel.39743/
#ZedShed Graham's Topaz 2.2i Sport
- Thread starter GazHyde
- Start date
Wow that was 4 years ago. The process we follow has changed quite a bit now. Every year we refine the process bit by bit.
Two weeks worth of updates. Nice change to this build as the owner has been along for every step of the build.
The first Saturday was about rear end prep and front end subframe. We tried a slightly different technique this time and fitted the wishbones to the subframe first, worked really well.
Quick Look at why it’s always worth replacing tired engine mounts. They really compress over time.
Subframe went up with no bother.
some rear end cleaning and fitting of straps.
we’re also trying out a new brake line fitting that’s like a pipe compression fitting, if these are any good this will make fitting new brake lines a lot more simple.
Gary had already pre built the front shocks so these all went together quickly.
Lovely job
showing more of the new bits.
we did notice the power steering lines looking past their best so we’ll be reaching out to @ZEDonist UK for a complete kit.
So fast forwarding to this week we fitted the rear subframe.
Gary making this look easy using the lift to do all the hard work
tool trolley makes this talk a doddle now.
again a blue theme today
we also fitted the last two bushes on the gearbox so that’s all the bushes supporting engine & gearbox now. Old n new showing how soft and compressed they become.
Looking much cleaner now.
nice shot from underneath
prop went in shortly after with a new flex disc and bolts.
plus a shot from the front.
she’s very nearly there now.
The first Saturday was about rear end prep and front end subframe. We tried a slightly different technique this time and fitted the wishbones to the subframe first, worked really well.
Quick Look at why it’s always worth replacing tired engine mounts. They really compress over time.
Subframe went up with no bother.
some rear end cleaning and fitting of straps.
we’re also trying out a new brake line fitting that’s like a pipe compression fitting, if these are any good this will make fitting new brake lines a lot more simple.
Gary had already pre built the front shocks so these all went together quickly.
Lovely job
showing more of the new bits.
we did notice the power steering lines looking past their best so we’ll be reaching out to @ZEDonist UK for a complete kit.
So fast forwarding to this week we fitted the rear subframe.
Gary making this look easy using the lift to do all the hard work
tool trolley makes this talk a doddle now.
again a blue theme today
we also fitted the last two bushes on the gearbox so that’s all the bushes supporting engine & gearbox now. Old n new showing how soft and compressed they become.
Looking much cleaner now.
nice shot from underneath
prop went in shortly after with a new flex disc and bolts.
plus a shot from the front.
she’s very nearly there now.
Last edited:
That's why I built my trolley. I used to drop engine/gearbox and subframes on it. Makes a useful pair of hands. Good idea putting the arms onto the front subframe
Tony.
Tony.
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2024
- Points
- 28
- Model of Z
- Z3 3.0 Sport manual
Great write up - I'm following with interest!
Assume you have refurbished the front and rear OEM Sport springs and reinstalled them? Ride height should therefore be the same as previously.
No surprise with new dampers and struts - what Monroe model/part numbers did you end up with to compare with the OEM Sachs units?
I'm researching options to refresh my own Sport suspension so all info is useful.........
Thanks a lot and waiting for the next posting!
Assume you have refurbished the front and rear OEM Sport springs and reinstalled them? Ride height should therefore be the same as previously.
No surprise with new dampers and struts - what Monroe model/part numbers did you end up with to compare with the OEM Sachs units?
I'm researching options to refresh my own Sport suspension so all info is useful.........
Thanks a lot and waiting for the next posting!
Front
rear
This may help you
zroadster.org
rear
This may help you
2.2i Sport shock replacement
My, I can only assume, original shocks appear to be failing on compression. Fine on rebound, but I want to replace all. Car is at 105k and it deserves some new ones. My question is, what do people use for replacements on the “sport” equipped cars?
zroadster.org
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2024
- Points
- 28
- Model of Z
- Z3 3.0 Sport manual
Many thanks, good info.
A combination of standard dampers and struts (OEM or aftermarket) with refurbished Sport springs seems the way for me to go. I would assume that the reduced damping effect would not be noticed by most drivers and the 15mm reduced stroke to closure of no real concern (Sport springs are 15mm shorter and probably slightly stiffer that standard ones). The bump stops may get hit a bit more often that's all!
BMW have confirmed to me that Sports dampers and struts are available. Odd, because I thought they were no longer avaialble a while ago. This would be an option, but price could rule it out compared with alternatives. I'm currently waiting on feedback from BMW on who their manufacturer is and dates they were made before committing either way.
Cheers,
A combination of standard dampers and struts (OEM or aftermarket) with refurbished Sport springs seems the way for me to go. I would assume that the reduced damping effect would not be noticed by most drivers and the 15mm reduced stroke to closure of no real concern (Sport springs are 15mm shorter and probably slightly stiffer that standard ones). The bump stops may get hit a bit more often that's all!
BMW have confirmed to me that Sports dampers and struts are available. Odd, because I thought they were no longer avaialble a while ago. This would be an option, but price could rule it out compared with alternatives. I'm currently waiting on feedback from BMW on who their manufacturer is and dates they were made before committing either way.
Cheers,
Hi Peewee, the dampers are the same length between sport and non sport. Think this was something we looked at nearly 10 years go. The valving internally is what they use to control damper feel again I don't think the shocks actually differ between models something we also debunked years ago. For this build due to the unavailability of replacement sport springs we've gone with the readily available standard height spring and due to order times/costing we chose the Monroe shock. We prefer the Sachs shock but the prices can be wild and almost double the cost of buying Monroe, for a car that's only used on the public road Monroe are fine.
Nice update to Grahams 2.2, she’s very nearly finished mechanically she’s drivable but needs a couple last jobs. The main big item being the exhaust flanges they are so corroded they ideally need cutting off and rewelding on. Also waiting on the power steering kit to arrive. She then needs tracking and an MOT.
Nice selection of photos from on the day.
least she moves under her own steam again.
Nice selection of photos from on the day.
least she moves under her own steam again.
I am glad I found this thread. I have just taken on a 1998 Z3 that hasn't been looked after very well over the past, well, 16 years really.
Gave it an oil and filters change today, and a set of plugs, but it needs some work.
This thread is going to be an excellent guide to get me going
I'll attach a couple of pics to show you what I mean...
Gave it an oil and filters change today, and a set of plugs, but it needs some work.
This thread is going to be an excellent guide to get me going
I'll attach a couple of pics to show you what I mean...
You have a right handful there but will be a satisfying restoration. You should start a thread of your progress.
oh wow. Please share more photos of your progress, that will be very testing. Bear in mind there’s always a way to remove things even what it looks like that.I am glad I found this thread. I have just taken on a 1998 Z3 that hasn't been looked after very well over the past, well, 16 years really.
Gave it an oil and filters change today, and a set of plugs, but it needs some work.
This thread is going to be an excellent guide to get me going
I'll attach a couple of pics to show you what I mean...View attachment 293917View attachment 293919View attachment 293921View attachment 293923
Thanks for the encouragement
yeh its definately going to be a long term project, as I work away through the week and am heading to Cyprus next week for a fortnight.Thankfully, the actually body of the car is quite tidy. Everything rusted to a crisp can come off and either be refurbed or replaced!
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2016
- Points
- 208
- Location
- Maybole , South Ayrshire
- Model of Z
- Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
So far so good with that fitting. I’ve done a test drive and it’s holding fine. Need to book it in for its MOT now so will see what they say.
Unusual to see compression fittings on brake pipes, but, as long as they don't leak under a pressure test they can't fail them. Some would advise maybe?
Tony.
Tony.
I was hoping you n Steve would know. But I guess looking at it logical, if they’re holding and not leaking they shouldn’t cause an issue.
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2016
- Points
- 208
- Location
- Maybole , South Ayrshire
- Model of Z
- Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
I was with Tony never seen this type of fitment on brakes.
I have looked into it this is what the manual say regarding repair of metal pipes
You may find a number of tester will look at them and just fail it as a unsuitable type of connection as it is not what they usually see on pretty much every car that is out there going way back.
Stephen.
I have looked into it this is what the manual say regarding repair of metal pipes
You may find a number of tester will look at them and just fail it as a unsuitable type of connection as it is not what they usually see on pretty much every car that is out there going way back.
Stephen.
Thanks Steve. This is exactly what I needed. Back to the traditional flairs.
After having a few weeks off we could look at the last few jobs on Grahams Zed. We have so much noise from up the front which turns out to be the water pump bearing.
The exhaust fix failed so we decided to do some RnD and mass produce our own flanges so this won’t be a problem in the future.
we now have Stainless flanges in stock so you can cut your old ones off. 10mm/8mm thick.
brilliant end result.
Well chuffed as it’s another problem we keep finding on these zeds now solved.
The exhaust fix failed so we decided to do some RnD and mass produce our own flanges so this won’t be a problem in the future.
we now have Stainless flanges in stock so you can cut your old ones off. 10mm/8mm thick.
brilliant end result.
Well chuffed as it’s another problem we keep finding on these zeds now solved.