#ZedShed Project Dino D

[Stormy_be]

I didn't mean calculating the drop under normal load, but measuring it.
For my 10kg springs, as i will have it on scales at one moment, i could add weight to the car, just to measure the springs with normal weight in the car.

For sure, my setup will not be the same as the weight will be different and i will never drive it on normal roads, only on track.
My setup should be much harder then what you want to have on normal roads.

Regards, Koen

 

[Dino D]

Would the 10kg springs be to harsh for the road? Just out of interest as I'm interested in the BC kit.

I think so but depends what the roads are like where you drive.
In the US guys are running 10-14kg + (!!)

I'm happy with 8kg at the rear as it allows for driving with the dampers on full soft up to as hard as you like (32 clicks from soft to hard).
Based in the good experience so far with 8kg rears I do wonder if 8kg at the front would be better than 6kg I have now.
Currently run the front dampers on around midway point.
I should point out that most of the US cars run around 2kg heavier on the rear (the rear is not coilover and where the spring sits it's gets 'levered' more than if it sat around the damper. Hence although these cars are 50/50 front to back the higher rate spring is needed at the rear).
That said it's probably at the sweet spot now with 8/6kg as I have it for the majority of roads I drive but I'm like that always trying to get it as best as possible!

 

[Dino D]

BC have given me the spring heights before so they are aware of the differences in height, I though I had posted this somewhere, maybe it was in a PM?

It would be very difficult to approximate the drop/sag on a per spring basis, these springs will be common to a few models, the placement of the spring in the suspension system will dictate the forces applied upon it and therefore return different results.

You did send it to me some time back Brian. It would be good if they put this info up with the kits so one can see before buying as the jump in height is big on the car.

Other suspension suppliers show approx lowering figures for their springs. I agree it would be some work to do this but it's their business.
This is the part that leaves me disappointed with their service so far, the lack of knowledge and no offer to correct the problem, just sell me more springs.
Good thing the product is great and the extra springs were cheap..

 

[Brian H]

This is the part that leaves me disappointed with their service so far, the lack of knowledge and no offer to correct the problem, just sell me more springs.

100% agree with this.

 

[5harp3y]

Can i ask, what splitter have you fitted?

 

[Dino D]

It's a rubber 'Rhino' lip that you can buy in rolls via eBay, great stuff, details on this thread, post pics when you've done it!
https://zroadster.org/threads/interesting-spoiler-for-6cyl-front-bumper.7564/

 

[5harp3y]

It's a rubber 'Rhino' lip that you can buy in rolls via eBay, great stuff, details on this thread, post pics when you've done it!
https://zroadster.org/threads/interesting-spoiler-for-6cyl-front-bumper.7564/

excellent, thank you.

 

[Gwyndaf]

Great tnread guys, and a load of help to me althought its my z4m im now upgrading not my 3 which is now complete. When Professor Lee is free id like to bring the z4m down for some fine suspension tuning. After the new supersprint exhaust and gruppe M intake im confident well get at least 360bhp from it

 

[Dino D]

My pic album reminded me that this week it’s the 4 (FOUR) year anniversary from when i made the trip to the deep west (Basingstoke is very very west from Kent ok )

I went over with rather sad Z3 that I expected only had a fuel tank rattle and maybe the odd bush...little did I know what was to come - basically a full chassis rebuild

If I had that diagnosis from a garage it would have likely ended up in @spurs fan in a coupe driveway but thanks to @Lee @GazHyde @Shortie_gal @Oldguysrule (I hope I’ve not forgotten anyone!) the car came back driving better than it ever did.

That spurred me on to keep on with the improvements and it’s a keeper for life, just gives me a smile every time I get to drive it (which is never enough!)

Then:
When I picked it back then (a month later!)

Now (after much cosmetics) and number plate in the correct place (thanks @Lee )

Have had many good times since, especially with the kids taking turns to go out in it. Can’t say I how glad I am it was sorted. Many more smiles to come thanks to the awesome people on this awesome forum!

 

[Brian H]

It is a great car @Dino D, keep up the good work.

 

[Dino D]

It is a great car @Dino D, keep up the good work.

Managed to take it out for work today, roof down which was no problem with the heaters I fitted in the Sparcos - they get extra toasty with just fabric covering them compared with leather. Old school driving bliss!

Is yours making a comeback Brian?

 

[Scooblitz]

Great thread. Lots of great knowledge shared in here. So thanks to all contributors.

@Dino D Car is looking superb with the BC's. Had heard very good things myself about them and despite the cost they are certainly under consideration. Lots of tech for the money and the adjustability seems is appealing. I would be guessing that the car is actually sitting around 20mm lower than standard which i think is the big advantage over an eibach pro 30mm. Have you achieved the 20mm lowering purely through adjusting the height on the struts or has there been pads involved or something else?

 

[Dino D]

Soooo after many years and much part fitting and tweaking my Z actually had some proper track day time.

LYDDEN HILL
1 whole mile,
All turns right except for devils elbow
The steering is not straight for more than a few sec.
You are on the brakes in quick succession.
Surface designed to take 600bhp rally cross cars so eats tyres!

Perfect spot for my first proper track day.


Oh and I was in the ADVANCED group as novice and intermediate were all full. They said it basically empty so I’d be fine...

Awaiting briefing, looking moody:

Good thing I didn’t smooth the two eye cover

Half a BMW (running the 4.8 V8 from the 650i - gentle Sunday cruise it was not!)




So I sign on and find out that since I booked the day day before 10 other cars have joined so the Advanced group is now full and will have single seater, bike engined cars and RallyX cars joining in the fun. I was the only on road tyres!

Booked the instructor for the first session and went out nervous as anything.

The instructor was great - without him I’d never had braked and turned so late or used as much power (basically full throttle in 3rd after pilgrims and briefly catch 4 whisky still turning, would never have dared but he pushed me on, seriously surprised at with this old shed can do!

Cool down between sessions:

I don’t run a a viscous fan and this feat was hot and I had the aircon on...ahem...its sweaty work ok and you have to have your arms covered and all I had was a fleecy soft shell!!!
Running like that the gauge started moving past centre so aircon off and back off after 6 laps and she was fine. Will need to run an additional electric fan or refit viscous (but with new engine mounts to help it not kiss the radiator).

Tyres did well for the first 5 sessions - I could feel them go off and would back off to let them cool. I also avoided understeer in the main which preserved the front corner. I had the ASC on for the first 5 sessions and could feel it holding back a lot.

I also like how you gain more rubber than you lose!

Ok the final session I switched of ASC and played a bit but the track was very hot - brakes were worn down so as a result I was tipping into the corners harder than the tyres liked so the front left corner took a beating as you can see above - gained some blobs to make up for the loss of writing on the sidewall though!

Single seater that spewed oil out all the time!

Managed to pass the Clio every session - quite please to pass something although I suspect he was new to it.

These old Fords are quick round here!

E30 325i stripped and on slicks - we evenly matched on power but on brakes and in the corners he’d just dive in the inside line (overtake ANYWHERE at Lydden provided its ‘safe’)

@spurs fan in a coupe throwing the Z in the bends.

These RallyX cars were so quick and distracting- they blast past without you knowing and then proceed to pull the handbrake at what must be 100mph, watch them too long and you lose your line and head for the grass!

 

[Lee]

Good write up man

I'll join you on the next one.

 

[Dino D]

I had a little excursion to check out the greenery when I got distracted chasing Andy and didn’t get the entry right at Paddock - it punishes any wrong lines. This is the corner cars go off, often upside down on (a Mini Cooper S did just that in these last session and with the instructor on board too - they walked out fine apparently)

The aftermath of around 70-80miles on track:
1 full tank ( I had to fill up between sessions and at the filling station a new girl was training, the card terminals broke, a trucker couldn’t remember his mileage and the lady in front was doing the weekly shop - all whilst I’m bursting to get back to track to not miss my session, couldn’t make it up!!)

Front pads completed

I usually run EBC yellow stuff but only had standard Mintex £20 ones on and they did alright.

Rears half way down (yellow stuff)

Discs seems fine

Tyres ok just left hand side a bit chafed

Exhaust sounds amazing after this!

Lots of rubber stuck on the inside of the rims, arches etc
More stone chips in one morning than in two years.

Cracked windscreen.

But you know what, I love it - you really bond with it after some proper driving and the marks are ok. Serious respect for what it can do - really pleased all these mods that make it so alive on the road make it so planted on track.

Can’t wait to the next one with some more Z’s!!

 

[Dino D]

Good write up man

I'll join you on the next one.

Oh yes looking forward to it.
So addictive.
Already have an eBay watch list £5k and counting

 

[2DunnsZ3]

wow that looks fun

 

[Brian H]

I am proper smiling whilst reading your post. You are on the slippery slope now @Dino D, glad you enjoyed it, after a few sessions look back at what you have just written, you think you are pushing the car now, I promise it is capable of more, they are brilliant. Have fun.....

 

[Jjim]

Looks like you had a great time

 

[Nodzed]

Great write up . I really need to do this again