#ZedShed Z3 Coupe, long term ZedShed project

[windym]

So I bought a coupe, (I'm smiling my ass off while I type this) probably at the worst and most awkward time I have had in years, but heyho it makes perfect sense to me. I found it on eBay, spoke to the owner and quickly realised this car has had almost no maintenance, for years.

This was confirmed on Saturday at the Zshed. Freezing cold in the snow looking in disbelief at just how goose'd the suspension and associated parts were. The list of crimes against this coupe are extensive and compiled but not limited too, the list below (as I'm sure there will be more)

So before I go on I have to say a huge thanks to @Lee @GazHyde @pgunter @Oldguysrule @Shortie_gal I would have been in trouble if not for their help, so cheers guys.


The owner Ryan, it's fair to say saw this coupe and fell in love with it, as did I and most people who see it. But without any maintenance, these cars very quickly turn into a nightmare. I guess this is what happened here. I was very aware of this when I got it but this also allowed me to get this car at an extremely reasonable price. Also getting Ryan out of sticky situation, without having to spend thousands on the car, so I guess we both came out of this ok.

To the list, viewer discretion is advised, oh and there's a short horror vid with this well.

So after meeting the guys at the burger stall, Lee and I went to GSF to pick up some bits, while Gaz Paul and Trevor set up the gazebo. On the way back Lee took the coupe and I drove @Shortie_gal,s roadster which is an extremely well sorted Z.

Did not take Lee very long to work out something was not kosher with the front end. On further inspection this is what was found.

1. 2 broken springs
2. Shocks had little to no rebound
3. Top mounts were almost through
4. Brakes were almost non existent
5. Wishbones and ball joints had decided to die (teaser for the vid)
6. Well I could go on it was nasty, so pics of severely goosed parts below

Andy

 

[5harp3y]

Is that a 2.8 coupe?

 

[andyglym]

Ailments aside, looks great and a top save good luck

 

[windym]

So after all this was removed and discarded in the freezing cold and several trips back to GSF the fun started.

New Bilstein and Eibach 30mm lowering springs, wishbones, lollypops, Brembo brakes and top mounts to start with. The thermostat was shot this was replaced as well, along with the simota type air filter. I decided on track top mounts for the rear from Bimmertune the rest will be a mix of purple and black polybushing. Not got round to that yet though.

The car looks solid, needs absolutely loads doing but what a difference. Cant thank the guys enough for all the work done totally transformed the car. The next stage is to poly bush throughout, a calliper refurb then on to the fun stuff chasing horses. Will post as stuff happens but very excited, talking to Lee we are planning to put a manual box in, keep it a left hook and have a lot of fun with it.

Andy

 

[windym]

This was at the end of the day picking up a Chinese meal in a coupe that was not trying to kill me

 

[GazHyde]

Really enjoyed the work Saturday Andy, and nice to see you back down the shed again!

 

[pgunter]

@windym It was a pleasure. Its not the first Zed we have seen in a bad way and I am sure it will not be the last. We seem to have a lot of fun doing this kind of stuff to help Zed Owners. It was great fun and as I said, A pleasure. My 3.0 was needing a lot done too when I purchased her, so you are not alone. It looks great and from what you have said, she now drives great too with some heat.. Nice seeing you and don't be a stranger to the Zedshed HQ.

 

[windym]

Hi @GazHyde can you upload the vid of the bottom balljoint please.

Andy

 

[Jack Ratt]

I love this type of thread. Was this car on Ebay recently ?

 

[Nodzed]

I Recon those fellas have got the hang of doing these Zeds now Great work again guys at Zedshed HQ. Lovely looking Coupe Andy

 

[Mint]

Brilliant work by the Zed Shed guys...again. Love it. You're going to have a well sorted Zed Andy

 

[Mnbrennan]

Shame I couldn't make it down for this one but will hopefully be there for round 2

Well done on the purchase and glad it's in the hands of dome one who will cherish it

Can't belive the broken springs!

 

[GazHyde]

You saw the video of the ball joint, so the broken springs seem rather par for the game. Will try and upload that vid as soon as I can...

 

[windym]

Is that a 2.8 coupe?

Hi yup 2.8 jpn import

Andy

 

[5harp3y]

Hi yup 2.8 jpn import

Andy

so so so jealous! what a great find!

 

[windym]

so so so jealous! what a great find!

Thanks was over the moon when I found it, the car has a good build spec and should be a good project to build on. Going to change the wheels very soon 19,s are a bit much IMHO.

Looking for some ac schnitzer or seriously concave 18,s.

Andy

 

[5harp3y]

Thanks was over the moon when I found it, the car has a good build spec and should be a good project to build on. Going to change the wheels very soon 19,s are a bit much IMHO.

Looking for some ac schnitzer or seriously concave 18,s.

Andy

yeah looks a little bit over wheeled at the moment.

18 inch CSL's would look amazing

 

[windym]

Just getting the coupe ready for its MOT, spent about a month on and off sorting the airbag light, so today polish and the new wheels. Going to get them re-finished but so much better than the 19,s the ride is improved no-end

 

[t-tony]

So much nicer on those wheels mate, even if they are the wrong colour . Good luck with the M.O.T.

Tony.

 

[windym]

So after a no advisory MOT I figured I would start playing with the engine. My goal for next year is to supercharge it, so will be getting ready for that end.

After reading a few write up's about the M54 330i manifold swap decided to give it a go, thanks for all the advice guys. Picked up a clean mani from eBay that came with purple injectors, perfect for the charger but kept the original ones in for the time being.

Ordered an adaptor plate from Bimmertune for the throttle body, which bolts straight on with no problems so I can use the M52 tu TB. Great guys to deal with, have had a few bits from them and all fine with very quick delivery.

So after bolting that lot together cleaned the CCV and went on holiday, so this weekend did the swap, fairly straight forward took about 6 hours but no real problems to speak of.

I was fairly happy with the way the car drove before, tick over was a bit erratic at times and on some occasions felt down on power. Below is the reason why, splits all over the show surprised it ran at all let alone passed an emissions test.

Anyway replaced all the bad pipe work and started to reassemble, the intake is in great shape valves look clean and very little sooting. Put a new manifold gasket on and it all went back very smoothly, electrics were fine they just clip back. I was not sure what to expect doing this conversion, in fact this is a very easy job and you would never tell it was a different manifold.

So to how it drives, took it out for a 30 mile run, I need to trim the air intake tomorrow as it is a bit squashed so that will reduce air flow. From the first start and it was first time it felt a lot smoother tick over was solid, so let the car warm up then shut her off and checked all my connections.

So allowing for the new hoses which will make a difference, plus the placebo effect the car is now vastly improved. The ECU still needs to fully work out whats going on so it will only get better, the main body of proof is, when Donna said "this is much smoother" when I took her for a spin.

The car now pulls a lot more freely, top end does not feel laboured it redlines without hesitation the exhaust sounds so much crisper with a few pops that were not there before. Also picking up from low revs, the car feels more inclined and just seems to want to move a lot more freely than before.

Hopefully this will improve when I get the TB bored out and a remap.

Andy