ITR Z3 rebuild thread

I've got the motor most of the way apart. Interesting fact about the oil pan is it's a double wall casting with dual sumps, same as on the S-54. If it were a lesser pump, all the internal parts would be avalible seperatly. But since it's a motorsports unit it's only avalible as a single $600 part.
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I suspect that the oil relief has been causing low oil pressure issues. Here are more pictures of the damage:

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The crack in the front sump area, note the built in windage tray and dual wall casting.

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Close up of the rear sump, notice the pieces.

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Note the rip in the back of the sump.

To fix it I'm thinking of bending up some 3/16" aluminum plate and building a new bottom end for the sump. Maybe even mill in some fins into the plate.

James
 
Here's what I was thinking would be my inspiration for the rebuild paint scheme:

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Would the shark mouth be to over the top on the shark car? What do you think?

James
 
Before, it was a cute hello-how-are-ya sort of car. That looks a lot more menacing, like you mean business!
 
Hey Josh,

I was also thinking about putting something like, "Have a nice day CHUM!" on the back. You know for a little more shark reference. Maybe I can get an aviation museum to sponsor me.
 
Here's a new update.... I finished spraying the door, finders, top and hood. Here's how it looks from about 10 feet:

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I've still got to weld the apron cover on the windshield frame and fill and paint the low spots. The motors out at the local machine shop for a valve job and a hone. I'm going to ring and bearing it. Looks like the rods, mains, and bore were all stock and will stay that way for now.

James
 
rthiele said:
Niiice! :happy204:

Just make sure the rest of the car matches the outstanding front and does not fall down.
Click to expand...

Thanks Rob,

I'm in the middle of removing the old decals and preparing for some new. It should look sharp.

I just got the welded pan back, and it was really badly damaged. But my welder fixed it and it's back:

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Thanks,

I've still got to get replacement stickers for BMW Club Racing, then I can remove the stickers on the passengers side. I still have to paint the repaired windshield frame and get a new front windshield, and touch a couple of spots. The motor's in the shop, when I get a stock flywheel it'll get a rebalance, and I'll have a stock intake manifold to install too.
 
I know it's been a while since I posted any progress. The motor should be ready for me to pick up from the machine shop soon. I'm still chasing a couple of leaks in the pan, but I know where they're at and will have that fixed soon. While I'm waiting on the motor I decided to try bolting up the radiator core support and headlights to see how they fit togeather:

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Since I just bent the old core back out, and bolted it on it appears to fit. I also have the windshield frame painted to match. Since I removed the rear bumper I could re-install the 30lbs of weight the factory bolts under the bumpers.

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My next step will be to buy a spare tire and carrier and reinstall back in the stock location. That should be good for at least 10lbs right under the trunk on the passengers side. I'll need all the pork I can get on it to go from 2575lbs to 2850lbs.
 
One of the many things that make the coupe better! I threw out my spare tire carrier, James, too bad.
 
Josh, I'd rather have the 30lbs in the back bumper than in the roof and rear window glass. :p

That said, as a race car the biggest advantage of the coupe is your aero. The chassis ridgidity advantage is made negelable by the cage. The vorticies and turbulance on the bubble like hard top really make the roady trickier to drive in the faster corners. Even in a class like STU, your wing gets to be above roof level and mine has to stay 3" under it.
 
It's been a while since I updated this tread.

After a year at a local machine shop I have the block back, but finding rings to fit the CP pistons was a real chore. I finally had the pleasure of dealing with Chris at VAC motorsports, who was very helpful with the torque plate, but ultimately I had to order from Total Seal. The head is still at the machine shop, but due back soon. We ran into having some lifters that aren't fully extending.

I'm also thinking about pumbing a cool shirt and also running chilled water through my heater core for a cool air source. I've also replaced the front control arms and tie rod ends, but still need to find a high pressure power steering hose. Expiration dates are comming up on the fire bottle, have to have the belts re-webbed, and new window net, along with the seat's date passing. So there's a lot to do before I get to drive again.
 
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