My Alpina Roadster S (supercharger conversion @ ESS)
- Thread starter FemmeT
- Start date
The seat belt inertia reel (don't know a better name for it) is now mounted in place using a brace on the original mounting points. We had to cut a hole near the upper speaker. The seat belts are perfectly aligned to the belt slots in the seats. The 100mm speaker will be replaced by a smaller 3.5" model. We have ordered two frames from a Mercedes which will be used the cover the edges of the hole in the interior panel behind the seats.
The whole top had to be removed the mount the inertia reel.
There is quite a bit of work involved. The easy way is to follow the instructions in the BMW facelift conversion manual, which you can download here (it's in German though):
http://arethusa.tweakers.net/~femme/stuff/BMW_Z4_FL_Umbau.pdf
The conversion requires a new rear bumper, light control module, rear bumper carrier and front light units and several other parts. You will also need to update the software on the light control module. Reprogramming the light control module won't work with the pre-facelift (xenon?) head lights because the high beam is controlled by the xenon lights instead of separate bulbs.
Currently there are several German Z4 drivers working on solutions the get the rear lights to work with the old light control module and software. One of the problems they are facing is that the intensity of the tail/brake lights is controlled by PWM (pulse width modulation) which doesn't work with the LEDs in the new tail lights. Check this thread on zroadster.com for info.
I still have the old light control module in the car. The tail lights don't work fully yet, but now that we have the BMW conversion manual we should be able to fix it.
The whole top had to be removed the mount the inertia reel.
DHK said:
There is quite a bit of work involved. The easy way is to follow the instructions in the BMW facelift conversion manual, which you can download here (it's in German though):
http://arethusa.tweakers.net/~femme/stuff/BMW_Z4_FL_Umbau.pdf
The conversion requires a new rear bumper, light control module, rear bumper carrier and front light units and several other parts. You will also need to update the software on the light control module. Reprogramming the light control module won't work with the pre-facelift (xenon?) head lights because the high beam is controlled by the xenon lights instead of separate bulbs.
Currently there are several German Z4 drivers working on solutions the get the rear lights to work with the old light control module and software. One of the problems they are facing is that the intensity of the tail/brake lights is controlled by PWM (pulse width modulation) which doesn't work with the LEDs in the new tail lights. Check this thread on zroadster.com for info.
I still have the old light control module in the car. The tail lights don't work fully yet, but now that we have the BMW conversion manual we should be able to fix it.
Here are some new pictures where you see how the quad pipe exhaust is done.
The car is currently being prepared for a repaint in a dark grey Lamborghini colour. The Voltphreaks battery has been fitted and the car has been driven for the first time to check for issues with the suspension. Some adjustments have to be made to the front springs and the stabilizer links. I am still waiting for the seats to return from retrimming.
The car is currently being prepared for a repaint in a dark grey Lamborghini colour. The Voltphreaks battery has been fitted and the car has been driven for the first time to check for issues with the suspension. Some adjustments have to be made to the front springs and the stabilizer links. I am still waiting for the seats to return from retrimming.
louis said:
My first choice was Grigio Proteus but it was not listed in the paint computer. We found another nice Lamborghini colour (don't know the name) so I decided to use that one. There's a high amount of metallic particles in it which should give a nice effect in the sun.
Grigio Proteus is used on the car below:
cj10jeeper
Lifer
Femme,
I think this is coming of beautifully. I envy the facility you work out of and the engineering facilities you can bring together.
Can you tell me a little more about the exhaust system as quad pipes is on my mid term wish list? I confess ignorance of how a Z4M or Alpina system is set up for the 4 tail pipes, but your looks like a standard 2 pipe system with a branch running to the right side with a pair of chrome tips welded on. How functional is it Vs cosmetic?
I think this is coming of beautifully. I envy the facility you work out of and the engineering facilities you can bring together.
Can you tell me a little more about the exhaust system as quad pipes is on my mid term wish list? I confess ignorance of how a Z4M or Alpina system is set up for the 4 tail pipes, but your looks like a standard 2 pipe system with a branch running to the right side with a pair of chrome tips welded on. How functional is it Vs cosmetic?
A Z4-M has a muffler for each pair of tail pipes. The problem with a non Z4-M is that there is no space for a second muffler. You would have to relocate the battery compartment and trade in some trunk space.
The quad pipes are mainly there for cosmetics. Theoretically there could be a bit less resistance because of the 'third' tail pipe. Also some material inside the muffler has been removed to improve the sound.
My mechanic has tried several types of mufflers but they were all too loud. That's another reason why he decided to modify the Alpina muffler. I'm happy with this solution because I always loved the sound of the Alpina Roadster S.
The car should have +450hp after the ESS treatment. In my opinion it deserves quad pipes
.
The quad pipes are mainly there for cosmetics. Theoretically there could be a bit less resistance because of the 'third' tail pipe. Also some material inside the muffler has been removed to improve the sound.
My mechanic has tried several types of mufflers but they were all too loud. That's another reason why he decided to modify the Alpina muffler. I'm happy with this solution because I always loved the sound of the Alpina Roadster S.
The car should have +450hp after the ESS treatment. In my opinion it deserves quad pipes
.cj10jeeper
Lifer
That all makes sense and I can see it as a route I could take. A reasonable compromise between a system that sounds right and looks the part, without having to rebuild half the underneath of the boot and battery areas and the extra exit may just reduce back pressure a little with all those horses being generated.
Thanks
Thanks
cj10jeeper
Lifer
pvr said:
I think the photos in pages 2 & then 3 show what's been done
JohnZ4greece
Member
u r great....... i have a z4 20lit and i really jealous yor car.... really like your exhuast!!!
