Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

[1536Z4]

z4 with an SMG box... If that's the case I'd be tempted to head that route!

That has been suggested but in other posts the SMG gearbox doesn`t get the best reviews . Maybe it could be improved with new electronic settings .

 

[BMWZ4MC]

…the engine maybe isn't as exciting as the Z but it sounds better especially the sports exhaust variants.
[youtube]IpAa9fu3HqI[/youtube]

I disagree, the ///M sounds markedly better than that Boxster. The S54 is a characterful engine that rises from baritone to banshee across the rev range, accompanied by the metallic rasp of a buzz saw. In comparison, the sound from the Porsche in the video is one-dimensional under load and not improved on the over run by the artificial overlay of bronchitic crepitations worthy of a hundred-a-day smoker. It would be at home driven in convoy with a Golf R and an A45!

*that is not to say that the Boxster cannot sound amazing, just not in that video

 

[tomscott]

…the engine maybe isn't as exciting as the Z but it sounds better especially the sports exhaust variants.
[youtube]IpAa9fu3HqI[/youtube]

I disagree, the ///M sounds markedly better than that Boxster. The S54 is a characterful engine that rises from baritone to banshee across the rev range, accompanied by the metallic rasp of a buzz saw. In comparison, the sound from the Porsche in the video is one-dimensional under load and not improved on the over run by the artificial overlay of bronchitic crepitations worthy of a hundred-a-day smoker. It would be at home driven in convoy with a Golf R and an A45!

*that is not to say that the Boxster cannot sound amazing, just not in that video

Its the only one I could find that wasn't a car park launch They do sounds fab in tunnels. My car was in the tunnel at the same time and was completely inaudible with the standard exhaust.

 

[tiglon]

I really don't think this is the thing to do unless the £30-40k is just loose change that you want to play around with, particularly if you don't know exactly what you're doing.

How about an SLK 55 AMG? No one can complain that the V8 lacks drama.

 

[RedUn]

…the engine maybe isn't as exciting as the Z but it sounds better especially the sports exhaust variants.
[youtube]IpAa9fu3HqI[/youtube]

I disagree, the ///M sounds markedly better than that Boxster. The S54 is a characterful engine that rises from baritone to banshee across the rev range, accompanied by the metallic rasp of a buzz saw. In comparison, the sound from the Porsche in the video is one-dimensional under load and not improved on the over run by the artificial overlay of bronchitic crepitations worthy of a hundred-a-day smoker. It would be at home driven in convoy with a Golf R and an A45!

*that is not to say that the Boxster cannot sound amazing, just not in that video

Agreed... I don't know why manufacturers think that it sounds good, its bloody terrible to my ears.

Anti-lag I get but fake anti lag, I assume that's the what the idea is? I don't know why else they'd chuck fuel down the exhaust, even more comical on an NA car :tumbleweed:

 

[kaiser01]

This might be an option. It’s a kit for motorsport applications to add paddle shifting to traditional h-pattern boxes. http://www.mme-motorsport.com/en/products/bmw-air-paddle-shift-for-h-pattern-gearboxes

It’s similar in operation to the SMG but is pneumatic rather than hydraulic actuation.

However, I’d expect it will be a little unrefined for normal driving. They also reckon 20-40 hours labour for fitting and fettling, so probably £8K for the conversion. However, that is around half the price of a decent Z4 M, so maybe it is in scope.

 

[1536Z4]

This might be an option.

Looks a very good option . Thank you for finding that . Not sure if I could get car insurance though based on the disclaimer but worth looking into . I see that they are not providing them at the moment but will save the link for when/if the time comes . .

 

[Mister T]

There you go:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AZzjQTV-F4

If the box will fit an FD RX7 it'll fit an E85/6 Z4M

 

[1536Z4]

There you go:

Great find and what a beast to be using a DCT :evil: Even more encouraging to get a swap done . I would love to be in a position to go ahead with an M project . Someone else may get there before me and show me how it`s done
I can understand that the purist " M " people may not want it done to such a short supply of donors but it could always be swapped back :wink:
Now I MUST go and get a lottery ticket . :roll: :roll: "Ah well you can always dream " as Gilbert would say ( you may have to google that ) .

 

[RvsBmw]

Hi there,

Sorry to enter later . Best option in my eyes is DCT from a M3/M4.
Look at GNG Motorsport which have done a S54 swap with DCT on a 3 serie. But it must be possible on a z4.

Video's with some impressions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYtyLbL0GAo and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soQ2mVHpEhI.
Website: https://www.gngmotorsport.nl/ and link to the project: https://www.gngmotorsport.nl/show/s54-e36-dct-touring?ep%5B65899006%5D%5Bpage%5D=2. Site is dutch (sorry ).

 

[1536Z4]

Look at GNG Motorsport which have done a S54 swap with DCT on a 3 serie. But it must be possible on a z4.

Hi RvsBMW and thanks for the links . I shall take a look and see what they have done .

 

[Martyn]

Having DCT'd my E46 M3, I'd strongly recommend NOT using the HTG GCU, it's far from a 'finished' product regardless of what youtube vids show

 

[1536Z4]

it's far from a 'finished' product

Hi Martyn . I would be very interested in your conversion and what problems you had especially with the HTG GCU . Have you done a write up on it anywhere ?

Thanks

 

[Martyn]

https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/martyns-phoenix-yellow-e46-m3.235704

Basically the firmware is still very much a work in progress, each firmware release generally needs a complete re-tune and the bugs can be very annoying. Also, the Facebook support group HTG setup is heavily monitored by the owner so negative or posts from people with issues are generally deleted.

 

[RedUn]

Really interesting thread, great read

 

[1536Z4]

https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/ ... -m3.235704

Bl**dy hell Martyn that is some excellent work :bow: Such a shame that the HTG wouldn`t set up safely after all your input . In the thread you mention " I also bought another DCT gearbox so I could potentially explore another avenue, which would be using MaxxECU to control an 'E series' I6 gearbox." Is this something you are still considering ?

 

[Martyn]

Thanks!

I've since sold my M3, the HTG experience left a bad taste in my mouth even after converting back to manual.

I made a plug and play loom for the MaxxECU but never drove the car as I was awaiting for a replacement DCT flywheel from Adamat Performance. I've kept the E series and F series gearboxes along with the MaxxECU just in case I buy another S54 engined car.....

 

[1536Z4]

S54 engined car.....

............... like a Z4M

 

[RvsBmw]

Bl**dy hell Martyn that is some excellent work Such a shame that the HTG wouldn`t set up safely after all your input . In the thread you mention " I also bought another DCT gearbox so I could potentially explore another avenue, which would be using MaxxECU to control an 'E series' I6 gearbox." Is this something you are still considering ?

I can give the guys in the netherlands a call. Perhaps they also have the same experience as Martyn. Based on the vids posted, it looks good. But when negative post are deleted, than its not that transparent . Let me know if you want me to call.

 

[1536Z4]

Let me know if you want me to call.

If you don`t mind contacting them that would be very kind of you . It would be good to know what problems they came across and how they overcame them .

Thank you .