Newbie with a serious tuning disorder.

[Stevie.w]

I'm trying a new rear brake setup on the Z4 which now runs E46 M3 rear axle, which effectively is Z4M and could be adapted to suit.
The pics of the rear brake /wheel is only mocked up, but it shows it all fits and works.

 

[Bing]

I love that caliper

Seeing a Z naked is pretty cool, but I can't wait to see it finished

 

[aquazi]

Thats a pretty awesome update steve!

I guess it is black unless you are leave the window surround black?

 

[Stevie.w]

I hope you members aren't easily shocked! I promise you I will rebuild her http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b479/whitson64/0e71bd84b55de16e7ecb2cafc7ea7f1e_zpslelq2rlo.jpg

That's one way to do a respray I suppose :lol:

Yeh it's a different approach, what I liked about it was all the panels have been fully painted. The bonnets the last panel and it's being finished both sides as I've a feeling it'll be open regularly

 

[Grumpyowl]

The bonnets the last panel and it's being finished both sides as I've a feeling it'll be open regularly [/quote]

I think you might be right

Good idea for Johnny Essex?

 

[Stevie.w]

I love that caliper

Seeing a Z naked is pretty cool, but I can't wait to see it finished

Bing the way the caliper looks fitted in mock up is how I feel BMW should have done it from day one. Naked Z's pretty neat, wished it drove I'm sure there'd be some strange looks.

 

[Beedub]

the skinless z4m looks so cool!!!

This is an immense project!! immense! Well done OP!!

 

[Stevie.w]

Love the pic of your naked Zed, i assume painted black again Steve.
Getting around the ECU has got to be a mindfield for you
Are you upgrading the brakes front and rear?

Yeh Jonnie, back to standard colour. Ecu itself hasn't been to difficult, it's the can bus signals required to run dash. Which in turn triggers virtually everything on the chassis.
Front brakes probably a one off setup. Audi RS6 8pot brembo calipers, 362mm Performance Friction rotors with custom bells and mounts. I never seem to learn that doing custom is always trickiest route

 

[Stevie.w]

Thats a pretty awesome update steve!

I guess it is black unless you are leave the window surround black?

The window surround will be left to see if it really needs done. If so its just a quick blow in.

 

[Stevie.w]

the skinless z4m looks so cool!!!

This is an immense project!! immense! Well done OP!!

Now now remember it isn't a Z4m. Don't want to be upsetting ///M owners. Personally I think it's way more than Z4m.

A pic of the custom prop I've had to make, can't finish it till rear axles in and can size up.

 

[Beedub]

the skinless z4m looks so cool!!!

This is an immense project!! immense! Well done OP!!

Now now remember it isn't a Z4m. Don't want to be upsetting ///M owners. Personally I think it's way more than Z4m.

A pic of the custom prop I've had to make, can't finish it till rear axles in and can size up.

just a typo!! what a strange thing to type however?? but ok.... great project none the less!

 

[Stevie.w]

Another item I did was Silent coat the boot floor to try and help with sound insulation.

 

[Stevie.w]

the skinless z4m looks so cool!!!

This is an immense project!! immense! Well done OP!!

Now now remember it isn't a Z4m. Don't want to be upsetting ///M owners. Personally I think it's way more than Z4m.

A pic of the custom prop I've had to make, can't finish it till rear axles in and can size up.

just a typo!! what a strange thing to type however?? but ok.... great project none the less!

My very first encounter with a Z4 was a Z4m coupe I serviced and was very impressed, that's what steered me to my project build. What it didn't do was feel very quick and I thought there could be a huge gain from upgrading bushings and suspension components. In my business of building modified cars I know what makes a quick car and as good as they are the budget wouldn't stretch to a M series motor. Personally I wouldn't want to tamper with the M series car, what with there current market value. Keep it standard and fully service'd and looking like a future investment. I know members with M series cars think highly of them as do I , the project was financially better suited to a lesser model. For the record I once own'd a E28 M5 that I regret selling

 

[Stevie.w]

Eventually managed to put some time into the motor. The rear brakes are all sorted out so I put some thought into the custom fronts I'll be running. I bought new RS6 eight pots some time ago that were destined for my Impreza but rather use them on the Z4. So what I came up with is 8 pot calipers, Performance friction 362mm rotors. To make it work needed bespoke bells and mounting brackets designed and machined up. So after much sizing, mocking and loads of head scratching I came up with this. I've assembled it up for pics but I'll be having the bells and mounts hard anodised for final fit.
What I'm really pleased with is how well it all fits and looks, factory issue . What doesn't show is the time and effort to manufacture something that's not designed to fit the vehicle, for this I need to thank my mates Ali and Ian for all their skills with cad programs.
I had thoughts what if these were made and possibly offered to members it would be the ultimate brake upgrade, but then thought about how much it's cost and nah it's just scary I'll have a quick tally up on my brake costs and post up shortly ( know it's going to shock me)

 

[markplant]

good work sir,
can't wait to see this thing finished

 

[Stevie.w]

good work sir,
can't wait to see this thing finished

Thanks Mark. Like you can't wait to drive it, even if it's just round the block

 

[markplant]

I think next time I'm near Edinburgh with some spare time I might have to call in

 

[Stevie.w]

I think next time I'm near Edinburgh with some spare time I might have to call in

Your more than welcome. My workshop always has something interesting lying around being fettle'd

 

[GaryT]

Great job again Stevie, I'm loving this thread

 

[Stevie.w]

Great job again Stevie, I'm loving this thread

Gary this thread's seems to be rolling on and on. All I want to do is get out there and put some miles on it, I never really got to drive the car much originally so needing to spend some time behind the wheel.
Talking about steering wheels, I want to send it down to Royal steering wheels but they have too many options to choose from. Thoughts and members pics would be appreciated.