Z4MC S65 DCT + Suspension/Cosmetic Build

[MPLICIT]

Originally Posted by StickMon

Didn't the big ends escape from that S54?
Not sure I would wish that on the guy.

Attachment 1667005

Originally Posted by GuidoK

^cool mod.
Rodbearing inspection hole

This also results in the ability to pull extra air into the engine and cool the oil

Originally Posted by mad-dog

Hi,
just wanted to ask how your build is going.
Regards.

This build is going good. I will get around to an update soon. Great progress has been made and trust me its not dead

[Mr. Monday]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Nice to see this build coming along. Great stuff.

The mods that appear to be required to the headers make me a bit bummed. If I ever imagined doing this in California and ending up with a street legal (and DMV referee approved car) the exhaust system would need to be 100% stock with zero modifications for it to pass. <grumble>

Originally Posted by ApolloTheGod

There is no need to modify any of the exhaust components except for the shape of the headers. You can use the iceengineworks kit to rebuild the driver side bank of headers so that it fits in the car more easily. You can still have your secondary catalytic converts and if you desire you can add ones just off the headers as well. You could even cut the ones off the S54 headers and weld them onto the ends of the S65 headers.

I was planning on doing this swap in CA so CARB approval is important to me as well. Can anyone chime in on whether it would be possible to pass the referee with slightly modified headers with all the stock catalytic converters?

I have heard of shops putting rotator joints in the steering assembly to get around headers on engine swaps, this may be the only option, which is unfortunate because it adds extra play to the steering.

I have the 3L version with EPS, do you think the e90 m3 steering rack from the donor car would fit in the z4 coupe?

[MPLICIT]

Originally Posted by Mr. Monday

I was planning on doing this swap in CA so CARB approval is important to me as well. Can anyone chime in on whether it would be possible to pass the referee with slightly modified headers with all the stock catalytic converters?

I have heard of shops putting rotator joints in the steering assembly to get around headers on engine swaps, this may be the only option, which is unfortunate because it adds extra play to the steering.

I have the 3L version with EPS, do you think the e90 m3 steering rack from the donor car would fit in the z4 coupe?

I am not sure about CARB but you can weld on anything to make anything look like anything of course lol. My car will be CARB compliant because it looks all stock and no one will be the wiser. Even OBD2 scan will be faked.

As far as steering, fuck that. Steering is a NO COMPROMISE for me. I will redo the headers to whatever is necessary to make it fit.

I am not sure about the E90 rack dimensions but if you want me to get specs off the Z4MC rack I am more than happy to. I am sure you could make it fit. I don't see why not. Hydraulic steering is far superior though.

Look up the IceEngineWorks header building kit and you can see its not out of the realm of possibilities to rework the headers around it. Would be hell because you would have to remove the steering linkage to remove the headers but so work it in the end. It would be like one of the odd Ferrari maintenance things we all hear about

[Mr. Monday]

Originally Posted by ApolloTheGod

I am not sure about CARB but you can weld on anything to make anything look like anything of course lol. My car will be CARB compliant because it looks all stock and no one will be the wiser. Even OBD2 scan will be faked.

As far as steering, fuck that. Steering is a NO COMPROMISE for me. I will redo the headers to whatever is necessary to make it fit.

I am not sure about the E90 rack dimensions but if you want me to get specs off the Z4MC rack I am more than happy to. I am sure you could make it fit. I don't see why not. Hydraulic steering is far superior though.

Look up the IceEngineWorks header building kit and you can see its not out of the realm of possibilities to rework the headers around it. Would be hell because you would have to remove the steering linkage to remove the headers but so work it in the end. It would be like one of the odd Ferrari maintenance things we all hear about

Thanks for the response, I think I'll get in contact with a BAR referee to ask whether slightly modified headers would be okay as long as all the cats are there. And, like you said I could always make my modified headers look stock and I should be fine as long as the ref doesn't have a picture of the OEM S65 headers on hand.

I would like to have HPS but my z4c has EPS and the m3 donor car will have faster EPS. Ideally I would like to buy the rack off of a wrecked z4m but I don't think its worth the extra cash if I can use the rack out of the m3 donor. And, with poly bushings and solid mounts the steering should be direct either way.

Another concern about working the header around the linkage is the heat from header could be an issue.

Have you seen any build threads for an s85 z4? I am curious whether the headers have to modified on that engine as well, I'm assuming they do. Anyway, I would much rather have the lighter s65 in my z4c.

I am looking forward to your next update and although I plan to use the manual out of the m3 rather than the DCT; I am looking forward to how you will get the m3 ECU to work in the z4m.

[MPLICIT]

Originally Posted by Mr. Monday

Thanks for the response, I think I'll get in contact with a BAR referee to ask whether slightly modified headers would be okay as long as all the cats are there. And, like you said I could always make my modified headers look stock and I should be fine as long as the ref doesn't have a picture of the OEM S65 headers on hand.

I would like to have HPS but my z4c has EPS and the m3 donor car will have faster EPS. Ideally I would like to buy the rack off of a wrecked z4m but I don't think its worth the extra cash if I can use the rack out of the m3 donor. And, with poly bushings and solid mounts the steering should be direct either way.

Another concern about working the header around the linkage is the heat from header could be an issue.

Have you seen any build threads for an s85 z4? I am curious whether the headers have to modified on that engine as well, I'm assuming they do. Anyway, I would much rather have the lighter s65 in my z4c.

I am looking forward to your next update and although I plan to use the manual out of the m3 rather than the DCT; I am looking forward to how you will get the m3 ECU to work in the z4m.

So you are not working with an M Z4 then. Makes sense. You still have steering linkage though, right? And even with bushings the steering won't feel the same because you are modifying physical linkage between wheel and rack.

As far as heat goes it's no big deal. That linkage is all steel and if you care about it that much you could heat wrap it with ceramic wrap or some other heat resistant solution. It would be fine I guarantee it. Just use some Anti-seize on the linkage bolts.

S65 is same weight as an S54. No difference at all really.

S85 will be heavier than S65 by a lot because of older vanos tech and the two extra cylinders. I have seen a build thread of a hellrot roadster taking an s85. They are doing the swap same way I am by using entire E92 harness and electronics. Easiest way. No rewiring or programming at all really. They did it in Russia

Just my .02

[Mr. Monday]

Originally Posted by ApolloTheGod

So you are not working with an M Z4 then. Makes sense. You still have steering linkage though, right? And even with bushings the steering won't feel the same because you are modifying physical linkage between wheel and rack.

As far as heat goes it's no big deal. That linkage is all steel and if you care about it that much you could heat wrap it with ceramic wrap or some other heat resistant solution. It would be fine I guarantee it. Just use some Anti-seize on the linkage bolts.

S65 is same weight as an S54. No difference at all really.

S85 will be heavier than S65 by a lot because of older vanos tech and the two extra cylinders. I have seen a build thread of a hellrot roadster taking an s85. They are doing the swap same way I am by using entire E92 harness and electronics. Easiest way. No rewiring or programming at all really. They did it in Russia

Just my .02

I do still have a linkage, it is not steer by wire, although that would be convenient considering the headers. I wasn't referring to modifying the linkage, if I had to do that then the project wouldn't be worth doing. I was just saying that EPS can be improved.

The S65 is actually 33lb lighter than the S54 and the S54 is 51lb lighter than the S85. The extra 51lb could be adjusted for but I would much rather have the lighter S65 partially because of fuel efficiency and I really don't need 500+ hp.

I figured that would be the best way to do things, strip down the entire car and install the e90 m3 electronics. Although, it would be really nice to keep the z4 gauge cluster so that it doesn't end up looking like a frankencar.

[MPLICIT]

Originally Posted by Mr. Monday

The S65 is actually 33lb lighter than the S54 and the S54 is 51lb lighter than the S85. The extra 51lb could be adjusted for but I would much rather have the lighter S65 partially because of fuel efficiency and I really don't need 500+ hp.

I figured that would be the best way to do things, strip down the entire car and install the e90 m3 electronics. Although, it would be really nice to keep the z4 gauge cluster so that it doesn't end up looking like a frankencar.

The S65 is not any lighter than the S54. I was under this assumption for a long time myself. It's heavier by a few pounds. You must be thinking about block to block, then that is true. But long block to long block, it is not correct.

The E92 Gauge cluster almost fits in the Z4 dash and looks fine really. It needs minor modification to fully fit. Its just time really. But e90 electronics is the 'easy' way to go. If I could do it all over again I would keep all Z4 electronics and do a 6 speed. Yes DCT is cool, but I have not driven the car yet and I am already missing 6 speed brake stands and clutch kicks.

[AriuSen]

Is the car running?? Any videos?

[MPLICIT]

Originally Posted by AriuSen

Is the car running?? Any videos?

The car can run but I am just waiting on a couple final things before pushing a big update. I have gotten a lot of 'hate' mail so to speak and decided that I was going to rearrange how I handled updates. Don't worry, lot's of progress and data to share soon

[pgviper]

Originally Posted by MPLICIT

The car can run but I am just waiting on a couple final things before pushing a big update. I have gotten a lot of 'hate' mail so to speak and decided that I was going to rearrange how I handled updates. Don't worry, lot's of progress and data to share soon

How's the progress? That big update almost here?!?!?

[mad-dog]

Originally Posted by pgviper

How's the progress? That big update almost here?!?!?

My question as well. No new pictures for over six months

[mastawyrm]

Originally Posted by MPLICIT

The car can run but I am just waiting on a couple final things before pushing a big update. I have gotten a lot of 'hate' mail so to speak and decided that I was going to rearrange how I handled updates. Don't worry, lot's of progress and data to share soon

Hate mail? They must be seriously disturbed individuals then, this build is awesome.

[Beedub]

hate mail???? name and shame.....

[mad-dog]

Originally Posted by mad-dog

My question as well. No new pictures for over six months

Seven months now

[StickMon]

I think that sums it up.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by MPLICIT

The car can run but I am just waiting on a couple final things before pushing a big update. I have gotten a lot of 'hate' mail so to speak and decided that I was going to rearrange how I handled updates. Don't worry, lot's of progress and data to share soon

Originally Posted by mad-dog

Seven months now

Originally Posted by StickMon

I think that sums it up.

Sadly I think you're right, which is disappointing as I loved this build idea especially the DCT. The "hate mail" thing seems odd too-I've been a regular on this forum for almost 8 years and that doesn't tie to experience. This is one of the most helpful and civil groups of folks as you'll ever find in a car forum, let alone online. (There's always the chance I'm wrong, but it's unlikely.)

I hope I'm totally wrong about progress and Santa brings us that update along with a fully functional build and a track video for extra grins.

[crawlin]

Damn, I havent checked in on this in forever and I was hoping to see a running car by now since money wasn't a hold up. Not even a little update, this is why I hate following build theads, Its like waiting for your tv show to come on when you find out that its not on today due to the holiday lol.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by crawlin

its not on today due to the holiday lol.

....or next season cancelled....


I still dont get, reading this thread, how that large hole in the block from that s54 came to be. What happend to the original s54 engine?!?

He writes when he picks up the car that it drives great and actually enjoyed a few days praising the s64.
Then a few days later he thinks he has a rodbearing issue (spun bearing), plans to fit new rodbearings and put it up for sale, and a month later he posts a picture of an s54 block with a 4" hole....
He tried to swap the rodbearings without removing the sump or so?

Dodgy as hell if you ask me.

[rockstar93]

I think it's safe to say this project is dead. I just came across a post on ZCSSA for a car that I'm almost positive is this one.
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[GuidoK]

I wonder how far he got in reality.
At one point he said that "The car can run", but he's selling it without engine/transmission etc.
I dont think he ever got the engine fitted properly in the car.

I still wonder what exactly happened to that s54.

[NickyC]

Chuckled to myself when he made a comment early on about how this project was going to go super fast etc.

Knew better, but still a decent try I suppose.

[Swashplate]

Why do I have Sarah McLachlan playing in my head when ever this build comes up....