BMW Z4 M Brake Cooling Kit

[F360C]

Finished up my install of Westersund's kit last night. In the pics below I have the hoses disconnected from the backing plate due to pulling my front dampers out of the car to send for a rebuild. Totally forgot to take a pic before I pulled them out. The hardware will eventually be replaced with better fitting stuff, unfortunately due to the corona virus I wasn't able to go the store so I had to use what was laying around the garage.

Two things about mounting the kit:

1. You need to relocate the horns if you plan on keeping them. I was able to drill a hole in the OEM bracket that is holding the duct and bolt it to that. Its tight but it fits.

2. Triming of the plastic to route the hose from the duct to the brake is pretty easy. the whole piece of plastic trim that needs to be trimmed is easily removed. Much easier to trim it out of the car then in the car. If i was to do it again I would maybe mount a flange where the hose need to go through the plastic instead of trimming the plastic.

Brake cooling by Adam McGregor, on Flickr


Brake cooling by Adam McGregor, on Flickr

Brake cooling by Adam McGregor, on Flickr


Brake cooling by Adam McGregor, on Flickr

Brake cooling by Adam McGregor, on Flickr

[Westersund]

Originally Posted by F360C

I would be interested in this... I was actually just looking at this last night after I finished the install of your front brake cooling ducts. I would imagine the rears would only need a 2 inch line since they dont seem to get as hot as the fronts.

The other part I was looking at 3D printing is some sort of side roundel replacement that could be used as a duct to draw hot air out of the engine bay. I know a guy made a one off set of these back in the day. This could be a really cool part and applies to all Z4's... not specific to M's or none M's.

Cool, I will look into it when I get the Z4 M out of storage. Just have to figure out how to do it, have to consider the parking brake I guess.

A duct to replace the roundel wouldn't be too much hassle to make I believe. If I don't remember incorrectly it's just a simple type of fastening on that, press it inward and less than a quarter turn.

Thanks for the pictures also! Looks great. Even if it will take a long time to rust away I would consider a couple of layers of paint on the metal parts (heat resistant paint on the backing plates).

[Sliktop]

I'm about to get my kit installed soon. Just ordered some black paint and hardware, this weekend will be fun. I'm super annoyed that my fender liners are cracked all over and I really can't salvage them and it's going to be super spendy to replace, ugh...

@F360C I like your idea of drilling holes in the OEM duct bracts to move the horn, I will likely do something similar.

Might even have bonus pics of me freshening up the front bumper if I get around to it...

[BookerM3]

Just about done my install, I replaced my inner fender liner with some eBay units for a non-M Z4. Worked great with this kit as in includes a cover for the vent.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-LEFT-FR...IAAOSwPjhbxDhO

[Sliktop]

Originally Posted by BookerM3

Just about done my install, I replaced my inner fender liner with some eBay units for a non-M Z4. Worked great with this kit as in includes a cover for the vent.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-LEFT-FR...IAAOSwPjhbxDhO

Excellent! I will check them out, thanks for the tip.

[Westersund]

Good to hear you're getting the kits installed, please let me know what you think.

[Sliktop]

Updates to my install going on over in this thread

https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1712992

[rueyme]

Originally Posted by BookerM3

Just about done my install, I replaced my inner fender liner with some eBay units for a non-M Z4. Worked great with this kit as in includes a cover for the vent.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-LEFT-FR...IAAOSwPjhbxDhO

I'm in need of getting new front fender liners and saw these non M ones. Are they better for this kit? is there any other difference between the M version liners and the standard ones aside from just the brake duct section? Would I be able to revert to stock brake ducts with these liners?

THanks

[Sliktop]

Originally Posted by rueyme

I'm in need of getting new front fender liners and saw these non M ones. Are they better for this kit? is there any other difference between the M version liners and the standard ones aside from just the brake duct section? Would I be able to revert to stock brake ducts with these liners?

THanks

I should have some updates soon, I bought a set after I saw his comment. I think they will work out fine based on what dude said.

[BookerM3]

Originally Posted by rueyme

I'm in need of getting new front fender liners and saw these non M ones. Are they better for this kit? is there any other difference between the M version liners and the standard ones aside from just the brake duct section? Would I be able to revert to stock brake ducts with these liners?

THanks

There are a few differences.

1- uses Phillips screw to access headlights and Brake duct cover. So the stock factory brake ducts would need to be adapted to fit.

2 - Needed to trim around the under car aluminum plate near the fcab.

Otherwise clean tight fit.

[rueyme]

Originally Posted by Sliktop

I should have some updates soon, I bought a set after I saw his comment. I think they will work out fine based on what dude said.

cool, this option is much cost efficient than the M ones that cost a fortune for plastic.

[bananabun]

Going to install this kit in the coming weeks. Thanks to all the contributors on here...great info! I had a couple questions for those who've attempted the install -

- What size nuts, bolts and washers are you using to mount the duct?
- Is it necessary to relocate the horn?

May as well replace fender liners (I bought the ebay ones listed in this thread) and also delete headlight washers. Anything else I should keep in mind for this project?

Thanks!

[Westersund]

Originally Posted by bananabun

Going to install this kit in the coming weeks. Thanks to all the contributors on here...great info! I had a couple questions for those who've attempted the install -

- What size nuts, bolts and washers are you using to mount the duct?
- Is it necessary to relocate the horn?

May as well replace fender liners (I bought the ebay ones listed in this thread) and also delete headlight washers. Anything else I should keep in mind for this project?

Thanks!

3 x M6 and 2 x M8 for each front bumper ducts, add nuts and washers. For each backing plate you can reuse the M6 bolts/washers (or get new ones) and you will need 4 x M4 bolts/nuts for the funnels and twice as many washers.

The horn doesn't need relocating, but you have to turn it a bit and/or bend the bracket somewhat. But it does fit without a complete relocation.

[bananabun]

Thanks, André!

Originally Posted by Westersund

3 x M6 and 2 x M8 for each front bumper ducts, add nuts and washers. For each backing plate you can reuse the M6 bolts/washers (or get new ones) and you will need 4 x M4 bolts/nuts for the funnels and twice as many washers.

The horn doesn't need relocating, but you have to turn it a bit and/or bend the bracket somewhat. But it does fit without a complete relocation.

[Barryb97]

Do you have the approximate lengths of each fastener? I want to have everything ready before I dive in.

Thanks

[Westersund]

Originally Posted by Barryb97

Do you have the approximate lengths of each fastener? I want to have everything ready before I dive in.

Thanks

M8's about 1", M6's 3/4" and the M4's 1/2".

[Westersund]

Made a transition piece for a customer and there might be some interest here? Some brake cooling kits use these along with a metal bracket and mount them at the sway bar. This particular one is 3"/3" but can be made in whatever dimension you desire.

[rueyme]

Do these fit 6 piston calipers 380mm rotors? I'm wondering about the hole where it will land on the rotor if you run a large rotor in front.

[Westersund]

Originally Posted by rueyme

Do these fit 6 piston calipers 380mm rotors? I'm wondering about the hole where it will land on the rotor if you run a large rotor in front.

It will work just fine.

[Westersund]

Updated the price because of the current exchange rate.

[Westersund]

Bump!

[Westersund]

We've been down for over a year and a half because of building a house, but we're now back in business! New products will be coming soon as well. Both a race version up front and cooling for the rear as well.