Z3 2.8 performance upgrade

[sajk]

Hi guys,

I have a low milage z3 with 2.8 m52tu and am tossing up between selling it and getting a Z4 or spending some proper money on upgrading cams, exhaust, intake manifold on the 2.8 along with a suspension bush refresh bow to stern and continuing to enjoy the rawness that the z3 offers.

Problem is I am confused. I have spent countless hours researching intake manifolds, cams, headers but I am not sure what works in rhd cars and who in the local market I can rely on to fit the parts and tune the beast. It has an active autowerkes tune currently and goes pretty well. My goal if I undertake this project is to at least get back the power I am loosing by being in Joburg.

Thoughts and recommendations?

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[KPM3_30]

@Peter@AEW

 

[Peter@AEW]

Sell it
Buy a Z4
Cheapest option

 

[individj]

ja either buy a 3.0 Z3 and see for a diff swop or Z4 as stated above

 

[Natecoupe]

the 2.8 motor is very very strong
The internals are rock solid
TURBO!!!

there are turbo kits for them
will be much faster and cheaper than Z4

 

[individj]

the M50 and 2.8 iron block is the choice for turbocharging to be honest. This motor is similar to a M54

 

[dvst8]

I had a S50B32 installed in mine.

:joy:

 

[zabbo]

^ And I know where there is one available :fencelook:

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=92004

 

[sajk]

Thanks for the input guys. Unfortunately finding a 3 litre Z3 with 62,000 ks on it like my 2.8 is probably not going to happen. If I keep the 3 then I would like to keep it normally aspirated but with a bit more go.

In the states they do headers, cams and M54 intake manifolds to achieve RW HP over 220 from a 2.8 which is plenty for me. I was hoping to find someone who had done this or similar locally as being a RHD pioneer can be expensive.

Who do you guys use for engine mapping?

 

[QikNish]

Back in the day I had the same dilemma. Ended up trading my 2.8 Z3 for a Z3Mcoupe. Yeah. Prices were ordinary on those then.

I should never have sold the Mcoupe. I hate myself for doing it. The worst part is.... I did it twice.

:thumbdo::blueCry::hammerhead:

 

[individj]

:skit:

---

with 63 000km on the clock...i wouldnt sell it..as you stated look at doing the M54 intake swop with adaptor for throttle...TNT do branches for M54 and add exhaust...maybe a UniQ (if you want to spend big money then cams too) and look at possible diff swops.

 

[hiltonfa]

Join zroadster.net plenty info there, plus it's a UK forum the cars are rhd. Manifolds are available locally, there's a kit you can source from the UK with all the parts needed to swap the inlet manifold.

 

[individj]

and looks like e30 diff options

 

[sajk]

Thank you will do. You do not perhaps know the name of the company that makes the kit?