Z3 FAQ + Write-ups, how-to's and DIY links

**Z3POWER** · 05-08-2004, 01:31 AM

Fogg/FONG CAI for the 2000-2.8L
http://www.mz3.net/articles/185.html

Wheel Stud Extender
http://www.z3power.net/Nfong_WheelSystemMod.html

Then the rest of my mods. include a Woofer box, repairs, etc...
http://www.z3power.net/Nfong_mods.html

**02mroadster** · 05-13-2004, 02:40 AM

I just bought an 02 m roadster and I am looking for aftermarket parts to increase my hp so I can run with the big dawgs! However, I have looked in many places and I have not been able to find many aftermarket upgrades. I know about dinan but about the only thing I liked was the chip they had. What is out there?? Where do I find it?

**tasmisr** · 05-13-2004, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by 02mroadster

I just bought an 02 m roadster and I am looking for aftermarket parts to increase my hp so I can run with the big dawgs! However, I have looked in many places and I have not been able to find many aftermarket upgrades. I know about dinan but about the only thing I liked was the chip they had. What is out there?? Where do I find it?

welcome to the z3 world

... but this is not the approperiate thread to post at,, you should create a new thread for this topic. For list of upgrades, you can search this message board in the z3 section or you can look at the list of supporting vendors who offers good deals for our cars.
hvae fun!

**clintjg** · 05-25-2004, 06:14 PM

Ok it's been a while since I've done this mod, that being said I consider it pretty well tested so here goes:

After I installed my RD adjustable sways last fall I noticed a clunking noise coming from the front end when I hit a pothole. The bars were awesome and other than the noise I was very happy with them. The car seemed much more stable in all types of turns and turn-in was significantly improved as well (even with no other suspension mods at this point), with much more 'snap' in the steering wheel.

The bars came from Racing Dynamics with new poly-bushing rear drop links but utilized the (flimsy) stock front end links.

After pulling out my hair and checking this that and the other, I eventually figured out that the noise emanated from the front stock endlink-to-swaybar mounting point.

First: I torqued to specs... Noise

:
Second: I torqued the hell out of it.... Noise

:

I was beginning to get pretty pissed-off.

Finally I found a possible fix on uucmotorwerks.com's 'Tech Tips' page and decided to give it a try.

I decided to go with this particular set-up mainly because I planned on doing GC Coilovers at some point and I wanted a way to adjust for possible pre-load of the sway bars. With these simply loosen the jam nuts and rotate the rod one way to lengthen the other to shorten. Due to the counter threading the top and bottom rod ends will adjust length simultaneously, then just tighten the jam nuts.

The only deviation from the instructions was I found that it required '8' not '4' safety retainer washers (Part # 3068-06). They are basically flat washers with a small crown in the center that allows the ball in the rod end to rotate/pivot correctly. Honestly I saw no way that this setup would work without the extra 4 washers.

BTW: You can do this mod without jacking your car.

The two companies listed at the bottom of the page (not including Sears’s hardware) were great to deal with for the parts. Customer service was top notch and shipping was very prompt.

The result:

The DIY Adjustable Front Sway End links are incredible.

These end links amplified everything that the sway bars originally improved with no measurable down-sides or negative side-effects.

I believe that these things will work on all sorts of BMW's but the dimensions may differ slightly.

Prof. Stygar I'm not by a long shot but feel free to PM me with questions if you plan on doing this, or just want more details!

Cheers fellow mod-aholics,
Clint

PS Be sure to see the rest of the pics on the next post.

**clintjg** · 05-25-2004, 06:15 PM

more... Notice on the last two pics of the parts installed that there are two cap washers. One on either side of the rod end.

**clintjg** · 05-28-2004, 09:35 PM

Oh, I also moved my rear defroster button from between and behind the seats to the sole remaining blank in the front panel, next to the DSC and AC buttons. I just thought it a royal PITA to get to it. If anyone's interested let me know and I'll do a DIY. I plan on doing the Sport Mode Mod and putting the button in the back as I probably won't be using it very frequently and it will certainly be intentional.

**rlcanon** · 05-31-2004, 12:11 PM

http://128.83.80.200/mcoupe/cdv.html

**Bos** · 06-01-2004, 10:10 PM

Always a work in progress, but long term I hope it will be a complete TIS reference.

http://www.zvolution.com/tisdocuments.htm

**tasmisr** · 06-02-2004, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Bos

Always a work in progress, but long term I hope it will be a complete TIS reference.

http://www.zvolution.com/tisdocuments.htm

Documents at http://www.rfdm.com/tis/ seems to be the same.

**Bos** · 06-06-2004, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by tasmisr

Documents at http://www.rfdm.com/tis/ seems to be the same.

Another great TIS reference and it's mostly S54 related. The owner of that site and I have PM'd, and we may try and combine to make a more complete reference.

**Steven540i** · 06-07-2004, 11:29 AM

Can be found here...

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums...5225821-1.html

**Hugo** · 08-18-2004, 10:09 AM

Online parts manual!

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

**tasmisr** · 08-18-2004, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by Hugo

Online parts manual!

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

waw!!!! :eek :eek
Down to the production year!! with a big picture and prices !!!! u always get us the good stuff Hugo

**Hugo** · 08-18-2004, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by tasmisr

waw!!!! :eek :eek
Down to the production year!! with a big picture and prices !!!! u always get us the good stuff Hugo

Actually, I copy/pasted it from JoeZ's post. Parking yet another thread would be a bit much...

All the credit goes to JoeZ!

**Seafodder** · 08-18-2004, 05:47 PM

Heck, it's down to the production Month! Now how/where can I find the actual build date on my car?...

**JoeZ** · 08-26-2004, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by Seafodder

Heck, it's down to the production Month! Now how/where can I find the actual build date on my car?...

Isn't there a tag on the inside of your driver side door?

**Randy Forbes** · 08-27-2004, 12:42 PM

Here are some links about the discovery and repair of my cars. Some of them overlap each other and may include both cars. The picture links on rfdm.com are 99 or 01 specific.

The 99: