ad3adman Posted November 26, 2018 Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 So, i just picked up a 1999 Z3, 2.3 stoopid cheap. like, this is a ligit $500 car. runs and drives great, just tons of cosmetic issues. perfect champcar candidate, right?? its a 350 car per the book, but i don't think i have ever seen one at an event. is there a reason why? they seem like a great car, rear wheel drive, 170HP, 2900 lbs-ish. like a spunkier Miata. id like to hear what you guys think, know, dont know about hese cars. ive been looking but not finding a whole lot. thanks!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironworks Posted November 26, 2018 Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 I don't know a lot about them but I have driven a few over the years and remember them being fun. I even almost picked up one off a buddy. Maybe just try the basics? overhaul the cylinder head, shot peen the rods? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginerd Posted November 26, 2018 Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 The 350 pt. version has the m44 engine rated in the 140s on HP. The 6cyl models are 450, 475, and 500. I assume it would be a solid, upper tier car like all the other BMWs but I don’t know much about z3s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ad3adman Posted November 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 i just found this from the first of the year. seems like a few didnt think they were so good for power to weight. i drove this one a bit i have to say its quite a bit quicker than my 1.6 miata. the z3 i have has the 2.3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ad3adman Posted November 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 1 minute ago, enginerd said: The 350 pt. version has the m44 engine rated in the 140s on HP. The 6cyl models are 450, 475, and 500. I assume it would be a solid, upper tier car like all the other BMWs but I don’t know much about z3s. ahh. i was thinking it was a 350. ill have to go back and look at that. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wittenauer Racing Posted November 26, 2018 Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 (edited) Give some thought to how well a cage and proper seat will fit (and how hard it will be to get out once your in it). I think thats part of why we dont see more, but I havent spent much time with them either.... Edited November 26, 2018 by Wittenauer Racing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theblue Posted November 26, 2018 Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 how big is the gas tank. that will tell you right there if it's small Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironworks Posted November 26, 2018 Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 I would take the soft top off and put a hard top on. that would make the cage work easier I would think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee Ray Franck Posted November 26, 2018 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 Vincent Lapero lll has built one with a home student program ,Bill Strong helped with the cage . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55mini Posted November 26, 2018 Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 14 minutes ago, Ray Franck said: Bill Strong helped with the cage Well that's a problem!!!!! Sorry Bill couldn't help myself. Carry on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xph Posted November 26, 2018 Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 1 hour ago, theblue said: how big is the gas tank. that will tell you right there if it's small 13.5 gallons, not huge but decent, getting 15.5 with a cell, is pretty good for 160-170 whp I would guess.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alchemy Autosport Posted November 26, 2018 Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 NB Miata (or NA + 99Engine) = 142hp @ 2100lbs and 12.7g fuel tank (easy, can get to 2000 with a little work). I think you would need to be above the 200hp mark to make it competitive since 2400lb e30's are making around 185hp. But I imagine that a newerish car like that likely has a lot of weight that is easily removed. I know BMWs usually leave a lot on the table to tune them up but not sure with this engine. Would be a cool little car tho! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginerd Posted November 27, 2018 Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, Alchemy Autosport said: e30's are making around 185hp. I gotta get me some of that... we dyno shy of 160 Edited November 27, 2018 by enginerd 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvumtnbkr Posted November 27, 2018 Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 (edited) I dynod right at 151. 2400#. We do alright.... Edited November 27, 2018 by wvumtnbkr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginerd Posted November 27, 2018 Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, wvumtnbkr said: I dynod right at 151. 2400#. We do alright.... With the old rotary I assume... what does the GM 3400 put down? Edited November 27, 2018 by enginerd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvumtnbkr Posted November 27, 2018 Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 8 hours ago, enginerd said: With the old rotary I assume... what does the GM 3400 put down? 151 at the wheels. It's only rated at 180 at the crank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Magic Posted November 27, 2018 Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 1 hour ago, wvumtnbkr said: 151 at the wheels. It's only rated at 180 at the crank. Mustang dyno, dynojet,....depends on vendor way more than one would think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee Andrew D Johnson Posted November 27, 2018 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 I think it all depends on what you want to do. The 944 and the MR2 are clearly the best picks if you want to win, but both would require a good amount of work. The best car for the least work is probably the SC300. This Z3 would be a solid front running car but probably not a world beater. You got it cheap, and this should be "cheap-ish" to maintain. I say go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee Chris Huggins Posted November 27, 2018 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 30 minutes ago, red0 said: I think it all depends on what you want to do. The 944 and the MR2 are clearly the best picks if you want to win, but both would require a good amount of work. The best car for the least work is probably the SC300. This Z3 would be a solid front running car but probably not a world beater. You got it cheap, and this should be "cheap-ish" to maintain. I say go for it. Just incase anyone was confused, what he means by "least work" is less work than the other cars, but still a boatload of work. There is no easy-button for winning in champcar. Its competitive at the pointy end. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee Andrew D Johnson Posted November 27, 2018 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 53 minutes ago, Huggy said: Just incase anyone was confused, what he means by "least work" is less work than the other cars, but still a boatload of work. There is no easy-button for winning in champcar. Its competitive at the pointy end. Just incase anyone was confused, what he meant by "easy-button" is a car that could win without much work beyond required safety equipment. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvumtnbkr Posted November 27, 2018 Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 2 hours ago, Black Magic said: Mustang dyno, dynojet,....depends on vendor way more than one would think I can't remember. The dyno chart is posted in my build thread on here. It says what dyno it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Bill Strong Posted November 27, 2018 Administrators Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 2 hours ago, red0 said: I think it all depends on what you want to do. The 944 and the MR2 are clearly the best picks if you want to win, but both would require a good amount of work. The best car for the least work is probably the SC300. This Z3 would be a solid front running car but probably not a world beater. You got it cheap, and this should be "cheap-ish" to maintain. I say go for it. If you cherry pick the races where fast cars are not at. Yes. It will be fast. And I know... everyone's car is fast with fast drivers So that makes the MR2 and the 944 even way faster. 17 hours ago, Ray Franck said: Vincent Lapero lll has built one with a home student program ,Bill Strong helped with the cage . I built the cage for this car. My son drives with them. The car was ok at Charlotte. Not super fast. But it could be lighter and with a cell, be made to do well at some events where the 318 e36s and 318ti do well. Get rid of that plastic shit under the hood, and replace the hoses with GOOD quality hose.https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1295-2-Row-Aluminum-Radiator-For-BMW-318i-318is-318ti-L4-1-8-1-9-91/32892547895.html?fbclid=IwAR1SjbFlC52Ciu2Qvh_qwzS5jMWeETMhro6Nhj4HJSpnhkYU7uDRgMQvJsI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ad3adman Posted November 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 19 hours ago, theblue said: how big is the gas tank. that will tell you right there if it's small 13.5 - not too bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Magic Posted November 27, 2018 Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 (edited) 5 hours ago, wvumtnbkr said: I can't remember. The dyno chart is posted in my build thread on here. It says what dyno it is. Looks like Mustang from the thread. Only reason I ask is the correction to the more popular dynojet is between 10 and 15 percent. Your car should make 165 to 170 at the wheels on a "normal" dyno. Matches up better with the power top e30 teams need to compete, with more midrange for your car. Given this, if the Z3 can't get below 2400, 170 crank hp is gonna be a little soft, but could still run in the top 10. Get the weight below 2400 and you might have something, although the lower fuel capacity vs e30 and e36 given the current rules will be a factor for you. Edited November 27, 2018 by Black Magic 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ad3adman Posted November 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 3 hours ago, red0 said: Just incase anyone was confused, what he meant by "easy-button" is a car that could win without much work beyond required safety equipment. so this is a BMW owner question. i have been to only 4 champ races and at each of those races i have seen 1 or more BMW's in the pit stall for most of the race with a few fellows under the hood. and when i mean under the hood, they are pulling pistons and stuff out. so, is this on par for BMW maintenance, or just really bad luck? heck, for all i know, its been the same car and the same guys working on the same motor..lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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