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V8 M Coupe Rebuild

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  • V8 M Coupe Rebuild

    When I bought my car in 2009 as a recipient for an LS1 conversion, I focused on mechanical and performance improvements. In addition to the engine and gearbox conversion, the car got improved suspension, brakes and wheels, plus some weight saving measures and interior mods. Other than the boot floor, the rest of the car went largely untouched though.

    The aesthetics weren't a massive priority as it was already a fairly original and tidy 2000 car, having done 114K with a decent history, but roll the clock forward a few years though and the car is definitely showing it's age cosmetically.

    It's been super reliable with it's mildly tuned LS1 and is great fun, but having owned forced induction V8s over the last few years, whenever I drive the MC I get left feeling like it needs a bit more low down. I know it sounds daft, but I guess I've just been spoiled!

    Anyway, I decided to give the MC a new lease of life. I didn't want to go aftermarket forced induction with all the potential problems so it's getting a healthy dose of cubes instead......A nice spec build LS3 with a stroker kit to about 6.9L should give me the bottom end shove I'm after.

    As the motor is coming out, I wanted to sort the under bonnet tidiness and paint which was something I was never 100% happy with. Then I thought that I might as well get the car painted all over and sort all the corrosion associated with a 17 year old car.

    It'll be getting some love in other areas along the way too.

    So here we go......

    How it looked with the LS1.....Tidy but a bit "ordinary" I always felt.


    Into Dyno Torque for engine and gearbox removal. MC in good company with some other LS conversion cars.


    LS1 and Tremec T56 removed and sold on. It's looking a little tired under there now.


    At the paint shop.






    As it's non-original already, I've gone for lacquered Estoril under the bonnet rather than the OEM finish. I prefer it.












    Big thanks to Gary at TJR Body Worx in Birmingham!

    Back to Dyno Torque soon for some LS lovin'.........
    Last edited by fok; 09-02-2018, 07:09 PM.

  • #2
    Looking good

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    • #3
      Looking very good Can’t wait to see how it turns out!
      1998 ///M Coupe

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      • #4
        This is a making something happen in my under crackers

        Build thread: https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19347

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        • #5
          This is going to be really good.

          Is the LS3 a straight forward swap since you already had an LS1 on there? Wonder what a drive in drive out price would be for conversion from standard, it's definitely something that would renew my interest in using mine for track, having grunt to rival or better current fast cars like M3/4, GT3 etc.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by c_w View Post
            This is going to be really good.

            Is the LS3 a straight forward swap since you already had an LS1 on there? Wonder what a drive in drive out price would be for conversion from standard, it's definitely something that would renew my interest in using mine for track, having grunt to rival or better current fast cars like M3/4, GT3 etc.
            Yep, LS3 drops onto the same mounts which I retained. Also, bespoke tubular headers can be reused. Most ancillaries would swap over but I chose to sell mine with my LS1 and buy new for the LS3 build.

            I'm a bit out of touch with drive in, drive out pricing as it's been a while, but if you worked on about £5K plus parts I reckon you wouldn't be far off.

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            • #7
              Looking really good rebuild project, would look amazing in the flesh.
              Any chance it will all be done by next July and bringing it along to Silverstone Classic weekend? If we could get Ragerover to come along aswell next year with his car what a centre piece the cars would be for the Z Coupe pitch with DaveP's car, three totally different versions of the same car in Estoril Blue.
              Pete C

              2000 Z3M Coupe - Cosmos Black Metallic/Black interior. 805 of 821 RHD built

              Previous BMWs

              2003 E46 M3 6 speed manual - Carbon Black/Black interior.
              2000 Z3M Coupe - Cosmos Black Metallic/Black interior. 692 of 821 RHD built
              1986 M635
              1985 E28 M5
              1983 E28 528i Alpina

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by petecossie View Post
                Looking really good rebuild project, would look amazing in the flesh.
                Any chance it will all be done by next July and bringing it along to Silverstone Classic weekend? If we could get Ragerover to come along aswell next year with his car what a centre piece the cars would be for the Z Coupe pitch with DaveP's car, three totally different versions of the same car in Estoril Blue.
                It'll definitely be done by July. Hopefully it will be finished and back on the road for spring.

                I've never really been one for car meets, but there's a first time for everything I guess.....Do you organise the MC contingent?

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                • #9
                  That'd be DaveP

                  Build thread: https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19347

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by fok View Post
                    It'll definitely be done by July. Hopefully it will be finished and back on the road for spring.

                    I've never really been one for car meets, but there's a first time for everything I guess.....Do you organise the MC contingent?


                    Yes as Martin said Dave is the mainstay in organising the pitch for the forum. We have a lot to thank him for in putting all this effort in. Hopefully we can get a few more along to next years event.
                    Dave if you need any help just let us know, all being well next year I’ll do the full 3 days and get there earlier on the Friday.
                    Pete C

                    2000 Z3M Coupe - Cosmos Black Metallic/Black interior. 805 of 821 RHD built

                    Previous BMWs

                    2003 E46 M3 6 speed manual - Carbon Black/Black interior.
                    2000 Z3M Coupe - Cosmos Black Metallic/Black interior. 692 of 821 RHD built
                    1986 M635
                    1985 E28 M5
                    1983 E28 528i Alpina

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by petecossie View Post
                      Yes as Martin said Dave is the mainstay in organising the pitch for the forum. We have a lot to thank him for in putting all this effort in. Hopefully we can get a few more along to next years event.
                      Dave if you need any help just let us know, all being well next year I’ll do the full 3 days and get there earlier on the Friday.

                      thanks Pete, would be good to see the V8 Coupe at Silverstone

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Quick update......

                        Went to the paint shop today and it's looking good! He's done a nice job and I'm pleased. I'll get some photos when it's properly back together.

                        Most of the engine components are ordered and are arriving gradually in dribs and drabs. Next week is the start of the build of the LS3 that's been sat waiting patiently on a pallet for a year!

                        The Stroker Kit!....Eagle Speciality rotating assembly. Forged crank, rods and pistons along with everything required. This will take capacity from stock 6.2L to around 6.9L


                        CNC Ported Heads........I scored a pair of unused GM Performance CNC heads for the right money so it was rude not to buy them!


                        Valvetrain upgrades.....Comp cam, springs, bolts and pushrods. (Yes that's right, pushrods! None of this DOHC nonsense ) I've gone for mild, not wild.......This is about low to mid, not peak numbers!


                        Intake.....I treated myself to a FAST intake, mainly because I wanted a cool look under the bonnet! It will give gains but I've come over all tarty about the under bonnet look! The coils will get moved and the valvetrain covers will be billet to complete the neat look!


                        Ancillaries.......I sold all my mine with the LS1 so I treated the LS3 to all new pumps, pulleys, starter, alternator etc. All gaskets, bolts, sensors etc are all now landed too, so Dyno Torque can work the magic!


                        Gearbox.....A brand new Tremec TR-6060 is on the way which will be a huge improvement on the old skool feeling T56 I was used to.




                        It's feeling like Christmas!
                        Last edited by fok; 05-01-2018, 06:45 PM.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          We have to see this at Silverstone!!!
                          Pete C

                          2000 Z3M Coupe - Cosmos Black Metallic/Black interior. 805 of 821 RHD built

                          Previous BMWs

                          2003 E46 M3 6 speed manual - Carbon Black/Black interior.
                          2000 Z3M Coupe - Cosmos Black Metallic/Black interior. 692 of 821 RHD built
                          1986 M635
                          1985 E28 M5
                          1983 E28 528i Alpina

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Nice project
                            greets Michi

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Engine is now stripped and getting rebuilt........





                              Forged Mahle pistons, with added Tom Foolery!



                              .......and stroked!



                              Lube it up and pop it right in there......



                              Some CNC'd PRC goodness.......







                              That's not a valve.........That's a valve!



                              Baffled sump......



                              On lifting the bonnet, these should upset a few BMW purists!



                              .........and ready to go in!

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