2.8L Z3 drivetrain swap? (opinions please)

[windnsea00]

Originally Posted by 96cali

I think the 2.8 Z rear end has the single tab diff hanger that is prone to tearing so that would be reinforced.

We have the same diff mount...it's just that in the Z3 it was placed in an area with weak weld spots thus the subframe tearing.

[96cali]

Interesting. I take it then that the Z 3.15 diff would bolt right up? I wonder if the Z subframe is thicker. beefier for the 2.8 vs 1.9? Guess I need to compare on real OEM.

[J!m]

Z parts bolt into the ti, but the drive shaft is different.

3.15:1 ratio is a bit tall; I wouldn't go higher than 3.23:1 ratio myself, and for my car, I'd like to have something like 3.30-3.35:1 or so. Especially with a 2.8 stock motor. A six speed would be nice too...

If I was doing this hypothetical Al 2.8 ti swap with ASC (you want fries with that?) here's how I would do it:

Obtain 2.8, tranny and rear sub frame from Z3 2.8 donor car.

Obtain complete wiring harness, ECU, ASC module and A/C parts from 328i, same model year as ti recipient.

Replace front suspension (all of it) with M3 parts.

Place engine, tranny, front suspension and sub frame in ti, check drive shaft length and get correct part. Remove wiring from ti, replace all incompatible wiring with that from 328i donor car. Have dealer do alignment of ECU and EWS. Drive away.

[96cali]

So what happens if I forego the M3 front suspension in lieu that from the theoretical Z3 2.8 donor car? Is it just built for a shorter/lower strut tower?

BTW I started comparing the rear ends of the 1.9 Z / 2.8 Z / Ti on realoem.com and will update this thread. So far it seems the Z's have the same subframe but different trailing arms and the 2.8 has 27mm axles compared to the 1.9 at 26mm.

Originally Posted by J!m

Z parts bolt into the ti, but the drive shaft is different.

3.15:1 ratio is a bit tall; I wouldn't go higher than 3.23:1 ratio myself, and for my car, I'd like to have something like 3.30-3.35:1 or so. Especially with a 2.8 stock motor. A six speed would be nice too...

If I was doing this hypothetical Al 2.8 ti swap with ASC (you want fries with that?) here's how I would do it:

Obtain 2.8, tranny and rear sub frame from Z3 2.8 donor car.

Obtain complete wiring harness, ECU, ASC module and A/C parts from 328i, same model year as ti recipient.

Replace front suspension (all of it) with M3 parts.

Place engine, tranny, front suspension and sub frame in ti, check drive shaft length and get correct part. Remove wiring from ti, replace all incompatible wiring with that from 328i donor car. Have dealer do alignment of ECU and EWS. Drive away.

[e30sequel]

ok, first of all, there is a 323ti available in Europe for really cheap and i am planning on bringin 2-3 over here! I am now in the process of deciphering legalities involved in this transaction, but logically, since we did get the 323is in N America, it should be of no consequence, just $ driven. The 2.2 straight 6 is probably the one I would have liked on a Ti-they have 2.2 (aka 320i available in Canada) in the z3's in Germany -'prefer' as it revs the best but produces more top end than low-in this situation the 2.5 is the 'ideal' as the 3.0 is geared more towards low end American style torque as well as powering the heavier models like the x5, 530 etc- but the 3.0 loses in the top end - hence the six speed while all others retained only a 5 speed- I have driven the 2.2 vs the 2.5 back to back and I can say without a doubt the 2.2 is the most enthusiastic if not fastest, which in my opinion is the whole point of 'sport'!! So long story short, buy one of my 323ti's i have coming and you will get the ideal compromise as its still a 2.5 but with only intake VANOS (the 2001+ had dual vanos on intake and exhaust resulting in the hp jump from 170 to 184 BUT loss in torque in that it came later than the 323) meaning more torque, lower and the freer revin nature of the lesser displacement and all american, gut bustin (for that weight, its gut busting ok!!) torque, Battery was placed in back for even weight distribution 'by the factory' and the closest you can get to stock as possible!!! Since its also prewired to take a six, if you get tired of it then you can probably fit the bigger engines (w/alum blox) and have less issues!!!
Let me know if you'd be willing to invest as I am doing this only as a hobby and would keep the nicest one for myself (ie sport pack etc) and the rest I would either sell complete or as projects for other ppl!!?? Hope this helps, let me know!!

[J!m]

Since you are in Canada, you will have a slightly easier time with this, but you still need to wait a fw years...

You can import those cars into Canada once they are 15 years old, or dismantle them and import them as parts, and swap the pats onto the N.A. cars.

In the USA, it is worse. The car must be 25 years old. (parts are also OK here)

(These ages get you by with 'antique' status)

So, they won't let you take the car off the boat when they run the VIN and see it is not a US or Canadian model car.

You neeed to do a bit more research.

By the way, to 'legally' import those cars when they are not antiques is a pile of forms no less than 1/2 inch high. You also need to supply several cars for crash testing, and naturally you have to pay for this testing (and it is not cheap- much more than the car cost normally).

I'm sure Canada is slightly different, but likely not by much...

Been there, done that. Butt still hurts from the cavity search...

[96cali]

FYI this guy http://euromcars.com/ makes a nice business out of importing rareties like e34 M5 Tourings. Doubt he'd share any insights with you unless he wanted a Canadian portal. He is also known on bf.c.

If you find a 323ti with cali/open roof let me know!