Z1/Z3/Z4 parts

[Grrrmachine]

More Wiki stuff...

Can't search the forums for this. What parts from the Z-cars can be used on an E30? I know the Z1 has the M20 donk and some fancy wheels but that's about it.

[BenHar]

Pretty sure Brian said that the hand brake mechanism from a Z3 fits and is an improvement.

Ben

[harry_p]

The z3 is basically an e36 compact in a gay dress, and an e36 compact is an e36 saloon front end with e30 rear beam/ trailing arms with 5 stud hubs, although I don't think much if any of the z3 stuff will bolt straight on.

I would assume the narrow body 1.9 z3 rear end will fit an e30 exactly like the compact on does for 5 stud conversions, but only the z3m has the evo suspension arms and kingpins you'd need for the front end.

I would have thought z3 rear diffs would bolt in too, but no idea whether the ratios would be suitable or if the e30 shafts would bolt up.

[Brianmoooore]

Z3 2.8 diff. is a 3.15 LSD, and is a straight fit. Rear trailing arms fit as well, giving five stud hubs, etc.
I fitted one E30 with the parts from a Z3 2.8 hand brake, simply because I discovered that the new shoes that had recently been fitted to an E30 I was putting back together on a deadline, were the wrong type and had come loose, chewing up the pins and springs. I needed parts quickly, so dug out a couple of very low mileage Z3 rear arms that lying around to see if the internals would fit.
There were subtle differences between these parts and the correct E30 parts, but it all fitted perfectly and rewarded me with the best E30 handbrake I've ever seen. Whether this was a coincidence or as a result of BMW development, I don't know.

[maxfield]

Z1 also uses bigger rear discs which people use an E30 M3 calipers with I believe.

Also you can use Z3 and Z4 shifters to use as a short shift.

Z3 1.9 rack is a desirable upgrade for an E30 too.

[maxfield]

Too add on Z3 rear brakes. I fitted some handbrake shoes to and E30 and I'm fairly sure it said Z3 on the box. Can't remember on the make though

[HairyScreech]

Should be able to give details on the Z3 diff soon, I have one destined for a compact that i need to measure the flanges and see about shafts etc.

[ajay]

Yes the z3m rear trailing arms and 3.15 lsd bolt up directly on an e30. The rear brake lines are slightly different and are not clipped along the trailing arm like an e30, you have to re make the hard lines as fitted to the e30(standard e30 will not swap over) and there are no clips in the trailing arms for the hard lines so slight modding is required. Also the rear caliper brake pipes come out the side of the caliper and once fitted to the rear of an e30 niether z3m or e30 brake hose is suitable, a custom pipe with a banjo end is the best solution and look as good as factory. I can confirm the hand brake is definatly much improved over standard e30. (can supply pic,s for wiki if required)

[Grrrmachine]

Ajay, pics of the Z3 handbrake setup would be much appreciated

[ajay]

I am using a standard e30 hand brake( inside the car) with complete z3m trailing arms/brakes on the rear. Let me know if for pic,s if any good.

[Grrrmachine]

The pics I'll need are of the rear hub with the disc off; one with E30 shoes and one with Z3 shoes.

No-one's said anything about Z1 or Z4 yet...

[ajay]

Ill post em up later. Z3m shoes fitted, maybe someone can post pic,s of e30 set up with the shoes exposed.

[daimlerman]

Z3M diff bush is much stiffer than E30.

[harry_p]

May aswell fit the bush with the whole z3m backplate which has extra cooling fins.

[Kedge]

Never heard anyone mention using Z4 parts on an E30, maybe the gear lever but can't think of anything else.

May aswell fit the bush with the whole z3m backplate which has extra cooling fins.

Got to be feeling flush to do that, they do look cool though!