Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,907
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So it's cold, but the evenings are brightening up and I'm pondering as one does... I do like my Z4 - I really do - but it's heavy and there's very little way to get more power out of the 3.0 E85 as it is. I reckon I could service it, tidy it and get about 5k for it. I still want a soft top in my life, and I still fancy a little pocket rocket. So the obvious option is to spend £1-2k on a mk2 mx5 and spend another £2-3 supercharging it. But that's kinda played out. Are there any other options out there? I want to take on a projectI can make my own as opposed to the finished product. Pics as penance for being dull    |
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Buy yourself a nice (rust free) MX5 and stick a Lexus 1uz in it
You're still have all the mx5 related after market bolt on goodies but with a better engine
Depending on whether you go vvti or non vvti it with give you between 260bhp and just under 300bhp but more importantly bags of torque
It's been done many times before by all the drifters so plenty of information out there
Not sure if this will work but it's the first video I found
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1992 240 Volvo T8
1955 Cadillac
1994 BMW E34 M5 (now sold )
1999 BMW E36 sport touring x2
1967 Hillman imp Californian "rally spec"
1971 VW bay window (work in progress)
1999 Mazda 323F
1987 Jaguar XJ12
All current
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Fossilfish
Part of things
Thank fossils for fuel!
Posts: 653
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Thank fossils for fuel!
1996 Jeep XJ Sport 2.5 Manual
1975 Scimitar 3.0 V6
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Fossilfish
Part of things
Thank fossils for fuel!
Posts: 653
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The bloke has a car with coilovers for £1200 not bad considering |
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Thank fossils for fuel!
1996 Jeep XJ Sport 2.5 Manual
1975 Scimitar 3.0 V6
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Unless you’re set on a RWD 2 seater sports car, how about something like a MK1 Golf Cabriolet and fitting a 1.8T VAG engine in there, which are cheap and plentiful and virtually unlimited tuning ability for the future. Also strong retro appeal and future value likely to increase etc.
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 Specialist Bodyshop & Fabrication Classic, Retro, Prestige & Custom Small Repairs to Concours Restorations Mechanical Work Vintage to Modern |
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'80 s1 924 turbo..hibernating
'80 golf gli cabriolet...doing impression of a skip
'97 pug 106 commuter...continuing cheapness making me smile!
firm believer in the k.i.s.s and f.i.s.h principles.
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 How about a Barchetta with an engine from the coupe range ? |
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Get a Z3 with a straight six and put a monster Ebay turbo on?
Or get a NC MX5 with an engine knock and put a Duratec 2.3/ 2.5 from a Mazda 6/ Ford Ranger in.
SLK R170 with a v8 swap from a S-class might be something different.
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 Click picture for more |
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,907
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Unless you’re set on a RWD 2 seater sports car, how about something like a MK1 Golf Cabriolet and fitting a 1.8T VAG engine in there, which are cheap and plentiful and virtually unlimited tuning ability for the future. Also strong retro appeal and future value likely to increase etc. Tempting and makes a lot of sense, but tidy-ish Golfs are now harder to come by and I've been through a air-cooled and water cooled VAG from beetle to camper, Mk1-3 Golf, Corrado... |
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Unless you’re set on a RWD 2 seater sports car, how about something like a MK1 Golf Cabriolet and fitting a 1.8T VAG engine in there, which are cheap and plentiful and virtually unlimited tuning ability for the future. Also strong retro appeal and future value likely to increase etc. Tempting and makes a lot of sense, but tidy-ish Golfs are now harder to come by and I've been through a air-cooled and water cooled VAG from beetle to camper, Mk1-3 Golf, Corrado... If it’s something you’re interested in, I can put you onto a more than tidy-ish MK1 Clipper Cabriolet. Fully restored about 2 and half years ago, including new hood (electric), new carpet, re-covered seats and door cards, all new lights etc etc. Flew through the 2 MOT’s since it had been worked on. Not mine, but I know the car and owner very well... |
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Specialist Bodyshop & Fabrication Classic, Retro, Prestige & Custom Small Repairs to Concours Restorations Mechanical Work Vintage to Modern |
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retrolegends
Club Retro Rides Member
Winging it.....Since 1971.
Posts: 3,714
Club RR Member Number: 94
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Saab 9-3 cheap as chips and rocket fast when remapped ( in a straight line anyway).
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1974 Hillman Avenger 1500DL1992 Volvo 240SE1975 Datsun Cherry 100a flying custard1965 Hillman SuperMinx Rock N Roller1974 Austin Allegrat Mk1 1.3SDL1980 Austin Allegro Mk3 1.3L1982 Austin Allegro Mk3 on banded steels2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible 220bhp TurboNutter1966 Morris Minor 1000 (Doris) 2019 Abarth 595C Turismo (not retro but awesome fun) www.facebook.com/DatsunCherry100a |
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At this point in time I would be getting a facelift (widebody) Z3 and the 3.0 engine like you've got, and spend the other 2/2.5k making it low and shiny.  It's just immediately the first thought. And I can't think of anything else that suits the bill without getting into cars at the full budget or difficult to maintain, 300zx or an older Merc... |
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,191
Club RR Member Number: 170
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A Z3 will be a disappointment coming from a Z4. They're floppier and with E30 underpinnings not as nice to drive. What makes the Z4 feel 'heavy' to you? I'm intrigued  . Fuel can make a nice difference to a Z4. Even my lowly E36 323i lost a horrible flat spot by simply going over to V-Power. Prior to that, it felt like it couldn't take the skin of a rice pudding when I attempted to leave the lights, irrelevant of the pace. With the M3 I get no choice ; the last time I ran it on 95 it started pinking, albeit fuel from a quiet station in Wales. Suffice to say, I've not heard it pink again! Saab 9-3s are alright, but the handling will be a letdown from a Z4. The skuttle shake even in post -07 cars is curse word. MX-5s IMO once you have sampled a decent chunk of power always leave you wanting for more. They're a lovely chassis. But as you know, to do the job right, it costs. A Boxster 986 might tickle my fancy. But the quicker S models are pushing and potentially beyond that budget. My M3 suffers a similar fate to your Z4, but it doesn't mean I've not made it faster  . I've changed the tyres for decent road tyres on the road and decent track rims for the summer/track;this worked wonders; more than I expected in all honesty ; I really really enjoyed the extra grip and was happy with the power the car had, even if an R35 GTR was overtaking me! I have further plans, they concentrate on looks and weight, but going off my last statement, there are ways to make a car quicker . |
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Last Edit: Feb 2, 2019 20:47:20 GMT by ChasR
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,907
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A Z3 will be a disappointment coming from a Z4. They're floppier and with E30 underpinnings not as nice to drive. What makes the Z4 feel 'heavy' to you? I'm intrigued . Fuel can make a nice difference to a Z4. Even my lowly E36 323i lost a horrible flat spot by simply going over to V-Power. Prior to that, it felt like it couldn't take the skin of a rice pudding when I attempted to leave the lights, irrelevant of the pace. With the M3 I get no choice ; the last time I ran it on 95 it started pinking, albeit fuel from a quiet station in Wales. Suffice to say, I've not heard it pink again! Saab 9-3s are alright, but the handling will be a letdown from a Z4. The skuttle shake even in post -07 cars is curse word. MX-5s IMO once you have sampled a decent chunk of power always leave you wanting for more. They're a lovely chassis. But as you know, to do the job right, it costs. A Boxster 986 might tickle my fancy. But the quicker S models are pushing and potentially beyond that budget. Hmmm...the Zed feels a bit wallowy...maybe I should look into some decent suspension for the Z then, and maybe a nice zorst. I've already had a few MX-5s and a 3.2 Boxster S and I'm just not mad on going over old ground. I had a tip and recently drove a manual and actually found the cabin a bit dated and cramped...it's why I went across to the Z4. A tank of super wouldn't go amiss either...have to admit to not always using the good stuff. Just wondered if there were any alternatives, don't want to sound ungrateful for the tips. I'm not looking for a Pantera ;-) |
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,191
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Suspension on cars is a funny one. FWIW on our Mundaneo Mk3 V6s, we changed the shocks on one to Bilstein B4s. It drove worse than what came off; lift off oversteer became apparent even in 40MPH around a corner. On a hatchback they were OK. I've never had that issue with decent uprated items like Bilstein B6s or genuine items. Sachs might be fine here and reasonably priced . When my M3's suspension gets tired, it's certainly going to make me think! My friend's E46 328i on Sachs dampers all round wasn't like my M3 but it was a nice drive. I do wonder now why I turned it down! PS : we all want the moon on a stick! Why do you think I've owned so many cars? Curiousity plays a massive part I admit, but of course, the grass is always greener... |
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Last Edit: Feb 2, 2019 20:57:18 GMT by ChasR
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986 Boxster prices are all over the place. I sold my pre-facelift 2.5 for way, way over £5k, but people are looking to mothball the earliest silver cars with red leather interiors they can find in top condition (as per the original motor show cars), but not-so-prime examples of 3.2S models can still fetch less (I’ve had a few of them too).
For me, the Boxster is as close to perfection as a car can get as a driving tool that doesn’t cost the earth and doesn’t need big power to deliver maximum driving pleasure as it’s just so, so well-balanced, but it’s another car that’s not cheap or easy to get any significant extra power out of if that’s what you’re looking for.
I’ve alwys thought about transplanting a 3.4 996 engine into a 2.5 as it’s a pretty straightforward swap and would make a hell of a car, but whilst it’s straightforward, it certainly isn’t cheap!
Anyone who fancies a Boxster needs to get in soon though as good ones will fly value-wise before much longer.
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Specialist Bodyshop & Fabrication Classic, Retro, Prestige & Custom Small Repairs to Concours Restorations Mechanical Work Vintage to Modern |
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ZXRob
Europe
Posts: 1,193 
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Totally ridiculous suggestion alert! How about an MG midget with a modern Japanese motor in there? That would be cool right?!
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Escort cabriolet with a zetec turbo you may be stretching the budget a bit but I reckon it could be done
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C4 Corvette?
They're much cheaper here than in the UK, though.
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2005 Pontiac GTO
2000 Ford CROWN Victoria Police Interceptor - Street Appearance Package
1988 Acura Integra LS 2dr.
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Totally ridiculous suggestion alert! How about an MG midget with a modern Japanese motor in there? That would be cool right?! There was a fella a lot of years ago in Durham motor club who did that. Fitted a 1.6 twin cam 4AGE into his midget for auto testing. It was amazing and sounded great on full chat. |
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. I've changed the tyres for decent road tyres on the road and decent track rims for the summer/track;this worked wonders; more than I expected in all honesty ; I really really enjoyed the extra grip and was happy with the power the car had, even if an R35 GTR was overtaking me!
