Rebody Z3 Tribute GT project
- Thread starter Foglem
- Start date
I've been taking it out to shows and enjoying it a bit. Then finally got around to some much needed TLC.
This engine is known for having cooling problems. In that the clutch fan will shatter and take things with it. The solution was to remove the fan and put in a lower threshold switch so the front fan will turn on earlier. While I was in there a metal impellar water pump, new thermostat, metal thermostat housing and an aluminum radiator were added. The plastic side tanks on the existing radiator were starting to concern me because I knew they would separate at some point. Might as well do it all.
I was definitely glad about my decision! The coolant was so thick a screwdriver had to be used to get it to start flowing!
That's coolant?! Yeesh.
A good third of this radiator was completely clogged up! It's amazing I never had temperature issues.
A nice bonus is I have room to work now.
Replaced both belts and new fluids for the transmission and rear differential!
Enjoyed a few shows and making a list of things to work on.
More to come!
This engine is known for having cooling problems. In that the clutch fan will shatter and take things with it. The solution was to remove the fan and put in a lower threshold switch so the front fan will turn on earlier. While I was in there a metal impellar water pump, new thermostat, metal thermostat housing and an aluminum radiator were added. The plastic side tanks on the existing radiator were starting to concern me because I knew they would separate at some point. Might as well do it all.
I was definitely glad about my decision! The coolant was so thick a screwdriver had to be used to get it to start flowing!
That's coolant?! Yeesh.
A good third of this radiator was completely clogged up! It's amazing I never had temperature issues.
A nice bonus is I have room to work now.
Replaced both belts and new fluids for the transmission and rear differential!
Enjoyed a few shows and making a list of things to work on.
More to come!
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I agree. When I first saw this was going to have a modern twist, I wasn't sure; but it looks very good and individual. Sort of 'restomod' feel about it.That is a great looking motor. It looks like it is not out of place with the 'classics' surrounding it. Stands on its own
Put the updated cooling system through it's paces! I took the car to an autocross and managed to place 26/163 in raw time. I'm pretty happy with that considering there are a LOT of very fast drivers and cars out there.
The car held up great with no issues other than the shifter knob popped off and we had to shift using just the rod. I'm rebuilding the shifter linkage soon so I'm hoping the new rod will have a bit more bite to hold the knob on. If not I'll have to use a set screw or something.
Anyway, enjoy a run!
Autocross at Michigan International Speedway (YouTube)
More updates coming!
The car held up great with no issues other than the shifter knob popped off and we had to shift using just the rod. I'm rebuilding the shifter linkage soon so I'm hoping the new rod will have a bit more bite to hold the knob on. If not I'll have to use a set screw or something.
Anyway, enjoy a run!
Autocross at Michigan International Speedway (YouTube)
More updates coming!
Latest updates on some things. First off, I hit a small deer. In the end I came out lucky but not without some damage.
It looks like the body flexed quite a bit. The headlight lens is shattered as well as damage to the headlight bracket itself. My hood release was broken off, which may have actually helped prevent the fiberglass from shattering. I can't see any other obvious cracks so I think it's just the paint cracking during the flex. I have some paint work to do under here anyway, but...bummer.
I have no idea why this picture is so yellow, but you can see how much the body flexed. This was my hood release bracket that got bent.
My brand new aluminum radiator was pushed into the front crossmember. No leaks but there are sections where the fins got crushed. Woof.
Alright...while I repair and work on that stuff lets get back to some other fixes.
Ignoring how dirty the car is right now. I added a bracket forward of the rear tire to pull the rear panel in. It was sticking out over the bottom sill quite a bit. It's nice and flush now!
This is a picture of the trunk (boot) lid. It wasn't sitting quite right so I added these adjustable rubber stops to level the gaps out. This will fix and prevent some rubbing that was happening. Still need to finish the inside..
Since I was bonding things together I decided to start working on the wheel well liners again. I am using the cardboard as a 'jig' to support the rubber strips as the glue sets. When the hood (bonnet) closes, this rubber strip will close the gap between the existing wheel well liner and body. This should help prevent rocks being shot into the headlight buckets from behind.
I'll leave you with some recent car show pictures!
For the first time ever...my car looks HUGE next to an MG.
It looks like the body flexed quite a bit. The headlight lens is shattered as well as damage to the headlight bracket itself. My hood release was broken off, which may have actually helped prevent the fiberglass from shattering. I can't see any other obvious cracks so I think it's just the paint cracking during the flex. I have some paint work to do under here anyway, but...bummer.
I have no idea why this picture is so yellow, but you can see how much the body flexed. This was my hood release bracket that got bent.
My brand new aluminum radiator was pushed into the front crossmember. No leaks but there are sections where the fins got crushed. Woof.
Alright...while I repair and work on that stuff lets get back to some other fixes.
Ignoring how dirty the car is right now. I added a bracket forward of the rear tire to pull the rear panel in. It was sticking out over the bottom sill quite a bit. It's nice and flush now!
This is a picture of the trunk (boot) lid. It wasn't sitting quite right so I added these adjustable rubber stops to level the gaps out. This will fix and prevent some rubbing that was happening. Still need to finish the inside..
Since I was bonding things together I decided to start working on the wheel well liners again. I am using the cardboard as a 'jig' to support the rubber strips as the glue sets. When the hood (bonnet) closes, this rubber strip will close the gap between the existing wheel well liner and body. This should help prevent rocks being shot into the headlight buckets from behind.
I'll leave you with some recent car show pictures!
For the first time ever...my car looks HUGE next to an MG.