The "ZHP" Wagon is ON!!!!

Nice project ffej. I'll be sure to keep checking up on this one. Looks like it'll be an interesting adventure. Good luck and have fun with it!

Just heard from the shipping company. It's supposed to arrive this evening!!!!

Originally Posted by ffej

Just heard from the shipping company. It's supposed to arrive this evening!!!!

Hell yeah!. Can't wait!

Well, that fracking bites! The AC compressor was torn off the engine block. Nice sized hole I can stick my thumb in. Now I get to find a new block and rebuild the whole motor. Whee!!!!!




No wonder it was such a bargain


So should I get a plain block and rebuild the motor or get a new motor entirely?

Originally Posted by ffej

Well, that fracking bites! The AC compressor was torn off the engine block. Nice sized hole I can stick my thumb in. Now I get to find a new block and rebuild the whole motor. Whee!!!!!




No wonder it was such a bargain


So should I get a plain block and rebuild the motor or get a new motor entirely?

Ouch, sorry to hear that. I say rebuild the motor with a new block if everything looks good once you start pulling it apart.

I wonder what that ZHP ran into, obvouisly it had pokey branches...

Originally Posted by av98

Ouch, sorry to hear that. I say rebuild the motor with a new block if everything looks good once you start pulling it apart.

I wonder what that ZHP ran into, obvouisly it had pokey branches...

I'm pretty sure it was hit while parked. I can't imagine a frontal impact like that not setting the airbags of any other way...

I'm pricing out bare blocks and going to see what more I'll have to take on with the job.

Originally Posted by ffej

I'm pretty sure it was hit while parked. I can't imagine a frontal impact like that not setting the airbags of any other way...

I'm pricing out bare blocks and going to see what more I'll have to take on with the job.

Think of what a great learning experience this is going to be

Originally Posted by ///M3lissa

Think of what a great learning experience this is going to be

Can't argue w you there. I'm mostly bummed that it's going to take linger than I originally thought.

Originally Posted by ffej

Well, that fracking bites! The AC compressor was torn off the engine block. Nice sized hole I can stick my thumb in. Now I get to find a new block and rebuild the whole motor. Whee!!!!!




No wonder it was such a bargain


So should I get a plain block and rebuild the motor or get a new motor entirely?

That sucks...I feel your pain!

Originally Posted by SlimKlim

It seems unlikely those systems would be different. They are the same generation, same software, same basic layout. All the stuff on the outside of the motor is the same too as far as the electronic sensors are concerned. Shouldn't everything just plug right into the existing harness in the wagon? Especially if the wagon is a stickshift, I can't think of anything that would be different from a stickshift RWD 2.5L and a stickshift RWD 3.0L with a set of cams in in it. Swapping over the ECU should take care of the engine software and nothing else is changing right?

Im not particularly well versed on the ins and outs of OBD-II so I'm just spitballing, but it seems logical.

There were quite a few software (and some hardware) changes between 2001 and 2002, and unfortunately everything other than the DME is stuck with the factory software. As far as starting and running the car, most of the changes shouldn't cause any issues. It's diagnosing the car where some issues might arise. If his car is going to have the ZHP's cluster, EWS, and LSZ modules by the end of the project, then his car will identify itself as a ZHP. In my experience, the diagnostics and coding programs error out and quit if they detect that a module is running older software than intended for the car.

My recommendation would be to send the ZHP's DME and the wagon's EWS to RPM Motorsport, and have them sync the EWS tables and change the VIN of the DME to the wagon's. That way he could keep all of his original identifying modules (it won't be an issue that his car identifies itself as a 325 wagon while the DME is for a 330; the DME's software versions and uptates are determined independently of everything else). If he wants the red needles and the 6800 RPM redline, I would say he's best off just physically swapping the gauge faces and the needles.

DSC may or may not pose an issue. Although both cars use the MK60, I know that the software on the module changed a decent bit between 2001 and 2002. It might not be enough of a difference to confuse the DME, but at the same time it could be. Worst case scenario, he should be able grab the module from the ZHP without causing any issues; wiring should be the same.

I have no afiliation with RPM Motorsport btw. They're just the only company I'm aware of that can change the EWS tables on used DMEs.

Originally Posted by ffej

Well, that fracking bites! The AC compressor was torn off the engine block. Nice sized hole I can stick my thumb in. Now I get to find a new block and rebuild the whole motor. Whee!!!!!




No wonder it was such a bargain


So should I get a plain block and rebuild the motor or get a new motor entirely?

Might not be as bad as you think, I have seen amazing things that a good machine shop can to to repair this type of damage....

Unless you want to start from scratch.

Originally Posted by TerraPhantm

...RPM Motorsport btw. They're just the only company I'm aware of that can change the EWS tables on used DMEs.

Thanks. I'll definitely check into that!

Originally Posted by BLT

Might not be as bad as you think, I have seen amazing things that a good machine shop can to to repair this type of damage....

Unless you want to start from scratch.

You know me, I like to do things the hard way.

I'll call you later...definitely want to hear more.

So...far from letting a little set back slow me down, I've swapped out the steering wheel, door trim and shifter today. It's amazing how good the ZHP steering wheel feels. And the difference in throw in the shifter is enormous. I also removed the front brakes from the ZHP and will probably do that job this weekend. Maybe. Maybe I'll do the exhaust.

Originally Posted by ffej

I also removed the front brakes from the ZHP and will probably do that job this weekend. Maybe. Maybe I'll do the exhaust.

I highly suggest doing the rears as well. Yes, it requires removing the ZHP trailing arms and half shafts but when I put ZHP front brakes on my 323 it did little to help braking. It wasn't until I added the rears it really made a difference you could feel. I was told by some people that adding just the bigger front calipers makes the brake bias get out of whack. Not sure I agree, but hopefully this info is helpful.

So, how do the B and C pillars look in that car?

Originally Posted by ffej

It's amazing how good the ZHP steering wheel feels.

I don't remember did you have the Alcantara or perf. leather wheel? It would be amazing if you could get an Alcantara interior in the wagon, but I'm pretty sure the rear seat back differs from the sedan(think the rear bottom is compatible) so you'd probably have to custom the back....maybe Coby could help you replacing leather with Alcantara.

It hasn't been said yet so it needs to be now....

The cone has been silent for some time. ffej, what is your progress?

Originally Posted by smolck

The cone has been silent for some time. ffej, what is your progress?

Slower than I'd hoped for. I've got driveshaft and diff out, working on rear subframe and suspension. Pulling interior bits at the same time. BTW, I've got both sets of B&C pillars out now.

The big hold up is that our BMW CCA chapter is putting on an HPDE on March 31. As the Tejas Chapter's Chief Driving Instructor, I've got a teenie little bit of responsibility for making sure it runs smoothly




And another recent update. The hole in the block is repairable, according to several knowledgeable folks that I know. Have a welding shop recommendation and will be pulling the motor the weekend after the HPDE

Happy Cams

Originally Posted by smolck

I highly suggest doing the rears as well. Yes, it requires removing the ZHP trailing arms and half shafts but when I put ZHP front brakes on my 323 it did little to help braking. It wasn't until I added the rears it really made a difference you could feel. I was told by some people that adding just the bigger front calipers makes the brake bias get out of whack. Not sure I agree, but hopefully this info is helpful.

So, how do the B and C pillars look in that car?

Makes sense. The e46 already has a bias that's too far forward. Increasing the rotor size and piston diameter will shift it even farther up. Restoring the balance via rear brakes would probably make the car feel a lot better at the limits

Ok, your big race event weekend is over. What's the status on your progress?

Originally Posted by BLT

Ok, your big race event weekend is over. What's the status on your progress?

Slowly but surely...

Originally Posted by ffej

Slowly but surely...

Looks like the original suspension is still in place.

Photo of hole, please.

Originally Posted by Scott ZHP

Photo of hole, please.

This isn't "that" type of a forum.