Discussion
LanceRS said:
I’m just watching some programme where they are converting an 02 to electric power. I know which one I would rather have.
It’s all the rage nowadays it seems. Personally I have zero interest in electric vehicles and certainly wouldn’t want to butcher an 02 filling it with batteries. I don’t doubt it’d be quick but as far as going “green” I think recycling an E30 engine & box with modern ECU and injection is much better solution. MJK 24 said:
Great thread, great car!
What’s the thinking behind specificity choosing a LHD car to use in the U.K.? Just that they’re much easier to find in rust free condition or is there another reason?
There were a couple of reasons but the main one was my wanting to build an 02 version of my old E30 M3, the car it replaces. That’s also why I went with a 16v conversion on ITB etc. It even wears the same registration now. What’s the thinking behind specificity choosing a LHD car to use in the U.K.? Just that they’re much easier to find in rust free condition or is there another reason?
LHD also have some nice details, like the floor hinged pedals and the Alpina type dash pod for the auxiliary gauges only came for LHD.
I used to have another LHD 02 about 30 years ago! WUF 975S too.
I imported this particular car because it’s such a solid example. The underside has never seen a welding torch and the doors and rear turrets are also rust free. There was a poorly done repair on the near side rear quarter but I had that done some time ago. The mechanicals were shall we say “tired” but I’ve replaced pretty much everything now.
This 1602 was actually pretty well known in Greece and was used in local rally events. It was also in a few magazine articles there, which I think can be found early in this thread? I’m actually only the 3rd owner!
1602Mark said:
Nigh on a year to the day since I bought the donor Z3 and we're still waiting on completion. The cam and timing chain covers are still at powder coat and we're waiting on gaskets from BMW thanks to Covid-19 delays. 
The M20 flywheel has been lightened and balanced. I think they took off around a kilo or 2.2 lb's in old money.
The custom front subframe and engine mounts are already back from being coated black and I was toying with the idea of having the modified Z3 exhaust manifold ceramic coated but they can't do it till the end of August and they want it for 2 weeks! That would just be too much of a pain in the arse, so I may just opt for wrapping it instead? It doesn't really need coating but as it's a cut'n'shut job I just figured it would look nicer than it does now. I think it's going to be wrapped. In fact I've written to a company that produces a carbon fibre and Titanium mix so hopefully I can persuade them to let me review their product?
I still haven't sorted the wheels out as couriers have started getting way more strict on how they're wrapped. I've been looking at 13x6 Revolution but they're ET16 so I'm not sure they'll fit under the stock arches? I think they could look great though.
6Jx14H2 ET18 PCD 4x100
The only think I'm unsure of is the centre bore as I think they were from a Renault 5 turbo?
I went and saw my car this morning and we're still waiting on gaskets I believe. It's pain as at this rate a second summer will have passed me by without my being able to drive the bloody thing. It was never supposed to be a project car when I bought it. Anyway, it is what it is I guess? First world problem and all that.
I'm still waiting on the overpriced bit of plastic from Ireland Engineering too. I did get some period Marchal headlights cheap though.
The only think I'm unsure of is the centre bore as I think they were from a Renault 5 turbo?
I went and saw my car this morning and we're still waiting on gaskets I believe. It's pain as at this rate a second summer will have passed me by without my being able to drive the bloody thing. It was never supposed to be a project car when I bought it. Anyway, it is what it is I guess? First world problem and all that.
I'm still waiting on the overpriced bit of plastic from Ireland Engineering too. I did get some period Marchal headlights cheap though.
Robmarriott said:
1602Mark said:
6Jx14H2 ET18 PCD 4x100
The only think I'm unsure of is the centre bore as I think they were from a Renault 5 turbo?
60.1mm centre bore then, if they’re proper Renault forment and don’t need a spigot ring.The only think I'm unsure of is the centre bore as I think they were from a Renault 5 turbo?
Thanks guys. This car was never supposed to be a project but here we are, over a year later, but hopefully it'll be back in one piece again fairly soon. I've tried to keep the overall look 'in period' although I appreciate ITB's might be a little modern? That said, the Alpina A4S had 4 butterfly throttle bodies and the modified Kugelfischer injection. I didn't realise just how stripped the M44/1.9 was going to be either, or else I would have ported the head and increased the compression a bit, along with some hotter cams. I just can't afford those right now though. As it is I am dreading the bill.
Breadvan72 said:
The car is going to be great.
You have posh tyres, it appears, but query would tyres with a 70s shoulder design be even better? It is a cool thing that 70s style tyres are now available in modern compounds.
Yes, you’re probably right. I’m still in 2 minds whether to fit pig cheek wide arches though, so may do something then. You have posh tyres, it appears, but query would tyres with a 70s shoulder design be even better? It is a cool thing that 70s style tyres are now available in modern compounds.
Hi Mark. I have lusted after Gr.2 arches for my Mk1 Scirocco for years and very nearly bought them a few times, still think they look awesome. 
In the end the wheel offsets and widths required to fill the arches would have killed the handling as a fast road car, especially on our roads, probably work well on track tho. For me the driving experience outweighs the looks. Will you create the same issue with the 02?
In the end the wheel offsets and widths required to fill the arches would have killed the handling as a fast road car, especially on our roads, probably work well on track tho. For me the driving experience outweighs the looks. Will you create the same issue with the 02?I've always had a soft spot for Scirocco and owned a couple of MK1 back in the day. I also missed a mint Storm (grey with black leather) for £150 in Bristol, that the guy sold while I went to the cashpoint!
I know what you mean about cars becoming a bit too track focussed with certain wheel, tyre and geo set-ups. I drove my old track E30 M3 most days though and I simply loved that thing.
I know what you mean about cars becoming a bit too track focussed with certain wheel, tyre and geo set-ups. I drove my old track E30 M3 most days though and I simply loved that thing.
Hindsight, so many cars I could have bought but can no longer afford, happy with what I have got tho.
Don’t get me wrong I love a raw car. The Rocco is stripped with a single seat, solid suspension and built to be driven hard.
I think the geo that works on track doesn’t work well on the road. Did the E30 M3 have different wishbones etc to a normal M3? I know I can wide track the Rocco properly without killing the good geo but it’s a fair mission just to fit wide arches! I have enough on my hands keeping on top of the rust.
Don’t get me wrong I love a raw car. The Rocco is stripped with a single seat, solid suspension and built to be driven hard.
I think the geo that works on track doesn’t work well on the road. Did the E30 M3 have different wishbones etc to a normal M3? I know I can wide track the Rocco properly without killing the good geo but it’s a fair mission just to fit wide arches! I have enough on my hands keeping on top of the rust.
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