Racing a BMW Z4 against a turbo Sky

[Zap]

Okay, only kinda.

Background: Driving a borrowed BMW M4. Taking my buddy out for a spin. Sat behind an "obviously turbo" Saturn Sky at a traffic light for a U-turn. Guy in the Sky punched it (squealing tires) and so did I, just for a bit. We were at a disadvantage because I didn't want to get too close and we have two heavy dudes in the Z4. Also, didn't know the guy in the Sky was going to punch it too. So, not really a race, but interesting that we basically kept pace up to the speed limit before backing off.

Here we are in the Z4. Note the rear end sagging due to our weight even though we were on a down slope. :whiste: I'm the guy in the driver's seat.

Here's the Sky at the U-turn traffic light. Dude really wants everyone to know that his Sky is a turbo.

The BMW Z4 was pretty fun to drive. Really responsive, cornering and braking really well. Acceleration seemed a bit off from what I was used to in my Mazdaspeed 6 or my wife's WRX. Handled better than the MS6 and around the same as the WRX. Nice sound system. Powered hard top was fun to play with. Engine sounded really nice when in Sport or Sport+ modes (though these days who knows if it is real, or merely a soundtrack played through the speakers). It had a 6-speed auto with paddles, which was a disappointment as I personally prefer having a third pedal.

 

[slugg]

A buddy of mine had a Z4. Lots of body roll and generally felt very heavy. I was actually quite disappointed in its handling; I expected a lot more from it. He ended up selling it and bought a Miata. He's been much happier since.

Then later in life, I met the guy that bought the car. I met him at an autocross, actually. I rode along with him and experienced the sluggish handling and body roll. Don't get me wrong, it handles much better than most cars, but it definitely "feels" a lot heavier than it should.

The great thing about the Z4's is that they have a nice, fat torque curve. You pretty much always have some power available to you. The cars look great, too.

You nailed it when you said it handles about the same as your WRX. Think about it - your WRX is much bigger and (I believe?) a bit heavier. There is no reason for a tiny 2 door sports roadster to handle the same as a larger 4 door sedan. Your WRX is a much better car, overall, in my opinion.

 

[Throckmorton]

I'm guessing it doesn't handle that well because the suspension components are scavenged from the BMW sedan parts bin. The Miata's suspension is set up specifically for the car, and it has a multilink rear and wishbones in front. Same goes for the Sky/Solstice for that matter. It's amazing GM even built those cars.

 

[ballmode]

Sky Turbo + 500 bucks for ECU tune + dealer to install = Keep warranty and have 300ish hp

 

[Railgun]

But a proper Z4 will give you 400hp with a tune so...even more quite easily with other things.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Yeah.... That's really not the sportiest z4 out there. Try a ride in a 'real' one, which has no floaty feeling whatsoever and no issues outrunning a sky turbo.

 

[overst33r]

But a proper Z4 will give you 400hp with a tune so...even more quite easily with other things.

???

you need a supercharger for that, not an ecu flash.

edit: didnt realize you were talking about the new one z35izjhvhgcy or whatever it is.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

???

you need a supercharger for that, not an ecu flash.

edit: didnt realize you were talking about the new one z35izjhvhgcy or whatever it is.

The new 3.5whatever z4 is faster than the old z4 if chipped, but it's still a wallowing boat IMO.. It doesn't feel all that fast, nor does it handle like a sports car should.

But... that saturn is still a little turbo 2.0 4. Even chipped it's not going to run with these sorts of cars which are pulling 5.0 sec 0-60 and close to 13 sec 1/4 mile.

 

[Throckmorton]

They should have put the 3.6L V6 in the Sky/Solstice

 

[Zap]

They should have put the 3.6L V6 in the Sky/Solstice

How about a small block V8?

The World's Baddest Pontiac Solstice

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I'm just gonna leave this right here:

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/manhart-racing-drops-the-bmw-v10-into-the-z4-roadster/

 

[coxmaster]

How about a small block V8?

The World's Baddest Pontiac Solstice

I dunno.. The 2JZ swapped Soltice is pretty sweet. Strange part is, everything bolts right in :awe:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5335430-2JZ-Solstice-Swap

 

[Zap]

I'm just gonna leave this right here:

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/manhart-racing-drops-the-bmw-v10-into-the-z4-roadster/

:awe:

I'd take that over an LS1 Miata any day... soon as I win the lottery...

 

[satyajitmenon]

I dunno.. The 2JZ swapped Soltice is pretty sweet. Strange part is, everything bolts right in :awe:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5335430-2JZ-Solstice-Swap

:awe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qODx2PLwC6I&hd=1

:biggrin:

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u335/2001A/funnys/2jayZ.jpg

 

[Throckmorton]

Why is the Toyota 2JZ a bolt in? Unfulfilled plans to share the platform with Toyota? That would make sense if the modern Toyota engines also bolt in.

 

[satyajitmenon]

When did BMW launch the M4?

Either a typo, or he meant the Z4M

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Either a typo, or he meant the Z4M

Definitely a typo, they did not make an m version of the newer z4 although there's one in my area who has stuck m badges on his

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I dunno.. The 2JZ swapped Soltice is pretty sweet. Strange part is, everything bolts right in :awe:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5335430-2JZ-Solstice-Swap

That is just beyond awesome. I also can't fathom how it's possible that the motor mounts match up, it's sort of creepy. I wonder if they built a test mule with that engine, then made brackets to mount the stock motor.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

And OP; based on the wheels that's the sdrive28.... IE it's a 240hp and 3300lbs, no wonder it felt slow to you.

The sdrive35is is 335hp.. Totally different machine.

 

[Throckmorton]

That is just beyond awesome. I also can't fathom how it's possible that the motor mounts match up, it's sort of creepy. I wonder if they built a test mule with that engine, then made brackets to mount the stock motor.

Wait, isn't that the same engine they used in their FWD cars? So it had to have the same holes all along.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Wait, isn't that the same engine they used in their FWD cars? So it had to have the same holes all along.

I believe the 2jz is the IS300/SC300/supra non-turbo engine.. RWD layout. For that to bolt up into a GM vehicle with motormounts and everything matching up is really bizarre.

There's a different between mounting holes on the motor matching the mounts (surprising but feasible) versus the 2jz toyota motor mounts perfectly matching up with the body.

My guess is that GM must have used a 2jz swap from something during their test mule phase and that somehow got carried over. I can't fathom why they would even have a toyota motor though I dunno, I bet there's a good story behind it.

 

[Zargon]

I believe the 2jz is the IS300/SC300/supra non-turbo engine.. RWD layout. For that to bolt up into a GM vehicle with motormounts and everything matching up is really bizarre.

There's a different between mounting holes on the motor matching the mounts (surprising but feasible) versus the 2jz toyota motor mounts perfectly matching up with the body.

My guess is that GM must have used a 2jz swap from something during their test mule phase and that somehow got carried over. I can't fathom why they would even have a toyota motor though I dunno, I bet there's a good story behind it.

its really weird esp since the LSJ was a preexisting GM motor in the Ion Redline and Cobalt SS

 

[manimal]

I believe the 2jz is the IS300/SC300/supra non-turbo engine.. RWD layout. For that to bolt up into a GM vehicle with motormounts and everything matching up is really bizarre.

There's a different between mounting holes on the motor matching the mounts (surprising but feasible) versus the 2jz toyota motor mounts perfectly matching up with the body.

My guess is that GM must have used a 2jz swap from something during their test mule phase and that somehow got carried over. I can't fathom why they would even have a toyota motor though I dunno, I bet there's a good story behind it.

I am baffled that it lines up perfectly like that. Those look like stock mounts to me so I am even more stumped.

This thread was from 2007. Gonna look around for someone else that did this recently.

 

[Zap]

And OP; based on the wheels that's the sdrive28.... IE it's a 240hp and 3300lbs, no wonder it felt slow to you.

Thanks for that explanation. Totally makes sense.

At least it was faster than my mom's Volvo V70 that's my daily driver right now.

 

[coxmaster]

I am baffled that it lines up perfectly like that. Those look like stock mounts to me so I am even more stumped.

This thread was from 2007. Gonna look around for someone else that did this recently.

The guy is still actively working on the car and keeps posting videos/updates.. Shouldn't be hard to get ahold of him