At the time of its release, the BMW Z8 was the antithesis of every other two-seat, open-top car on the market. While other roadsters sold themselves on being cute, sporty and relatively affordable, the Z8 was the complete opposite. Though elegant, its styling can hardly be regarded as cute, and at $120,000 (or more) it was damned expensive. Most importantly, it was brutally, uncompromisingly fast-a real handful from the saddle.
The pictured car, owned by William Knobloch of San Diego, was conceived and built in collaboration with Race Marque Systems and a group of noted aftermarket firms.
Hamann Motorsport provided the adjustable coilover suspension kit as well as a complete stainless-steel exhaust system that includes manifolds and catalytic converters; no O.E. components remain. The brakes have been replaced with massive Brembo equipment, 15-in. rotors and eight-piston calipers in front and 13-in. rotors and four-piston clamps in the rear. These huge assemblies are caged by fully forged three-piece HRE 547R wheels shod in Pirelli P Zero Rosso tires, Direzionale fore and Asimmetrico aft.
Of course, the centerpiece of this project is its engine, supercharged by RMS and fine-tuned jointly by the car's owner and Race Marque's Osh Minelian. Internally, the engine remains untouched except for a set of Schrick cams from Denon. The supercharger unit is a Vortech V2 SQ blower, enhanced by an air-to-liquid after-cooler that fits neatly inside the factory plenum housing. Air-flow components within the plenum include eight billet air-horns with integral formula injectors, a dual-injection design engineered to provide additional fuel and improved cooling at high engine speeds.
Other additions within the engine bay include an all-aluminum radiator, an oil separator and crankcase breather system to negate crankcase pressure, a carbon-fiber intake tract and discharge system, a new three-pulley belt specially fabricated for this application, and stainless-steel lines and tubing employed wherever possible. Engine management is provided by a Split Second piggyback computer, which modifies the mass airflow signal, a remapped DME, and RMS's Fuel Charger system and software to control the secondary injectors.
To help the drivetrain cope with the augmented power and massive torque, a new clutch assembly was sourced through UUC Motorwerks, comprised of a single-mass aluminum flywheel, 280mm clutch disc and pressure plate and an oversized throw-out bearing. The transmission was dropped and mounted on new urethane bushings, and the final drive was upgraded with a Quaife differential with a 3.64 gear set.
Within the cockpit, now covered by a sleek hardtop, a UUC short shifter and specially machined stainless-steel shift knob have been placed to more effectively facilitate driver input.
The result of the comprehensive modifications is an estimated 645 bhp and 550 lb-ft of torque. It adapts itself perfectly to such menial tasks as running for groceries but imparts its driver the ability to fully enjoy the most enticing sections of road.
"You simply press your foot into the throttle, she flat screams, and the event begins," said the owner. "It's much akin to waking the dead."