BMW Z4 GT3 V8

It has been a while for our Z4 V8 build to come together, it seems so long ago since we put it out there to the world that we were going to build our own version on the BMW Z4 GT3 bat mobile, but with internal issues within the company at the end of 2014 and a pretty hectic schedule ever since, along with moving premises the time just hasn’t been right, but we decided at the end of 2016 to pull our finger out and put our own build to the front of the queue, the added bonus was our friends over at Dynotorque finally getting their own huge workload out the door, so this was our moment, and our Z4 Emerald over the festive period and into the new year, it wasn’t until the end of February until we were able to take up residence on the main Dynotorque ramp, so the work could commence with surgery of the engine, suspension and brake set up.

The iDrive system of the Z4 caused a few issues with the emerald boys, but nothing they couldn’t handle, it was just a very time consuming process and as they are a methodical bunch, it took a little longer than expected, but we were in no rush… it gets done when it gets done, but a little reminder that it’s not just the engine install you have to consider when building a car like this, but a whole host of other areas that will need attention.

Standard BMW Z4 (N52B25) Engine

Craig has wasted little time in removing the stock 2.5ltr engine, just before this happened a photo was taken of the stock N52B25 engine in situ, with this removed and a dummy LS3 fitted so fabrication of the engine and gearbox mounts could be set into place, and as the photo shows, there is so much more room for the 6.3ltr LS3 V8 to live and breathe, than there is with the original 2.5ltr (N52B25)

More updates will follow as we progress through the build, we just need to contain our excitement first.

VAD LS3 V8 ENGINE

VAD Z4 2.5 BMW ENGINE Front

BMW Z4 (E89) 6.3 LS3 V8 Conversion

#BMWWideBody #BMW #BMWZ4 #BMWZ4E89GT3 #BMWV8 #BMW63V8LS3 #BMWV8LS3Conversion

Enkei Wheels Japan

Over the last few months we have been updating our wheel range, with some brands being deleted and some all new additions to the VAD line up, so we are pretty excited to be added some great wheel brands from Japan.

Over that last 20 years of VAD selling wheels we have always sold Japanese wheel brands, namely down to quality of the product, wheel designs and above all loyalty, have all played a big part for our continued successful relationships, with the added bonus that every Japanese wheel we sell has the worldwide recognised VIA test approval, with the JWL & JAL japan's test also applied to every wheel, so they are brands we can sell with confidence.

New to our line up for 2017 are the Enkei Japan wheel range, we are offering the cast, flow form and forged line up, as well as the 2 & 3 piece wheels they manufacture, like the Rocket Bunny 6666 old school mesh wheel design that we love and adore.

Enkei Rocket Bunny 2 Piece 6666

Please feel free to brows through the range, vaddesign.com/enkeiwheelsjapan and email or contact the the team for pricing and lead time on this sought after brand.

#enkei #Enkeiwheels #Enkeiwheelsjapan #Madeinjapan #VAD #VADEnkei #Japanesewheels #Japanesealloywheels

TWS Forged Magnesium Wheels

The last few months has seen us search for the ultimate exotic wheel product for a god friend and long term client, our search has uncovered quite a few carbon wheels, but most of them have been rather disappointing, as not all is as it seems in the world of carbon wheels, and it seems apart from a couple of manufacturers, none of the carbon parts have been tested, or been fitted to any vehicles and driven on, so its been quite an eye opener, but in our search we found a great company in Lite Speed Racing and we will we will be working with Patrick over the next few weeks.

In our search for the ultimate product, it lead us back to a company that produces light weight 1 & 2 piece Forged Magnesium wheels, its a company we have been wanting to work with for some considerable time, TWS Forged Japan

Back in 2012 at the Tokyo Auto Salon, we discuss the possibilities of importing TWS Forged wheels, manufactured by the one of the best forging companies in the world, Tan-ei-sya Japan, they had some beautiful designs back then, but due to commitment elsewhere with other brands and the fact TWS already had a dealer in place looking after the European market, we didn’t pursue the brand any further, it was only in 2017 at the TAS show in Tokyo, that once again we were drawn to their stand, drooling over their wheel design, they manufacture forged wheels for most forms of motorsport, to include the Aston Martin GT3 team, as well as the Japanese Super GT, so they have a pretty impressive pedigree and know a lot about how to produce light weight wheels, but what caught our eye this time round was the Magnesium range of wheels they manufacture, they are the pinnacle road wheel.

Magnesium wheels for road application have never seen a popular choice, mainly down to lack of companies that produce magnesium forgings, and of course the cost. Back when we first started selling wheels some 20 years ago, you had only two companies producing Mag wheels, BBS & O.Z, mainly for track use for race teams around the world, and the odd set would make it onto a road car in a limited run, like Lamborghini’s Diablo SV, but the Magnesium was cast not forged, it wasn’t long before the likes of Lamborghini went back to forged aluminium n the late 90’s you saw work wheels Japan manufacture the Rezax 11 mesh design with a Magnesium centre, but it was expensive, with huge lead time and it didn’t sell.

So what are the benefits of magnesium forged wheels, apart from being super light weight, the are more durable and rigid than aluminium forged, being lighter weight they also have the advantage of reducing the un-sprung mass weight, whilst being kinder on the braking and suspension components, a lighter wheels is much easier to spin and also stop, die to the low momentum of inertia, Forged magnesium wheels yield shorter braking distance and faster acceleration, improve manoeuvrability and overall whilst reducing fuel economy, with the added bonus of a high heat conductivity property of magnesium also means cooler brake disks so a longer life for brake pads, these are just some of the advantages of fitting a light weight forged magnesium wheel.

Ferrari F40

Pagani huayra

Mercedes SLS AMG63

Pagani Zonda

Ferrari F40

Porsche Boxster GT4

Ferrari F40

Pagani huayra

The Ultimate TWS Forged Magnesium Collection

A lot has changed over the last few years TWS not only manufacture Magnesium wheels, they have mastered the process to perfection, with some beautiful designs available, in a 1 piece as well as a couple of 2 piece designs, they have also a stunning collection of 1, 2 & 3 piece forged aluminium wheels, available in all of the usual custom bespoke sizes, widths, applications and finishes, email the VAD team for more details on this amazing wheel brand, they have every option you could possibly think of, if money is no object, fit the best, fit magnesium forged wheels.

#TWS #twsforged #TWSForgedMagnesium #MagnesiumForged #ForgedWheels #TWSWheels