hey kev.. although i don't have my z3 yet... it's a 97 2.8 version too... sitting on a dealers lot with a taken tag on it.. hoepfully i will get it b4 the week ends. but Yeah i am currently planning lots of upgrades and one of those upgrades includes installing the rollhoops, um.. i was checking on that process, they remove the back pieces of plastic.. and no u don't lose that space, there is a great article on it and many other upgrades for z3s on this website.. belive me u will become addicted to it if u read all the things u can do and the step by step instructions that are given. http://www.mz3net.com goto upgrades section to view rollhoopes articles.. and good luck