M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
DISCUSSION => Suspension => Topic started by: CaptainSlow90 on March 10, 2013, 03:45:54 PM
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This seems like it'd be a good idea to improve my '91 318is's handling. Anybody done this upgrade and have any experience you can share? I was also curious how hard it is to install. Like whether or not it requires drilling or anything major like that. Help would be appreciated! :)
http://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac---e30-complete-chassis-reinforcement-kit-p1781.aspx
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Do you plan on tracking/ autocrossing your car? If not, then save the money. This "Upgrade" prevents parts from snapping. They will not improve the handling.
If you do intend to track/ autocross, then yes. However the pricing seems a little pricey. You just need reinforcement tabs.
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Those are all standardized pieces generally made out of 1/8" mild steel of some variant or another. I have most of that stuff on my 318is. It is all strictly for reinforcing the OEM connecting points with extra metal to reduce fatigue from heavy loading such as the constant left and right weight shifting during an auto cross. Likewise, if you are considering upgrading the sway bars then this is a must, even for DD. Most all of that on the photo aside from the blue pieces MUST be welded or at least tack welded on. My pieces were from Ireland Engineering, but in retrospect I would have made them myself with some scrap metal and a vice- and used something like 3/16" mild steel. My opinion is that you make them yourself, because the price that the company wants is too silly to consider to be serious.