Author Topic: Strut Tower Brace for M42 (Read 43725 times)

silverblades181 · « **Reply #75 on:** March 18, 2007, 07:34:33 PM »

Quote from: fabe;21173

I doubt it can clear the intake manifold... but I could be wrong...

I have one installed on my E30 318is. Fits nicely. I had to dremel where the bar bolts to the mounts because I have the "wide" strut towers but that's it.

1991318is · « **Reply #76 on:** March 18, 2007, 07:46:23 PM »

Quote from: jpod999;21541

So I am going to be building a strut tower bar with the help of a friend of mine who is a metal fabricator. We need some help.

It looks like the best place to thread the bar through is at the very back(closest to cockpit) of the intake manifold where it is angled down slightly. Is this true?

What size tube should we use, and with that, how much space is in between the manifold and the hood?

I would say that for tube OD I would see about 1 inch or so. Doesn't need to be super thick, possibly 1 1/4 at most. And for the plate, I would use 1/8 inch thick cold rolled steel

Also this summer I'm hoping to get some time and going to make a few of these bars.

jpod999 · « **Reply #77 on:** March 25, 2007, 12:42:51 PM »

Alright well we started on this project. Today we got the plates fabricated, the bar will be next. I need to buy new nuts now because the top of the nut is sticking out, and on one of our holes the nut doesn't clear. Anyone know the bolt pattern on those studs?

jpod999 · « **Reply #78 on:** March 27, 2007, 08:27:01 AM »

Anyone at all? I really need to know the thread pattern on the studs!

e9nine · « **Reply #79 on:** March 27, 2007, 11:28:53 AM »

Bolt Pattern? I don't understand your question :confused: Just design the plate around the strut holes....

FYI you can tap the threaded spindle out of the strut bushing and measure it or just take it with you to home depot, lowes, Fastenal etc and find a suitable replacement bolt and nut or whichever combo as you desire.

jpod999 · « **Reply #80 on:** March 27, 2007, 04:31:21 PM »

Thread count? Thread spacing? Something like that, I can't find the word.

You can take the studs out? You just hit them from the top and they come out? Is there any way I could put bigger studs in?

e9nine · « **Reply #81 on:** March 27, 2007, 09:49:57 PM »

Quote from: jpod999;22304

Thread count? Thread spacing? Something like that, I can't find the word.

You can take the studs out? You just hit them from the top and they come out? Is there any way I could put bigger studs in?

Yes tap them lightly from the top and the drop out from the bottom. They are splined threads so getting longer replacements isn't exactly plug and play. This diag. shows them @ part # 3

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=31_0211&hg=31&fg=10

When I went with a Sparco bar, I needed a longer screw so I got a socket head/allen head screw bolt from Home Depot to replace mine.

jpod999 · « **Reply #82 on:** March 27, 2007, 10:57:46 PM »

Quote from: e9nine;22329

Yes tap them lightly from the top and the drop out from the bottom. They are splined threads so getting longer replacements isn't exactly plug and play. This diag. shows them @ part # 3

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=31_0211&hg=31&fg=10

When I went with a Sparco bar, I needed a longer screw so I got a socket head/allen head screw bolt from Home Depot to replace mine.

Sweet, I'll talk to my fabricator friend and see what he thinks we can replace the stud with. How hard are they to put back in?

ecpreston · « **Reply #83 on:** March 29, 2007, 10:15:37 AM »

FWIW, (you guys have already found some less expensive alternatives) the hinged alum bar that BMP sells fits very well. It was one of the few that fits a m10 318 and I just pulled it off that and popped it on the m42 without issue.The price on it is $195 these days.

jpod999 · « **Reply #84 on:** April 22, 2007, 05:07:14 PM »

Well we finished building the strut bar last night. It's pretty cool and makes a difference in handling. I'm happy with it.

asubimmer · « **Reply #85 on:** April 22, 2007, 05:12:10 PM »

pics?

Febi Guibo · « **Reply #86 on:** April 22, 2007, 05:39:28 PM »

we're happy yer happy!

pics!

jpod999 · « **Reply #87 on:** April 22, 2007, 10:06:04 PM »

Let me go take some.

It's not polished yet. It will be polished before Bimmerfest though.

asubimmer · « **Reply #88 on:** April 22, 2007, 10:18:08 PM »

nice work!

OKTAY · « **Reply #89 on:** April 23, 2007, 12:39:42 PM »

It looks like a nice job, well done. Is it aluminium or steel? If it is made from steel I would be interested to buy... How much do you think it would cost?