Author Topic: Strut Tower Brace for M42 (Read 43728 times)

jpod999 · « **Reply #105 on:** May 16, 2007, 09:47:09 AM »

Quote from: jpod999;24800

I talked to my friend about making some more, and he said that he's just to busy and wouldn't want to take that much time out of his schedule.

Maybe in the future though...

.

JHZR2 · « **Reply #106 on:** June 17, 2007, 09:26:22 PM »

I bought this one:

goingfast.de's ebay unit

It looks like its probably a ripoff of some of the ones on here. for $91, Im not going that fast or aggressive, and if it gies me a 10% improvement in stiffness and transfer, that will be more than enough to please me until the car rusts out. I love the car as is in terms of hiw it drives and rides.

Anyway, I just installed it today - very easy. It has a full circle at the strut mounts, so when you torque it down to 16 ft-lbs per bentley, the metal gives a little, but it is seems pretty sturdy, and can be removed easily at the strut mounts. I will determin e tomorrow on my on and offramps how much it helps.

It looks like this, as taken directly from the ebay sales page (not my car):

and the one I got looks exactly like this:

Ill try to post an image of it installed tomorrow.

For $91, its VERY light, seems quite sturdy, can easily be removed, and is polished, so it looks pretty good. Supposedly made in Germany too...

Hope this helps,

JMH

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #107 on:** June 19, 2007, 02:46:13 PM »

only problem is the hinges.

BTW wish your friend could fab up a few more of those jpod.

JHZR2 · « **Reply #108 on:** June 20, 2007, 09:00:26 PM »

Quote from: gearheadE30;28089

only problem is the hinges.

Maybe not the most optimal design, but what do I get? 80% of optimal? 20% of optimal???

Im commuting, not driving aggressively. My 318i is the perfect commuter car because of its driving characteristics. I have taken it on numerous on and offramps now, at speed, and can feel a significant difference in lack of weight shift, as well as suspension neutrality, as compared to my up to date and perfectly maintained car previous to thsi addition.

Im so amazed by the subtle yet quite notable changes in how the car drives around corners, etc.

Couldnt be more happy!!! Even if it does have a hinge for easy removal

JMH

16v of Fury · « **Reply #109 on:** July 04, 2007, 12:00:08 PM »

Quote from: e9nine;7958

Notice how the Sparco mounting point that rests on the strut towers has the part that folds down and prevents all the stress from being put on the strut mount bolts. That's all I seek in a strut bar in addition to it being one piece and non-hinged You can also see the hole for the "3rd bolt" on that same extension.

E --- How many / what size washers did you use, and where, to mount the Sparco brace over the M42?

monko141 · « **Reply #110 on:** July 16, 2007, 10:19:43 PM »

I just just did a lot of suspension work and used the Sparco Bar. I did take it to a muffler shop and had it notched. Where I got really lucky is that I used IE street/track adjustable camber plates which came with extremely long studs. I was able to bolt the plate on, put the bar on and then put another nut on top. My mechanic told me that putting the third bolt in was extremely important! So while I was at the muffler shop I had them tack in a couple of washers to eliminate the gap between the bar and the strut tower. I too was concerned about drilling the strut tower but surprisingly it is not very thick. For the third bolt I use an allen headed bolt with a small washer since it is very close to where the strut tower starts to roll.

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #111 on:** July 17, 2007, 11:35:09 AM »

Have you noticed a difference in handling?

kramerica5000 · « **Reply #112 on:** July 18, 2007, 12:45:50 PM »

Where did you notch it? Is it where it goes over the plenum? can you post a pic showing the notch?

Thanks

Quote from: monko141;29777

I just just did a lot of suspension work and used the Sparco Bar. I did take it to a muffler shop and had it notched. Where I got really lucky is that I used IE street/track adjustable camber plates which came with extremely long studs. I was able to bolt the plate on, put the bar on and then put another nut on top. My mechanic told me that putting the third bolt in was extremely important! So while I was at the muffler shop I had them tack in a couple of washers to eliminate the gap between the bar and the strut tower. I too was concerned about drilling the strut tower but surprisingly it is not very thick. For the third bolt I use an allen headed bolt with a small washer since it is very close to where the strut tower starts to roll.

ose30 · « **Reply #113 on:** July 19, 2007, 04:56:42 AM »

Here's couple of scans i did from old Hartge & Schnizer cataloques. Note Hartge also had rear strut brace.

318isle · « **Reply #114 on:** July 19, 2007, 10:54:41 AM »

I just installed these from Vorshlag Motorsports.
Fit is good, much better than the Spraco, which rubbed on my intake. No spacers needed here.

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #115 on:** July 19, 2007, 06:55:49 PM »

Wow, those Vorshlag pieces look really nice.

just wish they were a bit cheaper. Seems like the m20 braces are less than $185. (rear is %165). Any noticeable difference in handling?

SheldonJace · « **Reply #116 on:** July 19, 2007, 10:25:13 PM »

Wow 318isle I really like those braces!
Im no where NEAR ready to buy strut braces yet but when I am these are what I wanna go for. What site did you get them off of and how much did you spend on both??

318isle · « **Reply #117 on:** July 20, 2007, 01:44:37 AM »

Quote from: SheldonJace;29991

Wow 318isle I really like those braces!
Im no where NEAR ready to buy strut braces yet but when I am these are what I wanna go for. What site did you get them off of and how much did you spend on both??

Thanks for the compliments!

I got them from Vorshlag Motorsports here is the link. Great site with other goodies for the E30.
http://www.vorshlag.com/?bannerID=134

I paid $394.79 for both shipped to the middle of the Pacific!

Quote from: gearheadE30

Any noticeable difference in handling?

Thanks, I haven't had a chance to really push my car to feel any difference. I won't be able to until August when I can attend our Test N Tune at Autox.

I'll say this much, if you want great customer service and a company that knows what they are doing, give them a call. Terry...owner, has responded to all my questions and emails on top of other emails and PMs he receives from others on bf.c. As he has the E36 LS1 project, which is very interesting and I'm hoping to get a kit from him when it becomes available.
I refuse to chop up my E30 318is for a transplant...it's becoming more and more rare by the day!

318iSdaniel · « **Reply #118 on:** July 21, 2007, 09:51:42 PM »

i also have those strut bars, except i got them on ebay. the seller jjmtools had them listed a few years ago. i had them on my 325e for 2 and a half years and soon will be putting them on my 318is. they are definitely a very solid bar. thicker than any other strut bars i have seen. when i bought them the guy said he was hand-crafting them. i paid a total of $275 with shipping for the front and rear. looks like he found another company to do the selling for him, though.

http://www.vorshlag.com/cart/index.php?manufacturers_id=4

Fair! · « **Reply #119 on:** September 06, 2007, 01:20:29 PM »

Quote from: 318isle;29932

I just installed these from Vorshlag Motorsports.
Fit is good, much better than the Spraco, which rubbed on my intake. No spacers needed here.

Woody - good pics. I stuck them in a gallery I just created for Mason products (since you said it was OK to use them in an e-mail earlier). If you ever want to see these pictures just link to this: http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/gallery/3431917#192407439

edit: Did you ever finish bolting in the rear brace? I have some instructions located here.

Thanks,

Author Topic: Strut Tower Brace for M42 (Read 43728 times)

16v of Fury

318isle

318isle