Author Topic: Strut Tower Brace for M42 (Read 43724 times)

asubimmer · « **Reply #15 on:** July 14, 2006, 09:42:45 PM »

Quote from: nickmpower

has anyone inquired about the aluminum ones from the ebay auction? 3lbs seeems pretty light

let me know which one you guys want the most and I'll head it up.

e9nine · « **Reply #16 on:** July 15, 2006, 01:17:04 AM »

Quote from: M42boy

The only downside I see to the ones that go all around the strut tower is that it doesn't look like you can really access the top of the shock, which means it isn't real practical to make adjustments via an adjustable camber plate.

The Sparco one looks like it's the best option if you want to run adjustable camber plates.

Yup another concern of mine as I have Koni SAs and GC camber plates so access is important

john mason · « **Reply #17 on:** July 15, 2006, 07:42:19 PM »

Quote from: M42boy

Hey guys...

I see a lot of options for strut tower braces for the E30 3-Series cars, but not sure which of them will actually fit our cars. I guess I could order one and try it. Send it back if it doesn't fit, but I'd rather do without the hassle.

So, I really want one that has a good reinforcement ring where the mount goes all around the entire surface of the upper strut tower.

I've found these options that have this feature (the Sparco does not):
Racing Dynamics (but, don't think it will work with M42)
Bavarian Autosport (looks like it may work best)
Hartge (I think this one might be discontinued)
AC Schnitzer

My big concern is with how high the intake manifold goes up on the M42. The ones that go straight accross may not clear this. Ones with a design that go back toward the firewall I think will work fine, however. There are several designs like this as the E30 M3 has the same issue (high intake).

Do any of you have any of these options. If so, please tell me more. And, of course, pictures are worth a thousand words! :cool:

HERE ARE PICTURES OF E30 TOWER BARS I HAVE DEVELOPED TO FIT ALL MODELS

asubimmer · « **Reply #18 on:** July 15, 2006, 09:32:45 PM »

I don't see any pics

kramerica5000 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 16, 2006, 08:53:06 AM »

Quote from: e9nine

I thought someone was organizing a GB on them a while ago?

Yeah, snowmann was going to biuld something custom that resembled the Sparco.

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=283

I had hoped to get in on it, but it seemed to have lost its momentum and I don't know what came of it (PM'd snowmann and never heard back).

I really like the Sparco, but that ebay bar doesn't look bad either and being that it is a small outfitt looking for dealers, I bet we might be able to get a sweet deal on a group buy. I'd be interested in getting in on a group buy regardless of what we come up with.

Maybe we should start a new thread in the Vender/GB forum . . .

kramerica5000 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 16, 2006, 09:03:31 AM »

Quote from: john mason

HERE ARE PICTURES OF E30 TOWER BARS I HAVE DEVELOPED TO FIT ALL MODELS

I believe he biulds the ebay bar . . . judging from his user name.

M42boy · « **Reply #21 on:** July 16, 2006, 08:36:36 PM »

I'll call BavAutosport tomorrow. I don't know if they would do a group buy, but I guess it can't hurt to ask. I'll see if they are open to the idea and how many people they would need.

Berlin · « **Reply #22 on:** July 16, 2006, 08:59:11 PM »

uh i didnt read the entire thread but i have a racing dynamics brace and it fits

D. Clay · « **Reply #23 on:** July 17, 2006, 12:29:47 AM »

From the ebay bar's write up:
"A marked improvement in handling can be achieved with a significant and noticeable increase in suspension firmness. This is especially true if BOTH the front and rear 'Mason Engineering' supports are used."
There are no rear struts. The rear bar is tying the shock mounts together. Cornering force in the rear is carried by the trailing arms into the suspension subframe.
The main point of the M3 page referenced above is that the benefits of a strut bar are in minimizing the effect of repeated stress on the chassis. It makes no claim to actual handling improvements. It does mention that stresses to the towers in cornering are to the outside of the turn. Therefore the bar that goes down the side of the tower is of no import as stress is going in the opposite direction. Don't take my word for it read the article.
http://e30m3performance.com/ Interesting that it is under "Myths and Misconceptions" The only real need for a strut bar is on a track car. Even the factory E30 M3's didn't use them.

john mason · « **Reply #24 on:** July 17, 2006, 07:59:09 PM »

HI GUYS
Allow me to explain/clarify the front and rear tower bars i have designed,front is a twin tube of 1in. dia. running across with punch/flared sheet metal shear plate on the top , positioned extreme rear-highest point of engine compartment ,for all type plenum clearances there are 2 types of materials of choice steel or aircraft grade domestic aluminum alloy 6063 t6-511, the end platforms are of the open top 6in. dia. with a 3 5/8 dia inner hole which allows easy access for camber/ dampner adjustments the bar assy. is of the hinge-less 1 piece design without bolted tabs, this is very good for load carrying abilities but can be troublesome on the installation as there is very little margin of variance amongst elderly chassis. front stl5lb alum.3lb rear stl.41/2lb alum2lb design revised and - approved/blessed by gustav stroes-
the rear bar is of same materials but is unique in that ther are 6 1/4 dia.bolts
per side that attatch bar side skirts to wheelhouse transfering 1200 lb. of vertical loads each bolt 6x1200=7200lb shear. this bar is very easy to bolt on-no welding required - but recomended for racers, sold under the name jjmtools ebay = not made in china , does not have carbon fiber scotch tape

e9nine · « **Reply #25 on:** July 17, 2006, 08:06:16 PM »

Quote from: D. Clay

...snip. It does mention that stresses to the towers in cornering are to the outside of the turn. Therefore the bar that goes down the side of the tower is of no import as stress is going in the opposite direction. Don't take my word for it read the article.
http://e30m3performance.com/ Interesting that it is under "Myths and Misconceptions" The only real need for a strut bar is on a track car. Even the factory E30 M3's didn't use them.

Yeah the strut bar theory has been debated end on end by various e30 guys. I personally still think the 3rd bolt will still help avoid the strut tower bolts bearing the full duty of preventing the push force on the strut towers but my unscientific theory leaves a lot to be desired

I have personally noticed better high speed stability in long sweeping turns and even a simple act such as driving up a driveway at an angle shows the effect of the bar.

I hope to get into the position to afford the "mason kit" someday soon. I'd prefer to do s.frame and t.arm bushings first though. We'll see what the m42 hamster fund will be able to procure in the future.

D. Clay · « **Reply #26 on:** July 17, 2006, 10:57:15 PM »

From http://e30m3performance.com
"So the conclusion is that when an M3 corners at 1G with 100% weight transfer at the front wheels, there is a 333 lb force pulling OUT on the outer strut tower. Another point to consider is that if your outer strut tower is deflected outwards 0.20" by this 333 lb force, then you just lost 0.5� of negative camber! If it deflects 0.42" you have lost a full degree of negative camber."
If the towers deflected that much, the fender's would get wrinkles. It would also turn the unibody into a giant spring - an unknown, progressive, untunable one.
It would be time to get a new unibody.

e9nine · « **Reply #27 on:** July 17, 2006, 11:24:52 PM »

Gustave is the man no doubt. Not arguing with you or him - just having a hard time seeing how a 3rd bolt is seen as neglible. Almost like how you have better "point of contact" with 3 points of attachment versus 2.

M42boy · « **Reply #28 on:** July 18, 2006, 09:10:41 AM »

I don't have a PhD in Physicis or Stuctural Engineering, but something tells me if you can tie together the strut towers and reinforce that big empty hole that the motor sits in-between, you are doing a good thing for the stability of the car under cornering load.

Just my own gut feeling on the subject. The "seat of the pants" method works more times than not. :cool:

I think a rear brace would be good too, but all in due time. I saw a Korman Autoworks RSB this weekend and it was a very impressive piece... however, coming from Korman, I'm sure it isn't cheap.

asubimmer · « **Reply #29 on:** July 18, 2006, 10:24:21 AM »

Quote from: M42boy

I don't have a PhD in Physicis or Stuctural Engineering, but something tells me if you can tie together the strut towers and reinforce that big empty hole that the motor sits in-between, you are doing a good thing for the stability of the car under cornering load.

Just my own gut feeling on the subject. The "seat of the pants" method works more times than not. :cool:

I think a rear brace would be good too, but all in due time. I saw a Korman Autoworks RSB this weekend and it was a very impressive piece... however, coming from Korman, I'm sure it isn't cheap.

dang man, you should have let me know you were in town. I was at Korman this weekend some.

Author Topic: Strut Tower Brace for M42 (Read 43724 times)

asubimmer

Strut Tower Brace for M42

e9nine

Strut Tower Brace for M42

john mason

Strut Bars Front And Rear

asubimmer

Strut Tower Brace for M42

kramerica5000

Strut Tower Brace for M42

kramerica5000

Strut Tower Brace for M42

M42boy

Strut Tower Brace for M42

Berlin

Strut Tower Brace for M42

D. Clay

The madness continues!

john mason

E30 tower bars steel and aluminum alloy F&R

e9nine

Strut Tower Brace for M42

D. Clay

A final word on strut bars(out of me that is)

e9nine

Strut Tower Brace for M42

M42boy

Strut Tower Brace for M42

asubimmer

Strut Tower Brace for M42