Strut bar lower x brace all e30 318 325

[Hey-U]

Does any one have experience with one of these? It looks interesting but does it make a big change?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E...Q5fAccessories

[peteb3]

I have seen them on E36 convertibles, as awell as the 1995 US E36 LTW. Supposedly they work just like the upper strut tower would work.
I found that an upper strut tower on my E30 made a noticeable difference in cornering, turn in and overall front end feel at the track.

[Blackice]

I have heard that they help stiffen up the front end, It should also give you some protection to the oil pan.

I have had this on my to do list for some time now, I was hoping to find one at the wreckers.

[Blackice]

I have heard that they help stiffen up the front end.

I have had this on my to do list for some time now, I was hoping to find one at the wreckers.

[bad_azz_bmr]

Originally Posted by Blackice I have heard that they help stiffen up the front end, It should also give you some protection to the oil pan. I have had this on my to do list for some time now, I was hoping to find one at the wreckers.

i don't think its gonna do much for the oilpan, the sump is located infront of this x-brace...

[Blackice]

Hey no fair ! I deleted that " Protection of the oil pan " I can't believe that is still there !

Your right! It would be hard to protect something that is in front of the X brace

[Hey-U]

Originally Posted by peteb3 I have seen them on E36 convertibles, as awell as the 1995 US E36 LTW. Supposedly they work just like the upper strut tower would work. I found that an upper strut tower on my E30 made a noticeable difference in cornering, turn in and overall front end feel at the track.

Did you notice a difference driving the car on the street? Do you think having the upper strut brace makes the lower one redundent?

[peteb3]

To notice a adifference on the street depends on how you drive.
I would spend my money on good tires and getting the suspension set up/rebuilt first - good shocks (Bilstein sport), springs (H&R), replacing all the perishables.... I think a bigger differnce is felt with sway bars and using the front lower E30 M3 (offset) control bar bushings - that is one mode you will feeel right away..

[Hey-U]

Originally Posted by peteb3 To notice a adifference on the street depends on how you drive. I would spend my money on good tires and getting the suspension set up/rebuilt first - good shocks (Bilstein sport), springs (H&R), replacing all the perishables.... I think a bigger differnce is felt with sway bars and using the front lower E30 M3 (offset) control bar bushings - that is one mode you will feeel right away..

That sounds like pretty common sense thinking. I have purchased 16' ACS with Yoko S-Drives and that did make a big difference. I have, & waiting to install M3 alum trialing arms with the offset bushings, sparco brace and Eibech pro springs but still have to buy the Billy sports. I think I will wait untill I see what she rides like after the installs before buying more.
It's my first vert and they are pretty rattley things, so anything that stiffens the car up with out severely compromising the ride tweeks my attention.

[peteb3]

On a convertible, you will notice an improvement with the strut bar for sure, I would even get the lower one (like E-36 and E-46 conv. had)
To give you an example of how well they work, I put one one and took the car to a two day track event and ended up cracking one of the welds on the bar (where the bar is welded to the pieces that bolt to the strut towers) - shows you the kind of forces involved. With the bar you get much better tire contact during hard cornering.

[fporro]

Big Buu yaH ! at least for the upper on iC models, I noticed a difference right away.

Without it, my Delphi iC twiched a whole lot, very noticeble since I installed Eurathane bushings everywhere., ie. MM and Trani mounts, Offset CAB's, etc.

As far as a lower, well, don't have one., and in case you're interested, they also sell a lower butt brace, desigend for m3 track cars., this is an iC compatible units that bolts to sub-frame bushings instead of standart trunk coupe/sedan mounts (upper rear shock mounts)

[Hey-U]

Originally Posted by fporro Big Buu yaH ! at least for the upper on iC models, I noticed a difference right away. Without it, my Delphi iC twiched a whole lot, very noticeble since I installed Eurathane bushings everywhere., ie. MM and Trani mounts, Offset CAB's, etc. As far as a lower, well, don't have one., and in case you're interested, they also sell a lower butt brace, desigend for m3 track cars., this is an iC compatible units that bolts to sub-frame bushings instead of standart trunk coupe/sedan mounts (upper rear shock mounts)

Do you have the lower butt brace? If so, how goes it?

[kowalski]

you could look into the mason engineering one that ties the two shock towers into the diff mount on the subframe.
He's been banned from all the major bmw sites, but his products are all made by jon mason which is a reputable guy.
http://bmwzenperformance.com/e30-products.html

[fporro]

Originally Posted by Hey-U Do you have the lower butt brace? If so, how goes it?

Kowalski, maybe rhis one has better clearings, here's more ... http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/singl...pZD0xMzIz.html

[Hey-U]

Originally Posted by fporro Kowalski, maybe rhis one has better clearings, here's more ... http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/singl...pZD0xMzIz.html

I like the looks of that one and I can't see why it won't fit the vert. It would be nice to see one a little closer to home and a little less money.
Might be a good prject for the dirty 30?