Strut braces

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Malc

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Hi,
I have seen some discussion on strut braces. I have used them on other cars but was wondering if those that have them have noticed any difference in handling (I know how flexible an E9 is) and has there been any problems.
Malc
 
I would have to say there is a difference. but is it measurable, hard to say. If you have gone through the entire car and upgraded bushings, suspension etc, I think it would be difficult to tell/isolated the effect of the braces (front or rear) because the entire car has changed.

My brother and I have noticed increased rigidity but is that soley from the braces or a combitnation with all the other mods...hard to say. He has the W&N unit and I have the Ireland, W&N is a bit larger, where as the Ireland unit incorporates a different non-pivoting principle.

If the car will be driven enthusiastically/spririted/tracked (ie: tossed around), then I will say the braces help reduce the body flex/roll.

the stiffer, more rigid, the better when going fast and wanting to turn quickly......plus they are a nice piece of jewelry when ya open the hood!

just my 02
-shanon
 
I agree with Shannon on the hard to tell but I think so comment. I have the Ireland brace on the front and the TEP rear shock tower/battery brace in the rear (which in theory shouldn't do much but does hold down the battery). The car still flops around and you can tell how much they flex by jacking one corner (carefully) and watch the door gaps and strike mechanism change. ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN FIRST.

I have the interior stripped out of the rear and am eyeing all of the spot welds and wondering if this would be a good time to learn how to seam weld. This apparently will proved more stiffening than the rear brace.

Anyone care to give a concise primer on which areas to do and a primer on how to go about it? Malc?
 
Seam welding is always a good thing to do when trying to improve rigidity, however before you go ahead you need to think about all the painf/rust protection that you are going to burn off while you go about it, it's no small task putting it right afterwards With regards to what should or shouldn't be done there are (IMHO) no shouldn'ts, If you see a seam, weld it!!! Incidentally "seam" welding shouldn't actually be continuous, weld about an inch and leave a quarter that way if a crack develops in one of the welds it stops at the gap instead of travelling all the way along.

My car will also be stripped out in the rear when it gets put back together. I have fabricated a 10 point bolt in roll cage to furter stiffen the car up which bolts to:
1) the rear shocker (damper) towers via a flanged tube between the rear bulkhead and the shocker tower the cage only goes as far as the rear bulkhead.
2) the rear subframe mounts
3) the inner sill (rocker) behind the "b" post.
4) the inner sill at the "a" post
5) the front bulkhead.

I also plan to fit a front strut brace but I will be fabricating my own although I recently read in a magazine article when the strut towers are quite close to the bulkhead a strut brace isn't really needed. However I agree with shanon, they make nice eye candy.
 
Gazol is right

To stiffen up the car I weld an inch leave an inch
but

1... Clean up all joints to be welded, remove all seam sealer
2... Be aware of what's on the otherside of the panels... brake pipes petrol pipes etc tec

To be honest you really need to have the car stripped to the shell, and have the ability to turn it over to do a proper job!
which is er... what I am SLOWLY doing!
Malc
 
Waitaminute Doug......................you've got the interior stripped out? What is that all about? Decide you didn't like red? Decide you didn't like gray?

I think what you're referring to is "stich welding" right Malc?

I miss my CSL. Bummer that in the land where you can drive em year round, I don't have one to drive.

On the other hand, I've surfed more days this week than I used to in a month in Northern California. The water was warmer this morning than the air and sand, and the only other creatures in the water not wearing neoprene were dolphins and seals. I do not miss Mr. White Shark.

Happy Thanksgiving y'all..............Chel and I are on our way to our annual pilgrimage to Waikiki.
 
Love the red.

Battery going under the rear seats (Odyssey PC 545). Thought while the seats were out I'd try the stitch/seam weld.
 
Yeap stitch welding = seam welding

Watch out for all that lovely goo the BMW put in the joints when building the shell - it burns a treat, lots of fumes and "burnt" remains must be removed and the area cleaned otherwise rust will start - what a surprise!
Malc
 
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