Strut Braces

[H_Krix]

There seem to be just as many bracing options for our cars as the colours they come in. Does anyone have a good suggeston for a front and rear strut brace?

Also, I'm a tad wary of the bolt-in rear braces. If I'm thinking correctly, these require drilling holes into our shock towers... and that just sounds like an invitation for rust to come in. Would a weld-in be better?

[colorobo2002]

The rear brace doesn't stiffen up the rear noticeably, it's already structurally stiff there anyway.

[future_assassin]

Also, I'm a tad wary of the bolt-in rear braces. If I'm thinking correctly, these require drilling holes into our shock towers... and that just sounds like an invitation for rust to come in. Would a weld-in be better?

I could be wrong but the front ones you dont need to drill anything. Just unbolt the three bolts put the brace on and put the bolts back on.

[_z_]

There is a FAQ strut bar. I have an Ireland one, but this one looks good and is signficantly less expensive

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,41/category_id,7/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,59/

[02Les]

I just couldn't see paying $$$ for what they are. I found this NEW one on Ebay for $30 (incl shipping). It's for an E36 and you have to either reposition/redrill the holes, or cut the two tabs of each bracket and reweld them on in place to suit.

It's coming off the Touring and will go on the project car......it's only for "looks" anyway!

Check Ebay for "E36 Strut Tower Bar" and you'll see a heap of them. Better if you can get one where the brackets are a full circle and not cut-out. The Ebay pics are not necessarily what you get.

[ingraham]

The rear is already stiff, and lateral motion of the shock towers doesn't affect rear suspension geometry anyway.

Whether you drill or weld, you have to touch up the paint to avoid rust.

In front you need to choose according to your intake system. Varies somewhat for tii, original air filter housing, and small 'Weber' air filter.

I like the Artspeed bar. It's designer put quite a lot of engineering into it making it stiff and getting it to fit various intake setups without hitting the hood or anything else. (Things that sound nasty but aren't.)

It strikes me as a supreme coincidence that an E36 bar fits a 2002.

[Benz02]

The rear brace doesn't stiffen up the rear noticeably, it's already structurally stiff there anyway.

I think you have to drill holes, but they're not very big. I like the rear brace/battery kit and think it feels better. Especially if you start to hang it out a little and the springs are compressing, when you straighten back out it settles in with a better feel. But I agree that it's not a major difference.

Benzo

'71 verona

[visionaut]

I run an Ireland Engineering Tii strut bar in front, nothing in the rear (like Curt said, not really necessary, unless full-out racer or battery reloc also a part of it).

Not mentioned yet - Walloth & Nesch also make/sell a few nice bars (front & rear) worth checking out.