Front strut bar

[xlr8tin]

I've been wondering this for quite some time now. I've asked many people I know that are mechanics. Now I'll ask you all, I'm sure it's been thrown around before, but will a strut bar help with handling at all for my car?

[Sam Son]

a few people have them here...they help stiffen up the front end..id spend my cash on sways first for a real improvement

[xlr8tin]

a few people have them here...they help stiffen up the front end..id spend my cash on sways first for a real improvement

I bet then that it would really help if you do both

[E34ührer]

Uh oh.....:eatpop:

I like mine. It depends on the bar. Some say that if the bar has 'joints' it is worthless. I tend to disagree....but we will see where this thread goes.

EDIT: you are quick Sam Son. I have sways, springs and the bar. My car handles pretty bad ass. The handling is the only thing that keeps me in a 525i. (and MPG)

[ShapeShifter]

Unless you track the car, it's just jewlery.
Spend your money elsewhere.

[xlr8tin]

Unless you track the car, it's just jewlery.
Spend your money elsewhere.
It was just a thought. I was surfing the web, and saw them and it got me thinking....

Besides wheels, where should I put my money, PorscheDude? :D

[Deanx2009]

It was just a thought. I was surfing the web, and saw them and it got me thinking....

Besides wheels, where should I put my money, PorscheDude? :D

Making everything in the car work

Wheels/tires

Lowering springs

Updating your body to 95. with M-tech side skirts and painted bumpers

5 speed swap (or six)



Then you win.

[E34nication]

definitely springs/swaybars first. manual swap would be sweet too. Saw this car tonight... very clean.

[xlr8tin]

definitely springs/swaybars first. manual swap would be sweet too. Saw this car tonight... very clean.

Thanks Kris! My HIDs do look good don't they :redspot

As far as making sure the car runs well....Check that one off (for now).

Springs maybe next. I want an LSD, but that will have to wait.

Manual swap might be nice, but sounds like a bigger problem then I have time for...I really don't mind the auto with the chips

Any other ideas?

[Analog]

If I get a check for my car, I will sell you a complete 5 speed swap for 1k.

[xlr8tin]

If I get a check for my car, I will sell you a complete 5 speed swap for 1k.

That sounds decent, I don't know if I'd want to go with a 5 or 6 speed though.

[Analog]

Just throwing it out there.

I don't miss not having 6th with my 2.81

[525iDan]

The previous owner had the full Dinan suspension upgrade minus the strut tower braces. His reasoning was it was only a track car sometimes and the rest of the time the rear one just killed use of the trunk. I really cant imagine the car handling any better than it does. I have to really push it to get any body roll out of it. I dont think I'll be spending the money on the tower braces because of the trunk space loss.

For a road car that drivable (ie no sidesways passes over speed bumps cause it's so low) I'd say I'm incredible happy with my set up. I'd stay away from the strut tower braces for now. I think you'll find the handling great even without the braces if you make the above suggested upgrades. gl

[MacR]

Buy Nic's 6 speed swap, drive to Indiana, and I'll install it in a weekend.

[E34nication]

The previous owner had the full Dinan suspension upgrade minus the strut tower braces. His reasoning was it was only a track car sometimes and the rest of the time the rear one just killed use of the trunk. I really cant imagine the car handling any better than it does. I have to really push it to get any body roll out of it. I dont think I'll be spending the money on the tower braces because of the trunk space loss.

For a road car that drivable (ie no sidesways passes over speed bumps cause it's so low) I'd say I'm incredible happy with my set up. I'd stay away from the strut tower braces for now. I think you'll find the handling great even without the braces if you make the above suggested upgrades. gl

rear brace on an e34? pics or a link?

[stoney85]

A strut brace is only used to tighten the strut towers together to reduce any flex, so all the benefits are gained by allowing the suspension to do its job properly

You will notice better turn in generally, but only if you are driving at the limits

depending on the cost of them, i'd be putting my money elsewhere firstly, however the are still an upgrade that is worth considering (unless you already have a roll cage)

[xlr8tin]

The previous owner had the full Dinan suspension upgrade minus the strut tower braces. His reasoning was it was only a track car sometimes and the rest of the time the rear one just killed use of the trunk. I really cant imagine the car handling any better than it does. I have to really push it to get any body roll out of it. I dont think I'll be spending the money on the tower braces because of the trunk space loss.

For a road car that drivable (ie no sidesways passes over speed bumps cause it's so low) I'd say I'm incredible happy with my set up. I'd stay away from the strut tower braces for now. I think you'll find the handling great even without the braces if you make the above suggested upgrades. gl

Yea, I wouldn't do the rear brace


Buy Nic's 6 speed swap, drive to Indiana, and I'll install it in a weekend.

Tempting, but I probably couldn't afford it right now. Do you know what he wants for it?


A strut brace is only used to tighten the strut towers together to reduce any flex, so all the benefits are gained by allowing the suspension to do its job properly

You will notice better turn in generally, but only if you are driving at the limits

depending on the cost of them, i'd be putting my money elsewhere firstly, however the are still an upgrade that is worth considering (unless you already have a roll cage)

Maybe when this isn't my DD

[p1zz4guy]

rear brace on an e34? pics or a link?

I ve seen one on ebay i'll try to find a link.

Found it. For you sir...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E34-5-Series-REAR-Strut-Bar-Brace-L-K_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a12Q7c66Q3a2Q7c3 9Q3a1Q7c72Q3a1205Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1 Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem2e a62ba029QQitemZ200356372521QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTru ckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Looks pretty cheap though.

[E34nication]

found it on ebay... interesting. anyone know where more pics of this are? seems fishy... my rear strut mounts are up in the rear parcel shelf area.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E34-5-Series-REAR-Strut-Bar-Brace-L-K_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQh ashZitem2ea013261bQQitemZ200254105115QQptZMotorsQ5 fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ebayphotohostin g

[ILoveMPower]

As far as I'm concerned beefier sway bars will make the biggest noticeable increase in handling, followed closely by springs.

Strut tower bars don't really make a huge difference in my experience

[nmp411]

Rear strut braces in an e34 are a total joke. There is no way that they can attach in the trunk.

[renemesis]

There was a pic on here somewhere (maybe the sound system thread) with a really nice looking Dinan rear bar.

[ShapeShifter]

Sway bars are better money spent after springs and shocks.

[xlr8tin]

Sway bars are better money spent after springs and shocks.

I think this might be what I do next. Now that I've bought wheels, I can move on.

Is ebay an ok place to get sway bars? If not, what's a good brand to look for?

[ShapeShifter]

There was someone selling M5t sway bars here within the last couple weeks.

[xlr8tin]

There was someone selling M5t sway bars here within the last couple weeks.

Was it in this section?

[E34ührer]

M5t sways are awesome. So are Dinan's. I have the Dinan set up. It is adjustable, and the same thickness as the M5t bars. (25mm front, 19mm rear)

Just beware buying on eBay. There are a lot of knock off/replica parts that people try to pass for real. Some of the forgeries are so good even a veteran BMW owner could be fooled from time to time.

[xlr8tin]

So, then 25mm and 19mm are good sizes? I'll have to look into the M5t

[93FIM5]

M5 Touring had a 19mm rear bar as stock and with the N'ring suspension a 20mm rear bar. Xlr8tin what do you have done currently suspension and wheel wise?

[xlr8tin]

M5 Touring had a 19mm rear bar as stock and with the N'ring suspension a 20mm rear bar. Xlr8tin what do you have done currently suspension and wheel wise?Currently, nothing to the suspension...I need to get springs and shocks. I'll probably get springs first, and buy everything a piece at a time unless I see something on here that I like first.

I just bought some 17" wheels that should be here monday...(fingers crossed)

[Stir Fry A Lot]

I got my rear 20mm N'ring bar from lowell and my front standard M5 bar from a local dismantler.

[93FIM5]

Well what are the dimension on your new wheels and what type of driving do you do mainly with the car that requires upgraded suspension or is it just for looks? By the way just trying to get an idea not trying to bash.

[E34ührer]

A good suspension breakdown:

http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Upgrade/Suspensions.htm

[xlr8tin]

Well what are the dimension on your new wheels and what type of driving do you do mainly with the car that requires upgraded suspension or is it just for looks? By the way just trying to get an idea not trying to bash.

No, I understand. they are good questions. If I remember correctly they are 17x8. I like to drive fast. People around here drive slow soI'm constantly having to go around them.

I want the springs for lowering. Everything else I want for handling

[93FIM5]

Ok well my idea of fast is mountain passes at 90-110mph through the corners (Speed limit 45mph and some corners suggested at 30mph) and track time pushing as hard as I can trying to find the limit before I end up in the field.

I've found the stock M5 suspension is pretty well sorted and I prefer personally to have a little bit of warning of impending death from the car so I tend to stay away from running a bigger rear swaybar at the moment due to a number of things. Mainly the idea of the back end coming loose at 100+mph worries me, I prefer a little bit of understeer at the limit and a less twitchy rear end. The only way to accomplish this with the rims and tires I currently have M System II 17x8 w/ Michelin PS2 245/40 ZR17 (Similar to your future setup) is too maintain the current OEM swaybar setup of 25F/18R. Remember the touring had a bigger rear swaybar for a reason and it wasnt because they wanted to make it handle better than the sedan! Also when BMW developed the N'ring suspension (It uses a larger rear swaybar 19mm sedan 20mm touring) they also used larger rear rims. This allowed them to dial out a little understeer while at the same time maintaining a similar level of traction for the rear.

My plan is to add a little bit more front negative camber with the GC kit (Outside edge of my front tires are wearing!) and a wider wheel set 265/35 ZR18 Michelin PS2 on M Parr 18x9.5 rims all around (I will make it fit up front lol!) with 850csi control arms (Spherical bearings) and possibly some urethane. If I still need to dial out a little more understeer in the future I have the option to increase the rear tire size to maybe a 275 with a larger rear swaybar and if there is any room up front a little bigger spacer to widen the track. Also on the original subject if you do push your car hard a strutbar or a thrustplate are a must to help maintain geometry.

Anyways long story short what Im getting at is be careful when you start messing with running a larger swaybar in the rear without other modifications to account for it (adjustable links, wider tires etc), the car will handle better but it will also have a sharper limit in my experience. Should of just sent this last paragraph . . . .:( thats my experience and input take it for what its worth :wave.

[swill424242]

I wish i had friends Like MacR in new jersey who would put stuff in my car or help out when i need to get some stuff done


Buy Nic's 6 speed swap, drive to Indiana, and I'll install it in a weekend.
l

[xlr8tin]

Well then you haven't been in my passenger seat when I'm driving. ;)

That's a lot of good info that I will surely take into account...I don't however plan to go crazy...I just want to eliminate some of the body roll I get when going around corners or just passing someone...

I'm sure springs, shocks, maybe sway bars, and I'm sure tire will play a big roll to accomplish this. Thanks!


Ok well my idea of fast is mountain passes at 90-110mph through the corners (Speed limit 45mph and some corners suggested at 30mph) and track time pushing as hard as I can trying to find the limit before I end up in the field.

I've found the stock M5 suspension is pretty well sorted and I prefer personally to have a little bit of warning of impending death from the car so I tend to stay away from running a bigger rear swaybar at the moment due to a number of things. Mainly the idea of the back end coming loose at 100+mph worries me, I prefer a little bit of understeer at the limit and a less twitchy rear end. The only way to accomplish this with the rims and tires I currently have M System II 17x8 w/ Michelin PS2 245/40 ZR17 (Similar to your future setup) is too maintain the current OEM swaybar setup of 25F/18R. Remember the touring had a bigger rear swaybar for a reason and it wasnt because they wanted to make it handle better than the sedan! Also when BMW developed the N'ring suspension (It uses a larger rear swaybar 19mm sedan 20mm touring) they also used larger rear rims. This allowed them to dial out a little understeer while at the same time maintaining a similar level of traction for the rear.

My plan is to add a little bit more front negative camber with the GC kit (Outside edge of my front tires are wearing!) and a wider wheel set 265/35 ZR18 Michelin PS2 on M Parr 18x9.5 rims all around (I will make it fit up front lol!) with 850csi control arms (Spherical bearings) and possibly some urethane. If I still need to dial out a little more understeer in the future I have the option to increase the rear tire size to maybe a 275 with a larger rear swaybar and if there is any room up front a little bigger spacer to widen the track. Also on the original subject if you do push your car hard a strutbar or a thrustplate are a must to help maintain geometry.

Anyways long story short what Im getting at is be careful when you start messing with running a larger swaybar in the rear without other modifications to account for it (adjustable links, wider tires etc), the car will handle better but it will also have a sharper limit in my experience. Should of just sent this last paragraph . . . .:( thats my experience and input take it for what its worth :wave.

[E34ührer]

Anyways long story short what Im getting at is be careful when you start messing with running a larger swaybar in the rear without other modifications to account for it (adjustable links, wider tires etc), the car will handle better but it will also have a sharper limit in my experience. Should of just sent this last paragraph . . . .:( thats my experience and input take it for what its worth :wave.


Good solid advice. But unless pushing the car to/past it's limit, I don't think the general population will ever notice the difference. Still...good thought.:buttrock

[93FIM5]

Well then you haven't been in my passenger seat when I'm driving. ;)

That's a lot of good info that I will surely take into account...I don't however plan to go crazy...I just want to eliminate some of the body roll I get when going around corners or just passing someone...

I'm sure springs, shocks, maybe sway bars, and I'm sure tire will play a big roll to accomplish this. Thanks!

True lol, it would be good if we could ever get a big meet setup so all of us could meet sometime! Like you said if its just body roll you'll be fine with swaybars but just wanted to share some of my experience with swaybars, good luck and post up pics of your car when your done with the suspension and get a chance!


Good solid advice. But unless pushing the car to/past it's limit, I don't think the general population will ever notice the difference. Still...good thought.:buttrock

Also true!

[ShapeShifter]

Yes, the M5t bars were here.

[Stir Fry A Lot]

Instead of 25/18 you could always go 27/20 if you like a bit of understeer.

[xlr8tin]

True lol, it would be good if we could ever get a big meet setup so all of us could meet sometime! Like you said if its just body roll you'll be fine with swaybars but just wanted to share some of my experience with swaybars, good luck and post up pics of your car when your done with the suspension and get a chance!

I know. I wish we all could. Seems we are pretty spread out....

I will get picks up for sure

[Steve547i]

I'm picking up M5T sways in a few weeks for 290$

[screwbiedoo15]

The only way to accomplish this with the rims and tires I currently have M System II 17x8 w/ Michelin PS2 245/40 ZR17

Have you had any issues running a 245 tire on a 17X8" wheel?

[stoney85]

ideally a 245 tyre should go on a wider rim, as 225 is the closest width of an 8" rim, but it wont be an issue at all

i had 235/40R17 on a 7" wide rim for a very short time whilst my other rims were getting new tyres and repaired (S13 Silvia), looked worse more than anything, and sidewall flex is increased

[93FIM5]

Have you had any issues running a 245 tire on a 17X8" wheel?

No none at all the Tire Rack mentions that the Michelin PS2 245/40 tires I run are measured on a 8.5" width rim so according to them the industry norm is "that for every 1/2" change in rim width, the tire's section width will correspondingly change by approximately 2/10". They have a little chart on their site (link at bottom) comparing a P205/60R15 tire on a 6" measured rim showing this idea pretty well.

The only downside is that with the smaller side wall according to my GPS my speedo is off by about 2-3 mph, which doesn't really bother me because the reduced sidewall and extra rubber really make a difference.

My next setup with 265/35 18s on all four corners should be almost perfect with an increase of section width too 10.7" per tire or 5.6" of additional contact patch total (all four tires, its 1.3" more per tire) over OEM. The 265/35 18s also get the speedo back to being accurate and they have a reduced sidewall which should sharpen things up a little.

Here is a good link to the tire rack which explains alot about tire sizing, PM me if you wanna keep talking! http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/tirespecskey.jsp#measrimwidth

[5mall5nail5]

If you are interested in a front strut bar I would recommend looking at non-hinged units and I recently bought the Strong Strut unit and love it. The car does seem tighter in the front, but I replaced a lot of my car so I can't say that the strut bar was the only contributing factor. The strong strut piece is probably the best out of the bunch - its billet aluminum both the strut mount tops and the bar, no cheap stamped steel.

[93FIM5]

If you are interested in a front strut bar I would recommend looking at non-hinged units and I recently bought the Strong Strut unit and love it. The car does seem tighter in the front, but I replaced a lot of my car so I can't say that the strut bar was the only contributing factor. The strong strut piece is probably the best out of the bunch - its billet aluminum both the strut mount tops and the bar, no cheap stamped steel.

Pictures?

[5mall5nail5]

http://jonkensy.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/purplewow3.jpg

http://jonkensy.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/purplewow4.jpg

http://jonkensy.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/purplewow5.jpg

[93FIM5]

Purple, I knew it would be purple!

Looks like a nice piece Jon I like the way it attaches, very solid and seems to be a much better way than most. How long are the bolts that thread into the bar, mainly how much thread penetration?

[5mall5nail5]

Purple, I knew it would be purple!

Looks like a nice piece Jon I like the way it attaches, very solid and seems to be a much better way than most. How long are the bolts that thread into the bar, mainly how much thread penetration?

Hah yeah, it came silver or wrinkle black. I just had to customize that :)

Thread engagement... TONS. Almost too much. The bolts were probably 1.5" to 2.0" long and thick, and had to go in there for a whole bunch of turns. But it lets you center the bar and all, you can see the double jamb nuts.

[93FIM5]

Yea I really like the way it mounts, like you said lots of ability for adjustment.

[Sam Son]

Uh oh.....:eatpop:

I like mine. It depends on the bar. Some say that if the bar has 'joints' it is worthless. I tend to disagree....but we will see where this thread goes.

EDIT: you are quick Sam Son. I have sways, springs and the bar. My car handles pretty bad ass. The handling is the only thing that keeps me in a 525i. (and MPG)
i need sways although with coilovers poly bushings and subframe mounts there is very very little roll as of now but i do want some RD sways

[xlr8tin]

Ok, I'm looking at sway bars...where is the best place to get the ones I need? Do I look for stock replacements?

[E34ührer]

I like the Dinan sways....they adjust and are the same size at M5t bars.

[xlr8tin]

I like the Dinan sways....they adjust and are the same size at M5t bars.

Yea, but where can I get them? I don't see them on Dinan

[Stir Fry A Lot]

I like the Dinan sways....they adjust and are the same size at M5t bars.

Dinan's are 19mm in the rear and the M5t's are 20mm IIRC.

[E34nication]

pm lowell and see if he has any laying around.

[xlr8tin]

pm lowell and see if he has any laying around.

Thanks...I will

[Stir Fry A Lot]

That's who I got mine from. He's a great seller (even you you won't have any problems). :stickoutt

[xlr8tin]

That's who I got mine from. He's a great seller (even you you won't have any problems). :stickoutt

I better!!! Or I'm likely to do something hateful to everyone..:shifty

Someone on here must ship things right;)

Apparently lowell is now
kalevera

[E34ührer]

Yea, but where can I get them? I don't see them on Dinan

I just noticed that the M60 cars don't have sways available on the Dinan website. That is odd. Maybe they are different? But if you look under E34 525i (1991-1995) they are there...so if they are all the same...just buy those.


Dinan's are 19mm in the rear and the M5t's are 20mm IIRC.

M5t's aren't 20mm rears unless you have the n'ring suspension.

[Stir Fry A Lot]

Gotcha. My fail.

[xlr8tin]

I just noticed that the M60 cars don't have sways available on the Dinan website. That is odd. Maybe they are different? But if you look under E34 525i (1991-1995) they are there...so if they are all the same...just buy those.


I know, that's why I kept asking where to find the Dinan sway's, like you were all crazy...

Can anyone tell me if those fit

[E34ührer]

Bump...difference between M60 sways and M50 sways???

I really don't think there is a diff. xlr8tin. If anyone can use M5t bars, then there shouldn't be a diff on any E34.

[Stir Fry A Lot]

Just get the N'ring bar (its thicker) and a standard M5 bar for the front from a wrecker. I think you can use e32 bars for the front which are 27mm if you prefer at bit of understeer. My setup is neutral.

[xlr8tin]

I'm talking with kalevera (aka lowell). So, I'm sure we will come up with something.

[billygoat777]

I have one.. but I also have springs, shocks, and swaybars... but my car is the best handling car i've ever been in :)