X Brace

[mredwin25]

All I gotta say is, If you don't have one, get one, I just did today and it was by far one of the best cheapest suspension upgrade I've done, I can really feel the difference.

[shim]

i hope to when i get some dough

[Colicious]

where is the best place to get one? the stealer?

[shim]

eap4parts or theres like 2 or 3 from this one store on ebay, $110 for the x-brace & hardware, then $16 or 17 for shipping.

also, try to get a buffer stop....

[Dinanify]

Info about the 'bufferstop' here (http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/html_techtip/techtips/e36_xbrace_buffer.htm).

[GRAY GOOSE]

Go to a delear it was 90 for me.

[amdspitfire]

Go to a delear it was 90 for me.

which dealer?

[shim]

which dealer?
werd


Info about the 'bufferstop' here (http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/html_techtip/techtips/e36_xbrace_buffer.htm).
good find. i was gonna post that link if anyone was gonna ask about what the buffer stop was.

[GRAY GOOSE]

Sterling BMW...

[shim]

Sterling BMW...
how much for shipping?

[ebxgsxr]

ok, sorry to sound like such a newbie. but what exactly does the x-brace do? i tried a search before, but couldnt find any specific definition/purpose....just that everyone that does it is happy and the install doesnt take that long.

[shim]

ok, sorry to sound like such a newbie. but what exactly does the x-brace do? i tried a search before, but couldnt find any specific definition/purpose....just that everyone that does it is happy and the install doesnt take that long.

it comes stock on M3 LTW's and convertibles. its purpose is to stiffen up the chassis (which that one single bar does not do real well) & help out a little with bodyroll. it helps turn in alot more

[calypso]

good info, i will post up comments when I install mine in a week or so - is the buffer stop really necessary?

[BuddaLun]

I think its useless. Most people say that the engine NEVER even touches the bufferstop. I could be wrong tough...

[surfacewound]

good info, i will post up comments when I install mine in a week or so - is the buffer stop really necessary?

Is the x-brace really necessary? ;)

Looks kinda weird/interesting. Never heard of it til now.

[WytLytnyn]

It certainly makes a difference as well as a front strut bar. The best $120 bucks you'll put into your car.

Improved torsional rigidity is a good thing...... :buttrock :redspot


http://e30m3performance.com/myths/Strutbar_Theory/strut_bar_theory.htm

[=BA=]

Has anybody ever used the GT X-brace (don't know if the LTW uses the same as the Cabrio) and are there any significant diffrences?

[Dinanify]

good info, i will post up comments when I install mine in a week or so - is the buffer stop really necessary?
To anyone that's blown up a differential due to wheel hop on a launch (raises hand), YES...... it is very necessary. That, is precisely what it is there to stop.

[John V]

IMO the biggest reason to do the x-brace is oil pan protection, especially with how many folks around here like to drive around with their wheels tucked up into the fenders. :stickoutt

I noticed a bigger difference putting in the powerflex RTABs than I did the X-brace. The X-brace didn't do anything noticable for me. :dunno

[surfacewound]

The X-brace didn't do anything noticable for me. :dunno

Same here, yet I continue seeing threads like this with people saying OMGFBESTMODEVAR!1

I'm glad I have it and all, I just didn't see such a drastic improvement that so many people on here claim.

[John V]

Same here, yet I continue seeing threads like this with people saying OMGFBESTMODEVAR!1

I'm glad I have it and all, I just didn't see such a drastic improvement that so many people on here claim.
Glad I'm not the only one who feels like this.

It's not like I baby the car, either... :dunno.

[GUINNESS]

I noticed a bigger difference putting in the powerflex RTABs

What's that??

[beatniks325]

it was by far one of the best cheapest suspension upgrade I've done,

that to me doesn't equal OMGFBESTMODEVAR!!@# :stickoutt but whatever right?

but definitely x-brace before strut bar.

[surfacewound]

that to me doesn't equal OMGFBESTMODEVAR!!@# :stickoutt but whatever right?

but definitely x-brace before strut bar.

:shifty

Yeah, if you get a strut bar just make sure it's not jointed. And there's not really any reason to have one (save for aesthetics) unless you track it all the time.

[John V]

What's that??
RTABS = Rear Trailing Arm Bushings. I just put in the powerflex (urethane) ones this weekend. Much easier install than the factory bushings (no tool needed) and a nice improvement in the stability of the back end, especially applying lots of power out of corners.

JV

[shim]

To anyone that's blown up a differential due to wheel hop on a launch (raises hand), YES...... it is very necessary. That, is precisely what it is there to stop.
wait what?? why would a buffer stop prevent a blown differential when the buffer stop is a small little rubber piece on the x brace to prevent engine lifting & twisting :devillook

[Colicious]

RTABS = Rear Trailing Arm Bushings. I just put in the powerflex (urethane) ones this weekend. Much easier install than the factory bushings (no tool needed) and a nice improvement in the stability of the back end, especially applying lots of power out of corners.

JV
where can you pick up some of those?

[shim]

where can you pick up some of those?
bimmerworld has all the stock rubber replacements & powerflex urethane bushings

[Dinanify]

wait what?? why would a buffer stop prevent a blown differential when the buffer stop is a small little rubber piece on the x brace to prevent engine lifting & twisting :devillook
From my previous post, I Posted a link to the UUC explanatoin here:
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/html_techtip/techtips/e36_xbrace_buffer.htm

"As he explained to me, the drive-line has a built-in BMW design of -3 degrees of "pitch" from the rear-end's pinion gear through the driveshaft to the transmission/engine under normal and common driving. When hard acceleration (high engine torque) takes place BMW wants a 0 degree MAXIMUM pitch (or perfect line-up) on this drive-line for efficient transfer of power to the pinion gear thereby producing good traction and proper "Front Bite" (for track handling).

What happens in reality is that the drive-line goes "positive" by some unknown degree during a portion of this high peak engine torque delivery period. It limits the efficiency when anything other than 0 degrees (straight-line) of pitch is produced.

It can cause the entire rear-end housing to twist, turn and jump (wheel hop). The incorrectly pitched driveshaft will attempt to "search" wildly like an object that has lost it's centrifugal force or orbit. It wants to find the perfect straight-line setup but can't due to the engine's torque throwing the pitch "positive" thus causing the rear-end's geometry to become upset. This causes the shocks and springs to react poorly which cannot adjust."

So, while the bold above is happening, you are placing rediculous amounts of unnatural force on your diffierential ring and and pinion gear (mainly the pinion gear). In my case, the pinion gear fractured, later, part of it broke off and fell into the bottom of the differential casing. Fortunately, this happened without that piece getting caught up between the Pinion and ring gears, so I avoided a rear end lockup at freeway speeds...

... so is it worth the $20 to pick up that buffer stop?

....YES...

You can thank me later :)

I just realized I think you were joking :D whoops! :stickoutt

[shim]

werd. the $20 piece would be worth it.

[brian30tw]

How long should it take to install the x-brace? I just talked to the dealer, and they quoted me an hour, if the brackets are there. Do I need to order brackets, too, or mounting hardware or something? An hour seems excessive.

[Dinanify]

1. @ home: jack up the car
2. put in all bolts (6 I think it is, not sure on torque specs)
3. Lower car
4. go win the Speed world Challenge

..30 minutes is more realistic (15 for the dealer), but the dealer may not charge you for less than an hour (their correct name is 'stealer', not dealer)