It's Perfectly Normal to Feel Jealous Part III: Just Got a Motorsport Strut Brace

[Effervescent]

Keepin' the price confidential...
http://www.yehoodi.com/images/news_photos/1006.jpg
http://www.yehoodi.com/images/news_photos/1007.jpg
http://www.yehoodi.com/images/news_photos/1008.jpg
http://www.yehoodi.com/images/news_photos/1009.jpg
Cross bar appears to be aluminum, which I didn't know.

Now I just need some reasonable nuts prices and then I'll install it.

-Eff

[Inv3ctiv3]

Haha nice man, car looks great btw.

[Effervescent]

:alright

Thanks!

-Eff

[ShoreBimmerBoi]

how much did u pick it up for

[Inv3ctiv3]

how much did u pick it up for
Guess you didn't read his post :confused

[M3@Apex]

Jealous just doesn't describe it.

Nice man!

[calypso]

make sure to get the z8 covers for the centers, I believe they fit right in there.

[Effervescent]

z8 covers? Got pics?

-Eff

[calypso]

no pics, but they are just small conical/smooth covers that look really clean. don't know how much $, but it would definitely make an already good-looking piece even better.

[Nick328i]

that is hot. i am jealous.

[ShoreBimmerBoi]

whats so special about this strut brace? it looks decent to me.

[Effervescent]

It works. It's Motorsport. It's NLA. Try to find one ;)

-Eff

[greenlanturn]

looks awesome, i realize the price is confidential...what about the source? :devillook

[Effervescent]

That well is now dry, my friend.:( :stickoutt

-Eff

[AntiHero]

Dont feel so special because your not the only one that has one!! :)


http://www.antiherowerks.com/m3/enginebay.jpg

[purepump]

Simply the best strut brace

[The-Great-328ic]

Your title sucks.........however the strut bar is a nice find
congrats

[fritzintn]

Cross bar appears to be aluminum, which I didn't know.

-Eff

Yup it's AL. My crossbar snapped when the car got hit. Now to find a machine shop to repair/create a new crossbar.

[Dnz]

Dealer sells it here. They want 1500 for it. ugh.

[RedV]

It works. It's Motorsport. It's NLA. Try to find one ;)

-Eff

Sweet find, however its not NLA. It is illegal for BMWNA to import it into the country now since it's not dot approved. I found this out in my short lived quest for one. It was possible for a friend at work to place an order for it (iirc) but it was not importable due to the dot thing. It can be ordered new through BMW Deutschland, however its ridiclously expensive and with the euro on the wrong side of the dollar, its even more $$$. So if you snagged that thing for anywhere under 500, you stole it. I'm guessing you either paid waaaay to much or got one hell of a deal. Either way, i am indeed jealous ;)

[Dnz]

It can be ordered new through BMW Deutschland, however its ridiclously expensive and with the euro on the wrong side of the dollar, its even more $$$. So if you snagged that thing for anywhere under 500, you stole it. I'm guessing you either paid waaaay to much or got one hell of a deal. Either way, i am indeed jealous ;)

My offer of buying it and sending it out still stands. Well that and im pretty sure the guys wont care sending it overseas..

heres the dealer.. http://teambmw.co.nz/index.html

[Effervescent]

Sweet find, however its not NLA.

Ah, ya got me on a technicality.

-Eff

[xlifelessdaysx]

Ah, ya got me on a technicality.

-Eff
damn eff your a mad man, what do you have next up your sleeve?
koa

[MWhip]

Dang it.......i'm hate'n......I can not find one for cheap.EVER....:(

[betta2bme]

:eek2 Looks really nice, anyone know of another good company that makes a non-hinged strut bar?

[Gizmo330iT]

AA Tuning have a sweet strut brace, awesome design. I just can't fit one until I get the euro throttle bodies...

[themadhatter]

I take your single bar and raise you with a second. :woot:


they aren't that hard to find, you just need to know where to look. ;)

Congrats on the awesome hardware! :buttrock

[Effervescent]

HE'S STICKING IT TO ME!
:D

-Eff

[themadhatter]

HE'S STICKING IT TO ME!
:D

-Eff
I picked those up from the same place I got the nuts. there is more from where they came from, if you're willing to pay for them.

[Alx]

Here's a picture of mine with the Z8 strut tower covers (they fit perfectly):

http://members.roadfly.org/m_alx/Alx_BMW_M3_Cabrio_Engine_4.jpg

You can see the part number on the folowing link (n° 5): http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=EJ11&mospid=47735&btnr=31_0546&hg=31&fg=10

Part#: 31331096046


Regards,

[JCK]

I believe TCK sells these for 500ish, no?

There are much better unhinged bars out there for less.

[Effervescent]

Used to.

-Eff

[JCK]

Used too.

-Eff
:confused are you saying the ones TCK sells are used?

[Effervescent]

lol No, no. I mean..they USED to sell them. At least, I'm pretty sure.

-Eff

[Ali]

jealous? Not really but its a nice strut bar :D Now try to get one with BMW MOTORSPORT insignia and a real m3 ltw motor with a 3.2 head hehe



http://www.abbasiinc.com/small%20pics/IMG_1684-small.JPG

[Effervescent]

UNCLE!

-Eff

[Daved]

Why should I feel jealous? I thought strut bars did little next to nothing.

[themadhatter]

they do work but they actually need to be designed properly.

[dave is cool]

Why should I feel jealous? I thought strut bars did little next to nothing.

They only do something if you actually drive the car at its limits. 90% of the people that have one is for looks.

[JCK]

They only do something if you actually drive the car at its limits. 90% of the people that have one is for looks.
wrong. a well-designed strut bar will help tremendously. Most noticably in convertibles, but coupes/sedans as well. It stiffens things up quite a bit. This coming from someone who doesn't currently have one.

strong strut and dinan also make effective bars.

[fritzintn]

For what it's worth, the dealer memo they sent out saying not to sell them directs customers to call PTG.

[STL Avus M3]

Nice, looks just like mine.

FYI, To get the Z8 covers to fit snugly, wrap the bottom with a couple layers of duct tape.

[Reno]

the pix are down :(

http://www.yehoodi.com? :confused

[ae86_16v]

Stupid question, but do these bars only fit 95 cars? I have a 98 Sedan, so would it fit w/ ASC in place?

[themadhatter]

Stupid question, but do these bars only fit 95 cars? I have a 98 Sedan, so would it fit w/ ASC in place?
you need to remove the ASC throttle body so this can fit.

[MWhip]

Someone sell me one for cheap :/........pretty please.

[Effervescent]

It's easier to pass through the eye of a needle.

-Eff

[///M3Matt]

woopdy doo.....we have 4 of them :stickoutt

[themadhatter]

Someone sell me one for cheap :/........pretty please.
define cheap.

[I3uller]

I feel no jealousy at all.

[///M LIFE©]

PIcs are out

[ae86_16v]

you need to remove the ASC throttle body so this can fit.

Would the Z8 one fit w/ ASC?

[MWhip]

define cheap.

PM Me a price....

[themadhatter]

PM Me a price....
I'm not selling them, read my pm reply to you for more info.

-Ron

[themadhatter]

Would the Z8 one fit w/ ASC?
the Z8 bar? the Z8 traction control? neither will fit the e36. I don't know if the Z8 even has a bar, I think you're confusing it with the plastic caps that another member was referring to.

[ae86_16v]

the Z8 bar? the Z8 traction control? neither will fit the e36. I don't know if the Z8 even has a bar, I think you're confusing it with the plastic caps that another member was referring to.


Yeah, I am completely confused :). So how do you remove the ASC throttle body? And if so, that removes the functionality of ASC? Or could you still keep it?

[catalyst.]

Yeah, I am completely confused :). So how do you remove the ASC throttle body? And if so, that removes the functionality of ASC? Or could you still keep it?

You will just need the intake system off of a non ASC car if im not mistaken. And yes your ASC will no longer work without it... IMHO its a pretty dangerous system anyway.. what if you need to gas out of some oversteer.. ACS cuts the power (only thing it does) and you end up in a tree..

[übermäßig M3]

I say we start a BMW Motorsport Strutbar Club! :stickoutt

Official Member 001: übermäßig M3

LOL :D

http://www.m3pix.com/images/wolfie/IMG_0510.1.jpg

///Marco

[Effervescent]

:nono :D
Official Member 000: Effervescent
Official Member 001: übermäßig M3

-Eff

[Dstam3]

Finally you got it. Looks good and welcome to the club I guess this make me member #2 :)

http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL841/4049884/8418084/113290546.jpg

[übermäßig M3]

:nono :D
Official Member 000: Effervescent
Official Member 001: übermäßig M3

-Eff

Wiseguy! :stickoutt

///Marco

[themadhatter]

You will just need the intake system off of a non ASC car if im not mistaken. And yes your ASC will no longer work without it... IMHO its a pretty dangerous system anyway.. what if you need to gas out of some oversteer.. ACS cuts the power (only thing it does) and you end up in a tree..
just a correction to your post.

you don't need an intake system replacement, you just need the elbow (before the throttle body) off of a '98 Mroadster/coupe. they are less then $20 from your local dealership.

the asc+t is intrusive as you mentioned but it still sucks since it's not a smooth setup. it works in two ways:

#1 brake application to the rear wheels when slip is detected

#2 cuts throttle by closing the butterfly valve in the asc+t throttle body (that you would be removing). this effectively limits air going into the motor.

once you remove the ASC+t throttle body, you disable the system but still retain full function of your abs system.

if you have the bank and desire for a great traction control system, invest in a Race Logic setup. it moniters wheel speed via your abs sensors and limits power smoothly via your fuel injectors. it's fully adjustable and can enable trick features such as a valet mode (giving less power) and a launch control mode.

-Ron

[dinans3m3]

you may also feel a bit of increase in power since the diameter of the ASC unitsuffocate the air flow since it is smaller and more restrictive than the throttle body. Well for me i hav ethe Dinan big bore TB so it was a significant difference between the two unoits, not quite sure on the stock TB.
Bekker's Import use to carry the strut bat. im not sure if they still carry it since i bought mine about 6-7yrs ago on another M3 i had for $450. Try giving them a call
ORDERS 1-800-624-5410

[Alx]

Finally you got it. Looks good and welcome to the club I guess this make me member #2 :)



Already posted, but here's mine - another Daytona with a Motorsport strut bar :)

http://members.roadfly.com/M_Alx/Alx_BMW_M3_Cabrio_Strut_Bar_1.jpg

Make me member #007 ;)

[Effervescent]

SURE! MAKE ME DO ALL THE WORK! :D

Official Member 000: Effervescent
Official Member 001: übermäßig M3
Official Member 002: Dstam3
Official Member 003:
Official Member 004:
Official Member 005:
Official Member 006:
Official Member 007: Alx

[themadhatter]

you guys can be serious.

if you are, then I'm #1 of the motorsport brace equipped turbo 332is club.:drink1

[Dstam3]

you guys can be serious.

if you are, then I'm #1 of the motorsport brace equipped turbo 332is club.:drink1

Start a motorsport bar FI club in the FI section :stickoutt

[ae86_16v]

Already posted, but here's mine - another Daytona with a Motorsport strut bar :)

http://members.roadfly.com/M_Alx/Alx_BMW_M3_Cabrio_Strut_Bar_1.jpg

Make me member #007 ;)

Looks like a S50 Euro motor w/ individual throttle bodies :cool .

EDIT: Just saw your location ;) .

[MJFX328]

You guys could look into the Sparco strut bar. Nice hingeless design, seems to be good quality.

http://www.strutbracer.co.uk/images/big/03688CPE.jpg

[themadhatter]

You guys could look into the Sparco strut bar. Nice hingeless design, seems to be good quality.

http://www.strutbracer.co.uk/images/big/03688CPE.jpg
nice link but too bad they don't offer that for the rest of their products. :(

I really want a solid one for my galant.

http://www.strutbracer.co.uk/images/big/036RG92.jpg

[themadhatter]

oh and I forgot to mention JJMTools. this guy is a race car builder and knows his stuff:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E36-M3-FRONT-TOWER-STRUT-BAR-Aluminum-Alloy_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33591QQitemZ80165 65908QQrdZ1

[Effervescent]

#003 or ban!

Official Member 000: Effervescent
Official Member 001: übermäßig M3
Official Member 002: Dstam3
Official Member 003: themadhatter
Official Member 004:
Official Member 005:
Official Member 006:
Official Member 007: Alx

-Eff

[themadhatter]

#003 or ban!

Official Member 000: Effervescent
Official Member 001: übermäßig M3
Official Member 002: Dstam3
Official Member 003: themadhatter
Official Member 004:
Official Member 005:
Official Member 006:
Official Member 007: Alx

-Eff
as long as I'm not #2, I don't mind. :D

[Effervescent]

You do know that #3 = diarrhea, right?

-Eff

[themadhatter]

You do know that #3 = diarrhea, right?

-Eff
maybe if it came out of your ear. :confused

[LuxoM3]

You mentioned price as confidential... there were 2 auctions that closed on EBAY... one sold guy sold the bar from a wrecked M3 for $300 and the other guys sold his for $450+.... please say you didn't push that bid past $450?!

:P

Nice bar. I am in awe.

Trade you my first-born child?

[I3uller]

I have the IE strut which is basically the same as the Sparco...except not a pansy orange color. Said strut bar in my e30.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/I3uller/CIMG0089.jpg

[herragge]

Looks nice. Nice mod. Hope you didn't pay over $400 for something that most won't see under a hood though. If suppose it has the bling factor to it.

Me, I'm sticking with good ol sparco strust brace for $99 for my e30!

Mike

[liigod]

Eff, I still have the nuts from that brace if you want to buy them off me, I am not using them.

[socal328]

Congrats on the find Eff, in my search for one, I came up short due to lack of funds but scooped up my Dinan Bar for a hell of a deal thanks to Matt (Umnitza) so Im still a happy camper. The Motorsport Bar was on top of my list though.

Side note* those of you who are considering a cheap alternative, the Sparco Bars can be found around $100 or so on eBay! at any given time. A while back some guy was shelling them out of Texas new for $80. ;)

[DarksideE36]

The Sparco Bar is pretty bad ass, the Motorsport bar is far too sexy for me though, or is it the other way around, either way too rich for my blood. Good find.

[liigod]

I am the one who sold the motorsport bar to eff. I was considering getting a sparco bar instead, but honestly my car feels just as good with no bar so I am thinking of saving the money and spending it elsewhere. Speaking of which, has anyone seen any e36 sparco bars lately on ebay? Most of the ones I see are in england.

[Jean-Claude]

I got my sparco for $50 shipped. :D

[liigod]

I got my sparco for $50 shipped. :D

New or used? From where? :)

[Kell]

Pretty much the same thing as any other strut bar. Just has a little M badge on it. Cool to have I guess, but I wouldn't pay anything over 200 for one of them.

*edit*

And why won't you tell us how much you paid for it? What's the big secret?

[m3needer]

Dont feel so special because your not the only one that has one!! :)


http://www.antiherowerks.com/m3/enginebay.jpg
nice engine compartment

[liigod]

Pretty much the same thing as any other strut bar. Just has a little M badge on it. Cool to have I guess, but I wouldn't pay anything over 200 for one of them.

*edit*

And why won't you tell us how much you paid for it? What's the big secret?

The fact that it is unhinged and the same as the m3 ltw makes it far more showy than other strut bars, which are also mostly for looks to begin with, thus it is more sought after. I dont know why he wont tell people what he paid, I know I dont care it wasnt a lot and it wasnt a little, it was a fair price.

[94is]

I have the same bar on my e36. I had to look for nearly a year to find one at a decent price. :stickoutt

[Effervescent]

I got my nuts!
:alright
-Eff

[Dstam3]

I got my nuts!
:alright
-Eff

The black ones that come with the bar or the nuts I told you to get.

-D

[Jean-Claude]

New or used? From where? :)

I got it from what's-his-name, who lived in Germany and tagged the ring w/ bf.com.

[liigod]

I got it from what's-his-name, who lived in Germany and tagged the ring w/ bf.com.

Yeah, I am definatly still lost.

[Effervescent]

The black ones that come with the bar or the nuts I told you to get.

-D

e46 strut nuts. MY NUTS!

-Eff

[mkacain]

Official Member 000: Effervescent
Official Member 001: übermäßig M3
Official Member 002: Dstam3
Official Member 003: themadhatter
Official Member 004:
Official Member 005:
Official Member 006:
Official Member 007: Alx
Official Member 008: mkacain

haha!
And its all mine!:stickoutt
Used the nuts from an e46 M3, fuckers cost me $10 a piece from dealer!
I've had this installed for the last 3.5k miles, its definitely a nice piece to have on the car. Next on my list is a low mileage S52 and some respray of the front end, and this rear quarter panel.

Make sure you dont torque them too tight... one of mine sheered off!:mad

http://www.stupidpeopledostupidthings.net/matt/bmw/lots%20of%20new%20stuff/IMG_2476.JPG

[M3C]

cross bar is aluminum, thought it is steel, i guess BMW did this to save weight.
1.What is the Motorsport bar diameter?
2.What is the E36 Sparco bar diameter?
3.What is the E30 Sparco bar diameter?
The E30 looks the largest in diameter, just by looking at the pictures, never saw any of these live.

[Kjeff88]

AntiHero, your engine is so clean you could eat off you engine, tho i advise against it.

[Effervescent]

Used the nuts from an e46 M3, fuckers cost me $10 a piece from dealer!

I paid a fraction of that...and I mean a fraction of that...for 6 new ones!:eek: :devillook

No I can't do that again.

What is the ft/lbs torque recommendation? 16?

-Eff

[Effervescent]

Finally threw the front strut brace on.
http://www.yehoodi.com/images/news_photos/1127.jpg
http://www.yehoodi.com/images/news_photos/1128.jpg
http://www.yehoodi.com/images/news_photos/1129.jpg
http://www.yehoodi.com/images/news_photos/1130.jpg
http://www.yehoodi.com/images/news_photos/1131.jpg
Looks-wise, I HIGHLY recommend you guys get the BMW black plastic strut nut caps. I am not talking about the two large Z8 caps but the six lil'cap that BMW sells that covers each of the 6 nuts. Pop right in place, about $2 a cap from the stealership. Cleans the whole thing up, a lot, IMHO!

-Eff

[themadhatter]

got a PN for those caps?

[BSH]

got a PN for those caps?^^

[themadhatter]

^^
...or ban. :devillook

[MegaShifty]

Here you go fellas. The strut brace nuts and caps come from the E46 M3.

Nut 51 71 7 895 241
Cap 51 71 7 896 829

[BSH]

Thanks, Evan. :)

[Effervescent]

Sorry Fellas, was adding 400 gigs to my puter (and other goodies) all day.

-Eff

[themadhatter]

Sorry Fellas, was adding 400 gigs to my puter (and other goodies) all day.

-Eff
if it was 400 gb of pr0n, then we understand.

[Effervescent]

It will be. It will be. lol

-Eff

[Henry80]

Great Find! Looks super clean with the nut covers and such. I want one!...Wouldn't really have one for a ti tho would they!? :devillook

[shim]

Official Member 000: Effervescent
Official Member 001: übermäßig M3
Official Member 002: Dstam3
Official Member 003: themadhatter
Official Member 004:
Official Member 005: orijinal poser
Official Member 006:
Official Member 007: Alx

w00t


if any of you got the mad cash, bekkers has em

http://www.bekkers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=268562&Category_Code=btbsuspension

[Effervescent]

Welllllllllll...they have none in stock when I called today. He thinks the one they sold a month ago was the very last one. But they're gonna get back to me to confirm. I will post the results of that inquiry here.

Oh and it was over $700 with the nuts and the shipping.

-Eff

[gcpb]

FYI Bekkers sell new for $640

[Effervescent]

:shifty And I just called them.

And they don't have any.

And they are checking cause they think the last one was...their very last one.

And it was over $700, with the nuts and the shipping.

-Eff

[shim]

FYI Bekkers sell new for $640
i just posted the link like 2 posts above you & effervescent said he called them. lol

[Effervescent]

lol

-Eff

[liigod]

I still have a set of real ltw brace nuts, the ones that were on my car when I sold the brace to eff. If anyone needs to buy a set, let me know.

[shim]

since bekkers doesnt seem to carry it, maybe TCKline might have one or two in stock

http://www.tcklineracing.com/swaybars.htm

[Effervescent]

(614) 771-7744

Last time I tried them they said NLA.

-Eff

[Effervescent]

Official Member 000: Effervescent
Official Member 001: übermäßig M3
Official Member 002: Dstam3
Official Member 003: themadhatter
Official Member 004:
Official Member 005: orijinal poser
Official Member 006:
Official Member 007: Alx

-Eff

[TAMUmpower]

Official Member 000: Effervescent
Official Member 001: übermäßig M3
Official Member 002: Dstam3
Official Member 003: themadhatter
Official Member 004: TAMUmpower
Official Member 005: orijinal poser
Official Member 006:
Official Member 007: Alx

[themadhatter]

(614) 771-7744

Last time I tried them they said NLA.

-Eff
they can still be purchased from over seas.

[94is]

I installed my strut bar caps yesterday. Bling bling. :rolleyes Maybe on Friday I'll clean my engine bay and snap a sexy pic for you guys. :stickoutt

Official Member 000: Effervescent
Official Member 001: übermäßig M3
Official Member 002: Dstam3
Official Member 003: themadhatter
Official Member 004: TAMUmpower
Official Member 005: orijinal poser
Official Member 006: 94is
Official Member 007: Alx

[shim]

a few pics of mine......


http://www.memphisracingscene.com/pp/data/649/medium/DSCN3982_Medium_.JPG
http://www.memphisracingscene.com/pp/data/649/medium/DSCN3983_Medium_.JPG
http://www.memphisracingscene.com/pp/data/649/medium/DSCN3986_Medium_.JPG
http://www.memphisracingscene.com/pp/data/649/DSCN4030_Medium_.JPG
http://www.memphisracingscene.com/pp/data/649/DSCN4034_Medium_.JPG
http://www.memphisracingscene.com/pp/data/649/DSCN4036_Medium_.JPG

[Effervescent]

Bravo!

May I suggest the 8 various black plastic caps. Available at the stealership and relatively inexpensive.

-Eff

[jonacsm3]

im not jealous ive a genuine ACS complete carbonfibre (apart from alloy strut mounts) strut brace it weighs nothing at all

[shim]

Bravo!

May I suggest the 8 various black plastic caps. Available at the stealership and relatively inexpensive.

-Eff
interesting... is that to cover the strut tower hole? if so, i'm saving up for GC coilovers/camber plates, so that will be taken care of

[TAMUmpower]

*Pics* - When my bar was repainted it didnt cure long enough and some of the hood insulation got fused to the bar.

http://www.photodump.org/stored4/EngineBay_2.jpg

http://www.photodump.org/stored4/EngineBay_3.jpg

[m3classic]

im not jealous ive a genuine ACS complete carbonfibre (apart from alloy strut mounts) strut brace it weighs nothing at all

Photos please :D

[jonacsm3]

it cant post images yet if i sent it someone could they post it please?

[David325i]

jon's is mint guys. im not a fan of the acs carbon fibre stuff myself (just doesnt float my boat) but its a cracking item.

[jonacsm3]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/jon_nc30/ce6a659b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/jon_nc30/91b5ed8f.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/jon_nc30/db304f7f.jpg



:evil2

[David325i]

looks 5hit!! lmao.
good work mofo

[shim]

meh.....

i like the motorsport one 10x better. but then again, i'm biased :stickoutt

plus, i'm getting camber plates later on....

[=BA=]

In EU you can get a new one from the dealer, complete package is 466 euro ($560) Bought a new one because got tired of beeing overbid on ebay :(

But #008:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/Five_Aces/DSC00124.jpg


:D

[shim]

now get this :D

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E36-92-98-M3-HM-Engine-Tunning-Intake-60Hps_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38634QQitemZ80354 27923QQrdZ1

[=BA=]

That's high on my list :devillook

[M3C]

What you all think of Dinan front & back braces?
They fit cars with traction control, a lot of comments because they are hinged but are they that worthless???
I don't think that Dinan can be compared to some other cheap aftermarket hinged bars.
Again for non TC cars to me the Motorsport model is a winner.

[nickMANDERFIELD]

m motorwerks straight carbon fiber here