eBay strut bar anyone tried it?

**stephon314** · 07-12-2017, 03:56 AM

Just came across this on eBay. Seems like an alternative of $500 strong strut bar though not sure how the quality is. Any idea?

http://m.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E31-V8-V1-...31.m4335.l8656

**MParallel** · 07-12-2017, 07:06 AM

Forget about any hinged bar. All they do is keep the distance between the towers the same, but still allows for parallellogramming. More 'eyecandy' (most don't look nice anyway) than function.

Unless you're not looking for more rigidity.

**ColtonBH** · 07-12-2017, 05:34 PM

I would skip on any e31 parts that have "m3 drifting" as tags in the title XD

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**stephon314** · 07-12-2017, 08:36 PM

Thanks guys!! Guess it's a pass then and indeed the "Drift King" just sounds funny after all LOL!

**tangcla** · 07-12-2017, 08:45 PM

It's not carbon fibre.
Not interested.

**MParallel** · 07-13-2017, 06:34 AM

Also look how the mounting point are just flat pieces of steel. How is that ever going to sit right.

A properly designed one has cutouts to go over the humps on top of the tower.

**tvjake2** · 07-14-2017, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by stephon314

Just came across this on eBay. Seems like an alternative of $500 strong strut bar though not sure how the quality is. Any idea?

http://m.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E31-V8-V1-...31.m4335.l8656

So the description says REAR bar, not front.

**8Tech** · 07-21-2017, 03:34 AM

Complete waste of time. The chassis is very stiff on the front of the E31 with the only functional stiffening addition being the undercar cross brace fitted to later cars. To make the advertised strut brace of any use at all, it would need to be installed, and them the pivot points welded to prevent movement, removal and then refitting.
However, if its only for eye candy, then its fine as it is.
As for a rear brace........the chassis thickness is so thin back there, that a reinforcing plate is needed anyway on a stock car, the last thing you need is more stress on those top mounts. Here, a solid bar would need to be welded between the main inner arches after welding-in, reinforcing plates to spread the load.

**ChrisFuture8** · 07-22-2017, 05:37 AM

Haven't seen a post from you in a very long time, 8Tech. Good to see you back on here. Personally, I've learned a lot from following your posts and DIYs.

Regards,

-Chris

**DriftGirl** · 07-22-2017, 12:33 PM

like 98.21% of all strut bars on the market....a proper one (like mentioned by 8tech) should be a solid piece with no pivot points but should also be connected to the fire wall. that being said, how many people will (or actually capable of) pushing an 8 to tha limit were a STB is actually needed?

Its eye candy....buy it to dress up your engine bay

Not buying it because of the name (or the sellers name) is going to be the silliest thing i read today...hopefully

**mandd** · 07-22-2017, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by DriftGirl

like 98.21% of all strut bars on the market....a proper one (like mentioned by 8tech) should be a solid piece with no pivot points but should also be connected to the fire wall. that being said, how many people will (or actually capable of) pushing an 8 to tha limit were a STB is actually needed?

Its eye candy....buy it to dress up your engine bay

Not buying it because of the name (or the sellers name) is going to be the silliest thing i read today...hopefully

This.

**MParallel** · 07-23-2017, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by DriftGirl

like 98.21% of all strut bars on the market....a proper one (like mentioned by 8tech) should be a solid piece with no pivot points but should also be connected to the fire wall. that being said, how many people will (or actually capable of) pushing an 8 to tha limit were a STB is actually needed?

Its eye candy....buy it to dress up your engine bay

Not buying it because of the name (or the sellers name) is going to be the silliest thing i read today...hopefully

Not solid, with properly designed end pieces is fine. This allows for setting preload.

Just not hinged in the very plane you are trying to prevent movement in.

**tran2tran** · 07-28-2017, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by DriftGirl

like 98.21% of all strut bars on the market....a proper one (like mentioned by 8tech) should be a solid piece with no pivot points but should also be connected to the fire wall. that being said, how many people will (or actually capable of) pushing an 8 to tha limit were a STB is actually needed?

Its eye candy....buy it to dress up your engine bay

Not buying it because of the name (or the sellers name) is going to be the silliest thing i read today...hopefully

Just had it installed. Not bad for the price. It's just eye candy plus I did took it out on a drive on Shoreline village in Long Beach. Same route that is used for the Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix. It did all right.

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**mandd** · 07-28-2017, 04:33 PM

Looks good, thanks for sharing a picture.

Mark.

**MParallel** · 07-28-2017, 06:52 PM

I wouldn't call it eye candy. It's the most basic of construction. The flat mounting plates, welding. Your bay looks better without.

**DriftGirl** · 07-30-2017, 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by MParallel

Not solid, with properly designed end pieces is fine. This allows for setting preload.

Just not hinged in the very plane you are trying to prevent movement in.

"Solid" meaning no hinges on the bar that move..

The struts themselves dont sit flush with the shock towers either...the mounting plate not covering every dimple on the tower isnt going to make a bit of difference. Anything helps pre-93 cars that dont have the brace on the underside of the car.

Originally Posted by tran2tran

Just had it installed. Not bad for the price. It's just eye candy plus I did took it out on a drive on Shoreline village in Long Beach. Same route that is used for the Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix. It did all right.

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New toy for the 8 looks nice!!

I wouldnt mind having one myself to brighten up my engine bay a bit

**MParallel** · 07-30-2017, 07:47 AM

I know what solid means.

My point is, you can have a non-solid bar, but constructed in such a way, it still acts as a solid bar. And you can set preload.

A hinge in the exact plane you try to lock in place, that's just silly. And flat plates, while it may not hinder function, it just looks cheap.

**mbarrett635** · 07-30-2017, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by MParallel

I know what solid means.

My point is, you can have a non-solid bar, but constructed in such a way, it still acts as a solid bar. And you can set preload.

A hinge in the exact plane you try to lock in place, that's just silly. And flat plates, while it may not hinder function, it just looks cheap.

I really like my StrongStrut bar, but it doesn't come as cheap as the ebay one. Again, to each their own.

Mike Barrett

**MParallel** · 07-31-2017, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by mbarrett635

I really like my StrongStrut bar, but it doesn't come as cheap as the ebay one. Again, to each their own.

Mike Barrett

Of course.

The Strong Strut is a very decent part. Not sold, but constructed in such a way, there are no hinges. And would be my choice as well if I had an 8 series for which no OEM bar is available.

**DriftGirl** · 07-31-2017, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by MParallel

I know what solid means.

My point is, you can have a non-solid bar, but constructed in such a way, it still acts as a solid bar. And you can set preload.

A hinge in the exact plane you try to lock in place, that's just silly. And flat plates, while it may not hinder function, it just looks cheap.

I was simply clarifying what I meant by "solid". Didnt ask if you knew what "solid" was...dont really care. Nor was I ASKING about what a "proper strut bar is or how one is constructed....I get PAID to track cars on a professional level.

I know what im doing and how things are done....I was sharing, not asking

**MParallel** · 07-31-2017, 06:29 PM

Then be more clear next time.

Not that it matters. Solid means the same for everyone. Unless laws of physics don't apply to you. After all, you are the professional. Paid one at that.

But excuse me, princess.

**ColtonBH** · 07-31-2017, 08:33 PM

Who would've thought the differences in hinge design on a strut bar could have everyone so on edge?

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**DriftGirl** · 07-31-2017, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by MParallel

Then be more clear next time.

Not that it matters. Solid means the same for everyone. Unless laws of physics don't apply to you. After all, you are the professional. Paid one at that.

But excuse me, princess.

Just as long as you know your place

**DriftGirl** · 08-03-2017, 01:00 AM

Originally Posted by tran2tran

Just had it installed. Not bad for the price. It's just eye candy plus I did took it out on a drive on Shoreline village in Long Beach. Same route that is used for the Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix. It did all right.

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Was ordering bunch of stuff on ebay and came by their auction...i added it to my cart :p

Im either going to cover it with carbon fiber or polish it

thanks for the pix

**stephon314** · 08-03-2017, 04:58 AM

Thanks everyone for giving opinions and even pictures of actual bar!!!! Not sure if it's gonna help anything at all but maybe it'd be even better to have a "DK" removal & carbon fiber wrap DIY!!