[Orb]

Got a Dinan flyer today in the mail. Look like they havea lightweight strut tower brace for the 335i very soon. Two badge point so I'm scared to even think what they want for it.

Orb

[flukey]

Originally Posted by Orb

Got a Dinan flyer today in the mail. Look like they havea lightweight strut tower brace for the 335i very soon. Two badge point so i scared to even think what they want for it.

Orb

+1 lol

[Corsis]

Probably 400 dollars or so. Thats what i believe Dinan has charged in the past for strut tower braces.

[stressdoc]

Too much. I'm looking forward to the Hotchkis chassis brace.

[cycler]

If its 400 Ide rather get BMW's brace. If it fits the 335

[stressdoc]

Originally Posted by cycler

If its 400 Ide rather get BMW's brace. If it fits the 335

The current one does not fit, it bumps the top of the airbox. But I'm hoping that the new intake will have enough clearance for it.

[rwalker]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

The current one does not fit, it bumps the top of the airbox. But I'm hoping that the new intake will have enough clearance for it.

Not to get too far off topic, but some have made the OEM bar fit.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100469

-Rob

[Chowbow]

Since we're on the topic of frame braces... I thought I'd throw this question out there.

Do you guys think that a rear strut tower brace would be useful? Or some sort of an X brace at the area for those who have fold down rear seats? I really wanted to bypass this option to have a stiffer chassis but alas, I bought my car with it off the lot. I'm wondering if a brace for the rear section of the car would make a difference for cars with fold down seats? I figure it wouldn't make much of a difference on cars without fold down seats...

[sparkyg]

Dam, still waiting for a catalog up here.

At least we are seeing new stuff, BMW Performance stuff was supposed to out this month??

[judec]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

The current one does not fit, it bumps the top of the airbox. But I'm hoping that the new intake will have enough clearance for it.

Originally Posted by rwalker

Not to get too far off topic, but some have made the OEM bar fit.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100469

-Rob

There are 3 issues with the OEM strut bar in 335i:
1. airbox clearance - solved for OEM airbox (spacers + some rubber between the bar and airbox cover), still needs to be tested for aftermarket CAIs.
2. hood clearance - strut touches the hood insulation but nothing relevant
3. oil cap clearance - this is a problem, U have to remove the strut if U want to change oil, as the bar partially covers the oil cap. Kinda inkonvenient,but some of U can live with that.

Until now I havent seen any objective test or review about the relevance of the strut tower brace in 335i. Some say it's stiff enough, some say it could help a bit. I personally had one on one of my Saabs, it made a huge difference, but it doesnt mean it will make the same difference in the 335i. Now spending 400$ on a vain suspension part is a waste, so did anyone test it on the track and can tell us what difference did it make?

[Orb]

Originally Posted by judec

There are 3 issues with the OEM strut bar in 335i:
1. airbox clearance - solved for OEM airbox (spacers + some rubber between the bar and airbox cover), still needs to be tested for aftermarket CAIs.
2. hood clearance - strut touches the hood insulation but nothing relevant
3. oil cap clearance - this is a problem, U have to remove the strut if U want to change oil, as the bar partially covers the oil cap. Kinda inkonvenient,but some of U can live with that.

Until now I havent seen any objective test or review about the relevance of the strut tower brace in 335i. Some say it's stiff enough, some say it could help a bit. I personally had one on one of my Saabs, it made a huge difference, but it doesnt mean it will make the same difference in the 335i. Now spending 400$ on a vain suspension part is a waste, so did anyone test it on the track and can tell us what difference did it make?

There is no doubt that a strut bar will increase stiffness of the tower considerably. You will notice this. The material stiffness is a big factor and dictated by the modulus of the material. Steel or carbon fiber will be the only options given the room constraint. Aluminum modulus is 30% of steel so not a good choice at all and would avoid it.

Orb

[sparkyg]

Adding the strut bar makes a noticeable diff, especially at inital turn-in.

[stressdoc]

I would very much like to get both a strut tower brace and a rear shock tower brace. The 335 E90 has a very rigid chassis, but there is still significant room for improvement, especially if you increase the stiffness of the suspension and/or get an LSD. I will have to ask my material science gurus what materials work best in this application.

[Orb]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

I would very much like to get both a strut tower brace and a rear shock tower brace. The 335 E90 has a very rigid chassis, but there is still significant room for improvement, especially if you increase the stiffness of the suspension and/or get an LSD. I will have to ask my material science gurus what materials work best in this application.

Adding something to the rear will do about nothing from what i can see. It is not a strut design.

Materials are easy for this at least for the front. Light and stiff then carbon fiber there is nothing better.

Orb

[ak47firepower]

Can't wait till one of these manufacturers design something for the 335i's. Doesn't seem like anyone is working on it though.

[BMW///Motorsport]

Originally Posted by Chowbow

Since we're on the topic of frame braces... I thought I'd throw this question out there.

Do you guys think that a rear strut tower brace would be useful? Or some sort of an X brace at the area for those who have fold down rear seats? I really wanted to bypass this option to have a stiffer chassis but alas, I bought my car with it off the lot. I'm wondering if a brace for the rear section of the car would make a difference for cars with fold down seats? I figure it wouldn't make much of a difference on cars without fold down seats...

+1 had an x-brace on my e36 m3 coupe, it seemed to make a good improvement over stock. i was curious about the rigidity of the e92 w/ the split fold down seats?