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      04-30-2017, 11:00 AM   #45
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All you need to do to feel the improvement is slowly drive up a driveway ramp diagonally. The difference is immediately noticed. Do this while putting your hand where the window frame meets the A Pillar for an even clearer display.
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      04-30-2017, 02:02 PM   #46
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I went with the Tuner Motorsports front carbon fiber strut brace –

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2...0-f31-f32-f36/

Strut bar, strut brace, strut tower brace, stressbar or whatever you want to call it does make a difference. Keep in mind that this is just one part working in conjunction with a lot of other parts.

Quote:
From Wikipedia – A strut bar is designed to reduce this strut tower flex by tying the two strut towers together. This transmits the load off each strut tower during cornering which ties the two towers together and reduces chassis flex
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      04-30-2017, 04:36 PM   #47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flwbyu View Post
I went with the Tuner Motorsports front carbon fiber strut brace –

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2...0-f31-f32-f36/

Strut bar, strut brace, strut tower brace, stressbar or whatever you want to call it does make a difference. Keep in mind that this is just one part working in conjunction with a lot of other parts.
Goddamn thats an expensive pipe!
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      08-16-2017, 09:32 PM   #48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flwbyu View Post
I went with the Tuner Motorsports front carbon fiber strut brace –

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2...0-f31-f32-f36/

Strut bar, strut brace, strut tower brace, stressbar or whatever you want to call it does make a difference. Keep in mind that this is just one part working in conjunction with a lot of other parts.
So after installing a strut brace do you have to get an alignment? I would think tightening the suspension like that would throw off the alignment, no?
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      08-16-2017, 10:21 PM   #49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xbnb1978x View Post
So after installing a strut brace do you have to get an alignment? I would think tightening the suspension like that would throw off the alignment, no?
I did not require an alignment. However, you do want to make sure that you have the right torque specs for the strut tower brace bolts. If the bolts are not tight enough, they will rattle and eventually come loose. If the torque is too tight then you run the risk of stretching and/or breaking the bolts.

Keep in mind, strut bars, front and/or back only increase the body rigidity which helps to reduce body flex. It does not reduce body roll. Reducing body roll is achieved by using sway bars, or anti-roll bars. Again, this is just one part working in conjunction with a lot of other parts. Cheers.

Last edited by flwbyu; 08-16-2017 at 10:29 PM..
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      08-17-2017, 12:56 AM   #50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xbnb1978x View Post
So after installing a strut brace do you have to get an alignment? I would think tightening the suspension like that would throw off the alignment, no?
Not if you do not change anything associated with the wheel alignment...though an alignment would never be a bad idea, it isn't required.

Alignment cost is minor in most respects.

Last edited by GCinFLA; 08-17-2017 at 01:08 AM..
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      08-17-2017, 01:07 AM   #51
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Quote:
Originally Posted by insanecoder View Post
Its not a placebo effect as long as your expectations are properly set
The strut brace is preventative.. to reduce fatigue over time in the towers when hard cornering.. this is why hinged braces are a no-no.. and why a search for single piece steel brace for my 340i is still ongoing
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Originally Posted by insanecoder View Post
Goddamn thats an expensive pipe!
And this one is far much expensive as well as far superior with more 6 attachment points instead of 2.

But based on your price comment, I suspect your search will continue....as it has for years.
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Last edited by GCinFLA; 08-17-2017 at 01:14 AM..
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      08-17-2017, 09:28 AM   #52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GCinFLA View Post
And this one is far much expensive as well as far superior with more 6 attachment points instead of 2.

But based on your price comment, I suspect your search will continue....as it has for years.
Wow what brand Strut Bar was that? Does it fit 340?
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      08-17-2017, 09:57 AM   #53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by insanecoder View Post
Wow what brand Strut Bar was that? Does it fit 340?
It's the F80 M3/M4 OEM strut bar, there's detailled how to on this thread
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1234698

I'm not sure if it's been retrofitted on a B58 engine, it's been done on M2, F20, F30 with N55 and N20 at least, although GCinFLA has run into issues for his pre-07/2013 N55 with its different brake lines.
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      08-17-2017, 10:11 AM   #54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by insanecoder View Post
Its not a placebo effect as long as your expectations are properly set
The strut brace is preventative.. to reduce fatigue over time in the towers when hard cornering.. this is why hinged braces are a no-no.. and why a search for single piece steel brace for my 340i is still ongoing

This KC Design one should work. BEM-S4 has one (writeup).
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      08-25-2017, 07:17 AM   #55
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lancelot View Post
It's the F80 M3/M4 OEM strut bar, there's detailled how to on this thread
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1234698

I'm not sure if it's been retrofitted on a B58 engine, it's been done on M2, F20, F30 with N55 and N20 at least, although GCinFLA has run into issues for his pre-07/2013 N55 with its different brake lines.
Tempted to give this a shoot on F30 B58...
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      08-25-2017, 07:46 AM   #56
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If you want to take it step by step start with the aluminium brace first, see that it fits, then move on to order the expensive CF brace, as advised by OP.
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      10-19-2017, 02:21 PM   #57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flwbyu View Post
I went with the Tuner Motorsports front carbon fiber strut brace –

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2...0-f31-f32-f36/

Strut bar, strut brace, strut tower brace, stressbar or whatever you want to call it does make a difference. Keep in mind that this is just one part working in conjunction with a lot of other parts.
Did you install yours on your own? Was it difficult/easy? Any idea of the torque specs when installing?
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      10-22-2017, 09:01 PM   #58
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I installed the bar myself and used about 25 newton-meters, or about 18 pound-feet of torque for the strut tower brace bolts. I did not see any instructions that came with the bar. However, this seems to be about the average torque that I've seen used on these type of bars. No issues with anything regarding the installation. Very straight forward.
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      10-22-2017, 09:37 PM   #59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Adamr916 View Post
Can't get the Mechunic strut bar anymore for the 2 bolt setup. What is else is in that price range that looks as good?
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      10-22-2017, 09:39 PM   #60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glennQNYC View Post
All you need to do to feel the improvement is slowly drive up a driveway ramp diagonally. The difference is immediately noticed. Do this while putting your hand where the window frame meets the A Pillar for an even clearer display.
Who makes that bar?
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      10-22-2017, 09:42 PM   #61
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Quote:
Originally Posted by El Conquistador View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by glennQNYC View Post
All you need to do to feel the improvement is slowly drive up a driveway ramp diagonally. The difference is immediately noticed. Do this while putting your hand where the window frame meets the A Pillar for an even clearer display.
Who makes that bar?
I believe I got it at Turner.
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      10-22-2017, 10:08 PM   #62
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glennQNYC View Post
I believe I got it at Turner.
Thanks. Had just found it in an old post of yours.
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      10-24-2017, 07:45 AM   #63
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Originally Posted by 1QuikWS6 View Post
Ultraracing doesn't appear to make strut bars for n55, only the 2.0 engine according to the details, and neither did Mechunik as much as I searched. I don't like the look of the OBX, so I just ordered the Turner Motorsport Aluminum Strut Brace for my 435ix

I'll let you know if there is a perceptible difference...
Just wondering if we have come to a consensus on the best quality/value combo for a strut bar under $200

Want to pick one up ASAP but trying to decide which...
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      10-26-2017, 09:00 PM   #64
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[IMG][/IMG]

Anyone buy this?

Thoughts for the price? Better options?

Looking to pick one up but dont want to just blindly blow 200$

Looking for the best quality/value combo...

Appreciate anyones input.
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      10-29-2017, 07:45 PM   #65
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I have done some research and am getting ready to order:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-turner-m...um/067045~tms/

and

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-turner-m...5i/068014~tms/

It appears to me that this set of front/rear strut braces offers a nice mix
of quality and value. I am a toolmaker for a living.
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      11-13-2017, 12:29 PM   #66
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I'm hoping that ECS runs a Black Friday sale and then I'll pick these up.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gliderpilot View Post
I have done some research and am getting ready to order:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-turner-m...um/067045~tms/

and

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-turner-m...5i/068014~tms/

It appears to me that this set of front/rear strut braces offers a nice mix
of quality and value. I am a toolmaker for a living.
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