Is anyone using them? Would it be a safety concern?
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Subframe spacers?
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I machined a set for my M3 project... the car's not finished yet, but I can't see where there would be any safety concerns. I milled mine from 20mm T6061 aluminum and turned the locating pins from steel. Longer metric hardware and it all bolts together as if they were not even there...
Garey
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Originally posted by bmwmech1 View PostI machined a set for my M3 project... the car's not finished yet, but I can't see where there would be any safety concerns. I milled mine from 20mm T6061 aluminum and turned the locating pins from steel. Longer metric hardware and it all bolts together as if they were not even there...
Garey
For the track, I didn't want to raise the relative height of the body with spacers, and then have to chase the resulting changes in roll axis, rake, CGH, etc. However, there is no free lunch, since I am now in the process of solving steering shaft clearance issues with the X5 exhaust manifold. If the manifold was about 20mm higher, everything would be OK. My hood clearance is also tighter, as a result of not using a subframe spacer.
-Bruce
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Originally posted by E30SPDFRK View PostThey arent needed, the motor fits fine without them.
Garey
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It also decreases ground clearance in comparison to the body, increases bumpsteer, and makes the steering rack harder to connect. The pinion angle doesn't matter, the driveshaft and guibo still work fine even with the increased angle. Pretty much the only benifit is being able to use the e34 coolant bottle on the firewall.Byron
Leichtbau
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Originally posted by E30SPDFRK View PostIt also decreases ground clearance in comparison to the body, increases bumpsteer, and makes the steering rack harder to connect. The pinion angle doesn't matter, the driveshaft and guibo still work fine even with the increased angle. Pretty much the only benifit is being able to use the e34 coolant bottle on the firewall.
Garey
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Originally posted by Paukert11 View PostI put my m60 in with out spacers. i didnt have a problem...... but then i took the motor out because i wanted to do some more work on the motor. hehehehe
What kind of "more work on the motor. hehehehe"?
Garey
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I'm not telling him to not use spacers, I'm just making the point that if you don't need them, why add them? The exhaust is a pain in the ass either way, there is only one strut tower brace that fits with the spacers, but you can make your own that fits without them (you have to make half the swap anyways, why not). And you say bumpsteer is minimally affected, but you think that 20mm down 4' in front of the pinion is important? It comes out to like 1 or 2 degrees, which you can almost make up by mounting the transmission as high as it will go. 20mm down suspension-wise is almost the same as a 1" drop, which is quite a bit if you already have a reasonable sized drop and WILL increase bumpsteer.
Once again, I'm not saying DO THIS ONLY, I'm just stating facts about the other way to do it. I'm of the "if its not broke, dont fix it" mindset, and while the spacers may be the best way to do it, there is nothing wrong with not using them.
The one problem I have had is it wears the guibo slightly quicker. But, I have 20,000 miles on my swap and it's just starting to crack, so I can deal with it. That's 20k of abuse too.Byron
Leichtbau
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