reinforcing subframe?

[1990m3]

Just curious to know who here has reinforced their front subframes before dropping in the bigger motor with more torque. I bought the TMS kit and welded it on, am painting this weekend. The subframe that came out of my 318 is torn where the motor mounts go, I used an M3 subframe I had around.

I know TMS says it's a problem but I wouldn't think the M42 power could do that to the subframe, seemed only logical to reinforce before dropping in the S50. Definitely didn't happen in an accident either because the car has never been in one

Dave

[erik325i]

What exactly needs to be reinforced in the front subframe? I have not heard about people doing this mod.
I plan on putting in an s50 also, so I would also like to know if I should worry about doing any reinforcements.

-Erik

[1990m3]

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=RE1777/8

I'll see if I can take some pics of my 318 subframe and post them. Where the motor mount mounts to the subframe, the subframe is torn. It's not torn too badly, but it's definitely something to fix IMHO.

[02stu]

I've never heard of that happening, what kind of motor mounts were you useing. HAd the car ever been in a accident?

[joshh]

I've never heard of the subframe breaking there unless the car was in an accident.

[Ryan Stewart]

Hmmm, mine looks fine so I didnt do anything to it.

[1990m3]

Just bought the car a month ago. Never been in an accident. Perfectly straight all original matching VIN# panels everywhere. I even have every single receipt from day 1, it has original fairly worn out engine mounts on it. 1991 318is, not a particularly powerful car, I was surprised to see that kind of damage. My m3 had no damage to the subframe last winter when I took it out after 85k miles. I've only heard of it a few times, but definitely surprised to see it happen on the least powerful of e30 models

[ed94r]

Did it.