euro headers / sway bar fitment

[Jason89i]

engine is in, everything is buttoned up (except wiring). subframe was notched for the euro headers to fit. a custom stainless collector was made for the euro headers.

here's the problem......i went to put in the ST sway bars......they dont fit. they hit the euro headers. i can bolt it in, but the arms stick up at a 45deg angle in lieu of being parallel to the ground.

the only thing i can think of is: raise the engine (spacers on top of mount,) or lower the sway mounts (now bar will hit control arm.)

anyone else run into this problem? solution?

cheers, jason

[Mike B.]

What size bars are you running?

Can you relocate the mounting point on the strut and use different links to cure the 45 degree angle?

I will have to deal with this issue as well and will be following this thread closely.

[1990m3]

Will raising the motor 1/4" effect the clearance between the headers and the firewall?

[e30_kid89]

id honestly try just rasing the motor and see where what kind of space that give you and just take it from there. but you're jason, you'll figure it out.

[Jason89i]

What size bars are you running? Can you relocate the mounting point on the strut and use different links to cure the 45 degree angle?. I will have to deal with this issue as well and will be following this thread closely.

25mm front bar. the links need to stay parallel with the strut, or you can get a bending moment force. so.....shoter links will let the bar arm rotate up, but the link will not be as parallel to the strut. ive got A LOT more euro only issues that needed work. after im done, drop me a line and we can discuss.

Will raising the motor 1/4" effect the clearance between the headers and the firewall?

i too was concerned about that. it did not appear that the header / firewall clearance would change. however, if i raise the passenger side of the engine, the plentum will get closer to the booster. i was just hoping to keep the engine as low as possible.

you'll figure it out.

what can i say.....i was lazy, it was late, my brain hurt. cheers, jason

[Skafrog]

Do the bars hit when the car is level? If so, you have another problem somewhere else.

[Jason89i]

here are the updated pics. e28 "green pepper" mounts, euro e36 rhd arms, no shims. stock euro headers hit subframe, subframe has been notched. now stock euro headers hit sway bar. i can shim the sway bar down about 1/8-3/16".

anyone with experience have pointers?

ps. motor ran for the first time last night. didnt even crank over twice.

cheers, jason .