sparco bar install

[mspiegle]

for anyone who is interested, i just picked up a sparco bar for a good price.

i put it over the struts with my car on the ground, was off by 1/4 inch.

jacked car up, was off by about 1/8 inch. Put the bar on the pssgr side and put the 2 nuts on, then pulled it over the other 2 bolts (didn't take much effort) and it slid right on.

improvment? i duno, i drove it around the block... need to try it tomorrow.

[e9nine]

Re: sparco bar install

improvment? i duno, i drove it around the block... need to try it tomorrow.

.. take your favorite exit ramp or curve at speeds you're used to and you'll notice the difference. The Strut bar is noticeable at high speeds in turns... that's exactly how it was for me anyways.. Some people expect waaay too much out of it, its a nice subtle upgrade that you appreciate in turns and complements other susp. mods accordingly...

[OOMPH!]

nice.....where did you buy it from?

[mspiegle]

@enine, good info, i'll go try that today as i will be riding a few freeways. usually when i do mods, i make an effort to expect very little so i'm not pissed when i just spent $$$ on some mod that doesn't do anything =)

@oomph, i went to buy 19# injectors from a guy and he just so happened to have one "laying around". I got it for about 90 and the injectors for 130.

[OOMPH!]

good deal....I think I am going to purchase mine from www.evosport.com

[EVOIIIM3]

The Sparco bar comes in different sizes! The struts distance should be measured before you order it.

The best part of the Sparco bar, is the bolt on the side of the strut towers, this really helps!

[Bill 84 318i]

The Sparco bar comes in different sizes! The struts distance should be measured before you order it.

You sure about that, Mike? IE makes a 'replica' that looks pretty similar but is a tiny bit different that comes in two sizes. My understanding was that the Sparco was a one-size only thing.

[EVOIIIM3]

The Sparco bar comes in different sizes! The struts distance should be measured before you order it.

You sure about that, Mike? IE makes a 'replica' that looks pretty similar but is a tiny bit different that comes in two sizes. My understanding was that the Sparco was a one-size only thing.

Yup. I'm sure. They also have a ALM Alloy one.

[e9nine]

The best part of the Sparco bar, is the bolt on the side of the strut towers, this really helps!

How so? Care to summarize a lil how it actually works out as a supplemental aid?

[EVOIIIM3]

The best part of the Sparco bar, is the bolt on the side of the strut towers, this really helps!

How so? Care to summarize a lil how it actually works out as a supplemental aid?

It holds the bar to the side of the strut tower. What this does is resist twisting forces and allows the bar to fit tighter to stop push/pull forces. Anytime you can triangulate a brace it makes it much stronger.

[e9nine]

The best part of the Sparco bar, is the bolt on the side of the strut towers, this really helps!

How so? Care to summarize a lil how it actually works out as a supplemental aid?

It holds the bar to the side of the strut tower. What this does is resist twisting forces and allows the bar to fit tighter to stop push/pull forces. Anytime you can triangulate a brace it makes it much stronger.

..is this theoretical or actually noticeable? I ask because my Sparco went on with ease the first time I put it on. I took it off over the w/end with some extra effort and even more to put it back on...I am guessing the 3rd hole might be proven right based on my experience since after auto-xing the car and actually pushing it harder it has now flexed?

[EVOIIIM3]

[
..is this theoretical or actually noticeable? I ask because my Sparco went on with ease the first time I put it on. I took it off over the w/end with some extra effort and even more to put it back on...I am guessing the 3rd hole might be proven right based on my experience since after auto-xing the car and actually pushing it harder it has now flexed?

Did I notice it? It's hard to tell, as I installed it that way. I also have a very stiff suspension, so I really noticed the bar over my other one.

Over time the towers will sag, the bar will keep that from happing.

I would say it is worth doing it.

[e9nine]

Which bar did you have on before? Was it one of those hinged ones or it simply lacked the extra hole?

[EVOIIIM3]

Which bar did you have on before? Was it one of those hinged ones or it simply lacked the extra hole?

I had the early Bav auto alm one. I had to remove it for my GC camber plates, they hit the bar and I could not adjust the plates with it.

[mspiegle]

well to clear up any confusion, my bar was used on a 325i convertible for about 3 weeks before it went onto my car ('87 325is).

As far as other models, i don't know.

I have not put the 3rd bolt on but i will report back if i notice anything when i do.

Evosport is a good place to get the bar from, but i hear they are backordered most of the time. Last time i called them (lke 6 months ago) it was $99.