E36 x brace install on e30; factory style.

[Wanganstyle]

Got the E30 on the lift last weekend @ JRD;

checked all nut serts and inspected chassis for stress. All points undamaged, chassis seems to be holding happily post 3 months ++ some serious mountain time :)









Then I went on a short drive in the mountains :)
link:

[Balleristic31]

I like the idea of this, but i feel like it would over stiffen the front of my car. Not saying it would do the same for others though. My car already pushes at the limit, so i wouldnt want more front chassis stiffness. (at least for now)

[Wanganstyle]

I like the idea of this, but i feel like it would over stiffen the front of my car. Not saying it would do the same for others though. My car already pushes at the limit, so i wouldnt want more front chassis stiffness. (at least for now)

This modification INCREASED my front end grip a lot. Decreases understeer, the suspension is more effective and front tires utilize more EFFICIENCY% to have MORE GRIP with chassis stiffness. :)

[diegom6]

And how aboput using both, strut bar and x brace? Would be too much? Anyone that tried it?

[Wanganstyle]

And how aboput using both, strut bar and x brace? Would be too much? Anyone that tried it?

Yes. Done this on 2x prior M3's and 2x prior subaru's STi-RA, Sti. This is done all day long :)

[Wh33lhop]

I like the idea of this, but i feel like it would over stiffen the front of my car. Not saying it would do the same for others though. My car already pushes at the limit, so i wouldnt want more front chassis stiffness. (at least for now)

You ALWAYS want more chassis stiffness. NEVER think that you do not. A rigid chassis will make your car ride better and with less drama (if you've ever hit a sharp bump and experienced "crash" or quick oscillation of the chassis, that is from lack of rigidity), will reduce rattling inside the cabin, and will make the car more confidence inspiring. If you are worried about understeer post modification, remember two things:

1) in the E30 chassis, more roll stiffness up front seems to INCREASE the amount of grip (likely because of poor camber gain on a lowered car).
2) there are many ways of rebalancing your handling--spring rates, sway bars, alignment, etc.

[Wanganstyle]

If you want to see how cars are outfitted in japan; please reference a "CUSCO" catalog- they make brace(r)-ing for the entire car, bottom to top, side to side, front to rear.

car handles neutrally (reference video) and has more grip than any other E30 with random miss matched stock size (and one snow) tires.

BMW made (OEM Factory Parts - Motorsport Division) bracing for both top and bottom of many M cars:

E36M has bottom X brace + pitch stopper for WBS M only ZF/Getrag manual transmissions
E36M also had top front strut tower brace avail from BMW motorsport.

No known (at least to me) Factory OEM E36M rear strut tower bracing (as the speakers are in the way).

with both front items installed (in usa only the 1995 LTW edition WBS M3 had the strut bar as option parts) the E36M increases its performance.

no detriment to no rear chassis stiffening. Rear top bar or front top bar does not do nearly as much as the X brace.

X brace connects the SUBFRAME with the CHASSIS; Effect = the subframe moves less forwards and backwards when you are on the throttle or brake, or turning. In subaru world they have one called "H" brace, is the same idea and function.

E39 M5 has rear subframe bracing that goes between the chassis and the subframe in the REAR, heavy duty items.

This is the install for reference; Back in 2008 I added rear bracing from a WBS M5 e39 to my E39 non-M chassis because I wanted to go faster :)

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1003875