New Tubular/Sheetmetal Crossmember

[tigwerks]

So what would you guys think of a upgraded tubular/sheetmetal crossmember? I was bored and started measuring and playing in solidworks. Havent incorporated the engine mounting points as i just started playing around but would definitely pay attention to those as those seem to be weak point in the oem piece. Will probably have tubing connecting all those points in between the sheetmetal as well

let me know if you have any critisism or ideas

[LJ851]

What would the benefits of this fabricated crossmember be ?

[Farbin Kaiber]

merlot.

[ChaseN]

Things to incorporate if you actually go through with this -

1. Clearance for 24v long tube headers

2. Clearance for use of 24v dual sump oil pans (euro S50, S54)

3. Correct angle for 24v engine mounts. 24v engine arms and the e30 engine mount 'pads' on the subframe are not parallel and result in contorted engine mounts that will die prematurely (reference AKG's geometrically correct 24v swap mounts, and how the top and bottom of the mount is not parallel).

[tigwerks]

ChaseN those points are basically why I'm messing around with this. Addressing the oil pan and the motor mount setup. We'll see what happens with this. Probably try out some stuff and see what comes of it. The subaru and gallardo stuff will come first before this though.

[ChaseN]

TBH I wouldnt spend a bunch of time on it. Those who need to run longtube headers just notch the current subframe, and 95% of the 24v swappers aren't even aware that their e28 mounts don't really fit right...or they'll throw solid mounts on their 100% street car because racecar.

Dual oil sump pans would be cool but that market is tiny.

[robgoesvroom]

design an oilpan for the M20 that isn't so damn low!

=]

[z31maniac]

If you're going to go through the trouble, design it in a way to ease other potential motor swaps.