DIY X-Brace & Support Tube Retrofit
 

My latest addon was fitting the regular Support Tube found often on E36 onto the Ti. And then I did a custom DIY Xbrace anyone here can do. I already had the older OEM Xbrace on my E36 coupe, so figured I do my own and it came out quite well for a few hours of my time.

I used 5mm thick spacers I had from my HMW projects, and needed about 25mm space on each side to fit the BMW OEM Support Tube, it usually bolts on to the 5 speed transmissions on those cars, it didnt in my case on the Ti without doing more retro fitting, so I figured I'd just leave it as it is to add more bracing up front.

For the Xbrace I used 20mm x 1.6mm thick square steel tubing, quite solid stuff. The X is made using some 3mm thick bars. Then all goes in together with Some M8 and M6 Bolts. I basically made 2 holes about 20mm apart from each side and installed nutserts on the factory OEM brace. Next two pieces of square tubing and a hole on each. Installed nutserts on the factory location.

After it was all done I took it for a drive and felt a lot more stiff and sturdy at higher speeds as well as the whole turn in. That was as it was, then I decided to add 2 more braces and had it welded by a friend to aid in rigidness.

May do a little grinding and put a coat of paint sometime this week and add more pictures. But overall all you need is some square tubing, some nutserts, bolts really. Will add more pictures in the coming days. :smile:

Wanted to show you guys the final product after a little coat of rust protective paint.

Whos got a thought? :tongue:

I know it's been a few years now, but I think it turned out pretty great! Nice work doing something different!

Hey thanks! I still miss my old Ti. Currently plan to do something for a 1 series. :)

This was really easy to do, all you need is angle iron and some 5mm thick long stock...some tube metal pipes for spacing...and a day or so, really fun.