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Suspension Springs, sway bars, shocks.

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Old 04-07-2005, 02:09 PM   #1
Fender
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Default Rear shock tower brace for a ti?

I just installed HR racing springs, Bilsteins, and a front strut brace. Does anyone make the rear shock brace? I ordered one from BMP design, but they called back and said they NO LONGER MAKE IT. I'm told the shock towers can use the extra stability.

Anyone know a where to find a rear brace?
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Old 04-07-2005, 02:19 PM   #2
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I heard that you can use an Active Autowerks bar and customize the fitting. I think Maurolin did it to his ti.
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Old 04-07-2005, 05:58 PM   #3
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Don't waste your money, the rear brace is useless. Get a pair of swaybars instead.

SL

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fender
I just installed HR racing springs, Bilsteins, and a front strut brace. Does anyone make the rear shock brace? I ordered one from BMP design, but they called back and said they NO LONGER MAKE IT. I'm told the shock towers can use the extra stability.

Anyone know a where to find a rear brace?
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Old 04-07-2005, 07:34 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KIRASIR
Don't waste your money, the rear brace is useless. Get a pair of swaybars instead.

SL

What he said, a bar won't do anything to help shocks. Besides, the rear end already likes to come loose on these cars, stiffening the rear suspension will only exagerate the problem.
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Old 04-07-2005, 11:04 PM   #5
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yeah... here's my pic DURING INSTALLATION.

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Old 04-08-2005, 01:58 AM   #6
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i disagree with the idea that sway bars should be chosen over a strut tower brace they are 2 completly different things that serve 2 completly different functions
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Old 04-08-2005, 03:32 AM   #7
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www.strongstrut.com ... look for the rear strut for a z3 (affectionately called a "butt strut"). heard this piece is very good and probably does more than a shock tower brace would.
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acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts




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Old 04-08-2005, 03:36 AM   #8
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ohh yeah! top and bottom reinforcement. but people always go for the easy one..
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Old 04-08-2005, 03:37 AM   #9
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yeah i wanna get thay butt brace
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Old 04-08-2005, 01:48 PM   #10
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Sure, they are different but what are you trying to archive in the end?

Better handling or better looks?

Rear strut brace does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in a ti, while the sway bars make a huge difference (especially if your car is a base or an active model).

In the end it's your money.

SL

Quote:
Originally Posted by marcus2116
i disagree with the idea that sway bars should be chosen over a strut tower brace they are 2 completly different things that serve 2 completly different functions
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Old 04-08-2005, 01:50 PM   #11
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The "butt strut" works really well but it has two main disadvantages:
price and ground clearance.

SL

Quote:
Originally Posted by cali-ti
www.strongstrut.com ... look for the rear strut for a z3 (affectionately called a "butt strut"). heard this piece is very good and probably does more than a shock tower brace would.
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Old 04-08-2005, 08:31 PM   #12
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Default It seems that AC Schnitzer makes one

I want the brace for added stability to the shock towers. I've seen some gnarly pictures of blown out rear towers and I'd like to avoid that.

But - $350 is too much, so I might be rethinking this.

Thanks very much to Maurilin for the picture!
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Old 04-08-2005, 10:52 PM   #13
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are you worried about the top of the shock towers ripping out? there are reinforcements for that it that's what you're most worried about. way cheaper than $350 too
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current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray

acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts




2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
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Old 04-08-2005, 11:17 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KIRASIR
two main disadvantages:
price and ground clearance.
likewise, a tower strut has two main disadvantages:
low effectiveness, and losing usefulness of the hatch.


maurolin; would you mind resizing that, to maybe 640x480 or a thumb pointing to the full size?
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Old 04-08-2005, 11:39 PM   #15
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How do I do that thumb thing? i need the full size as i am hosting those pics form my FTP.

An AA bar is like $125. Also on ebay you can find some for like $40 non brand.

Look into ROTORA they make AWESOME ONES TOO
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