MA Sparco front strut bar

[cpatstone]

Sparco front strut brace. One of the few that fit around an M44/M42. Also fits fine with a 6cyl, and doesn't get in the way as much. Also, this is one of the few with a big opening for access to the top of the strut -- IE allow adjustment of the damper, and also allows use of adjustable camber plates.

This one was used on my 318ti with Koni Yellows and Vorschlag camber plates. Only removed because I switched to an M50 and the donor car came with a Mason Engineering bar (black, and just a little cooler looking IMHO).

Picture: not mine, but looks the same


$80 plus actual postage.

[slow_ti]

interested. pic didnt show up

[maverick]

Originally Posted by cpatstone

Sparco front strut brace. One of the few that fit around an M44/M42. Also fits fine with a 6cyl, and doesn't get in the way as much. Also, this is one of the few with a big opening for access to the top of the strut -- IE allow adjustment of the damper, and also allows use of adjustable camber plates.

This one was used on my 318ti with Koni Yellows and Vorschlag camber plates. Only removed because I switched to an M50 and the donor car came with a Mason Engineering bar (black, and just a little cooler looking IMHO).

Picture: not mine, but looks the same


$80 plus actual postage.

I tried a the Sparco and it would not clear my battery case or battery, would have been a fraction at best off my positive terminal. I sent it back to Bimmerworld and they now advise it does not fit the 318ti without mods.

I got on to John Mason of mason Engineering though and I worked with him and a west coast member and he cam up with a great design bar for the 318ti M42/44 and it is the best bar out there I think and so well made as to be art. He even allowed me to do a group buy and we sold six. I have the first production model. He has since added a three piece rear bar and it too is well engineered and beautifully made and I am proud to own them. he is a BMW man and has bars for all sorts of BMW's so check out Mason Engineering and say Dave Ellsworth sent you it won't get me or you anything but he is a great guy and a joy to work with.

I will say though for 80$ it isn't a bad bar the Sparco but just was too close on my car is all.

Dave

[Ralliart10]

^^^ You got pics?

[tiFreak]

I just barely bought a new one I'm probably going to get a smaller, lightweight battery so it should clear with that

just hope the spacing between the strut towers isn't too off, my track car's been totaled twice

[spidertri]

I have a sparco, it required slight trimming of the upper battery box cover. It really wasn't a big deal at all. I can easily get the battery cover off w/o taking the strut bar off. I'm sure the mason is a better piece but the sparco is good value for money.

[maverick]

Originally Posted by spidertri

I have a sparco, it required slight trimming of the upper battery box cover. It really wasn't a big deal at all. I can easily get the battery cover off w/o taking the strut bar off. I'm sure the mason is a better piece but the sparco is good value for money.

My battery is taller than original and I can't really close my box either. I would not have minded had the battery polarity been reveresed so it is the negative next to the bar. I have seen what an arcing battery can do to a car in a wreck and especially if gas is let loose under the hood, but just the arcing can wreak havoc. I suggest maybe wrapping any bar that comes that close with something that is tough and insulates well, even the Mason will get that treatment and it isn't as close as the Sparco...it is also considerably more money, about 3 times or so the price, but is the pinnacle at this point for a front bar on our 4 pot ti's

Dave

[jca]

I just want to echo the thought that Mason bars are the best in the industry by far. They are expensive, but a great value.

[cpatstone]

Deal in progress with slow_ti. Yes, the PO notched the battery box to fit. No issues clearing the battery...?

[slow_ti]

Will this fit with an s52?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[spidertri]

Yes, any bar that fits the M44 will fit any straight 6 motor.

[tiFreak]

I just got mine from Bimmerworld, these pics were just taken with the bar sitting on the studs but it shouldn't make too big a difference





seems like it would clear the battery just fine to me, mine has a little cover over the positive terminal too which helps

[maverick]

Maybe the one I got was tweaked as the bar passed over the positive terminal just off center and my battery is maybe 8-10mm taller and there was at best 5mm between the bar and the terminal and the cover would have to be heavily modified. That close for me is a hazzard in a wreck, so back it went. The sparco is a bargan really for what you get but the Mason just shines in design and build so I paid more and got more, is it worth it, was to me for peace of mind really on tne battery. I actually played a very small part in getting the Mason bar made so I have a little pride involved as well

Dave

[spidertri]

My sparco bar has clearance exactly like Brendan's. That said, I'd rather not clutter cpatstone's FS thread with "which bar is better" talk. It's not fair to him.

[cpatstone]

Originally Posted by spidertri

My sparco bar has clearance exactly like Brendan's. That said, I'd rather not clutter cpatstone's FS thread with "which bar is better" talk. It's not fair to him.

-- thanks for the consideration, but...

I've SOLD my strut bar. paid, shipped, gone (Thanks Pete!). So, clutter away!

My bar fit just like tiFreak's. The car's PO notched that corner of the bat box cover so it would fit with the bar.