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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Corvallis Oregon USA
Posts: 14
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Front Strut Brace for E36 w/ ASC+T
Where can I find a front strut brace that will work on my 1994 325is with ASC+T traction control?
I would like an adjustable front strut brace, but its not manditory. Just one that would work on my car would make me happy. Any ideas on the best place to purchase/find a front strut brace would be appreciated. Also why won't the normal front strut braces work on a car with ASC+T? Thanks Joe
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Enough horse power is when you can burn rubber from the exit of one corner to the entrance of the next..dispite the distance between corners. |
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12-18-2003, 06:29 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,001
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Hey there Neighbor. It is my understanding that there is a cable/pod that interferes with the location of the strut bar. You can look for a bar that is specially made to clear the structure, but that will probably set you back a chunk. The best bet is to get a bar you like, then custom make some mounts to off-set the bar enough to clear the pod. Here is what Supertack did....
"I think I solved my ASC clearance issue. Unbeknownst to me, I had a friend of a friend who owns a machine shop. Using regular corrugated cardboard I made a three dimensional template of the brackets using the original brackets as a measurement reference. I used these Dinan brackets as the inspiration on the tabs, & the template looked shockingly similar to this pic. I put the template on the car, to make sure everything (hood, throttle body) cleared, & sent it off to way friendly machine shop for fabrication. I should pick it up in a day or two. The only issue was the cost of fabrication. Yah, it was a little steep. I had to pop for a case of Corona." |
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12-18-2003, 06:51 AM
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Location: Corvallis Oregon USA
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Thanks..
I'll have to take a closer look at the clearences around the cable/pod unit when I get home. Do you have any photos of the finished result? Sounds not too complicated.. I did find a brace on the pelican web site that lists for $344.50 that claims to fit with the ASR unit (I guess they mean the ASC+T cable/pod unit). I want quality..but I really don't have the cash to pay for it. The modification idea might be my best bet. What do you think about having an adjustable strut brace?.. necessary?
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Enough horse power is when you can burn rubber from the exit of one corner to the entrance of the next..dispite the distance between corners. |
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12-18-2003, 08:20 AM
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I saw the semi-finished product of my custom machined brackets the other day. My bro had me stop by so we could dry fit them. The tabs arn't welded on yet, but I should have the finished product & put up pics pretty soon. It looks SO frickin cool. their thicker than the crap you get off EBay, & are black with exposed silver steel edges. They make even expensive strut brackets look like a bugger. I told my buddy he could probably make some loot selling these things to guys like me who bought a bar that doesn't fit over the ASC. I got my bar online for $25, & it cost me (2) cs of Corona for the brackets, so it still wound up way less that $100. I think if you put mine & the Dinan brace ($400) side by side, mine looks cooler. It turned out that good!
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Every Boy Becomes A Man. A Fortunate Few Reverse The Process. 97 328is Black on Black 5 speed Sport Package, Short Arm Intake with ABS Molded Heat Shield, Custom Mounted Front Strut Bar, Elevated Clutch Stop, Polished Aluminum Roundel Shifter, AC Schnitzer Aluminum Pedal Set, Chrome Instrument Cluster Rings & Carbon Fiber Bezel, Crystal Clear Corners, OEM Clear Tail & Side Lights, Scalloped Headlight Trim, Custom 'is' Grill Badge, Alpine C43 Stereo Upgrade, Front Bumper Filler Last edited by supertack; 12-18-2003 at 10:21 AM.. |
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12-18-2003, 10:06 AM
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Location: Portland, OR
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Very cool, Supe... I always love to hear about some home-grown stuff turning out to be 'choice'!!
Joe, if I were you, I'd go find a $30-$40 strut bar of a style you like (something like this one.. http://www.procarparts.com/store-detail.asp?sku=BMW%2DE36%2D9298%2DXX45%2DFRUP%2DST BX ) see how it lines up, then make some new braces with offset perches to clear the ASC... just like Supe did. We had this discussion regarding the performance of adjustable braces and those with pivot points on the end. It was pretty much a wash as far as the discussion, and I think pretty much a wash as their resultant performance between the varied style of bars. I would say pick which one you esthetically like the best... they all should give about the same 'performance gain'... if any. |
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12-18-2003, 02:42 PM
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Location: Corvallis Oregon USA
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Great!
Thanks Neioghbor..I'll Post more once I get something installed. Thats about the cheapest price I've seen. I think your right about the performance..they're all about the same..just a matter of money and desired style. Later
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Enough horse power is when you can burn rubber from the exit of one corner to the entrance of the next..dispite the distance between corners. |
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12-18-2003, 03:11 PM
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Location: Portland, OR
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Hey Joe, here's a style of mount that looks pretty cool. Should be pretty easy and relatively inexpensive to mirror this design.
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12-23-2003, 07:37 AM
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Hold it! You havn't seen my materpiece yet. I picked them up & put 'em on last night, just frickin stellar. I've got some minor work to do on them, but plan on having pics of the entire process up right after Christmas. Joe, if your planning on fabricating your own, wait. Mine little design would be quite a bit easier than this above example.
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Every Boy Becomes A Man. A Fortunate Few Reverse The Process. 97 328is Black on Black 5 speed Sport Package, Short Arm Intake with ABS Molded Heat Shield, Custom Mounted Front Strut Bar, Elevated Clutch Stop, Polished Aluminum Roundel Shifter, AC Schnitzer Aluminum Pedal Set, Chrome Instrument Cluster Rings & Carbon Fiber Bezel, Crystal Clear Corners, OEM Clear Tail & Side Lights, Scalloped Headlight Trim, Custom 'is' Grill Badge, Alpine C43 Stereo Upgrade, Front Bumper Filler |
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12-24-2003, 04:14 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,001
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Yeah... definitely wait to see what Supe's got brewin'... I'm pretty intersted to see the end result.
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12-26-2003, 10:48 AM
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1997 BMW 328is M52 In-Line 6
