Strut Brace Question

[Neo]

How much of a difference is there between a hinged and hingeless brace? It makes sense that the hingeless would be more effective, but most of the ones I've seen are hinged.

[MP3Guy]

I'd go hinged... it still keeps the front taut, while allowing enough twsit that it doesn't start ripping apart your strut towers.

[GhostRider]

Bars with hinge

All the bending that happened before still happens its just that the towers bend the same way because a bar connects them. I have the Dinan Strut bar on my e46 and could tell no difference in corners with it on.

When BMW motorsport made a strutbar for the e46m3 did it have hinges?? Nope.

Here's a diagram showing movement of hinged vs non-hinged.

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/STB/what_is_a_bar.html

[Neo]

Originally Posted by GhostRider

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/STB/what_is_a_bar.html

answered my question and confirmed what I thought. Thanks.

[MP3Guy]

Thanks for the correction.

[Glucas21]

I have also been looking for a hingless strut brace for the e36. I need one that doesn't completely cap off the top of the stut, so I can still get to the camber adjustment and shock setting stuff without taking off the strut brace. I like the UUC strut barbarian, but I was just wondering if anyone else knew of some other companies that make one like that.

[GhostRider]

TC Kline sells the BMW motorsport strut brace here:
http://tcklineracing.com/swaybars.htm

It's the second product on the page after the swaybars. Price only listed for the e36 and it runs $550. For that price i'd do the all magnesium on from UUC or save some money and do the magnesium w/ aluminum endcaps.

[Neo]

There's another one on m3motorwerks.com; but it's almost $600
http://www.m3motorwerks.com/products...php/II=98/PA=0

[Glucas21]

Thanks guys. Since I am a certified welder and have access to a CNC mill and lathe here at school, I might just end up making my own. It is money I would rather spend on other parts of the car if I can make it for cheap, and have it exactly how I want it.

[deep throat]

Sorry to bring this back ppl....
The Motorsport tower brace costs $646 (bolts are @ $96 )
The JT-Design runs @ $590
Too expensive if you ask me!!! Are they worth it, really??

What do you think of the following as alternatives?
1) Racing Dynamics'
2) Active Autowerk's (hinged, isn't it?)

[hammerfang]

how noticable is it really?

[deep throat]

[alen]

Originally Posted by Glucas21

Thanks guys. Since I am a certified welder and have access to a CNC mill and lathe here at school, I might just end up making my own. It is money I would rather spend on other parts of the car if I can make it for cheap, and have it exactly how I want it.

you can answer a quick question then... can a MIG weld aluminum? stainless steel? polished ss?

can a TIG do all that a MIG can and more?

alen