Custom Strut Bar Project
 

Hey all,

Some of you may have read my other post M44 Replacement / Strut Tower Reinforcement. I had cracked my stock strut towers while running L/R swapped M3 struts and strut guide plates.

The last step in this project was to finish cross-bracing the new beefy strut towers with a bar.

Once again, I worked with Scott a couple of afternoons and finished this project in a few weeks time (lots of other stuff going on!). He did the fabrication, I just held things and watched.

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/10...ut-bar-108.jpg

I didn't have my camera with me during the fabrication, I just took some shots after I finished painting yesterday.

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/10...ut-bar-102.jpg

Mounting location. Two tabs cut from 3/16" steel.

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/10...ut-bar-103.jpg

The bar was cut from stock and MIG welded using a few simple make-shift forms to keep the piece straight and the angles correct.

(Scott, if you would like to add more info about the design, let me know and I will paste it here)

A few markings were made in the engine bay on blue painter's tape, one to indicate centerline of the vehicle, and a few more to indicate the centerline of the bar where it attaches at the towers.

The height was checked as well by closing the hood on a locked-out measuring tape nestled into a nook next to the fuse box / driver's shock tower area.

Afterwards, it needed painting, so I cleaned it up a bit with sandpaper, primered it with Krylon rust-tough spray can, and finished it with an air brush.

I had a lot of hobby paint lying around (why yes, I hobby) and used some Testors Model Master Metalizer -- Magnesium. Transitions to Burnt Metal, then transitions again to "Burnt Iron" at the ends. The metalizer paints can be polished, and I did this briefly with some flannel to fair results.

I finished it off with a little german flair, inspired surely by the World Cup.

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/10...ut-bar-104.jpg

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/10...ut-bar-105.jpg

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/10...ut-bar-106.jpg

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/10...ut-bar-107.jpg

I'm pretty happy with the look. It needs a clear coat to seal in the metalizer. Probably touch it up and do that today.

The handling difference is amazing, even after the strut tower reinforcements, I could tell a difference. Better stability up front, rock solid cornering. Amazing feel.

Material costs were around $60 plus $15 for paint (model paint ain't cheap)

tbw

That looks great! What a difference the paint makes.

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/7181/stb001.jpg

Dude that is SICK!!!!! it looks really good and really beefy, makes me wanna go cut my strut towers up and start welding :eek:

Great job

that came out sweet, very nice looking

sick sick sick

So envious of the welding prowess. And the fabrication.

Looks great! It looks alot like the Racing Dynamics one Turner offers and it cost you 4x less.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html..._ID=1969936014

I've seen a lot of bars on sites (bavauto, understeer, etc.) that look like they are straight and aren't angled like the one you have fabricated, on the Ti is that for clearance of the manifold on top?

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE !! i want one and ill pay for your costs ever since i bagged the front of my car i need a beefy strut brace and reinforced one EXACTLY like this .



pm me if you can help me get one of these . i can weld it on i just need it just a metal finish and i will paint it up and weld it in place .

Thanks Dustin !!

noticed any difference in handling?

Will Definitly BUYY PLEASE SEND PM WITH PRICE??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 buyers right here . all i need is just the bar with the bends and tabs ill weld mine in . and you dont have to clean it uop

I'd be interested in one (if you're planning a small production run, that is). :wink:

yes i need them but im looking to buy soon !