 » Site Navigation | | | | » Recent Threads | | | |  |  |  |  01-11-2006, 07:39 PM | #1 | | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portugal - Lisboa Posts: 205 |  Should I install M3 Top strut mounts?
Hello...
How are you doing?
My m3 brake setup arrived today.
With the brakes also came the front struts and springs.
I won't be installing the struts because they are for a 6 cylinder.
My question is if I should install the M3 top strut mounts?
Thank you!
regards! __________________ Portuguese 318ti
MODS: Staggered M Kontours; Mtec Side Trim with M3 badges; Mtec Steering wheel with Airbag; M3 Modified Shift Lever; M3 Leather Shift Knob, Leather Centre Arm Rest; Euro Clear turn signals; M3 Electric and Heated Side Mirrors; Cat replaced by straight pipe; Mtec Rear Bumper; E36 M3 Front Brakes with EBC Drilled and Slotted Rotors and EBC Red Stuff Pads; Vader Seats. More to come!
My Picture Gallery:
http://www.318ti.org/gallery/showgal...r=1407&cat=500 |  |  | | 01-11-2006, 10:57 PM | #2 | | Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bouncing off the rev limiter in CT! Posts: 3,156 |
Are you refering to the caster plates? If so, they don't hurt anything, just increase cster about a degree or so (not sure on the exact number) for better stability at high speed. Supposedly tire wear can suffer for it, but I have not found any problems on my car...
Just be sure they are installed correctly... (the arrow points forward, so the strut nut sits to the rear of the opening when viewed from the engine compartment).
Another good idea is the strut-top stiffener plates. They are like $10.00 a pair at the dealer. | | | | | 01-11-2006, 11:32 PM | #3 | | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portugal - Lisboa Posts: 205 |
Thanks for the reply! Quote: | Another good idea is the strut-top stiffener plates. They are like $10.00 a pair at the dealer. | Do you have a part number? Thanks! regards! __________________ Portuguese 318ti
MODS: Staggered M Kontours; Mtec Side Trim with M3 badges; Mtec Steering wheel with Airbag; M3 Modified Shift Lever; M3 Leather Shift Knob, Leather Centre Arm Rest; Euro Clear turn signals; M3 Electric and Heated Side Mirrors; Cat replaced by straight pipe; Mtec Rear Bumper; E36 M3 Front Brakes with EBC Drilled and Slotted Rotors and EBC Red Stuff Pads; Vader Seats. More to come!
My Picture Gallery:
http://www.318ti.org/gallery/showgal...r=1407&cat=500 | | | | | 01-11-2006, 11:50 PM | #4 | | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Long Beach area Posts: 1,189 |
I think he's talking about part #15. (click) I just picked up a pair at the dealer for $10 too. Don't forget to get gaskets. -Randy __________________ 97 Jet Black 318ti Sport. Not so stock anymore!.... 
Now Featuring:318ti.org sticker  Now featuring: Hartge exhaust|Blacked out Grilles|Front Clear Corners or Ambers depending on how I feel|325is vented front brakes|Bilstein Sports|H&R Sports|E46 RSMs w/ Z3 reinforcment plates|16" Style 45s|17" E46 M68 rims|18" Authentic Hartge Classics C|OEM M135 ZHP wheels
and
99 Titan Silver 323is Dinan S1+few more mods
Coming sometime in the future:...SCed 2.1...new (to me) car mod maybe?...all in one car | | | | | 01-12-2006, 12:00 AM | #5 | | Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bouncing off the rev limiter in CT! Posts: 3,156 |
Part 15 it is! | | | | | 01-12-2006, 12:27 AM | #6 | | Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Burlington Ontario Posts: 17 |
If I recall correctly, the M3 strut bearing assemblies are offset inboard. This will increase negative camber, not caster. If they are offset toward the back of the car, then they are increasing the caster.
I have adjustable plates that enable adjustment of either, or both. I also installed the offset control arm bushings that increase caster as well. So I use the offset control arm bushings for more caster, and the adjustable plates for more (negative) camber.
The result of both of these is about -2.5 deg. camber each side, and who-knows-how-much additional caster. This makes the steering heavier and more communicative, and increases stability in high-G corners. I am pleased with the result – very noticeable on the track.
The additional caster was also very effective to eliminate the numb on-centre feel the car had.
Steven Park
Burlington, Ontario CANADA | | | | | 01-12-2006, 03:31 AM | #7 | | Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bouncing off the rev limiter in CT! Posts: 3,156 |
My car is in the body shop, so I cannot confirm the orientation, however I'm 99% sure it brings the top of the strut to the rear, and I also believe the name used is the 'caster top' on the street.
I am also using the offset bushings with the later control arms (that do not need the offset bushings) to push the front wheels forward a bit (and increase the caster further).
Increasing the camber will improve cornering for sure, but for the street, the tire wear may be excessive for some (such as me)... | | | | |
| Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | |
 Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
| | |
| Similar Threads | | Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post | | just one page not loading | tiFreak | Site Feedback | 25 | 06-16-2010 06:55 AM | | Car Domain page | the governor | Personal bios and Introductions | 3 | 05-22-2008 09:15 PM |
|
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:06 PM.
Linear Mode
