decent strut bar design

YoYosE90 · 07-03-2011, 01:07 AM

I used to have an E46 and had the m3 strut bar, and now that I have an E90, i just miss seeing the bar going across above the engine bay (for some reason I like that look - flamesuit on). I was going through the different threads about strut bars and didn't see any nice looking (somewhat functional) strut bars that didn't restrict access to the air box of an N54. I saw this on Dinan's website, and as we all know their products are WAY too expensive. I was wondering if any other company makes one just like this (it looks like a very decent design)?

kevin@bavarianx · 07-03-2011, 01:25 AM

Cusco strut bar.

YoYosE90 · 07-03-2011, 01:33 AM

yeah I've seen the Cusco bar, but I liked how the E46 m3 one and the dinan one doesn't have that hinge. Plus, the dinan one looks like it would be easier to access the airbox (looks like its pushed back behind where the stock airbox cover has that slope).

DimSum · 07-06-2011, 12:37 AM

I would just stick to the BMW Performance one, they are on-sale now

kevin@bavarianx · 07-06-2011, 01:56 AM

Give Mason Engineering an email about making one. They made one for the e82 and older BMWs.

YoYosE90 · 07-06-2011, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sales@bavarianx

Give Mason Engineering an email about making one. They made one for the e82 and older BMWs.

Thanks. will try that route.

yakev724 · 07-06-2011, 09:21 AM

Performance or M3. I'd go M3, but there's not much to be seen.

BlueLion · 07-07-2011, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yakev724

Performance or M3. I'd go M3, but there's not much to be seen.

true but the M3 one works well and its never in your way

YoYosE90 · 07-07-2011, 10:56 PM

Okay, so Mason Engineering emailed me back their Prototype bar, and it is what I was looking for in a strut bar design. No hinges, pushed back a little giving space for access to oil cap, and stock airbox. This is ONLY a PROTOTYPE, and I can't wait for the production to come out. I did notice however that they removed the Stock strut bar, and I hope on their production bar, that it will allow mounting of their bar in conjunction to the stock strut bar, just like the Dinan one (almost makes it like a triangle brace). He did say he needed a car for fit check after I asked him about the stock strut bar mounting together with their bar. Their business is in Simi Valley, and unfortunately I am not in the area to go do that (currently deployed to Afghanistan). Will update with more info later.

YoYosE90 · 07-10-2011, 10:00 PM

Here is another picture of a prototype bar that they sent. i like how it is almost over engineered and beefy. The only drawback is the access to the airbox and oil cap, but I already brought that up to them. He really needs a volunteer car for prototype fitting, but I am having trouble getting my car to him since I am deployed. If someone wants to volunteer, Ill let him know (simi valley).

francisomar · 07-10-2011, 10:20 PM

First one looks awesome and functional without a overkill or too beefy

HP Autosport · 07-17-2011, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoYosE90

I used to have an E46 and had the m3 strut bar, and now that I have an E90, i just miss seeing the bar going across above the engine bay (for some reason I like that look - flamesuit on). I was going through the different threads about strut bars and didn't see any nice looking (somewhat functional) strut bars that didn't restrict access to the air box of an N54. I saw this on Dinan's website, and as we all know their products are WAY too expensive. I was wondering if any other company makes one just like this (it looks like a very decent design)?

The OEM M3 strut brace is decent and still allow full access to the strut top if you have rebound adjustable front struts. Plus it looks OEM and it does not hinder access to the oil filer cap, air filter lid, and does not need to be removed to replace your spark plugs and such.

Be on the lookout for a nice strut tower brace from a top notch suspension tuner soon!

YoYosE90 · 07-17-2011, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

The OEM M3 strut brace is decent and still allow full access to the strut top if you have rebound adjustable front struts. Plus it looks OEM and it does not hinder access to the oil filer cap, air filter lid, and does not need to be removed to replace your spark plugs and such.

Be on the lookout for a nice strut tower brace from a top notch suspension tuner soon!

how soon? This will be interesting! I will definitely be following your posts looking for a hint, hehe...

HP Autosport · 07-17-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoYosE90

how soon? This will be interesting! I will definitely be following your posts looking for a hint, hehe...

We are not making it, but it will be from a BMW tuner with 20 years of BMW experience on and off the track.

YoYosE90 · 07-22-2011, 12:16 AM

Mr. John Mason of Mason Engineering wanted to know if anyone would be interested in a rear shock tower bar. Mason Engineering has been in the racing business for a long time now developing, testing, and fabricating high quality suspension and chasis parts. I contacted them regarding a different front strut tower bar design and they have been great to work with. He was just wondering if anyone would be interested in a rear shock tower bar that they may be able to put into production. Yes on a road car it would be a bit overkill and maybe not noticable, but on a track car, as in his experience, has seemed "to lessen un -wanted rear body roll and also allows the rear anti roll bar to become more effective." I am not an experienced track person, nor am I working for Mason Engineering. I am simply asking the question for the people who are fabricating a custom front strut bar that I have requested from them. Please let me know so I can tell them if it would be a suspension part that may have some interests.

TSM330i · 07-22-2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoYosE90

Mr. John Mason of Mason Engineering wanted to know if anyone would be interested in a rear shock tower bar. Mason Engineering has been in the racing business for a long time now developing, testing, and fabricating high quality suspension and chasis parts. I contacted them regarding a different front strut tower bar design and they have been great to work with. He was just wondering if anyone would be interested in a rear shock tower bar that they may be able to put into production. Yes on a road car it would be a bit overkill and maybe not noticable, but on a track car, as in his experience, has seemed "to lessen un -wanted rear body roll and also allows the rear anti roll bar to become more effective." I am not an experienced track person, nor am I working for Mason Engineering. I am simply asking the question for the people who are fabricating a custom front strut bar that I have requested from them. Please let me know so I can tell them if it would be a suspension part that may have some interests.

+1

07-03-2011, 01:07 AM	#1
YoYosE90 Lurking Member and prior E46Fanatic 5 Rep 65 Posts Drives: '08 AW 6MT 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Springs iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [8.90]	decent strut bar design I used to have an E46 and had the m3 strut bar, and now that I have an E90, i just miss seeing the bar going across above the engine bay (for some reason I like that look - flamesuit on). I was going through the different threads about strut bars and didn't see any nice looking (somewhat functional) strut bars that didn't restrict access to the air box of an N54. I saw this on Dinan's website, and as we all know their products are WAY too expensive. I was wondering if any other company makes one just like this (it looks like a very decent design)?
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07-03-2011, 01:25 AM	#2
kevin@bavarianx Banned 33 Rep 812 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Brea, CA iTrader: (3)	Cusco strut bar.
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07-03-2011, 01:33 AM	#3
YoYosE90 Lurking Member and prior E46Fanatic 5 Rep 65 Posts Drives: '08 AW 6MT 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Springs iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [8.90]	yeah I've seen the Cusco bar, but I liked how the E46 m3 one and the dinan one doesn't have that hinge. Plus, the dinan one looks like it would be easier to access the airbox (looks like its pushed back behind where the stock airbox cover has that slope).
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07-06-2011, 12:37 AM	#4
DimSum Banned 202 Rep 2,740 Posts Drives: SLOW Join Date: May 2008 Location: LITTLEBIMMER.COM iTrader: (10)	I would just stick to the BMW Performance one, they are on-sale now
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07-06-2011, 01:56 AM	#5
kevin@bavarianx Banned 33 Rep 812 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Brea, CA iTrader: (3)	Give Mason Engineering an email about making one. They made one for the e82 and older BMWs.
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07-06-2011, 09:21 AM	#7
yakev724 Brigadier General 231 Rep 3,561 Posts Drives: 15 S3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NYC iTrader: (49)	Performance or M3. I'd go M3, but there's not much to be seen.
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07-07-2011, 10:56 PM	#9
YoYosE90 Lurking Member and prior E46Fanatic 5 Rep 65 Posts Drives: '08 AW 6MT 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Springs iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [8.90]	Okay, so Mason Engineering emailed me back their Prototype bar, and it is what I was looking for in a strut bar design. No hinges, pushed back a little giving space for access to oil cap, and stock airbox. This is ONLY a PROTOTYPE, and I can't wait for the production to come out. I did notice however that they removed the Stock strut bar, and I hope on their production bar, that it will allow mounting of their bar in conjunction to the stock strut bar, just like the Dinan one (almost makes it like a triangle brace). He did say he needed a car for fit check after I asked him about the stock strut bar mounting together with their bar. Their business is in Simi Valley, and unfortunately I am not in the area to go do that (currently deployed to Afghanistan). Will update with more info later. Attached Images Last edited by YoYosE90; 07-07-2011 at 11:17 PM..
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07-10-2011, 10:00 PM	#10
YoYosE90 Lurking Member and prior E46Fanatic 5 Rep 65 Posts Drives: '08 AW 6MT 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Springs iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [8.90]	Here is another picture of a prototype bar that they sent. i like how it is almost over engineered and beefy. The only drawback is the access to the airbox and oil cap, but I already brought that up to them. He really needs a volunteer car for prototype fitting, but I am having trouble getting my car to him since I am deployed. If someone wants to volunteer, Ill let him know (simi valley). Attached Images
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07-10-2011, 10:20 PM	#11
francisomar First Lieutenant 11 Rep 326 Posts Drives: 2008 335i coupe jb Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Yauco, PR iTrader: (0)	First one looks awesome and functional without a overkill or too beefy
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07-22-2011, 12:16 AM	#15
YoYosE90 Lurking Member and prior E46Fanatic 5 Rep 65 Posts Drives: '08 AW 6MT 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Springs iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [8.90]	Mr. John Mason of Mason Engineering wanted to know if anyone would be interested in a rear shock tower bar. Mason Engineering has been in the racing business for a long time now developing, testing, and fabricating high quality suspension and chasis parts. I contacted them regarding a different front strut tower bar design and they have been great to work with. He was just wondering if anyone would be interested in a rear shock tower bar that they may be able to put into production. Yes on a road car it would be a bit overkill and maybe not noticable, but on a track car, as in his experience, has seemed "to lessen un -wanted rear body roll and also allows the rear anti roll bar to become more effective." I am not an experienced track person, nor am I working for Mason Engineering. I am simply asking the question for the people who are fabricating a custom front strut bar that I have requested from them. Please let me know so I can tell them if it would be a suspension part that may have some interests.
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