Hotchkis Chassis Brace - Clarification...There was never a polished version! - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

HP Autowerks · 09-26-2008, 11:37 AM

For your information:

Those who PM us regarding the polished version of the Hotchkis brace, there was never any made for sale. As for the finish, it is not polished(you can't polish steel to that type of sheen), it is a nickel finish.

Please see attached photo, the sheen did not show up very well in the photo, but you can see the difference between the two finishes.

A prototype was made and installed on Hotchkis project 335i, that was it. The Hotchkis brace currently available are all gunmetal powder coat. There is a possibility the nickel finish will be available in the future, but not right now.

Gunmetal powder finish braces are available now for shipment at $350 with FREE shipping to the 48 States.

Remember, if you have a sedan with oem exhaust, this brace will not work. If you have an aftermarket exhaust, you will need a mounting kit available seperately from us to install this brace.

Harold

dmkaldas · 09-26-2008, 12:06 PM

could you post pics of that mounting kit for those with aftermarket exhaust

and will it fit e93?

1clean335i · 09-26-2008, 12:17 PM

thanks for the clarification Harold. I should be purchasing one from you soon

I guess this might be a good time to save up for a pair of sway bars also as 2 of the bolts that need to be removed to install the brace on my car are for the rear subframe

HP Autowerks · 09-26-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmkaldas

could you post pics of that mounting kit for those with aftermarket exhaust

and will it fit e93?

Go to this thread and look at the photos of the chassis brace mounted in the vehicle, at the end of the X where it mounts to the rear sub frame, those two silver/grey looking brackets, those are the mounting kit along with new bolts.

Never fitted an E93, but should work.

HP Autowerks · 09-26-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1clean335i

thanks for the clarification Harold. I should be purchasing one from you soon

I guess this might be a good time to save up for a pair of sway bars also as 2 of the bolts that need to be removed to install the brace on my car are for the rear subframe

Got the Hotchkis anti-roll bars if you need them! Have the rear only as well!

shyestsparks · 09-26-2008, 09:10 PM

Hello Harold, I'm trying to install the adapter pieces;few questions; there's a 3 bolts to unscrew (1 reverse torx, 2 16mm bolts), there's a small bolt with a dot in the middle, How do you take it off? Could you re-use it again? Here's a couple of pics. Thanks for the response. Double click pics to see it more clearly.

Blk07335i · 09-27-2008, 08:35 AM

Is the piece that attaches to the thrust rod where you have the red circle plastic or steel?

HP Autowerks · 09-27-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shyestsparks

Hello Harold, I'm trying to install the adapter pieces;few questions; there's a 3 bolts to unscrew (1 reverse torx, 2 16mm bolts), there's a small bolt with a dot in the middle, How do you take it off? Could you re-use it again? Here's a couple of pics. Thanks for the response. Double click pics to see it more clearly.

The plastic expansion rivet. You will push the pin through the middle. If you don't lose the center pin, you can reuse it later by installing the plastic rivet first, then push the pin until it's flush.

HP Autowerks · 09-27-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blk07335i

Is the piece that attaches to the thrust rod where you have the red circle plastic or steel?

red circle plastic?

shyestsparks · 09-27-2008, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

The plastic expansion rivet. You will push the pin through the middle. If you don't lose the center pin, you can reuse it later by installing the plastic rivet first, then push the pin until it's flush.

Thank you; BTW, I got the Koni Yellow today. Thanks Harold; Numero uno in customer service!

shyestsparks · 09-27-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blk07335i

Is the piece that attaches to the thrust rod where you have the red circle plastic or steel?

Plastic.

flukey · 09-27-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

Remember, if you have a sedan with oem exhaust, this brace will not work. If you have an aftermarket exhaust, you will need a mounting kit available seperately from us to install this brace.

Why does this not work on an E90 with OEM exhaust?

shyestsparks · 09-28-2008, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flukey

Why does this not work on an E90 with OEM exhaust?

It will hit the resonator.

Blk07335i · 09-28-2008, 09:22 AM

When are you going to do the install? Hopefully my extra parts will be here this week so I can the brace on ASAP.

HP Autowerks · 09-29-2008, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blk07335i

When are you going to do the install? Hopefully my extra parts will be here this week so I can the brace on ASAP.

Need an installation kit?

Blk07335i · 09-29-2008, 06:44 PM

Ordered it from BMW directly and did the install today. No problem with the install but I will mention that when you swap out the thrust rods on the e90 be sure to use some jack stands on the subframe otherwise when you remove the old thrust rod the sub frame will drop. Thankfully I anticipated that this might happen so I was prepared. Looks good!

Blk07335i · 09-29-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shyestsparks

Hello Harold, I'm trying to install the adapter pieces;few questions; there's a 3 bolts to unscrew (1 reverse torx, 2 16mm bolts), there's a small bolt with a dot in the middle, How do you take it off? Could you re-use it again? Here's a couple of pics. Thanks for the response. Double click pics to see it more clearly.

Did you ever get the e90 kit installed? Did mine today. Wasn't too bad.

HP Autowerks · 09-30-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blk07335i

Did you ever get the e90 kit installed? Did mine today. Wasn't too bad.

If any of you need the installation kits, we have them in stock!

momo335i · 09-30-2008, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

If any of you need the installation kits, we have them in stock!

What does the installation kit include?

HP Autowerks · 10-01-2008, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momo335i

What does the installation kit include?

left and right side push rods and bolts.

Blk07335i · 10-01-2008, 10:37 AM

Definitely do this mod. Big difference in fell on the e90. Very much worth the price.

shyestsparks · 10-01-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blk07335i

Did you ever get the e90 kit installed? Did mine today. Wasn't too bad.

Charlie and I did the Hotchkis F&R sways, Koni yellows, and the adapters (courtesy of HP Autowerks); will install the under chasis bar sometime this week.

09-26-2008, 11:37 AM	#1
HP Autowerks BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: 2011 135i DCT & 2011 1M Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, AST, Brembo, Eibach, H&R, GIAC, Koni, Quaife, Stoptech, Vorshlag, Posts: 7,611 iTrader: (20)	Hotchkis Chassis Brace - Clarification...There was never a polished version! For your information: Those who PM us regarding the polished version of the Hotchkis brace, there was never any made for sale. As for the finish, it is not polished(you can't polish steel to that type of sheen), it is a nickel finish. Please see attached photo, the sheen did not show up very well in the photo, but you can see the difference between the two finishes. A prototype was made and installed on Hotchkis project 335i, that was it. The Hotchkis brace currently available are all gunmetal powder coat. There is a possibility the nickel finish will be available in the future, but not right now. Gunmetal powder finish braces are available now for shipment at $350 with FREE shipping to the 48 States. Remember, if you have a sedan with oem exhaust, this brace will not work. If you have an aftermarket exhaust, you will need a mounting kit available seperately from us to install this brace. Harold Attached Images __________________ facebook.com/hpautowerks - twitter.com/hpautowerks
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09-26-2008, 12:06 PM	#2
dmkaldas Rollin 3rd Drives: Something fast Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 1,025 iTrader: (12)	could you post pics of that mounting kit for those with aftermarket exhaust and will it fit e93? __________________

09-26-2008, 12:17 PM	#3
1clean335i Perf BMW mag issue 147 Drives: N54 and N55 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Central Florida Posts: 6,639 iTrader: (29) Garage List 2009 335i M-sport [0.00] 07' 335i Sedan [0.00]	thanks for the clarification Harold. I should be purchasing one from you soon I guess this might be a good time to save up for a pair of sway bars also as 2 of the bolts that need to be removed to install the brace on my car are for the rear subframe __________________ '09 Matte Black 335i M-sport (his twin-turbo) COTM- Oct 2009 '11 Black Sapphire X5 35i M-sport (her single turbo)

09-26-2008, 09:10 PM	#6
shyestsparks Captain Drives: 335i sedan, 02 Altima VQ35DE-T Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ca Posts: 818 iTrader: (5)	E90 Hotchkis bar adapter question Hello Harold, I'm trying to install the adapter pieces;few questions; there's a 3 bolts to unscrew (1 reverse torx, 2 16mm bolts), there's a small bolt with a dot in the middle, How do you take it off? Could you re-use it again? Here's a couple of pics. Thanks for the response. Double click pics to see it more clearly.

09-27-2008, 08:35 AM	#7
Blk07335i Captain Drives: 2008 Melbourne Red e90 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange County Posts: 859 iTrader: (3)	Is the piece that attaches to the thrust rod where you have the red circle plastic or steel?

09-28-2008, 09:22 AM	#14
Blk07335i Captain Drives: 2008 Melbourne Red e90 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange County Posts: 859 iTrader: (3)	When are you going to do the install? Hopefully my extra parts will be here this week so I can the brace on ASAP.

09-29-2008, 06:44 PM	#16
Blk07335i Captain Drives: 2008 Melbourne Red e90 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange County Posts: 859 iTrader: (3)	Ordered it from BMW directly and did the install today. No problem with the install but I will mention that when you swap out the thrust rods on the e90 be sure to use some jack stands on the subframe otherwise when you remove the old thrust rod the sub frame will drop. Thankfully I anticipated that this might happen so I was prepared. Looks good!

10-01-2008, 10:37 AM	#21
Blk07335i Captain Drives: 2008 Melbourne Red e90 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange County Posts: 859 iTrader: (3)	Definitely do this mod. Big difference in fell on the e90. Very much worth the price.