[wrh3]

I purchased the M3 front strut brace from Harold at HP Autowerks some time ago and had an opportunity to finally install it this past weekend. I took some pics and assembled a DIY guide since I had not seen anybody post anything about this (I am a visual guy)- it wasn't as simple as I expected but wasn't too hard:

http://www.billswebspace.com/335M3St...stallation.htm

[EDIT] Updated with TIS torque specs

[PKumarM3]

great diy!

the 335 really needs a beefier strut bar.

i am gonna try to get John Mason of Mason Engineering to make a strut bar for our cars.

[MuchMoore]

Didnt the cowl contact the front set of nuts/studs?

[MMAJNKE]

nice mod how much did it run?

[JDLM]

Originally Posted by second_2_nun

nice mod how much did it run?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...61&hg=51&fg=75

[wrh3]

Originally Posted by second_2_nun

nice mod how much did it run?

To be honest, they have been sitting in my office floor for a while, I don't remember. You can try HP Autowerks (http://www.hpautowerks.com) or Tischer (www.getbmwparts.com) for best/current pricing.

[wrh3]

Originally Posted by MuchMoore

Didnt the cowl contact the front set of nuts/studs?

Slightly, but not so much that it interfered with bolting the cowl cover down, at most just making contact when bolted down. (I seem to remember some discussion about this on one of the M3 strut bar threads?)

[Craig@SupremePower]

nice..

[JDLM]

Originally Posted by JDLM

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...61&hg=51&fg=75

Originally Posted by wrh3

To be honest, they have been sitting in my office floor for a while, I don't remember. You can try HP Autowerks (http://www.hpautowerks.com) or Tischer (www.getbmwparts.com) for best/current pricing.

Originally Posted by wrh3

Slightly, but not so much that it interfered with bolting the cowl cover down, at most just making contact when bolted down. I think this is why Harold packages it with bolts instead of studs/nuts like in the M3 (I seem to remember some discussion about this?)

Just wanted to make sure the real OEM link I posted has the complete part list

edit:

http://www.hpashop.com/product.sc?ca...9&productId=46

score!

[wrh3]

Originally Posted by JDLM

Just wanted to make sure the real OEM link I posted has the complete part list

Yes, that looks like it, but both Tischer and HP Autowerks sell this in a kit form that may come out cheaper and includes all of the parts needed

[I335]

Great job and write up! Care to share you experience regarding its performance? Noticeable difference?

[wrh3]

For the highway driving we did yesterday, no perceived difference......I'll post some feedback after we go to the mountains in a few weeks

Orb's thread (http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177028) discusses why this brace is better than the BMW Performance brace from an engineering standpoint, this was enough justification for me.....

[stressdoc]

Great DIY! Thank you!

It is hard to notice the effects of strut braces in casual driving. If you have a frame-twisting driveway entry or some other road condition that lifts one wheel you will notice the dif. Also when ice on sunroof, it won't crack like before. And firewall creaking will diminish.

This is a great mod for cars with stiffened suspensions (coilovers etc.). Good idea to use Hotchkis rear brace in combination with this.

[Chefcg1]

Thanks for the DIY, it was very helpfull. I did find that when installing the main brace part at the wipers that if you slide the bace in first than the plastic cover followed by the rubber boots that I was easily able to fit it without removing the washerfluid clips. I would also say it was easier since I had my intake off the car already.

[yakev724]

Very nice DIY. Love that there people here that care about performance and not the amount of CF under the hood...sometimes it seems it's the other way around.

[LION335i]

^ agreed. I mean, I have no particular problem with it. If someone wants to have a ton of CF in the engine bay, go for it! Buy I'd respect them more if those pieces were in conjunction with functional additions that improved performance, durability, or better in whatever metric you choose. Basically if the aesthetics and function/performance are relatively equal, it makes the car more balanced, in my own opinion.

[ironic]

just wanted to thank you for an excellent tutorial

[yakev724]

Quick tip - the strut nuts (51717895241), which are about $8.50+ a piece from the dealer, are the same as those used on E46M strut braces. If you have the time, find a local yard with an E46 M3 and go and pull them out for cheap.