Strut Brace

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
Post Reply
stupot50
Joined: Tue 07 Aug, 2012 08:35
Posts: 237

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Torquay, Devon

Strut Brace

Post by stupot50 »

Quick question. Will a strut brace taken from an E36 fit my 2.8 Z? Have the chance of one going cheap :)
1999 2.8 Arctic Silver Z3
1987 Black Renault Alpine GTA V6 Turbo
2007 325d Msport - remapped
User avatar
Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: Strut Brace

Post by Southernboy »

Your Z3 has the same suspension set-up as the e36, but I'm not sure if it will actually fit. It needs the cut-out on the R front to accomodate the earth thingy on the strut mount housing...if it's adjustable - lengthwise - it may be OK. What brand is it?
"Normal is overrated"
Image

Z3 Upgrades and Additions
stupot50
Joined: Tue 07 Aug, 2012 08:35
Posts: 237

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Torquay, Devon

Re: Strut Brace

Post by stupot50 »

It doesn't appear to have the cut out (grinder!) but is adjustable.
Not sure of the make and neither is the seller
1999 2.8 Arctic Silver Z3
1987 Black Renault Alpine GTA V6 Turbo
2007 325d Msport - remapped
User avatar
Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: Strut Brace

Post by Southernboy »

post a pic of it...that might make identification easier, and also others can make informed comments...hopefully we can get to the bottom of it in short time... :wink:
"Normal is overrated"
Image

Z3 Upgrades and Additions
stupot50
Joined: Tue 07 Aug, 2012 08:35
Posts: 237

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Torquay, Devon

Re: Strut Brace

Post by stupot50 »

Image
1999 2.8 Arctic Silver Z3
1987 Black Renault Alpine GTA V6 Turbo
2007 325d Msport - remapped
User avatar
Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: Strut Brace

Post by Southernboy »

....cool. Maybe someone else has used one like it...I'd be concerned about clearance between it and the bonnet...Not sure what the gap is on an e36 vs a Z3... :shrug
"Normal is overrated"
Image

Z3 Upgrades and Additions
User avatar
Titan
Joined: Fri 01 Apr, 2005 20:20
Posts: 4002

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: North Yorkshire

Re: Strut Brace

Post by Titan »

As you already suspect, I don't think there is enough clearance.
The flat bar braces may just squeeze in without rattling on the rocker cover or bonnet, but the round ones I've sen tend to be cranked.
This is how mine is configured, albeit in 2.2
Image
Image :devil:
ZedAintDead
Joined: Tue 12 Mar, 2013 10:12
Posts: 96

  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: Strut Brace

Post by ZedAintDead »

Are there any popular strut braces for the Z3?

I'm also interested in one and had been under the impression that a regular E36 one would fit but if we have some shared experience of what's good quality/well priced/fits without any mods/etc then that might be useful for us newbies.
User avatar
Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: Strut Brace

Post by Southernboy »

Cosmo Racing do a very nice strutbrace...They come up for sale on eBay from time to time. You can check them out on www.cosmoracing.com
There are several alternatives though...and at varying cost. Try a search on eBAY UK.. :wink:
"Normal is overrated"
Image

Z3 Upgrades and Additions
ZedAintDead
Joined: Tue 12 Mar, 2013 10:12
Posts: 96

  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: Strut Brace

Post by ZedAintDead »

Cheers for that.

Have been keeping an eye on E-bay alright but haven't seen much that's Z3-specific. One for the wishlist I think!
User avatar
Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: Strut Brace

Post by Southernboy »

there's a listing by automax_racing on eBay Uk...£39.00 for the strut brace you need...
"Normal is overrated"
Image

Z3 Upgrades and Additions
Zedbedee
Joined: Sun 15 Mar, 2009 20:04
Posts: 157

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Yeovil

Re: Strut Brace

Post by Zedbedee »

The Automax strut brace on Ebay for £39 plus postage fits my 2.0 litre facelift after a slight mod with hacksaw and file to clear the earthing stud. I believe nearly all E39 5 cylinder strut braces will fit the 6 cylinder Z3. The 4 cylinder engines seem to be higher which creates more problems.
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u57 ... be58f7.jpg
This is how it looks if I haven't messed up the picture, used from ebay by the way.
User avatar
aceman
Joined: Sun 01 Jun, 2008 11:16
Posts: 1479

  M roadster S50
Location: Wakefield

Re: Strut Brace

Post by aceman »

stupot50 wrote:Image
Yes it will fit, I had the exact same one fitted to my 2.8. I will try and dig out s picture for you but all you need to do is make a cut out for the earth stud and it fits perfectly.
Aceman

Arctic Silver '98 Z3M

Previously;
Bright RED '99 Z3 2.8

Rocking seats ? You need seat bushes click HERE
User avatar
aceman
Joined: Sun 01 Jun, 2008 11:16
Posts: 1479

  M roadster S50
Location: Wakefield

Re: Strut Brace

Post by aceman »

Here you go;

Image

Image

Image
Aceman

Arctic Silver '98 Z3M

Previously;
Bright RED '99 Z3 2.8

Rocking seats ? You need seat bushes click HERE
stupot50
Joined: Tue 07 Aug, 2012 08:35
Posts: 237

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Torquay, Devon

Re: Strut Brace

Post by stupot50 »

That's great, an e36 M3 strut brace it is then :)
1999 2.8 Arctic Silver Z3
1987 Black Renault Alpine GTA V6 Turbo
2007 325d Msport - remapped
Post Reply