E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine
E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine
Hi all,
Finally got around to fitting the e-tech brace to Basil (sorry the Zed) today. Sorry Kevan (Canman) its taken me so long posting up The brace fits a treat and doesn't fowl any of the engine ancilliaries and there are no clearance issues with the bonnet Anyways here are some piccies..................
Brace arrived from Larkspeed boxed up, fairly substantial and well made, nice and shiny
First job was to remove the 6 shock tower nuts using a 13mm socket and wrench, I was amazed how easy they came off, almost only on hand tight Then to test fit the mounting plate on the drivers side around the earthing nut. Its way out and don't understand why its out so much. You will need to remove 4 to 5mm off the plate which is easy to do with a hacksaw and then file smooth.
Mounting plate insitu, snug fit around earthing nut.
I then mounted the passenger plate without the bar attached. I had read Strong Struts fitting instructions off their website which mentions fitting the shock nuts finger tight before attaching the brace bar. Only problem is one of the nuts each side sits under the bar so I did all the nuts finger tight and torqued up the 2 nuts that sit under the bar. This didn't quite go to plan as just doing up the 2 nuts upto 18/20lbs foot was enough the close the gap on each mounting plate which the bar slots into What I thought would be 30 min job turned out to be 90 mins I slacked off one of the nuts that had been torqued up and with alot of swearing managed to get the brace bar to slot in, then just a case of fitting the long bolts attaching the bar to the shock plates and tightening but not to full torque. The remaining tower nuts were torqued to 18/20lbs foot, the nut hidden under the bar on the drivers side was tightened up using a 13mm spanner. The nut on each end of the bar was tightend up so it was firm using a 17mm socket and wrench, you will need an 8mm hex key to keep the bold insitu as you tighten the nut on the other end. Once all done brace polished up well with some Autosol Forgot to mention, before I tightened any of the nuts I latched the bonnet and shone a torch through the bonnet grills to check clearance, all was OK.
Finally fitted a couple of plastic nut covers to tidy things up
A drive this afternoon confirms a definite improvement, all but eliminated front end shudder and more planted feel through the steering. Well pleased with the results
Cheers,
Tim.
Finally got around to fitting the e-tech brace to Basil (sorry the Zed) today. Sorry Kevan (Canman) its taken me so long posting up The brace fits a treat and doesn't fowl any of the engine ancilliaries and there are no clearance issues with the bonnet Anyways here are some piccies..................
Brace arrived from Larkspeed boxed up, fairly substantial and well made, nice and shiny
First job was to remove the 6 shock tower nuts using a 13mm socket and wrench, I was amazed how easy they came off, almost only on hand tight Then to test fit the mounting plate on the drivers side around the earthing nut. Its way out and don't understand why its out so much. You will need to remove 4 to 5mm off the plate which is easy to do with a hacksaw and then file smooth.
Mounting plate insitu, snug fit around earthing nut.
I then mounted the passenger plate without the bar attached. I had read Strong Struts fitting instructions off their website which mentions fitting the shock nuts finger tight before attaching the brace bar. Only problem is one of the nuts each side sits under the bar so I did all the nuts finger tight and torqued up the 2 nuts that sit under the bar. This didn't quite go to plan as just doing up the 2 nuts upto 18/20lbs foot was enough the close the gap on each mounting plate which the bar slots into What I thought would be 30 min job turned out to be 90 mins I slacked off one of the nuts that had been torqued up and with alot of swearing managed to get the brace bar to slot in, then just a case of fitting the long bolts attaching the bar to the shock plates and tightening but not to full torque. The remaining tower nuts were torqued to 18/20lbs foot, the nut hidden under the bar on the drivers side was tightened up using a 13mm spanner. The nut on each end of the bar was tightend up so it was firm using a 17mm socket and wrench, you will need an 8mm hex key to keep the bold insitu as you tighten the nut on the other end. Once all done brace polished up well with some Autosol Forgot to mention, before I tightened any of the nuts I latched the bonnet and shone a torch through the bonnet grills to check clearance, all was OK.
Finally fitted a couple of plastic nut covers to tidy things up
A drive this afternoon confirms a definite improvement, all but eliminated front end shudder and more planted feel through the steering. Well pleased with the results
Cheers,
Tim.
Last edited by TitanTim on Sun 30 May, 2010 18:56, edited 1 time in total.
I have an Etech brace on my 2.8.
Tightening the mounting studs tends to bend the plates over the blisters on the turrets,as these are the only contact points.
I put penny washers on the studs to takes out the clearance,so that tightening down does not tend to bend the plates and increases the contact area.
Tightening the mounting studs tends to bend the plates over the blisters on the turrets,as these are the only contact points.
I put penny washers on the studs to takes out the clearance,so that tightening down does not tend to bend the plates and increases the contact area.
Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine
Nice write up Tim and your pictures may yield an answer.....TitanTim wrote:Then to test fit the mounting plate on the drivers side around the earthing nut. Its way out and don't understand why its out so much. You will need to remove 4 to 5mm off the plate which is easy to do with a hacksaw and then file smooth.
If the strut brace was not cranked (some models have a straight bar between turrets), methinks the earth post cut outs would be in the correct place
Shame the manufacturers have realised this
Looking good Tim
Glad it fits ok and you finaly managed to get one to fit your zed. Now Canman might have one????
Glad it fits ok and you finaly managed to get one to fit your zed. Now Canman might have one????
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
Frank, thanks for the tip on the washers, I didn't think of using them The plate area around the studs is sunken so the bottom of the plate where the stud holes are sits on the tower and the other parts of the plate sits on the blisters. Its a fine line though and as you say the plate can distort slightly.Frank.A wrote:I have an Etech brace on my 2.8.
Tightening the mounting studs tends to bend the plates over the blisters on the turrets,as these are the only contact points.
I put penny washers on the studs to takes out the clearance,so that tightening down does not tend to bend the plates and increases the contact area.
Tim.
Last edited by TitanTim on Sun 30 May, 2010 19:34, edited 1 time in total.
Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine
Hi Terry, I think you may be right I wouldn't be suprised if the manufacturer uses the same mounting plates for the 6 and 4cyl models, they probably did the 6cyl brace first and didn't bother adapting the plates for the 4cyl models So us 4cyl peasants have to slum it with a hacksawTitan wrote:Nice write up Tim and your pictures may yield an answer.....TitanTim wrote:Then to test fit the mounting plate on the drivers side around the earthing nut. Its way out and don't understand why its out so much. You will need to remove 4 to 5mm off the plate which is easy to do with a hacksaw and then file smooth.
If the strut brace was not cranked (some models have a straight bar between turrets), methinks the earth post cut outs would be in the correct place
Shame the manufacturers have realised this
Tim.
Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine
4cyl peasants have to slum it with a hacksaw
Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine
Good job I didn't say 4 cyl pheasantsseasurfer wrote:4cyl peasants have to slum it with a hacksaw
Tim.
Brill write up Tim and good call with the washers Frank. All i need now is a spare bit of cash ... my Zed has spent this months spending money on some M mirrors from Poobear . Cant wait now to get a brace and feel the difference they make.TitanTim wrote:Hi Rob, hope your doing OK, cheers yepp I'm waiting for Kevan to post his pics I knew I would be the guinea pig in the endw4tkins wrote:Looking good Tim
Glad it fits ok and you finaly managed to get one to fit your zed. Now Canman might have one????
Cheers,
Tim.
Please help. The money will go to a good cause. email me for the link to my fundraising page.
///M mirros???????????? that aint fair!!!! well as soon as you get some pennies saved up Kev I think you should invest in a brace.Canman wrote:Brill write up Tim and good call with the washers Frank. All i need now is a spare bit of cash ... my Zed has spent this months spending money on some M mirrors from Poobear . Cant wait now to get a brace and feel the difference they make.TitanTim wrote:Hi Rob, hope your doing OK, cheers yepp I'm waiting for Kevan to post his pics I knew I would be the guinea pig in the endw4tkins wrote:Looking good Tim
Glad it fits ok and you finaly managed to get one to fit your zed. Now Canman might have one????
Cheers,
Tim.
OR
You could let me have your mirrors and al trade you for a brace????
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
good come back
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
Canman started it dont blame meTitanTim wrote:At least you will have the mirrors to see Rob behind youCanman wrote:im trying to stay one step ahead of you Rob
Stop talking about M mirrors, really want to do this mod but have spent far too much money on the Zed already and not even halfway through the year
Tim.
go on tim, you know you want to, they would really look good on your zed. go one!!!!
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
Canman started it dont blame meTitanTim wrote:At least you will have the mirrors to see Rob behind youCanman wrote:im trying to stay one step ahead of you Rob
Stop talking about M mirrors, really want to do this mod but have spent far too much money on the Zed already and not even halfway through the year
Tim.
go on tim, you know you want to, they would really look good on your zed. go one!!!!
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
You Zed looks brill Tim and has some great upgrades . all you need now are the 2 finishing touchesTitanTim wrote:At least you will have the mirrors to see Rob behind youCanman wrote:im trying to stay one step ahead of you Rob
Stop talking about M mirrors, really want to do this mod but have spent far too much money on the Zed already and not even halfway through the year
Tim.
1. M mirrors
2. nice chrome exhaust tail pipe.
you know you want too
Please help. The money will go to a good cause. email me for the link to my fundraising page.
Listen to your friends Tim, All the cool zed have them
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
Cheers Kevan, but the way my Piggy Bank is emtying it would be cheaper to buy an M but then no fun waiting for you to be the guinea pigCanman wrote:You Zed looks brill Tim and has some great upgrades . all you need now are the 2 finishing touchesTitanTim wrote:At least you will have the mirrors to see Rob behind youCanman wrote:im trying to stay one step ahead of you Rob
Stop talking about M mirrors, really want to do this mod but have spent far too much money on the Zed already and not even halfway through the year
Tim.
1. M mirrors
2. nice chrome exhaust tail pipe.
you know you want too
Tim.
Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine
That's not true TimTitanTim wrote:Hi Terry, I think you may be right I wouldn't be suprised if the manufacturer uses the same mounting plates for the 6 and 4cyl models, they probably did the 6cyl brace first and didn't bother adapting the plates for the 4cyl models So us 4cyl peasants have to slum it with a hacksaw
Our 6cyl Sparco brace is also cranked
Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine
Edit, 6 and 4 Cylinder peasants, 3 spark plugs, 2 wing mirrors and a shiny knob in a Z3Titan wrote:That's not true TimTitanTim wrote:Hi Terry, I think you may be right I wouldn't be suprised if the manufacturer uses the same mounting plates for the 6 and 4cyl models, they probably did the 6cyl brace first and didn't bother adapting the plates for the 4cyl models So us 4cyl peasants have to slum it with a hacksaw
Our 6cyl Sparco brace is also cranked
Tim.
Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine
Steady on TimTitanTim wrote: Edit, 6 and 4 Cylinder peasants, 3 spark plugs, 2 wing mirrors and a shiny knob in a Z3
At this rate there may be a new Christmas Carol in 2010
Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine
Think I've found a new vocationTitan wrote:Steady on TimTitanTim wrote: Edit, 6 and 4 Cylinder peasants, 3 spark plugs, 2 wing mirrors and a shiny knob in a Z3
At this rate there may be a new Christmas Carol in 2010
Tim.
Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine
No Tim - I think you need a vacationTitanTim wrote: Think I've found a new vocation
Back on subject gents, I think I ended up with an unidentyfiable mutant strutbrace on my m44
<a href="http://s998.photobucket.com/albums/af10 ... dstrut.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af10 ... dstrut.jpg" border="0" alt="Strut brace"></a>
<a href="http://s998.photobucket.com/albums/af10 ... lecbox.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af10 ... lecbox.jpg" border="0" alt="Elec box"></a
I am wholly convinced it sits too low for the single cam 1.9 now
<a href="http://s998.photobucket.com/albums/af10 ... dstrut.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af10 ... dstrut.jpg" border="0" alt="Strut brace"></a>
<a href="http://s998.photobucket.com/albums/af10 ... lecbox.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af10 ... lecbox.jpg" border="0" alt="Elec box"></a
I am wholly convinced it sits too low for the single cam 1.9 now
Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine
A B&B in Blackpool should see me rightTitan wrote:No Tim - I think you need a vacationTitanTim wrote: Think I've found a new vocation
Tim.
No problems with it Terry just curious what breed it might be! no manufactures name or numbers at all on itTitan wrote:Not sure what your problem is with it Daz ?Daz2626 wrote:Back on subject gents, I think I ended up with an unidentyfiable mutant strutbrace on my m44
I am wholly convinced it sits too low for the single cam 1.9 now
It looks OK to me
Cheers for the offer but I've allready written OMP on it with a magic marker or did I write MPO, better checkTitan wrote:Think I've still got a spare Sparco sticker if that will make you happier!Daz2626 wrote:No problems with it Terry just curious what breed it might be! no manufactures name or numbers at all on it
If your handling has improved (which it surely must have) does it really matter about ID numbers etc?
Thanks amancuso,amancuso wrote:Brace looks real nice! Never seen an M43 before, what are the specs on those?
some interesting reading here
http://users.belgacom.net/bmw_z3/bmw_z3_engines.htm
The M43 engine is basically the detuned version of the M44 that came out on the facelifted 1.9.
Argue with it being lighter than the 6cyl engines it makes the Zed a little more nimble
Tim.