E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Sun 30 May, 2010 15:15

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.

Frank.A · Post by **Frank.A** » Sun 30 May, 2010 16:02

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.

Titan · Post by **Titan** » Sun 30 May, 2010 16:19

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.

Nice write up Tim and your pictures may yield an answer.....
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

w4tkins · Post by **w4tkins** » Sun 30 May, 2010 17:16

Looking good Tim

Glad it fits ok and you finaly managed to get one to fit your zed. Now Canman might have one????

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Sun 30 May, 2010 19:04

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.

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.

Tim.

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Sun 30 May, 2010 19:08

Titan wrote:
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.
Nice write up Tim and your pictures may yield an answer.....
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

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

Tim.

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Sun 30 May, 2010 19:11

w4tkins wrote:Looking good Tim

Glad it fits ok and you finaly managed to get one to fit your zed. Now Canman might have one????

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 end

Cheers,

Tim.

seasurfer · Post by **seasurfer** » Sun 30 May, 2010 19:23

4cyl peasants have to slum it with a hacksaw

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Sun 30 May, 2010 20:19

seasurfer wrote:4cyl peasants have to slum it with a hacksaw

Good job I didn't say 4 cyl pheasants

Tim.

Canman · Post by **Canman** » Mon 31 May, 2010 20:07

TitanTim wrote:
w4tkins wrote:Looking good Tim

Glad it fits ok and you finaly managed to get one to fit your zed. Now Canman might have one????
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 end

Cheers,

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.

w4tkins · Post by **w4tkins** » Mon 31 May, 2010 20:14

Canman wrote:
TitanTim wrote:
w4tkins wrote:Looking good Tim

Glad it fits ok and you finaly managed to get one to fit your zed. Now Canman might have one????
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 end

Cheers,

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.

///M mirros???????????? that aint fair!!!! well as soon as you get some pennies saved up Kev I think you should invest in a brace.

OR

You could let me have your mirrors and al trade you for a brace????

Canman · Post by **Canman** » Mon 31 May, 2010 20:23

im trying to stay one step ahead of you Rob

w4tkins · Post by **w4tkins** » Mon 31 May, 2010 20:29

good come back

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Mon 31 May, 2010 20:36

Canman wrote:im trying to stay one step ahead of you Rob

At least you will have the mirrors to see Rob behind you

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.

w4tkins · Post by **w4tkins** » Mon 31 May, 2010 20:44

TitanTim wrote:
Canman wrote:im trying to stay one step ahead of you Rob
At least you will have the mirrors to see Rob behind you

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.

Canman started it

dont blame me

go on tim, you know you want to, they would really look good on your zed. go one!!!!

w4tkins · Post by **w4tkins** » Mon 31 May, 2010 20:45

TitanTim wrote:
Canman wrote:im trying to stay one step ahead of you Rob
At least you will have the mirrors to see Rob behind you

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.

Canman started it

dont blame me

go on tim, you know you want to, they would really look good on your zed. go one!!!!

Canman · Post by **Canman** » Mon 31 May, 2010 20:49

TitanTim wrote:
Canman wrote:im trying to stay one step ahead of you Rob
At least you will have the mirrors to see Rob behind you

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.

You Zed looks brill Tim and has some great upgrades

. all you need now are the 2 finishing touches
1. M mirrors
2. nice chrome exhaust tail pipe.

you know you want too

w4tkins · Post by **w4tkins** » Mon 31 May, 2010 20:54

Listen to your friends Tim, All the cool zed have them

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Mon 31 May, 2010 20:57

Canman wrote:
TitanTim wrote:
Canman wrote:im trying to stay one step ahead of you Rob
At least you will have the mirrors to see Rob behind you

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.
You Zed looks brill Tim and has some great upgrades . all you need now are the 2 finishing touches
1. M mirrors
2. nice chrome exhaust tail pipe.

you know you want too

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 pig

Tim.

Titan · Post by **Titan** » Mon 31 May, 2010 21:29

TitanTim 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

That's not true Tim
Our 6cyl Sparco brace is also cranked

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Mon 31 May, 2010 21:38

Titan wrote:
TitanTim 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
That's not true Tim
Our 6cyl Sparco brace is also cranked

Edit, 6 and 4 Cylinder peasants, 3 spark plugs, 2 wing mirrors and a shiny knob in a Z3

Tim.

Titan · Post by **Titan** » Mon 31 May, 2010 21:45

TitanTim wrote: Edit, 6 and 4 Cylinder peasants, 3 spark plugs, 2 wing mirrors and a shiny knob in a Z3

Steady on Tim

At this rate there may be a new Christmas Carol in 2010

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Mon 31 May, 2010 21:47

Titan wrote:
TitanTim wrote: Edit, 6 and 4 Cylinder peasants, 3 spark plugs, 2 wing mirrors and a shiny knob in a Z3
Steady on Tim
At this rate there may be a new Christmas Carol in 2010

Think I've found a new vocation

Tim.

Titan · Post by **Titan** » Mon 31 May, 2010 22:06

TitanTim wrote: Think I've found a new vocation

No Tim - I think you need a vacation

Daz2626 · Post by **Daz2626** » Mon 31 May, 2010 22:12

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

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Mon 31 May, 2010 22:22

Daz, the actual brace is very similar to the e-tech, the bar looks the same but I like the design of the tower plates over the e-tech as they contour over the blisters better

probably won't distort as much.

Tim.

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Mon 31 May, 2010 22:23

Titan wrote:
TitanTim wrote: Think I've found a new vocation
No Tim - I think you need a vacation

A B&B in Blackpool should see me right

Tim.

Titan · Post by **Titan** » Mon 31 May, 2010 22:33

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

Not sure what your problem is with it Daz ?
It looks OK to me

Daz2626 · Post by **Daz2626** » Mon 31 May, 2010 22:47

Titan wrote:
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
Not sure what your problem is with it Daz ?
It looks OK to me

No problems with it Terry just curious what breed it might be! no manufactures name or numbers at all on it

Titan · Post by **Titan** » Mon 31 May, 2010 23:12

Daz2626 wrote:No problems with it Terry just curious what breed it might be! no manufactures name or numbers at all on it

Think I've still got a spare Sparco sticker if that will make you happier!
If your handling has improved (which it surely must have) does it really matter about ID numbers etc?

Daz2626 · Post by **Daz2626** » Mon 31 May, 2010 23:18

Titan wrote:
Daz2626 wrote:No problems with it Terry just curious what breed it might be! no manufactures name or numbers at all on it
Think I've still got a spare Sparco sticker if that will make you happier!
If your handling has improved (which it surely must have) does it really matter about ID numbers etc?

Cheers for the offer but I've allready written OMP on it with a magic marker

or did I write MPO, better check

Canman · Post by **Canman** » Tue 01 Jun, 2010 08:18

or was it OAP.

young canman

amancuso · Post by **amancuso** » Wed 02 Jun, 2010 17:03

Brace looks real nice! Never seen an M43 before, what are the specs on those?

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Wed 02 Jun, 2010 19:04

amancuso wrote:Brace looks real nice! Never seen an M43 before, what are the specs on those?

Thanks amancuso,

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.

zroadster.net

E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine

E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine

Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine

Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine

Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine

Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine

Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine

Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine

Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine

Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine

Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine

Re: E-Tech Strut Brace Fitted Piccies - 1.9 M43 engine