Active Autowerke Differential Support Bracket

[m3f_Jmannumber7]

My car is in great shape and has been babied its whole life including upgrading the differential bolt before it failed, theres no rust on the car anywhere including the under body, etc.... However, my car still does have 228,xxx miles on it. I'm only taking part in one track day this year, but I plan on driving there with my car, running it, and then taking it home. I've replaced the entire cooling system, suspension has 20k on it, brakes are all fresh, etc... The only thing I may have some concern with is the differential. With my car putting out 210 RWHP (dyno'd when it was bone stock when I got it) and running it on the track, would you guys recommend getting the DSB kit from Active or is it unneeded with my power and what not? My buddy said hitting apex's with my mileage and without the kit will rip the differential bolt apart. Thanks!


Kit: http://activeautowerke.com/viewproduct.aspx?id=Product42

[m3f_adema24_dccc53569a]

If you got the cash, it won't hurt to get the DSB.


Also, Mike R. makes a DSB for $25. You have to weld it tho.


There's a big debate on bf.c about which is best.


Your car look pretty sweet, especially for 228k miles, btw.

[m3f_kwipp_f8cf9d8d93]

Personally I think its a good peace of mind mod.

[m3f_OahuMPower_17503f01cd]

mike radowski > dsb


double shear FTW....


BUT, I have a Vac DSB and have had zero issues. My buddies E36 M3 RACE CAR has nothing, but a new diff bolt, and ZERO issues. You are not doing drag burnouts, and thus have very little issues with the diff torquing on the subframe

[m3f_pbonsalb_ba5494e5cb]

How about a set of new diff bushings from AKG? Hold the diff in place so it does not wiggle around enough to snap the bolt? Cost less than an AA brace, but more trouble to install. Radowski brace is good and can be welded on the car but to weld steel to cast iron, you should really be using nickel rod and not that many people do it right. I use the Radowski brace and the AKG bushings.

[m3f_South_fb2c80a9c3]

I've got the aa dsb on my car, and I'm putting around 215 to the wheels. That being said, I installed the dsb in preparation for a turbo.

[m3f_shaeff_c13ce647d2]

I use the Radowski brace and the AKG bushings.



Me too.

[m3f_Jmannumber7]

If you got the cash, it won't hurt to get the DSB.



Also, Mike R. makes a DSB for $25. You have to weld it tho.



There's a big debate on bf.c about which is best.



Your car look pretty sweet, especially for 228k miles, btw.



Do you have a link to more info on Mike's brace?



And thank you very much :thumbsup2:



Personally I think its a good peace of mind mod.



I do too, I just don't know about the price tag lol.



mike radowski > dsb



double shear FTW....



BUT, I have a Vac DSB and have had zero issues. My buddies E36 M3 RACE CAR has nothing, but a new diff bolt, and ZERO issues. You are not doing drag burnouts, and thus have very little issues with the diff torquing on the subframe



I'll have to look to see for sure if my bolt in fact has been replaced or not to the newer one. If not, I'll more than likely just replace the bolt and get new diff bushings as mentioned below.



Cal, I've noticed that when in second gear at around like 35-40 when I give it full throttle or like 50% throttle and then suddenly let off the gas but don't press the brake, the car jolts forward and kind of stutters. I have brand new UUC tranny mounts, brand new flex disc, and brand new center drive bearing and the engine mounts are good. I already know that the RTABs are shot, but that affects side to side play. This would more than likely be the differential bushing or subframe bushings or both right?



PM me about some pricing for some labor for the RTABs, differential bushing, and potentially subframe bushings if you are in fact willing to do them for me and what replacements you would recommend going with :thumbsup2:



How about a set of new diff bushings from AKG? Hold the diff in place so it does not wiggle around enough to snap the bolt? Cost less than an AA brace, but more trouble to install. Radowski brace is good and can be welded on the car but to weld steel to cast iron, you should really be using nickel rod and not that many people do it right. I use the Radowski brace and the AKG bushings.



Great info, thanks!



I've got the aa dsb on my car, and I'm putting around 215 to the wheels. That being said, I installed the dsb in preparation for a turbo.



Good stuff, nice numbers! What turbo setup are you going with?

[m3f_adema24_dccc53569a]

I believe you have to call Mike and ask him about the brace. I know it's not on their website www.maximumpsi.com.


Also, if you do decide to replace your diff and subframe bushings, I got some AKG bushings that I never did get around to installing...

[m3f_Jmannumber7]

I believe you have to call Mike and ask him about the brace. I know it's not on their website www.maximumpsi.com.



Also, if you do decide to replace your diff and subframe bushings, I got some AKG bushings that I never did get around to installing...



Cool, thanks!



And PM me about the bushings, I would be interested in buying them off of you

[m3f_bmwohio_dc3d67cd8d]

Have gone through two bolts already and then installed the AA kit....no problems after the install, and I love knowing that its there. Keeps the diff nice and secure.


I would recommend the AA kit based on being a satisfied customer

[m3f_98_1LE_d72735c149]

How many things do you have to brace on these cars to autoX and occasionally HPDE them?

[m3f_South_fb2c80a9c3]

Good stuff, nice numbers! What turbo setup are you going with?



I'm going with a Technique Tuning kit. The only problem is I'm trying to get everything upgraded before the turbo. I've got a clutch and flywheel sitting on the floor behind me along with powerflex bushings and a tms reinforcement kit. Then it's buying the gauges, then the down payment on the turbo kit, then the balance and so on and so forth.

[m3f_Jmannumber7]

Have gone through two bolts already and then installed the AA kit....no problems after the install, and I love knowing that its there. Keeps the diff nice and secure.



I would recommend the AA kit based on being a satisfied customer



I'm really thinking about it now. $265 for some metal plates seems like such a high price though.



I'm going with a Technique Tuning kit. The only problem is I'm trying to get everything upgraded before the turbo. I've got a clutch and flywheel sitting on the floor behind me along with powerflex bushings and a tms reinforcement kit. Then it's buying the gauges, then the down payment on the turbo kit, then the balance and so on and so forth.



Ah very nice, I would love to see a build thread

[m3f_bmwohio_dc3d67cd8d]

I'm really thinking about it now. $265 for some metal plates seems like such a high price though.







Ah very nice, I would love to see a build thread



Trust me, more than a metal plate. Very clean looking, and you can barely tell its there. $265 will seem well worth it when you are trying to limp home from the track, which is a pain, not to mention the lost seat time and $$$ from having to cut your track day short....ask me how I know



If you really need convincing I'll try and get under that car and snap some pics for you. LMK