Help With Top Side Reinforcement

[Cronenberged]

I'm quite familiar with all the bottom RACP reinforcement options, holding Redish, CMP, and BW's latest version in high regard. However, when it comes to the top side, I'm uncertain which ones are good, better, or the best.

Vincebar, from his video and explanation, gets placed into the RACP by cutting out a layer, and it's either welded or epoxy in. It also seems that there's the ability to apply BMW cavity filler on the sides.

CMP requires cutting a layer and can be welded or epoxy.

Redish keeps its design a secret because it keeps getting stolen and copied.

[Gt4]

You also need to cut a layer when installing CMP

[Cronenberged]

You also need to cut a layer when installing CMP

Edited thank you.

[Gt4]

[Gt4]

CMP is more a weld option vs epoxy honestly.

[Will]

Keep in mind the CMP topside RACP reinforcement comes as individual plates that need to be welded together to form the box section. High quality pieces, but more welding.

[bimmerfan08]

CMP is more a weld option vs epoxy honestly.

What are the drilled holes in the bench area for?

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/252006-help-with-top-side-reinforcement?p=252017#post252017

[Gt4]

What are the drilled holes in the bench area for?

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...017#post252017

Holes are there so you weld thru the CMP plates and also on perimeter

[usdmej]

between top side reinforcement options and the popular v-braces that tie into the strut towers (puretech, DMG, rogue)


is there established agreement whether one is stronger/weaker or if they're about the same?

[Gt4]

IMO the brace is a good option if you want to have a track car look and loose trunk space

I would only do those brace as part of a weld in roll bar.

[Nate047]

Redish keeps its design a secret because it keeps getting stolen and copied.

I have their V3 plates about to go on my car, and yea they are somewhat secretive about it. I get that, I deal with IP and copyright issues in my industry. But on the other hand, there are a number of videos showing the plates clearly, and showing the installation method, so yea. Very hard to police that. The plates also come with a 45 page manual, which has a lot of good general info about RACP failure and repair. Overall for like $220 US it's a good product and a fair price IMO, considering all the time those guys have put into everything E46 related over the years, and all the free knowledge they share openly on their YouTube.

Basically the top side rear plates are like the sides of a Vince Bar kind of, two plates and two chassis leg support plates. They are supposed to be welded through to the underside plates to connect everything top and bottom on each side. I think that's right but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

There are two plates for the front mounts as well but they are not structural, they are designed with access so you can inspect the inside of the panel periodically and watch for failed welds developing. Again someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm actually not going to use any of their top side plates, I have opted for a 6-point Yurkan Cages brace.

Also no two people agree on anything on this entire subject matter. There's no concise answer on how to do it. Everyone thinks one thing is the best and the other solutions are shit. Very difficult to navigate. Eventually you just have to make your bed and sleep in it.

[9kracing]

I just did the CMP brace on the front, and the DMG RACP in the rear.

No idea what's the "best", but the instructions for the CMP brace are awfully thorough.

[siamkazi]

I just did the CMP brace on the front, and the DMG RACP in the rear.

No idea what's the "best", but the instructions for the CMP brace are awfully thorough.

9kracing - This is pretty cool! Question: for the DMG brace, did you do any topside beams (welded/epoxy) or just the brace itself?

Nate047 - You're a Champion man, I've never heard of Yurkan before. So no topside beam for you either, just the point brace? Did a quick search and he just released one of these a few weeks ago:

[kaiv]

I've done both Reddish V3 and several Vincebars. My opinion as an installer is that they are both great solutions (and from great people!) but the amount of prepping, cutting, welding, finishing etc is fairly substantial. And take this with a grain of salt as I'm no engineer but I do wonder if there could be downsides to the sheer amount of welding involved (heat/fatigue?). No comebacks or issues though FWIW.

I like a somewhat simpler and less intrusive solution. My go to is AKG lower plates which are beefy and offer a good foot print + CMP stage 1.5 chassis rail plates (more or less the same thing as the Reddish V3 uppers or a Vincebar "light" you could say).

Reddish V3 uppers:







CMP: "stage 1.5 chassis rail" reinforcement. I just basically cut open a "lid", weld the reinforcement, then fold the "lid" back into place, tack in a few spots and done.

[Nate047]

Nate047 - You're a Champion man, I've never heard of Yurkan before. So no topside beam for you either, just the point brace?

Yessir just doing the underside plates and the 6-point brace up top should suffice. It's also fairly easy to unbolt the brace and look at the top side of the RACP upper layer to see if any issues are developing, so for me, this is a good solution. If I wanted full interior it would be a different story.