E86 Front Triangulation Braces Retrofit

[EthanolTurbo]

I can't comment on the e46, but on another car I own front triangulation is available as an add-on, big difference upon install. I don't see why the e46 would be any different.

I added the M2C/M3/M4 aluminum brace + carbon fiber U brace on my OG M2 and it made a noticeable difference in the front end responsiveness and rigidity, and that's on a chassis that's over 2x the torsional rigidity of the E46 M3. Furthermore, I don't think that's as drastic as these triangulation braces so yeah I'm all-in on the front end bracing being a mod that makes a big difference in feeling, responsiveness, handling, turning etc.

Edit: I also drove Bry5on 's E46 M3 wagon with all the bracing done on the front and rear end and it was phenomenal. Made it feel stiffer than an E90 M3, closer to a Z4 M Coupe honestly which is a massive improvement. And to top it off, his wagon has about the same miles as my coupe (250k+) so it's not like we are driving cherry shells, these are worn and for sure have lost rigidity with usage.

[oceansize]

I can't comment on the e46, but on another car I own front triangulation is available as an add-on, big difference upon install. I don't see why the e46 would be any different.

[heinzboehmer]

Front end triangulation is one of the most noticeable mods I’ve done to the car.

+1. It's right up there with tires, seats, general weight reduction and, of course, airbox.

[Obioban]

To Heinzboehmr - how much of a difference did you notice in structural integrity after you implemented this? Was it noticeable?

Front end triangulation is one of the most noticeable mods I’ve done to the car.

[karter16]

Edit: Actually, karter16, slotting the holes in the brackets is 100% the way to go if you are planning on designing an entire new piece. Make them match the slotted holes in the strut towers and done.

Kinda hoping you go this route now. Would be a much more elegant solution than what I have on my car now.

Ah I HAD misunderstood! for some reason I was envisaging needing forward/backwards movement. Excellent - I'll continue thinking this through then!

[Bry5on]

Precisely. Slot the holes! 3D print, powder coat, you’d never know it wasn’t factory.

[heinzboehmer]

Why would you need adjustable camber plates? The custom strut tower brackets would go on top of the strut tower, not below it like a camber plate. Factory top mounts should work.

You do need them with the current design.

You specifically need the style where the studs can move independently from the top hat (e.g. the Turner ones). This is needed to account for the fact that the braces will always stay in the same spot, but the top hats will move around depending on camber settings.

I guess another option is to slot the holes in the strut tower brackets. I think that's how Slon solved this same thing.

Edit: Actually, karter16, slotting the holes in the brackets is 100% the way to go if you are planning on designing an entire new piece. Make them match the slotted holes in the strut towers and done.

Kinda hoping you go this route now. Would be a much more elegant solution than what I have on my car now.

[heinzboehmer]

This is the route I was planning to go until I realized that you need adjustable camber plates to be able to install the brace - unfortunately makes it a no-go for me in NZ without going down the low volume vehicle certification path.

You could slot the strut tower side holes in the braces and that might give you enough wiggle room to line everything up without camber plates. I haven't tried this though.

I can tell you that I just barely managed to squeeze these things in there with camber plates. Install makes it abundantly clear that the chassis was not designed with this type of bracing in mind

Also, the left side brace gets stupid close to the DME cubby, so you'll likely end up limited on the camber adjustment with the stock top hats.

[Slideways]

This is the route I was planning to go until I realized that you need adjustable camber plates to be able to install the brace - unfortunately makes it a no-go for me in NZ without going down the low volume vehicle certification path.

Why would you need adjustable camber plates? The custom strut tower brackets would go on top of the strut tower, not below it like a camber plate. Factory top mounts should work.

Edit: Elongated holes required to work with stock camber plates.

[YoitsTmac]

What am I missing her? Isn't the send cut send link the parts? And so they just need to be welded up or? I want to do this, my buddy down the street wants to do this.

Are we just referring to organizing and orchestrating a group buy? Because if so, I can do it

[karter16]

Another thought for you all considering this that aren’t handy with a weld torch - since we have scans of the strut tower brackets and CAD for the triangulation attach points, why not design an aluminum printable set of strut tower mounts? These would probably come in lighter and something like $300/ea. Just fanning the flame with more ideas.

This is the route I was planning to go until I realized that you need adjustable camber plates to be able to install the brace - unfortunately makes it a no-go for me in NZ without going down the low volume vehicle certification path.

[heinzboehmer]

I feel like a complete kit, with all the materials and all the pieces, would be a hit...

Completely agree. Would be awesome if someone takes that on.

[Bry5on]

I feel like a complete kit, with all the materials and all the pieces, would be a hit...

Do it.

[Nate047]

I feel like a complete kit, with all the materials and all the pieces, would be a hit...

[heinzboehmer]

To Heinzboehmr - how much of a difference did you notice in structural integrity after you implemented this? Was it noticeable?

Oh yeah, the difference is enormous. Have had a few friends do an AB test on the car and everyone has immediately noticed the difference.

Wrote some better driving impressions at the end of this post: https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...255#post312255