Rogue Engineering - RaceBrace Chassis Reinforcement Strut Tower Brace

The concept of a strut bar is intended on reducing the flex between the front strut towers during hard cornering loads. By reducing this flex, it allows suspension points to remain undisturbed, allowing for the suspension to do it's job properly. This often gives the drive a feeling of increased stability and improved turning response, when in reality, the suspension is reacting as designed. Who can benefit from a strut bar? For those that may believe a strut bar is only for "track cars" or "racecars", it is also street driven vehicles that benefit from a properly engineered strut tower bar. Whereas anyone can appreciate the ability for a front suspension to remain constant at all times, other benefits include support of the factory strut towers from "mushrooming". These generally occurs if the vehicle hits large potholes, causing the suspension to compress completely, and then damaging the rim. However, its not only the rim that takes the hit, but the shock tower as well. Over time, if left unprotected, it can cause expensive sheet metal damage. What about a rear bar? Since the rear suspension points do not see the same kinds of forces during hard corner (when compared to the front), a rear bar is typically unnecessary in a street application. A rear bar also tends to intrude into valuable trunk space inhibiting the full use of the cargo space. Additionally, for those with extensive stereo modifications (such as a sub-box), a rear bar tends to get in the way. Those companies that offer a rear bar typically do so to offer a visual compliment to the front bar. What to look for in a strut tower brace? When looking at a strut tower brace to give you the most benefit, it should have the following features: - Sufficient protection of the strut tower top (to prevent "mushrooming") - No pivots or heim-style joints to allow the bar to flex or bend, but adjustable, to allow for intention suspension changes - Center bar with minimal bends or kinks (straighter is stiffer!) - Provide adequate underhood clearance (so not to dimple the hood) - Allow for suspension changes (for those that frequent the track) - Made from the best materials available (for lightweight, coefficient of thermal expansion) Comparative Features - Solid, no hinge, no heim-joint, no pivot design - Steel center bar for maximum CTE benefits - Allows access to adjustable camber plates - Allows access to adjustable shocks - Fits ASC+T Traction Control Vehicles - Protective Finish (Paint, Powdercoat or Anodize) Additional RACEBRACE Features and Benefits - Lightweight tubular steel bars are 100% TIG welded to high strength steel plates and powdercoated black for a durable finish. Steel is used for its superior CTE over other materials (such as aluminum or magnesium alloy) - The multiple bar configuration, with center support bars, resist twisting and bending of the front chassis. Although it does not bolt to the firewall, the bar's multiple tubes resist bending and twisting in multiple planes (when compared to strut braces' that use only flat bars) - Open tower design allows for easy access to adjustable camber plates and shock adjustments - Designed to offer adequate clearance over the engine components as well as underhood clearance. This is especially important in E36 coupes, as the underhood clearance is the lowest of all of the E36 models. Other strut tower braces will either put too much pressure in the hood release lever or worse, dimple the hood - Strut tower offers full 360° support, completely covering the strut tower area. This can prevent costly sheet metal damage "mushrooming" from potholes, especially with lowered cars - Removal of the strut brace takes only minutes with simple hand tools. Adjustments to suspension camber/caster plates can be made without removal of the bar - At only 6.9 lbs. (E36 model), it is designed to withstand the rigors of extreme track use. Its one piece welded construction resists bending and flexing moments that hinged, flat bars simply cannot compare Models Supported: 1995-1999 BMW E36 M3 1999-2006 BMW E46 3-Series & M3 2006-2008 BMW E85/E86 Z4M