BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      10-14-2009, 08:39 PM   #1
brracing
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BRracing e82 rear harness & strut bar

BRracing introduces it's new rear strut tower bar/brace, and harness bar with integrated down bars and x-brace.
With all of our recent track work and track testing, and prior work on our E46 M3 and MINI MCS, we both need and realized the need for an integrated harness bar and strut tower brace. But....this is our daily driver, and we wanted the solution to meet all possible customer needs for a combination daily driver and track car (not race car...track car mind you).
To that end, the requirements for the daily driver are that the bar needed to allow for the continued use of rear seats all the time when we're not at the track, and to not interfere in any way for the rear seat passengers. We also needed the complete solution to be "bolt in", so that no new holes or attachment points are needed at any location. We wanted to use the strongest mounting locations to provide for the strength and rigidity, but not throw out the other requirements. We wanted the rear shock tower brace to both work for the harness bar attachment, strength, and torsional rigidity, but not interfere with the use of the trunk. We needed the rear down bars and x-brace to be easy to remove, but very strong, and easy to install. We wanted the look to look factory in all ways, including the clearances to the roof liner and side B-pillars.
And...we think we have it. This approach allows for the implementation in multiple configurations and upgrades.
You can start with just the rear strut tower brace only.
You can then add the complete harness bar. You can run with just the main hoop and rear strut tower brace, and then, when going to the track, pop in the down bars/x-brace, and also the main harness cross bar. We even added a little set of extras, like integrated attachment points for the lower harness connections on each side.
The main bar has a massive plate on the bottom, and uses both the side seat belt mount hole in the side rail, and the hole in the bottom floor pan that is over 4" away from the side rail, and in this manner, provide the strength required....plus the base plate is so thick, that you would have to crush the whole car to get the hoop to crush thru the floor pan. The rear strut brace uses two existing rear bulkhead mounts, that have already been strongly reinforced by BMW in the car, for the main attachment points. Again, no new holes, but incredibly strong attachment points. Plus, the rear strut bar sits so low, and forward in the trunk, that the complete trunk area is still usable, and you can even stow your skis and other things w the seats down. We even made sure visibility from the front seat is unobstructed thru the rear x-brace.
Testing...we've only done the first set of tests, but we can attest that the whole assembly does significantly add to the torsional rigidity of the complet e car, as we almost couldn't get into a steep driveway that we've driven into before, as the car lifts that much now due to the stiffness.
You can get the bar(s) in almost any powder coat color you want, and not have to pay a fortune to get the whole thing.
And, for those that want to know, the whole solution is made of the following -
1.5" x .095 4140 chrom moly tubing
chrom moly clevis mounts
Grade 8 and above metric hardware
Full TIG welding on all attachment points (tolerances are tight, welds are beautiful)

Pricing is as follows -
Rear strut bar only (in any powder coat color) - $300
Complete rear strut bar and harness bar assembly - $1,499 (if you want this, just be prepared to sign a bunch of disclaimers for insurance liability reasons)
Name:  BRR 135i rear strut bar w seats small.jpg
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Name:  BRR 135i trunk view small.jpg
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Name:  BRR 135i main hoop top small.jpg
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Name:  BRR 135i rear view small.jpg
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Last edited by brracing; 01-31-2013 at 10:56 AM..
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      10-14-2009, 08:50 PM   #2
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That's some fantastic looking work! If my car was anything more than a street car and I didn't require the rear seat for passengers every so often, I'd definitely be considering this.

Nice to see stuff like this becoming available for the 1er!
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      10-14-2009, 11:24 PM   #3
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Wow, that looks amazing. I love how you guys are allowing to be bought in pieces - great work.
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      10-15-2009, 10:11 AM   #4
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Just so its clear....the implementation of the rear strut bar/harness bar DOES allow for continued use of the rear seats. This was one of the main objectives of the implementation and design.
The main hoop is designed to not interfere in any way to the access/egress to and from the rear seat. The rear strut bar is behind the rear seats, and does not interfere w the rear seats being up or down, or being used on a daily basis.
The downbars/x-brace and main hoop cross brace just bolt in and pop out, so that you can have the full system in place when you want, or have them out in a snap when you use the car and need the full use of the rear seats. Even the base plates, attachment points, have been designed such as to not interfere in any way.
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      10-15-2009, 11:05 AM   #5
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SOO damn cool. I'm putting this on my suspension wish list for sure!

I'm curious what other connection points to the interior of the car are made with this product
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      10-15-2009, 11:07 AM   #6
arok
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this is amazing! great work guys, simple solution and adjustable for people in many situations thumbs up!
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      10-15-2009, 11:28 AM   #7
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Great! May want to order this when im done with the rest on my car.
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      10-15-2009, 03:39 PM   #8
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If you guys want put together a list of people interested in ordering this, I may be willing to drop the price a bit for a introductory offer to the 1 addicts members.
Let me know what you would like to do.
Appreciate the kind words and support, let us know if you have any questions.

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      10-15-2009, 11:39 PM   #9
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Robb, how much added rigidity does the rear strut bar alone generate? And would you consider selling the rear strut bar without the two tabs used to attach the rest of the cage? I'm reaching for my wallet....
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      10-15-2009, 11:59 PM   #10
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Can sell with or without the tabs for the rear shock tower brace.
Understand that the bar attaches to two mounting points on the bulkhead behind the rear seats. When we pulled the carpet out to investigate possible connection points, that would offer the strength and rigidity we wanted, we were shocked to find two mounting points that BMW designed into the bulkhead, with existing bolts thru them. So, we just leveraged what was already there.
Now, also understand, that the shock tower brace does NOT directly attach to the shock tower, but is adjacent to it....as we did not see an easy way to preserve the interior carpet, attach to the shock tower (the top of the shock is actually in a recessed hole, and no longer offers the old attachment points like for an RSM).
We're here to make solutions that work...we can even make the center bar out of other material if desired....like polished aluminum (just would change the price)
send us a PM if you need or want more specifics
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      10-16-2009, 06:19 PM   #11
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Very nice. Looks like I've found what I need when I'm ready for a rear strut bar!
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      10-16-2009, 08:32 PM   #12
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Question relative to the rigidity....don't know yet other than seat of the pants results.
We will be going to the track either on October 26 or in early Nov, and will be installing "strain gauges" both w the system in the car, and w it removed, to see what kind of data we really get to change or impact torsional rigidity in the car....stay tuned for that info.
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      10-17-2009, 08:43 AM   #13
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In your other thread you have shown the mounting of the hoop. Could you show us a picture of the mounting point of the shock tower bar?
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      10-17-2009, 05:59 PM   #14
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Smile Like the work... how much?

Like it, may want to go for it... How much roughly ?
Thanks!
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      10-18-2009, 12:14 AM   #15
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Not sure I can post pricing ....if OK, someone let me know, happy to post prices.
Will shoot some pics of the rear shock mount attachment, so that it is clear to everyone. We have a HUGE show tomorrow at our shop in Los Gatos CA, so the car, along w a lot of others, will get displayed, then will shoot the pics and post, as this is unique or new approach, and would welcome the feedback.
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      10-20-2009, 06:44 PM   #16
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Weight of the full unit please?
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      10-20-2009, 10:08 PM   #17
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Weight - approx 44lbs total, including the base plate
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      10-21-2009, 01:51 PM   #18
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Just posting a update for you guys.
We will have brakes coming in about two weeks...
Also we are making some changes to the harness bar to accommodate seat adjustment. Look for some new added images to come out soon.
Thanks
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      03-06-2010, 03:46 PM   #19
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Hiya,

Any updates on the rear strut brace?

I might be interested in the rear strut tower bar alone without the tabs. Would I notice any difference at all in the handling?

Could I have it in black and shipped to the UK? Perhaps PM me with a price etc.

Thanks

Jack
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      03-13-2010, 09:24 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FazerBoy View Post
Hiya,

Any updates on the rear strut brace?

I might be interested in the rear strut tower bar alone without the tabs. Would I notice any difference at all in the handling?

Could I have it in black and shipped to the UK? Perhaps PM me with a price etc.

Thanks

Jack
I asked Robb the same question a few days ago. Yes you can get the lower rear tower brace as a single unit, without tabs, powder coated in black for $300. As for adding stiffness, Robb did not have any empirical evidence but claimed a perceived improvement.
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      03-14-2010, 01:50 PM   #21
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Anyone taking orders for the rear strut brace? Was talk of a group buy - anything hapening? Went and saw Alice In Wonderland last night in a 3D Imax. Was kind of looking for you guys down the hole. Hope you had enough food for your 5 month dissapearance....
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      03-31-2010, 09:05 PM   #22
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Quick question. Is the entire thing bolt in? As in can I take out the hoop when im not racing?
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