Mason Engineering Strut Bar

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by akak1997

It's ready! This is the link to order...
http://www.vorshlag.com/product_info...roducts_id=358

Thanks!

I'm going to pick one up I think.

The write up on their site is great!

This is the Mason Engineering bar that you've heard so much about. A chassis brace made by a race car engineer for race car drivers, not a blinged-out offering made for the "show car scene". It is the finest, strongest strut brace on the market for this chassis, bar none.

Vorshlag stocks this brace for the E82 BMW 1 series. We at Vorshlag worked with Mason Engineering to develop this brace, as the factory brace for these cars was terrible and covered the top of the strut tower - making top adjustable shocks impossible to access.

This model is designed to fit the front of all E82 chassis BMW 1 series cars imported into North America including the 128i and 135i. This 1-piece strut brace design is superior to any "hinged" strut brace model made - sport one of these and you can laugh at those junky import faux-braces. TIG welded on a precision jig, this dual tubular brace has cold-formed and lightened cross bracing, exceptional welds, and is very light weight.

Unlike some strut bars made of a combination of magnesium, carbon fiber, titanium and 24 karat bling, bolted and hinged and glued together, this 1-piece brace is made of welded steel or aluminum alloy tubing (please pick that form the Options drop down below. ). Aluminum has a better bending modulus-to-weight ratio than steel and is lighter weight for the same stiffness. There is also a pair of an optional diagonal firewall braces that mount to this brace. These can replace the factory "strap steel" diagonal braces, for a better overall design, or you can re-use the factory diagonal braces with this Mason brace (note: re-using the factory strap braces will again cover up the top of the strut tower opening).

As with all Mason products this aluminum brace puts function over flash, but the high quality purpose-built fabrication is appealing to racers and wanna-bes alike. You can't fake a good TIG welded fabrication like this! The raw aluminum finish option is naturally corrosion resistant and the steel version comes with a durable gloss black powder coating added here at Vorshlag. This part is proudly made in the USA.

[turbobmw]

My pre-order is in. Looking forward to putting this on.

[Justin(OKC)]

I'm planning on getting it. I need something to mount my remote reservoirs to

[emos325]

sweet, i'll be getting mine soon too!!

[emos325]

so should we do a group buy for the rear strut bar. would that make it more worth wile for Mason to make it?

[akak1997]

My next project with Mason is a metal clutch pedal. It will take out the play the stock pedal has and hopefully, we could figure out how to get it to shorten the pedal travel by 1 or more inches.

We're also considering the rear strut bar. John said it's just matter of time, once people got the front done, they'll want to get the rear also. I've notice the rear gets a bit more jumpy than before after I've a bigger front sway and the strut bar. The thing with the rear bar is that it's more intrusive mod than the front. I'm pretty sure we'll make it removable, I mean, the 135 is my grocery getter, can't give up the already limited trunk space.

We pick the pedal first just because it fits both E8x and E9x, so we can capture more people, where the strut bar is model specific.

[shadowiix]

would love to purchase one for my 128i, but i dont think it will fit. you can just tell by the two pictures it wont.

128i



135i

[akak1997]

^ Is the top of the power steering reservoir below or above the battery cable bar? it looks like it would fit. Nice looking intake btw

[shadowiix]

its about the same height im just worried that the cross support might bump into it. how much did you pay for you hotchicks sway?

[emos325]

thx aka. yeah it will be my grocery getter as well. the only thing is i will put the back seats down or take them out, so i am not soo worried. but hey the pedal sounds like a good idea. pls keep us posted or put a link for another thread if you start one up. Are there any other ideas you guys are throwing around? you never know who might be in the market for something. good luck.

[nordique14]

Will this fit the E88 (convertible)? Verts can always use additional bracing...especially those that autox.

[akak1997]

^ not sure what the E88 engine bay looks like, and I don't think anyone with a E88 has gotten this bar yet. If the engine bay is configured as same as the E82, I don't see why it wouldn't fit.

[nordique14]

Originally Posted by akak1997

^ not sure what the E88 engine bay looks like, and I don't think anyone with a E88 has gotten this bar yet. If the engine bay is configured as same as the E82, I don't see why it wouldn't fit.

I have the 135i vert and the engine bay looks the same as your 135i coupe. I do not mind being the first E88 owner to order one as long as I can return it if it doesn't fit. I will contact Terry.

[Fair]

Originally Posted by nordique14

I have the 135i vert and the engine bay looks the same as your 135i coupe. I do not mind being the first E88 owner to order one as long as I can return it if it doesn't fit. I will contact Terry.

When we get back from Holland next week we should have a gaggle of bars here (just talked to Mason). We would all like to know if it fits the vert, so I sent you a PM.

[shadowiix]

keep us updated. cant wait to get one of these.

[1clean335i]

glad I found this thread.... this is the best bar i've seen for our cars

[shadowiix]

pre ordered mine. so impatient now.

[135forthewin]

Any chance we could get a picture utilizing the stock diagonal firewall braces?
Thanks.

[turbobmw]

Any updates on when these will start to ship ?

[Justin(OKC)]

Originally Posted by turbobmw

Any updates on when these will start to ship ?

I want to order one of these, but would rather not wait months and months for it. I guess as long as it's not charged before it shipped I'd be ok with it.

[Fair]

Originally Posted by turbobmw

Any updates on when these will start to ship ?

Guys... thanks for your patience. Mason is pretty overwhelmed with these E82 bars and dozens of other part numbers that we have on backorder. We expected to be shipping our 2nd batch of 1 series bars by now but alas, we're still waiting. After this initial batch gets delivered we're ordering a LOT more so we can keep enough in stock in both aluminum and steel.

Thanks,

[Justin(OKC)]

I just placed my order for an aluminum bar with the diagonal bars. Terry, I also ordered some 5200's through Harold at HP Autowerks. I'm looking forward to getting this car setup!!!