Which Front Strut Tower Brace

#1

I want to add a front strut tower brace but as I recall, some fitments don’t! Is there a consensus as to which brand fits the best? Sparco, Racing Dynamics, other?

Thanks.

Keith

#2

I just put the Sparco bar from Bimmerworld on my car (1988 325is) and it fit like a glove.

#3

There are some other posts here about the Mason bar. I discovered that its design interferes with getting at the bolts in adjustable camber plates. I have a test-fitted-only one for sale if you aren’t using adjustable camber plates.
cheers,
bruce

#4

I have an Ireland bar on mine. It’s snug… Requires a hammer typically to put on and a pry bar to get off. You don’t have to muscle it too much, but it’s definitely not hand loose. Which is probably a good thing.

If I remember, there were two different bars based on early vs late cars. The strut housings were just slightly different widths apart from what I remember (it’s been like 7 years since I went through the ordeal).

#5

I have the Sparco bar on my 1989. I had to slot the bolt holes a bit to get it to work properly. If I recall correctly, the difference in tower spacing between early and late cars was bigger than my “adjustment,” so I am pretty sure I got the later model bar.

The brace is quite important. It provides a convenient place to put your hand while leaning over the engine thinking “I have no f#*%ing idea what I am looking at!”

Steve D.

#6

Kieth, will the $200 brace make you faster? If Skeen don’t got it, I don’t need it…I need to learn to drive.

Keep your life simple and save the $$$.

Regards, RP

#7

I’ve already tried the “learn to drive” route…think it’s like golf…nothing a new club can’t fix!

#8

I have the Sparco brace. Before Rockingham I had 2.8 degrees of - camberin the rt front. After that weekend of hitting the transition onto the banking about 30 times, the camber was -3.8. The strut brace didn’t seem to help it keep from bending, but maybe it helps with flex??? Maybe it just looks cool.

#9

Steve D wrote:

[quote]
The brace is quite important. It provides a convenient place to put your hand while leaning over the engine thinking “I have no f#*%ing idea what I am looking at!”

Steve D.[/quote]
:woohoo: