HALP! Strut Tower Brace No Go!

[Matthewstorm]

I sent the dealer the Steeda engine Mounts. They not charging much to install.

 

[Jaymar]

Lowering the engine will probably allow it to fit but if it doesn't it's not a big worry. While this has been argued on this forum ad nauseum the general consensus for the S550 platform is that it does little to nothing for your handling. My personal experience with an EBPP car that comes with all of the bracing except the strut tower brace, adding it made just a small enough difference that I can't tell if it was confirmation bias or actual. My old SN95 turned into a wet noodle without it but this chassis is completely different.

 

[turbofiveoh]

Those Steeda motor mounts are going to add NVH into the car. What is acceptable is a matter of preference. If you want to run the strut bar slightly trimming the edges will give you sufficient clearance. If you're not comfortable using a grinding disc, any competent shop should be able to make the modification quickly and at a minimal cost.
I have a whipple and got the strut bar to fit with about 15 minutes of work.

 

[Mikthehun1]

Those Steeda motor mounts are going to add NVH into the car. What is acceptable is a matter of preference. If you want to run the strut bar slightly trimming the edges will give you sufficient clearance. If you're not comfortable using a grinding disc, any competent shop should be able to make the modification quickly and at a minimal cost.
I have a whipple and got the strut bar to fit with about 15 minutes of work.

Do you have experience with these mounts, or are you just guessing?

 

[Sivi70980]

Could also get a new hood later on down the road and install the brace then. A more expensive option but you did just put a SC on...

 

[Matthewstorm]

Those Steeda motor mounts are going to add NVH into the car. What is acceptable is a matter of preference. If you want to run the strut bar slightly trimming the edges will give you sufficient clearance. If you're not comfortable using a grinding disc, any competent shop should be able to make the modification quickly and at a minimal cost.
I have a whipple and got the strut bar to fit with about 15 minutes of work.

What did you do to make it fit? That looks awful tight.

 

[09jsw]

Do you have experience with these mounts, or are you just guessing?

I do and they do add some nvh. Some have had issues with false knock using them. It will also change the pinion angle of the ds so that’s something to think about.
I removed them for stock when I added the blower.

 

[K4fxd]

The studs are long enough why not add a spacer?

 

[Tukman]

Most people with SC use spacers on the strut brace. I saw someone on the forum used and sells spacers but I don’t know the name

 

[Mantis]

Most people with SC use spacers on the strut brace. I saw someone on the forum used and sells spacers but I don’t know the name

With spacers is there still enough hood clearance with the stock hood. A concern would be sufficient clearance between the brace and the SC for engine flex under hard acceleration.

 

[Wolvee]

I fit the tall Boss manifold under the Strut bar with Steeda MM's utilizing a 3/4" drop. BMR also makes a Engine side bracket that lets you lower the engine 1/2" and keep the stock MM's. I have both working together but mostly for clearance.


Also, Here is a nut that allows you to use a slightly bigger spacer on the Strut tower. EngiNerding rule of thumb for Fasteners is you only need as many threads engaged as the width of the fastener. That is the magic minimum to reach Tq specs most of the time.

BMW part # 51717895241

 

[Wolvee]

The factory strut bar is also stamped steel so if you're froggy enough, you can use a press to slightly compress the rolled edges to give slightly more clearance.

 

[Mikthehun1]

I fit the tall Boss manifold under the Strut bar with Steeda MM's utilizing a 3/4" drop. BMR also makes a Engine side bracket that lets you lower the engine 1/2" and keep the stock MM's. I have both working together but mostly for clearance.


Also, Here is a nut that allows you to use a slightly bigger spacer on the Strut tower. EngiNerding rule of thumb for Fasteners is you only need as many threads engaged as the width of the fastener. That is the magic minimum to reach Tq specs most of the time.

BMW part # 51717895241

Is that rule in metric or SAE

 

[carguy231]

The other solution is the Steeda Extreme G-track brace [four point] that goes under the car. I didn't want to deal with the pinion angle, etc. of lowering the engine. And as a few mentioned only the PP cars come with the tower brace anyway. This is not an 'emergency' by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[DougS550]

Dealer is installing the Roush Phase II. I have the Performance Pack. That has the strut tower brace. The brace no longer fits because of the SC. I called Roush and they were NO Help. Unfreakingbelieveable.

Does anyone have a solution for a tower brace that will fit over the SC? Gotta solve this ASAP as I'm picking up the car next week.

Really appreciate the help.

If you lay the tower brace over the blower, will the hood close? If so buy or have made threaded spacer nuts, screw onto strut bolts to extend the reach and use bolts to secure it down. If the hood will not close, have a tower brace made to fit around the blower to where it will secure to the strut bolts. That is what I will do when I install my Whipple. Good luck