Rear strut brace? From an E30 for a Z3 roadster

[Anthony Cherry]

Has anyone used one of these? Do they even fit?
I'm not talking about a butt strutt.
A high level rear brace for an E30? It could possibly sit beneath the convertible roof.

Not sure it would fit or be any use.

 

[Dino D]

No idea on that part but there is member on here who races a Z and he made a bar to hook up he harnesses and also acts like a brace.

 

[Dino D]

This is the thread:
https://zroadster.org/index.php?threads/BMW-Z3-2.8-ROADSTER.3626/

 

[Anthony Cherry]

This is what I'm thinking of. Was planning on cutting the carpet below the hood. Or removing it and replacing if after fitting the brace.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=370966396964

 

[Dino D]

That looks good and seems ok price wise but couldn't you knock one out for much less with all your experience? And then sell them on here?!

Re fitting I guess you'd have to measure the distance between top mounts but also keep in mind that I think the Z top mounts are not so level as it appears on that e30 in the pic.
The are at a bit if angle pointing inwards to each other I think...

 

[Anthony Cherry]

I get my fabrication done by a third party. But I'm pretty sure they can't produce them this cheap. I think I may buy one and try it out. Im considering exploring a more elegant and cost effective solution to the lower strut rear brace. I have a butt strut and I think it can be modified and improved upon.

 

[Dino D]

Sounds good Anthony, will be interested to hear how you get in, I'm all for cost effect handling mods.

The butt strut seems nice in theory but in practice on our roads with a bit of lowering it's useless (unless you like generating sparks down the highway!).

I've also read that the butt strut mounts to points in the chassis that are already very solid so cannot actually add much rigidity anyway? A nice to have add on if you have the clearance though..

 

[oldcarman]

Hi @Anthony Cherry I was looking a t a slightly different one on eBay that had a bit of adjustment for length. I'll see if I can find it and post the item number as I don't know how to post links from my iPhone, JIM

 

[oldcarman]

 

[Brian H]

I think the only issue with fitting one would be getting it to fit under the soft top when retracted, not an awful lot of room left when the top is down.

 

[Anthony Cherry]

Interesting update.....
I have taken delivery of the E30 strut and tried to fit it.
The long and the short of it is that it is long. 25mm too long to be exact.

The top mounts do look like they could benefit from a little bracing so I will persevere with this.
When placed in position the soft top closes to a level where you can fit the tonneu. But prob not the hardtop. It's up about a 10 mm higher than normal. But my brace is made of exceptionally thick diameter tube. I think replacing this with thinner diameter but thicker tube. Or a solid bar would allow the roof to fully close. Or possibly a thinner diameter double tube or oval tube. The clearance issue is towards the front of the brace. So positioning the bar towards the back of the mounts would also allow the roof to fully close.
I would love to develop a top and bottom rear strut solution for the Z3.... I'm working on it.
First step is a custom Z3 rear upper strut brace. Then a neater solution to the rear lower brace (butt strut). I would like to make one that allows clearance when the Zed is lowered. And avoid having to use lots of spacer plates.

 

[Anthony Cherry]

As nobody makes a rear upper strut brace for the Z3 at the moment there could be a reasonable market for it if I can get them produced at a good price.

 

[t-tony]

If they are not readily available, would not that point to the fact there isn't a need for one perhaps? Just a thought, before you go into producing them. A lot of people have been racing these cars in various forms so I thought these body braces would be out there if they were needed.

Tony.

 

[Anthony Cherry]

That is a fine point Tony. I'm going to get the one I have modified. And then see if there is much difference. The rear bulkhead offers some pretty decent bracing anyway.
I'm going to castle combe soon so I can compare it there. Will only take a few minutes to remove.

 

[t-tony]

Having said what I did Anthony, that's not to say that I think these wouldn't sell, they more than likely would. Also something that you could offer as an extra for the Bertini too?

Tony.

 

[Anthony Cherry]

I think that's the plan. Have a few Z3 braces for sale on the Bertini site. Should get a bit more traffic and exposure. Plus get lots of people with Z3s who want braces interested in the Bertini. Nice bit of cross marketing.

 

[Dino D]

I'm not sure if there isn't a need based on the low numbers of racing Z's.
I've seen plenty of racing coupes but not many roadsters in racing.
The one I've seen in UK is fully caged and Tommy's drift car is too...
Lots of US guys doing auto X with roadsters and of course we have some track day users here but still not a common car at a track day.

I think the market is for road and track day users rather than full in racers as they would cage it fully anyway..

As these cars get cheaper, especially the 2.8's I think we'll see more people using them on track than before. That's good news for aftermarket improvements!

 

[Brian H]

.........".we have some track day users here but still not a common car at a track day.

Tell me about it, they are a hoot to drive.

@Anthony Cherry keep us informed of your progress please.

 

[t-tony]

I take your point Dino, but when you watch the "rare" MX5 races on Eurosport and the like they're almost all convertibles. So do they use the coupes for racing rigidity or roll over safety?

Tony.

 

[Brian H]

I take your point Dino, but when you watch the "rare" MX5 races on Eurosport and the like they're almost all convertibles. So do they use the coupes for racing rigidity or roll over safety?

Tony.

I reckon he MX5s hit a price point to make this feasible Tony, the Zeds are just about there I reckon.