[Victoryred1le]

has anyone seen this new part number STB020 BMW tower brace? I cant really tell if it fits the ZL1 or not. Anyone with any insight? thanks in advance!

[FASTNUF]

I'm getting ready to buy it myself and try. I exchanged e-mail with BMR and they offered to take it back if it doesn't, but on their website claim that it fits ZL1 6gen. Of course, I was hoping the same to see if anybody was already tried it.

[Stephen12ZL1]

let us know the results. I checked online and found no pics of a ZL1 with a strut tower brace installed.

[BMR Suspension]

It certainly does fir the ZL1. The arc of the bar is about a 1/4" off the outer edge of the supercharger housing, but there are no fitment issues.

[BMR Suspension]

Here are some pictures

[Victoryred1le]

Originally Posted by BMR Suspension

It certainly does fir the ZL1. The arc of the bar is about a 1/4" off the outer edge of the supercharger housing, but there are no fitment issues.

awesome! ordered today!!

[Tara Martin]

One inch by 2 inch stainless steel; wow, that must be heavy. I wonder how much that affects center of gravity and front/rear weight distribution...? Or is this a hollow tube? Weight's not shown on website.

I'd love to have one, but wouldn't aluminum work, too?

Tara

[Victoryred1le]

Originally Posted by Tara Martin

One inch by 2 inch stainless steel; wow, that must be heavy. I wonder how much that affects center of gravity and front/rear weight distribution...? Or is this a hollow tube? Weight's not shown on website.

I'd love to have one, but wouldn't aluminum work, too?

Tara

lets just say for conversation the whole piece weighs 15 pounds. as evenly distributed as it is, it would not effect anything and arguably the added stiffness in the front of the chassis would make up for any weight distribution disturbance.

[soceur77]

Take a look at OEM-designed strut braces and in almost all cases (especially where an engineer was asked), they are SOLID pieces, generally steel in construction.

Why steel? Well, for one it's cost. However, and this is the other thing that bugs me about most aftermarket braces - Aluminum in this application has ZERO advantage of steel. Why?

Aluminum and steel have the same stiffness, given the same amount of weight. In other words, if you go to the hardware store and pick up a piece of 1" bar aluminum, you'll find that while it is much lighter than the same size piece of steel.... it's a great deal flimsier.

It will take the same amount of weight in aluminum (and thus a bigger bar) to provide the same amount of stiffness as the equivilant weight steel. Aluminum strut braces, floor bars, fender braces, and so on - would have to be unreasonably large to add any real stiffness.

So, yes, you absolutely should try to find a SOLID, steel-based brace whenever possible, or have one constructed for you.

Aluminum strut braces are okay, as long as they are bulky and solid with no hinge - they're better than nothing, but I'll take a steel version any day over the aluminum.

Excerpt fromhttp://www.tuneruniversity.com/blog/2011/09/getting-stiff-strut-bars-and-braces/

[soceur77]

@BMR, will this clear a Whipple 2.9? Sad to see it doesnt support a maggie, as that made me halt my purchase as it could be a future buy for me.

[FASTNUF]

Originally Posted by BMR Suspension

It certainly does fir the ZL1. The arc of the bar is about a 1/4" off the outer edge of the supercharger housing, but there are no fitment issues.

BMR - Is 1/4" enough clearance under the hardest acceleration and maximum motor torque travel and not hit the brace? Just asking. At rest, all looks good, just covering all of the bases.


Doesn't state the weight, but it states "tubing" which makes me believe that it's hollow. I rather have hollow as it's been proven that hollow is stronger than what most people give it credit. Being that it's square, this helps allot with strength vs round tubing. We use both types of tubing everyday in our manufacturing processes and I can tell you square is very strong.

From BMR site -
"Manufactured from 1-x2-inch stainless steel tubing"

Before ordering, just want to make sure my question on top is answered. Hate for it to hit under full acceleration....

[Victoryred1le]

Originally Posted by FASTNUF

BMR - Is 1/4" enough clearance under the hardest acceleration and maximum motor torque travel and not hit the brace? Just asking. At rest, all looks good, just covering all of the bases.


Doesn't state the weight, but it states "tubing" which makes me believe that it's hollow. I rather have hollow as it's been proven that hollow is stronger than what most people give it credit. Being that it's square, this helps allot with strength vs round tubing. We use both types of tubing everyday in our manufacturing processes and I can tell you square is very strong.

From BMR site -
"Manufactured from 1-x2-inch stainless steel tubing"

Before ordering, just want to make sure my question on top is answered. Hate for it to hit under full acceleration....

when i get mine ill take it apart and let you know because mine is going to powder coat so ill see what it is.

[FASTNUF]

Sounds good! I' going to order anyway and I'm also going to change the color from natural to probably black. Trying to stay within my color scheme.
I did find on another vendor site that it's claimed to be 12lbs...so it's more than likely hollow tubing, which I'm fine with either way. I'm not worried about the construction, BMR builds good stuff....I was just double checking if it could hit under full acceleration or not.

[BMR Tech]

Originally Posted by soceur77

@BMR, will this clear a Whipple 2.9? Sad to see it doesnt support a maggie, as that made me halt my purchase as it could be a future buy for me.

Sorry, but no it does not clear the Whipple either.