325TI - Project Mpact
Discussion
Future Proofing Part 4
With the inside of the vehicle now painted it was onto making a Subframe/ Diff brace, there seems to be various ways of how people do this. From the off the shelf 'Bolt on' x-braces that pick up on the turret tops down to the subfame mount points, to the "just weld a solid bar in there " home made examples.
With the vehicle going to be a daily driver and the occasional track day i wanted to keep the boot space clear without a climbing frame in the back, ideally keeping a brace under the boot carpet.
So, in my mind i wanted to keep it simple. With a straight bar that runs from one chassis leg to the other picking up on the Subframe/Axle carrier bolts and was removable.
I over engineered a straight bar, it's made from stainless steel.
And how it fits in the vehicle,
With the inside of the vehicle now painted it was onto making a Subframe/ Diff brace, there seems to be various ways of how people do this. From the off the shelf 'Bolt on' x-braces that pick up on the turret tops down to the subfame mount points, to the "just weld a solid bar in there " home made examples.
With the vehicle going to be a daily driver and the occasional track day i wanted to keep the boot space clear without a climbing frame in the back, ideally keeping a brace under the boot carpet.
So, in my mind i wanted to keep it simple. With a straight bar that runs from one chassis leg to the other picking up on the Subframe/Axle carrier bolts and was removable.
I over engineered a straight bar, it's made from stainless steel.
And how it fits in the vehicle,
E46gang said:
That is absolutely stunning, as mention it would be a real shame to cover that with the interior!
Whilst I know exactly what you mean I also like the idea of it all being tucked away.I love the phrase that goes something like "Real quality is doing things properly when nobody is looking".
Dr G said:
E46gang said:
That is absolutely stunning, as mention it would be a real shame to cover that with the interior!
Whilst I know exactly what you mean I also like the idea of it all being tucked away.I love the phrase that goes something like "Real quality is doing things properly when nobody is looking".
I've had a few E46 325ti and they're great little cars. Sadly I had to sell mine recently, to help fund keeping my E30, but I imagine another will be sat on the drive eventually.
Loving your work but am also amazed at some of the products available nowadays. The underside looked stunning and is a real credit to your skills. I know where I'll be sending my E30 once the lotto win comes along.
Artisan Metalcraft!
Loving your work but am also amazed at some of the products available nowadays. The underside looked stunning and is a real credit to your skills. I know where I'll be sending my E30 once the lotto win comes along.
Artisan Metalcraft!stuart-b said:
Top quality work sir,
I've recommended your FB page to a few friends of mine who may have a need for your services one day (including me!)
Cheers
Stuart
Thank you very much, I'm a bit slow at keeping the Facebook/Instagram page updated. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask!I've recommended your FB page to a few friends of mine who may have a need for your services one day (including me!)
Cheers
Stuart
E46gang said:
Dr G said:
E46gang said:
That is absolutely stunning, as mention it would be a real shame to cover that with the interior!
Whilst I know exactly what you mean I also like the idea of it all being tucked away.I love the phrase that goes something like "Real quality is doing things properly when nobody is looking".
e30m3Mark said:
I've had a few E46 325ti and they're great little cars. Sadly I had to sell mine recently, to help fund keeping my E30, but I imagine another will be sat on the drive eventually.
Loving your work but am also amazed at some of the products available nowadays. The underside looked stunning and is a real credit to your skills. I know where I'll be sending my E30 once the lotto win comes along. Artisan Metalcraft!
They are indeed, underrated little cars...... there won't be many left soon if all those ''oiks' keep turning them into so called drift cars and welding the diffs Loving your work but am also amazed at some of the products available nowadays. The underside looked stunning and is a real credit to your skills. I know where I'll be sending my E30 once the lotto win comes along.
Artisan Metalcraft!
Thank you! You are right, the variation in products available now is huge.....go back 10/12 years and the market was nothing like it is now .
You don't need to win the lottery to bring me your vehicle
With the inside of the vehicle pretty much done, it was back onto the under side.
It was time to strip the rear running gear off the M3 donor, after jacking the back of the car up and putting it on axle stands i climbed underneath. At this point i totally forgot that M3's use an extra V-brace from the Axle carrier/Subframe to the heel board of the floor.
With the rear end stripped off the M3 and put to one side, I began to have a head scratch. If the M3's had this brace then the compact should too.....
After some measuring of the original mounts on the M3 i tried to replicate them near as possible, out of 2mm mild steel i folded these and added the swaged hole where the rubber grommet locates, Then TIG welded the corners and nuts.
They were then sprayed with weld through primer and puddle welded into the vehicle, unfortunately this is the only part i had totally forgotten to photograph
It was time to strip the rear running gear off the M3 donor, after jacking the back of the car up and putting it on axle stands i climbed underneath. At this point i totally forgot that M3's use an extra V-brace from the Axle carrier/Subframe to the heel board of the floor.
With the rear end stripped off the M3 and put to one side, I began to have a head scratch. If the M3's had this brace then the compact should too.....
After some measuring of the original mounts on the M3 i tried to replicate them near as possible, out of 2mm mild steel i folded these and added the swaged hole where the rubber grommet locates, Then TIG welded the corners and nuts.
They were then sprayed with weld through primer and puddle welded into the vehicle, unfortunately this is the only part i had totally forgotten to photograph
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff