Strut brace & Induction kit

[Jack0495]

Hi,

#1 I have the 2.0 6 cylinder model, if I fit a strut brace how easy is it to still access the fuel filler cap on top of the engine? It looks like it goes above it?

#2 has anyone fitted an aftermarket panel filter to there Z and has it made a difference in noise or anything at all?

Cheers.

 

[pgunter]

Firstly Jack, Hello and I think you will find if you get the correct strut brace you will still be able to access the 'OIL' cap.. God forbid if you put fuel in that one.. Regarding point 2, I assume you are referring to the Air Filter ? I have a K&N and it seems to be ok. I know that there is a lot of talk and discussion regarding gains of BHP etc and most of it will be 'bull' . all I can say is I am happy with mine and it just needs a good wash every so often. I would advise a good paper filter too so you can use the car to not worry about how long the K&N takes to dry.

Happy Zed'ing..

 

[akirk]

I have done both... there are several different types of strut, some go straight across, others dog leg back and then come forward again - so depends on which one you buy - if you have a particular model in mind, why not list it and those who have it can advise...

I also have the K&N filter - yes, worth having, makes a bit of difference
Alasdair

 

[Jack0495]

Hi, the strut brace I was looking at is 'wiechers'

Has anyone heard good things about an circular carbon air box with ducting?

 

[GazHyde]

'wiechers'

Decent well known brand.

circular carbon air box with ducting?

Any more details on that?

 

[Jack0495]

Decent well known brand.

Any more details on that?

I will facebook you details bud

 

[GazHyde]

I will facebook you details bud

I got a tiny picture come through on the message, couldn't really make it though

 

[Grumps]

 

[oldcarman]

Hi @Jack0495 the guy you want to get a hold of for info on the air filter is @zedonist who has done the research on several of the top brands available and has in past posted graphic stats which show PowerCross to be much superior to K&N. Last I heard from him he was 30,000' in the air but should be on terra firma by now!! HTH JIM

 

[mktommo]

Any views on the difference that the strut brace has made to handling please? The biggest issue I have with my Z3 is the front end handling. Its MOT time in a couple of months and I'll see what that picks up on steering / suspension bushes, shocks, etc but it looks ok and I suspect its more than that. I also have brand new but cheap tyres that I'd love to change - but I'm too tight for now to throw away tyres that the former owner put on only 2,000 miles ago - I suspect they'll have more impact than the brace....?

Any advice to aid my decision on priorities would be very welcome......

 

[oldcarman]

I think @Anthony Cherry can provide insight on the strut brace as he is designing his own products to deal with inefficient products available presently or not being produced. HTH JIM

 

[GazHyde]

I'll see what that picks up on steering / suspension bushes, shocks,

You should only fit a strut brace to a car which has the suspension in good working order. My first Z3 had symptoms which I thought a strut brace would cure, and the replies I got elsewhere categorically backed it up.

It did reduce and almost eliminate some of the worst characteristics. However when it went in for an MOT it failed on a leaking front shock absorber, and both lower ball joints. I removed the strut brace when the front suspension was refreshed, but didn't get round to refitting it. What I found was that the car was almost perfect. The strut brace (on poor advice) masked the issue with the suspension.

So I would personally shake out all the gremlins in the suspension before considering fitting one.

 

[Anthony Cherry]

Thanks for the tag Jim. I defiantly agree with Gaz. Make sure the suspension is in good shape before looking for a strut brace. I find them useful. There are a lot of front braces around. But try and find one with a rigid connection between the plates and the bar. (The Bertini front brace has this but there are a few others also). The benefits will likely only be seen under hard cornering. If you are finding there is an improvement in cornering or straight line stability at lower speeds then you are likely masking an existing suspension issue. Like Gary suggested.

 

[oldcarman]

Good point @GazHyde and one that is simply common sense that before adding these items front or rear that all suspension components are doing their job and aren't worn. As you said the strut bar corrected the apparent problem but only prolonged the replacement of the nasty parts. I'm glad you brought this up Gaz as I'm sure there is a lot of mis info out there for those not so mechanically savvy and may prevent people throwing money at a problem the wrong way!! JIM

 

[oldcarman]

Hi @Anthony Cherry I agree with you about the low speed handling issue and the strut bar just masking a serious problem. How are the new rear struts selling, they look great and I'm sure all your hard work will pay off in time. JIM

 

[Anthony Cherry]

They are doing well. Especially the rear upper strut braces. I guess because they are unique and the rear loose feeling of Zeds is well documented. And now they help reinforce the top mounts. Thanks to Brian H's suggestion. The front braces are a bit slower to sell, I guess because you can buy cheaper. But there are few better ones out there. (I have tried about 6 different struts in the development process of the front brace) the best of which was the strong-strut... But that has considerably more flex than the Bertini one. I really liked the ultra racing strut brace for the E36. Quite solid and good value. But it pushed the bonnet up slightly and rubbed on the bonnet carpet matting. The Bertini Z3 brace does not and is a little stronger also.

 

[mktommo]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I'll see what the MOT brings - I'm happy to invest in improved handling and the advice on priorities is really useful......