Rogue Engineering "Race Brace"

[inTgr8r]

I'm betting that it'll work.

[OwensMcoupe]

Nice detail shots

[Trev]

I'm loving this design effort to get this working on our cars. I've got to ask though is it just me that is concerned that any time you need to take the brace off you'll need to re-align the front suspension.

Just throwing this idea out, what about having the race brace mount to a base plate. Base plate is bolted down using existing three suspension top bolts. This plate has three vertical screw posts, that are clocked a few degrees to accept the main brace's mount plate.

The concept looks something like this crude drawing. HTH.

[XMetal]

No need for re-alignment if you remove/reinstall the brace when the car is on the ground and unmoved.

[partlowr]

I am very interested. Any word on a group buy price yet? Timing? Will this fit on my Non-M 3.0 Z4? I was just getting ready to pull the trigger on another strut tower brace but I love the looks of this one.

Thanks

[partlowr]

Any updates? I am VERY interested in buying one of these.

[pyo]

Subscribed for future updates. Looks promising.

[F360C]

Sorry for the lack of updates guys... The lack of progress is my fault. Ben has been asking me to come back down for the last couple weeks to do some more work on the bar but I have not been able to stop by. I was finally able to drop the car off today and they did the final fitting of the bar. That prototype was shipped back to Mason today to make the first production prototype. We should have that back by early next week. If fitment is perfect on that one a group buy price for the initial run will be set up in earnest.

[Finnegan]

What, you mean you have a life outside of the forum and R&D on the car?

No worries, sounds like things are well on the way, and this is great news!

[F360C]

The bar and the group by are ready!

http://www.rogueengineering.com/rogue/StrutB/RE_RB.html

[mousitch]

Do ours use more materiel justifying price difference? I need some Super SPorts so bad right now. Guess I'm gonna have to wait and pay non-group buy.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by mousitch

Do ours use more materiel justifying price difference? I need some Super SPorts so bad right now. Guess I'm gonna have to wait and pay non-group buy.

Probably just due to rarity of E85/6's in comparison to E46's so we have to pay more for the production costs(if it was done during the actual production run of the E85/6 it probably would be cheaper as there would be a lot more takers IMO). As I said earlier in the thread the GB cost isn't even close to the $300 suggested by some posters.

[johanness]

Sweet!

Did I miss it, or does the Race Brace come with the hardware (nuts) needed for install?

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by johanness

Sweet!

Did I miss it, or does the Race Brace come with the hardware (nuts) needed for install?

My guess is that OE hardware would be used. Although, you may need to get new nuts from your dealer since those are a one-time used flanged nuts.

[Finnegan]

I'm in, will pre-order tomorrow. The pre-order price is only good through the 30th guys, so get your orders in now.

Originally Posted by XMetal

My guess is that OE hardware would be used. Although, you may need to get new nuts from your dealer since those are a one-time used flanged nuts.

The nuts on the shock tower? I think most of us re-use those babies--and so do the alignment shops. Does TIS note they're one time use? Either way, I'd just re-use then unless worn.

If this is the nut (or bolts, depending on build date) on the firewall brace, those are one time use after some point in the build (06/06, but it varies) and require torque to a specific value and then angle torque. That applies to the bolt variety only; those cars with nuts on the firewall brace can re-use the nuts (nyloc are better or use loctite since the older style tend to loosen and rattle).

[F360C]

Originally Posted by mousitch

Do ours use more materiel justifying price difference? I need some Super SPorts so bad right now. Guess I'm gonna have to wait and pay non-group buy.

Originally Posted by chickdr

Probably just due to rarity of E85/6's in comparison to E46's so we have to pay more for the production costs(if it was done during the actual production run of the E85/6 it probably would be cheaper as there would be a lot more takers IMO). As I said earlier in the thread the GB cost isn't even close to the $300 suggested by some posters.

You hit the nail on the head... Lower production numbers mean less of a chance to recoupe production costs. Same reason why ESS software for the z4m is $995 and it is only $695 for the M3. This bar also includes an extra tab to tie in the firewall braces which the m3 bar does not have.

Originally Posted by johanness

Sweet!

Did I miss it, or does the Race Brace come with the hardware (nuts) needed for install?

I just spoke with Ben to confirm this and all hardware will be included with the bar.

Originally Posted by Finnegan

I'm in, will pre-order tomorrow. The pre-order price is only good through the 30th guys, so get your orders in now.



The nuts on the shock tower? I think most of us re-use those babies--and so do the alignment shops. Does TIS note they're one time use? Either way, I'd just re-use then unless worn.

If this is the nut (or bolts, depending on build date) on the firewall brace, those are one time use after some point in the build (06/06, but it varies) and require torque to a specific value and then angle torque. That applies to the bolt variety only; those cars with nuts on the firewall brace can re-use the nuts (nyloc are better or use loctite since the older style tend to loosen and rattle).

I have had the shocks out of my car more times then I can count and I have yet to replace those nuts. I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing but they have yet to give me any issues.


All in all guys this has been a long time coming and I am excited to finally be able to get one of the production bars to put on my car! Once the order is finalized on the 30th it will take about two weeks for Mason to produce the bars. Everything is hand built by one man so it can truly be said these are handcrafted.

[CJW2OO4]

too bad about the price ........ bar design is

Does the bar fit non m z4s? If it does the site should be changed to reflect that.

[Finnegan]

Price really isn't that bad on the pre-order at $375. Strong Strut runs $395. The RE bar has some design advantages IMO. Even if that's not the case, it's priced (for now) under other market offerings.

[psygnosis]

Originally Posted by CJW2OO4

too bad about the price ........ bar design is

Does the bar fit non m z4s? If it does the site should be changed to reflect that.

I don't see why it shouldn't. The S54 in the Z4 M actually has more clearance issues when it comes to braces then the non-M engines.

Unless the bar is funny and needs the bump in the M hood

[l4zy]

Bout damn time! Lol j/k thanks for spending the time to make this happen! I'm in.

[RobMCoupe]

Going to put my Strong Strut up for sale. I like how this ties the firewall brace together with strut tower brace.

[Pheonix]

This is a very nice piece of work and definitely added some more blink to the engine bay. I am still on the fence with this. I was reading somewhere that the Strutbrace should be designed and fabricated to collapse in case of an accident and the RE seems very rigid (and also tie together with the firewall braces)