BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
M2 Technical Topics > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis > BMW M3/M4 F8X Carbon Fiber Strut Mod on the BMW M2

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-22-2020, 09:30 AM   #265
David.m
Lieutenant
433
Rep
549
Posts

Drives: M2 LCI 6MT BSM
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

Smile

Quote:
Originally Posted by PLF69 View Post
Is this the one from Australia!? I already baught the aluminum part but was still eying the it, totally worth it !
Appreciate 0
      06-01-2020, 11:51 PM   #266
David.m
Lieutenant
433
Rep
549
Posts

Drives: M2 LCI 6MT BSM
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

Wondering if anyone who has re-used their modified original cowl covers could post close up pics of the end result? I might have to this route, hoping some heat/reshaping and/or cutting will give a neat finish.

I've inquired & the M2C under windscreen piece would have to come from Germany and BMW AU will want $350 or more for the 3 plastic pieces.
Appreciate 0
      06-02-2020, 08:02 AM   #267
Bee Pee
Brigadier General
United Kingdom
1738
Rep
4,496
Posts

Drives: AW M2 DCT
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SW London

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by David.m View Post
Wondering if anyone who has re-used their modified original cowl covers could post close up pics of the end result? I might have to this route, hoping some heat/reshaping and/or cutting will give a neat finish.
Read this thread and perhaps chat to @Sam-R direct.

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26256361

Sam looks like he's re-used all of the plastics and sacrificed the wing top blind rivet connections from the alloy brace.

I retained my wing top connections when I installed my alloy/CFRP combo (along with M2C plastic trim) and am sure you can trim both original cowl covers to re-use them.
__________________
Fettled M135i EB AT - gone but not forgotten:
AW M2 DCT
Appreciate 0
      06-02-2020, 07:25 PM   #268
David.m
Lieutenant
433
Rep
549
Posts

Drives: M2 LCI 6MT BSM
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bee Pee View Post
Read this thread and perhaps chat to @Sam-R direct.

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26256361

Sam looks like he's re-used all of the plastics and sacrificed the wing top blind rivet connections from the alloy brace.

I retained my wing top connections when I installed my alloy/CFRP combo (along with M2C plastic trim) and am sure you can trim both original cowl covers to re-use them.
That's an interesting thread, thanks.

I was already wondering about the value of the rivnuts as we don't use the rod extension pieces, any case I've bought the hardware so will use them. Looks like he's also done some re-shaping of the cowl covers, had been thinking this shouldn't be difficult with a heat gun.
Appreciate 0
      06-03-2020, 06:51 AM   #269
M Fifty
Banned
844
Rep
1,962
Posts

Drives: M2 & 330CI
Join Date: May 2018
Location: The Interweb

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by David.m View Post
Wondering if anyone who has re-used their modified original cowl covers could post close up pics of the end result? I might have to this route, hoping some heat/reshaping and/or cutting will give a neat finish.

I've inquired & the M2C under windscreen piece would have to come from Germany and BMW AU will want $350 or more for the 3 plastic pieces.
The bit below the screen is relatively cheap - the two panels that clip to it are the expensive parts. They're common with the M3 and M4 though, so look for a breaker (or see if you can secure them as part of purchasing some of the other bits used).

HTH
Appreciate 0
      06-03-2020, 09:24 AM   #270
Bee Pee
Brigadier General
United Kingdom
1738
Rep
4,496
Posts

Drives: AW M2 DCT
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SW London

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by David.m View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bee Pee View Post
Read this thread and perhaps chat to @Sam-R direct.

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26256361

Sam looks like he's re-used all of the plastics and sacrificed the wing top blind rivet connections from the alloy brace.

I retained my wing top connections when I installed my alloy/CFRP combo (along with M2C plastic trim) and am sure you can trim both original cowl covers to re-use them.
That's an interesting thread, thanks.

I was already wondering about the value of the rivnuts as we don't use the rod extension pieces, any case I've bought the hardware so will use them. Looks like he's also done some re-shaping of the cowl covers, had been thinking this shouldn't be difficult with a heat gun.
Rivnuts attachment point to alloy brace looks fairly chunky so deleting this fixing removes 2 (out of the total of 10) connection points for the alloy brace.

As alloy brace alone makes a noticeable difference to OGM2 it wasn't worth deleting it IMHO.
__________________
Fettled M135i EB AT - gone but not forgotten:
AW M2 DCT
Appreciate 1
David.m432.50
      06-05-2020, 01:23 PM   #271
nothingman
Private NumNuts
nothingman's Avatar
United_States
521
Rep
321
Posts

Drives: 2021 GT4
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Mason Dixon Line

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I just wrapped up my install and I have to agree with everyone before me who has said this mod is the missing link to make the OG handle like the Comp. With my Ohlins R&T's dialed in, my car handles like it's on rails! Highly recommend this mod to all OG owners. BTW, I found the carbon fiber brace on eBay for $500!

I planned to remove the OG corner braces, but the carbon fiber brace hits the piece coming off of the air intake tubing on the front crossmember. For those who kept their stock air intake, how did you deal with that?
Attached Images
  
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-05-2020, 01:24 PM   #272
Nezil
Major
Nezil's Avatar
1402
Rep
1,466
Posts

Drives: LCI '18 6MT M2
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by nothingman View Post
I just wrapped up my install and I have to agree with everyone before me who has said this mod is the missing link to make the OG handle like the Comp. With my Ohlins R&T's dialed in, my car handles like it's on rails! Highly recommend this mod to all OG owners. BTW, I found the carbon fiber brace on eBay for $500!

I planned to remove the OG corner braces, but the carbon fiber brace hits the piece coming off of the air intake tubing on the front crossmember. For those who kept their stock air intake, how did you deal with that?
Remove the plastic part that is actually hitting the brace, and keep the rubber part in place.
Appreciate 0
      06-05-2020, 03:01 PM   #273
M Fifty
Banned
844
Rep
1,962
Posts

Drives: M2 & 330CI
Join Date: May 2018
Location: The Interweb

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nezil View Post
Remove the plastic part that is actually hitting the brace, and keep the rubber part in place.
This.

Plus, if you keep the corner braces you might find the CF brace rubbing on the underside of the bonnet.

Looks good!

HTH
Appreciate 1
      06-06-2020, 06:10 PM   #274
3t3p
Major
New Zealand
453
Rep
1,389
Posts

Drives: M2
Join Date: May 2018
Location: NZ

iTrader: (0)

I have driven with and without OG corner braces. I took them off as believed the CF brace to be rubbing on the bonnet underside.

IMO it's better or unnoticeable to have them removed. Looks less busy in the bay tbh.
Appreciate 0
      06-12-2020, 11:40 AM   #275
maddoc
Lieutenant
158
Rep
478
Posts

Drives: E36-E82-F87-7P
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NoVA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nezil View Post

Here is an image of the 3 bolt top hat, part number 31302284702:

And here is an image of the part we need, with 5 bolt holes, part number 31307853702:
So which top hat does the OG M2 have? a 3 bolt ? (I clearly haven't looked)
Appreciate 0
      06-12-2020, 12:33 PM   #276
M Fifty
Banned
844
Rep
1,962
Posts

Drives: M2 & 330CI
Join Date: May 2018
Location: The Interweb

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by maddoc View Post
So which top hat does the OG M2 have? a 3 bolt ? (I clearly haven't looked)
I think it's more down to Build date?
Appreciate 0
      06-12-2020, 01:17 PM   #277
Bee Pee
Brigadier General
United Kingdom
1738
Rep
4,496
Posts

Drives: AW M2 DCT
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SW London

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by maddoc View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nezil View Post

Here is an image of the 3 bolt top hat, part number 31302284702:

And here is an image of the part we need, with 5 bolt holes, part number 31307853702:
So which top hat does the OG M2 have? a 3 bolt ? (I clearly haven't looked)
All m2 n55 are 5 bolt and OG have single bolt to simple V strut brace attachment whereas M2Comp has 3 bolt fixing to way more sophisticated alloy brace
__________________
Fettled M135i EB AT - gone but not forgotten:
AW M2 DCT
Appreciate 0
      06-23-2020, 06:11 PM   #278
chip_dip19
Private First Class
Canada
150
Rep
172
Posts

Drives: 2018 M2
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Toronto, Ontario

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nezil View Post
The method I used was described on a website somewhere, but I can't remember which one. In any case, what I did was to use a bolt with a washer, an oversized nut, and a serrated shake proof washer. That's the order that they go in as well. You then simply tighten the bolt whilst holding the oversized nut with another spanner (wrench). For me this ended up needing a 17mm and a 19mm spanner; 19 to hold the oversized nut, and 17 to tighten down.

The way this works is that the shake proof washer gets crushed into the soft metal of the oversized nut and the rivnut, allowing you to effectively hold the rivnut still while you tighten the bolt, which pulls up the rivnut tight.

I did find that I needed a new shake proof washer for each side, because after it was crushed the first time, it didn't grip so well any more.

The more difficult thing to do is to torque the bolt down after you've fitted the brace, because it's sort of under the fender, and in a kind of cup; not good access I'm afraid.

Best of luck!
Was it something like this?


I'm having trouble setting the rivnut with the 2 wrench method since the rivnut just keeps spinning while trying to tighten the bottom nut.
Appreciate 0
      06-23-2020, 06:35 PM   #279
PLF69
Colonel
PLF69's Avatar
3763
Rep
2,700
Posts

Drives: 2023 M3
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Quebec

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by chip_dip19 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nezil View Post
The method I used was described on a website somewhere, but I can't remember which one. In any case, what I did was to use a bolt with a washer, an oversized nut, and a serrated shake proof washer. That's the order that they go in as well. You then simply tighten the bolt whilst holding the oversized nut with another spanner (wrench). For me this ended up needing a 17mm and a 19mm spanner; 19 to hold the oversized nut, and 17 to tighten down.

The way this works is that the shake proof washer gets crushed into the soft metal of the oversized nut and the rivnut, allowing you to effectively hold the rivnut still while you tighten the bolt, which pulls up the rivnut tight.

I did find that I needed a new shake proof washer for each side, because after it was crushed the first time, it didn't grip so well any more.

The more difficult thing to do is to torque the bolt down after you've fitted the brace, because it's sort of under the fender, and in a kind of cup; not good access I'm afraid.

Best of luck!
Was it something like this?


I'm having trouble setting the rivnut with the 2 wrench method since the rivnut just keeps spinning while trying to tighten the bottom nut.
You just have to press on the rivnut while you tighten it.
__________________
Fun/HPDE: 2023 M3 6MT Individual Malachite
Past:2023 M4 CSL, 2022 M4C Vert, 2020 M340i, 2018 M2, 2015 M235i, 2008 135i 550whp
Daily: 2023 X5 45e
Daily/Family: 2021 Atlas Cross Sport 3.6
Appreciate 0
      06-24-2020, 03:01 PM   #280
chip_dip19
Private First Class
Canada
150
Rep
172
Posts

Drives: 2018 M2
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Toronto, Ontario

iTrader: (0)

Got it. Ended up just using an impact initially to crush it slightly so it stopped spinning. Finished off by hand crushing the rest of it.

Did anyone else need to trim the plastic piece by the windshield below the brace for it to fit? It seems the area is molded for the stock brace only
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      06-24-2020, 03:52 PM   #281
M Fifty
Banned
844
Rep
1,962
Posts

Drives: M2 & 330CI
Join Date: May 2018
Location: The Interweb

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by chip_dip19 View Post
Got it. Ended up just using an impact initially to crush it slightly so it stopped spinning. Finished off by hand crushing the rest of it.

Did anyone else need to trim the plastic piece by the windshield below the brace for it to fit? It seems the area is molded for the stock brace only
Erm. No?
Appreciate 0
      06-28-2020, 10:41 AM   #282
3t3p
Major
New Zealand
453
Rep
1,389
Posts

Drives: M2
Join Date: May 2018
Location: NZ

iTrader: (0)

My garage didn't trim centre trim either from what I can gather/see
Appreciate 0
      06-28-2020, 10:51 AM   #283
PLF69
Colonel
PLF69's Avatar
3763
Rep
2,700
Posts

Drives: 2023 M3
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Quebec

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by chip_dip19 View Post
Got it. Ended up just using an impact initially to crush it slightly so it stopped spinning. Finished off by hand crushing the rest of it.

Did anyone else need to trim the plastic piece by the windshield below the brace for it to fit? It seems the area is molded for the stock brace only
It's a tight fit but you have to squeeze the bar in there at the same time to put the flapper down "kind of"
__________________
Fun/HPDE: 2023 M3 6MT Individual Malachite
Past:2023 M4 CSL, 2022 M4C Vert, 2020 M340i, 2018 M2, 2015 M235i, 2008 135i 550whp
Daily: 2023 X5 45e
Daily/Family: 2021 Atlas Cross Sport 3.6
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2020, 03:00 PM   #284
SM2
Major
SM2's Avatar
United_States
717
Rep
1,292
Posts

Drives: 2015 Audi S6 | 2017 BMW M2 | 2
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: WI

iTrader: (0)

https://bimmercat.com/bmw/en/search/...on/ECE/51_9769
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      07-14-2020, 08:11 AM   #285
SM2
Major
SM2's Avatar
United_States
717
Rep
1,292
Posts

Drives: 2015 Audi S6 | 2017 BMW M2 | 2
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: WI

iTrader: (0)

Are some of you not using 31122284857 strut tower bracing and reinforcement strut tower bit? 31302285700
Appreciate 0
      07-14-2020, 01:14 PM   #286
M Fifty
Banned
844
Rep
1,962
Posts

Drives: M2 & 330CI
Join Date: May 2018
Location: The Interweb

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SM2 View Post
Are some of you not using 31122284857 strut tower bracing and reinforcement strut tower bit? 31302285700
It's not used on the M2C, but does fit. So some have and some haven't.

Yet to see some at a price I like though.

HTH
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
bmw m3, bmw m4, carbon fiber strut conversion

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:26 AM.




m2
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST