[M4Lou]

What are most of you guys doing w/ the stock strut brace. It is clearly a good brace - albeit ugly and super heavy.

?keep it
CFiber?
Aluminum?

No way I drop the coin for a CSL one. Not a real Cfiber fan, personally - at least for a strut brace.

I like the look of the fallout boy/fall line deal. But it is pretty high$.

What about the Motech aluminum? Anyone have that??

[Mapper]

The stock brace is an eyesore for sure and extremely heavy.
I cant suggest anything as I chose opposite of what you are looking for. The OE brace wouodnt be so bad if the welds were cleaned up even.

[SwankPeRFection]

CSL or bust. Maybe the prices will come back down to what they were in the past once the M4 CS gets released. Only reason prices jumped up is because BMW and resellers were seeing an influx of orders for them. They were cheap initially.

[M4Lou]

Originally Posted by Mapper

The stock brace is an eyesore for sure and extremely heavy.
I cant suggest anything as I chose opposite of what you are looking for. The OE brace wouodnt be so bad if the welds were cleaned up even.

Mapper - which CF did you go with?

[Lupeskew]

Just a word of warning. I have the Dinan cold air intake and the Hexon Carbon Fiber strut brace will not fit with the Dinan installed. The "V" portion is the problem part and does not fit.

[TopJimmy]

I’m thinking of this billet aluminum one from PLM for $595.
https://speedzone-web.com/products/p...RoCpM4QAvD_BwE

[Mapper]

Originally Posted by M4Lou

Mapper - which CF did you go with?

Karbonius.
Black friday price.

[M4Lou]

Originally Posted by Mapper

Karbonius.
Black friday price.

that is stunning...!

If you ever have to remove again, weight it for us. I think the weight of the stock, crow-bar is 8.5lbs.

Appreciate all the responses here. I could not find a "decent" strut bar thread w/ them discussed.

And main reason for my concern w/ CF is that a lot** of them "look" like bling. CF struts, glued to heim joints or whatever. I want my brace to be at least as rigid as stock - and PLENTY do not look that way (they look like they are triggering the need for bling).

[GT_Juls]

On the same boat only thing worth is the fall line one but price is too high

[Mapper]

Notes say 4.0lbs.
It is a solid piece.

[M4Lou]

Originally Posted by GT_Juls

On the same boat only thing worth is the fall line one but price is too high

The fall-line deal is high, agreed. Also, stock is 8.5lbs - Fall is 7.5.

There is an outfit called motech w/ something similar/way cheaper. Gotta think it is less rigid. but idk!

[RUNSOK]

Originally Posted by Mapper

Notes say 4.0lbs.
It is a solid piece.

Wow that is a decent weight reduction. Is it pretty functional too, not just for bling and weight savings?? I mean if it functions as good as the stock one, then it is a win win situation.

[JDUNITNOW]

Originally Posted by Mapper

Karbonius.
Black friday price.

I don't care if it was red Tuesday, green Thursday, that damn thing is expensive 🤣

[SwankPeRFection]

Originally Posted by JDUNITNOW

I don't care if it was red Tuesday, green Thursday, that damn thing is expensive 🤣

Agreed. For less than that, I can get a CSL brace and guarantee it’s stiffer on the torsional axis than the carbon one is. May not look as good, but…

[Mapper]

Originally Posted by JDUNITNOW

I don't care if it was red Tuesday, green Thursday, that damn thing is expensive 🤣

Hahaha yeaa... It was a decent discount but still...

[Mapper]

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

Agreed. For less than that, I can get a CSL brace and guarantee it’s stiffer on the torsional axis than the carbon one is. May not look as good, but…

its the same price.

[USMC_Sam]

The Karbonius brace looks cool but I think it’s a flawed design. Carbon fiber bonded to aluminum has questionable longevity. Aluminum (anode) will corrode (galvanicly) with time when in contact with carbon (cathode). It can’t be avoided because moisture (electrolyte) is everywhere. Karbonuis could have used a material barrier (like fiber glass) but that would reduce the joint stiffness and create a weak point. Typically in aerospace applications, stainless steel or titanium are used with carbon fiber to lower the difference in electrical potential prevent corrosion and increase product life/relaibilty.

[M4Lou]

Originally Posted by USMC_Sam

The Karbonius brace looks cool but I think it’s a flawed design. Carbon fiber bonded to aluminum has questionable longevity. Aluminum (anode) will corrode (galvanicly) with time when in contact with carbon (cathode). It can’t be avoided because moisture (electrolyte) is everywhere. Karbonuis could have used a material barrier (like fiber glass) but that would reduce the joint stiffness and create a weak point. Typically in aerospace applications, stainless steel or titanium are used with carbon fiber to lower the difference in electrical potential prevent corrosion and increase product life/relaibilty.

Respectully - I've been warned about Galvanic effect/isolation for years using aluminum muscle car cylinder heads or aluminum intake manifolds paired w/ stainless or other fasters. I just didn't see it much in real life. Just me though.

That Karbonius is high$$, but looks stiff/rigid. Do a search for strut braces. There are many, many now - half of which (both aluminum and CF) look like they'd bend like a sapling over a knee. If I change/upgrade - I want it to "be" an upgrade. Not just some bling.

[kgelfen360]

Originally Posted by M4Lou

Respectully - I've been warned about Galvanic effect/isolation for years using aluminum muscle car cylinder heads or aluminum intake manifolds paired w/ stainless or other fasters. I just didn't see it much in real life. Just me though.

That Karbonius is high$$, but looks stiff/rigid. Do a search for strut braces. There are many, many now - half of which (both aluminum and CF) look like they'd bend like a sapling over a knee. If I change/upgrade - I want it to "be" an upgrade. Not just some bling.

I think most people here getting them for looks. They just want more carbon under the bonnet. Personally not for me given the price and no clear benefit. I’d just get CSL at least we know it does something.

[USMC_Sam]

Originally Posted by M4Lou

Respectully - I've been warned about Galvanic effect/isolation for years using aluminum muscle car cylinder heads or aluminum intake manifolds paired w/ stainless or other fasters. I just didn't see it much in real life. Just me though.

That Karbonius is high$$, but looks stiff/rigid. Do a search for strut braces. There are many, many now - half of which (both aluminum and CF) look like they'd bend like a sapling over a knee. If I change/upgrade - I want it to "be" an upgrade. Not just some bling.

The closer they are (laterally) on this chart the less the severity of corrosion. AL and Carbon (graphite) is almost as worse as it gets.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_series

As for stiffness, I'm assuming torsional stiffness is whats needed. Having 5 mount points, like the CS style, brace only offers marginal increase in stiffness with a 1 lb (ish) weight adder (solid AL vs tube/box steel).

I agree with M4Lou, If I change/upgrade - I want it to "be" an upgrade. Not just some bling.

[somer]

Originally Posted by USMC_Sam

The Karbonius brace looks cool but I think it’s a flawed design. Carbon fiber bonded to aluminum has questionable longevity. Aluminum (anode) will corrode (galvanicly) with time when in contact with carbon (cathode). It can’t be avoided because moisture (electrolyte) is everywhere. Karbonuis could have used a material barrier (like fiber glass) but that would reduce the joint stiffness and create a weak point. Typically in aerospace applications, stainless steel or titanium are used with carbon fiber to lower the difference in electrical potential prevent corrosion and increase product life/relaibilty.

M3SQRD any comments?

[RUNSOK]

so which strut brace is considered a decent upgrade for performance only and not bling and pop the hood purposes??