Dinan CF Strut Braces Installed…with a little twist >>>

Recently installed a set of Dinan CF Strut Braces with my own personal touch to them…Red painted Strut Tower Rings. First time I've seen this in the E9X M3 community.

More detailed pics and a short guide can be found here:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=994558

Enjoy the pics!

IMG_5234aa by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_5238aa by dj_dub, on Flickr

IMG_5251aa by dj_dub, on Flickr

what exactly do these do? Do they offer any benefit over the stock braces? And what is that white cylindrical object on the far left side of the engine bay in the first pic? Is it an overflow tank for the powersteering?

Weight on the old vs new?

Petros wrote

what exactly do these do? Do they offer any benefit over the stock braces? And what is that white cylindrical object on the far left side of the engine bay in the first pic? Is it an overflow tank for the powersteering?

Dinan claims it will improve chassis rigidity, however for me...this was purchased purely for cosmetic reasons. I knew someone would ask about that white circle. Haha It's nothing but a louder alarm horn.

Richbot wrote

Weight on the old vs new?

Not exactly sure...here's a link to the product on the Dinan website. IMO, the weight savings are too small to notice a difference.

http://dinancars.com/product/d180-0011-front-carbon-fiber-strut-tower-braces/?series=M-series&mid=1113/

Looks great, OP! Nice way to add some accent to our otherwise dreary engine bay!

Nicely photographed too. No "apologies for crappy iPhone pic" disclaimer needed for this post.

LOVE it!! Now go paint your plenum cover in the same red to match!!

sig5x wrote

Looks great, OP! Nice way to add some accent to our otherwise dreary engine bay!

Thanks man, I agree! ...really breaks up all the black.

GTMOT wrote

Nicely photographed too. No "apologies for crappy iPhone pic" disclaimer needed for this post.

Haha Thank you! ...these pics were shot with my Canon 5d MkII DSLR and a couple of Canon L lenses (16-35mm f/2.8L & 24-105 f/4L IS). <---My other hobby.

nicebraces wrote

LOVE it!! Now go paint your plenum cover in the same red to match!!

Thank you! I was thinking the same thing...or maybe just wait till I possibly go SC and paint that plenum red instead.

How much did they cost and how was the install?

808@702 wrote

How much did they cost and how was the install?

The install is a handful of bolts. It'd take no more than five minutes tops.

808@702 wrote

How much did they cost and how was the install?

The Dinan Strut Braces were $250 shipped on sale. Regular price is $300 + shipping. Install was very easy. Check my thread in this link for a more thorough review and pics of the installation process: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=994558

tinman831 wrote

The install is a handful of bolts. It'd take no more than five minutes tops.

Definitely takes a little more than 5mins to complete the install. I'd say 30mins taking your sweet ass time, 15mins if you're speedy gonzales. lol

i know u!

duk wrote

i know u!

Haha Wassup Kory!

Thanks for the idea. I just used what was there to get a similar look. I could not find the Dinan units under 3 bills so I went el cheapo! Again Thanks for the idea

If you are flexing the stock bars on your race car, the Dinan part would be great. Is anyone flexing their stock bars? They are pretty short and straight so it does not seem likely to me. I would think the car would have to be a serious track car to flex the stock bars.

I've been putting this on ice for awhile. I might have to do them soon before they're NLA

pbonsalb wrote

If you are flexing the stock bars on your race car, the Dinan part would be great. Is anyone flexing their stock bars? They are pretty short and straight so it does not seem likely to me. I would think the car would have to be a serious track car to flex the stock bars.

How can you tell if you flex them lol

Anyone know if these parts save weight? If so how much?

* I noticed that Dinan is now selling these for over $500. Geeze

slicer wrote

Anyone know if these parts save weight? If so how much?

* I noticed that Dinan is now selling these for over $500. Geeze

I'm sure they're lighter but mostly engine ornaments. Does Dinan have the weights listed on their site?

CF is light for its strength. Probably stronger and lighter. But those stock bars are pretty short and hollow so they don’t weigh much. Can’t remember whether they are aluminum or steel. My guess is you would be paying at least $250 per lb of weight savings. I assume you are pretty skinny.

They’re aluminum. You can lose about 2lb if you chuck them in the garbage

But hey every ounce counce

If they are aluminum, I think you’ll be paying $500 per lb savings. These should go well with titanium lug nuts. I’d go on a diet unless I was already really skinny.