E46 CF reinforcement panel

[BADCLOWN]

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/e9x-2008-2013/82306-diy-slonik-e9x-cf-reinforcement-panel#post82414


As ridiculous as it is because you can’t see this at all when In the car, I still kind of want it haha. I can’t imagine that it provides an insane amount of increased stability but it’s pretty damn cool

[t.er]

There's another giant thread on nam3f with like 90+ responses over the past 3 or 4 days, it's insane. If bonded correctly it could increase torsional stiffness a decent amount as it prevents that entire rectangular open section at the rear bulkhead from "parallelogramming". The company selling it say they're in the process of making their own torsional testing rig, so I'm quite curious for the results.

But let's be real here, it's for the bling factor - you could make your own from sheet metal if you are purely after torsional stiffness gains and willing to sacrifice a bit of weight

[BADCLOWN]

I’m not insanely knowledgeable on the matter but wouldn’t a proper rear strut bar cover some of that “issue”

[t.er]

Oh absolutely, especially the ones that triangulate to the rear RACP mounting points in the floor. They aren't as practical though (but neither is this shear panel, as there'd be no point folding down your rear seats anymore).

I think these have more potential to add higher torsional stiffness compared to rear strut bars though, as they effectively close out all the way to the roof rather than just tying all the subframe and rear shock hardpoints together

[Galapolis]

Pinging rigidity nerd @ZHPizza

Chassis stiffness on the sedan goes from 13k Nm/deg to 18k on a non-folding seat version. That's almost a 40% increase in stiffness. If this could be applied to an E46 coupe as is suggested in the linked thread, it should get stiffness up into the region of 17.5k based on the sedan numbers.

Also the X-Brace I have increased rear stiffness very noticeably. So much in fact that the car felt unbalanced until I ordered a front strut bar, which brought back some balance.

Combining that CF panel with a X-Brace should feel pretty amazing.

[t.er]

For anyone interested here's the massive thread I mentioned (https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/82417-group-buy-for-slonik-cf-rear-bulkhead-which-can-optionally-be-a-back-seat-delete), there's a group buy going on there

[BADCLOWN]

I don’t track my car or any of that stuff. I enjoy proper handling (still need aftermarket sways) but I solely would want that for vanity, pending you would actually be able to see it which you wouldn’t


Where’s the CF hoarder Charlie at? Probably punching in his order right now haha

[cakM3]

I don’t track my car or any of that stuff. I enjoy proper handling (still need aftermarket sways) but I solely would want that for vanity, pending you would actually be able to see it which you wouldn’t


Where’s the CF hoarder Charlie at? Probably punching in his order right now haha

You're cracking me up Jacob! I saw the item you linked and liked it, yes but for me it is not a practical mod I am willing to do. I have enough to keep me busy regarding carbon fiber mods though but thanks for thinking of me :thumbsup. In fact, I have something lined up....

[ZHPizza]

Oh yeah I've been following it on nam3f. Love the idea. Not sure they'll see that much on the m3 chassis though since it had quite a bit of a stiffness bump over the non-m from the factory (seam welds vs spot welds in some areas, extra bracing, etc). I'm sure whatever numbers they get from their test rig will be totally legitimate lol.

Also glad to hear that you felt a big difference from the x brace @Galapolis. I can definitely feel it too, but don't have the monoball RTABs installed yet so still sloppy.

Filling that cavity could still be beneficial for us though. There's some flex in that cavity even with the x brace. See the video here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CD_vyQ0DOsc/?igshid=1w07yq07wyxp9

[Galapolis]

Filling that cavity could still be beneficial for us though. There's some flex in that cavity even with the x brace. See the video here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CD_vyQ0DOsc/?igshid=1w07yq07wyxp9

Not sure if I spazzed out or something but I'm only now seeing this. WOW. I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE:

https://dmgautosport.net/products/e46-co-op

Price seems quite steep for what it is though.

[ZHPizza]

Not sure if I spazzed out or something but I'm only now seeing this. WOW. I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE:

https://dmgautosport.net/products/e46-co-op

Price seems quite steep for what it is though.Yeah it's about a $150 part for me, if that. I'd be interested to see how much flex is actually there because the video could have been <1mm with how they conducted the test.

I like to do this kind of stuff by tying a (non-stretchable) string between two points, applying load, and measuring how much sag you get in the string. Would definitely be worth doing on your car to see if there is any flex in that area with the solid rear seat panel.

[t.er]

Yeah it's about a $150 part for me, if that. I'd be interested to see how much flex is actually there because the video could have been <1mm with how they conducted the test.

I like to do this kind of stuff by tying a (non-stretchable) string between two points, applying load, and measuring how much sag you get in the string. Would definitely be worth doing on your car to see if there is any flex in that area with the solid rear seat panel.

Yeah, what they should've done was removed the bolt altogether, drive up on the ramps, and check how misaligned the two holes were.

Also lol I initially interpreted your first remark as "I could make this for about $150" rather than "I'd only be willing to spend $150 on it" :rofl

[Galapolis]

Yeah it's about a $150 part for me, if that. I'd be interested to see how much flex is actually there because the video could have been <1mm with how they conducted the test.

I like to do this kind of stuff by tying a (non-stretchable) string between two points, applying load, and measuring how much sag you get in the string. Would definitely be worth doing on your car to see if there is any flex in that area with the solid rear seat panel.

Shieeed sounds like I should plan another trip to Charlotte and the German restaurant in the near future.

I'm having some naughty thoughts right now (X-Brace + CO-OP + half cage) Hmmmmm...


Also lol I initially interpreted your first remark as "I could make this for about $150" rather than "I'd only be willing to spend $150 on it" :rofl

Why not both

[ZHPizza]

Shieeed sounds like I should plan another trip to Charlotte and the German restaurant in the near future.

I'm having some naughty thoughts right now (X-Brace + CO-OP + half cage) Hmmmmm...



Why not bothWe'll do the red car too.

Stiffest vs sloppiest e46 chassis compete in a flex off.

[t.er]

I'm having some naughty thoughts right now (X-Brace + CO-OP + half cage) Hmmmmm...


In an attempt to save you some dolla bills don't forget all that has to come out by next summer