E34 Subframe Reinforcement Plates - Review
Well, last week I installed Bruno's Subframe Reinforcement plates. Color me satisfied!
First my setup:
1991 535i 5-speed, 180,000 miles
Stock suspension of unknown age, stock swaybars
Recent thrust arms, pittman arms (dog bones) are pretty worn, subframe bushings have very minor cracking (probably still ok).
Tires: Goodyear Eagle HP 215/60/15 in front, 225/60/15 in rear
Installation:
I was removing my A/C for conversion and thought I'd throw these in. Not counting 15 minutes of jacking the car up and setting it down, this took maybe 15 minutes to install. I had the car on jack stands, supported the rear suspension with the jack, and used my impact wrench to pop the 22mm and 13mm nuts off. Then, wipe the dirt off the steel parts, slap Bruno's plate in, and bolt it back up. Easy as pie. I didn't have a torque wrench at that moment, so I tightened them to around 100 foot-pounds with my calibrated elbow and cheater bar.Also, he calls these 'plates', but they are some kind of urethane, not steel or aluminum. Have no fear.
Driving impressions: (100 miles of highway, 50 miles of city, about a week so far)
The first thing I noticed, and probably the biggest difference, is the 'mushy' and 'squatty' feel is VERY much reduced in certain situations. When I pull out of my neighborhood, I often have to accelerate pretty hard through 1st and 2nd gear while turning left. That 1-2 shift under power while turning used to create a big 'squat and squirm' movement in the rear suspension. Not anymore! Power delivery is more controlled and less dramatic, with a much greater sense of firm body and rear suspension connection.
This effect is rather noticeable in applying power in corners. There is a much reduced tendency to 'squat and squirm' at all times when applying power in a corner, with a much more satisfying and controlled 'feel'. Color me impressed!
I don't know yet if this has any effect on wheel hop. (haven't tried any shenanigans)
NVH: I am getting to be a big wuss in my old age, so I was concerned that this modification might increase my NVH levels unacceptably. Those fears were unwarranted. No significant NVH increase at all. There might be a slight increase in audible impact harshness in the rear suspension, but it is so slight as to be totally undetectable with any type of other noise...radio, sunroof, fan motor, etc. Around town with our horrible roads, there is no significant ride difference I can detect.
So, for the price, I highly recommend these. I think they will be sufficient for me to delay my plan to replace all of my rear suspension bushings for a while. I'll do my dogbones sometime and that will probably be good for me for a while.
Armen - no affiation with Bruno or racingking.ca
http://www.racingking.ca/Canada/Scri...?idproduct=693
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Originally Posted by Scott H
