Stock Subframe + Swaybar Upgrade = Bad mix?

This may be a dumb question but... I have an 04 330ci with the stock chassis (no reinforcements) and I was wondering if installing stiffer sway bars would put more stress on the subframe and shock mounts... Just out of curiosity.

Yes it probably will. The Hotchkis actually has some sort of reinforcement plates included with the rear swaybar. How well they work I don't know.

I'd think the additional stress would be only on the sway bar bushing mounts and the links. Not the shocks or subframes.

Nah I don't see how it would be. The subframe mounts are in a different part of the chassis. The swaybars only have issue with the mounting tabs of the bracket but don't pull on the subframe mounts at all.

Thanks for the input you guys. I think I'll hold off on the sway bars until I get something like this... from Mason Engineering

http://www.masonengineering.net/Subpages/E46.htm

^lol i don't think i'd ever put that hideous thing in my trunk.
i prefer having my 2 12" subs

Originally Posted by asma123

^lol i don't think i'd ever put that hideous thing in my trunk.
i prefer having my 2 12" subs

I prefer the rotting human carcasses in mine.

Originally Posted by vicariously13

Thanks for the input you guys. I think I'll hold off on the sway bars until I get something like this... from Mason Engineering

http://www.masonengineering.net/Subpages/E46.htm

I didn't mean to scare you and wasn't clear. It may stress some of the chassis, namely some part of the subframe but certainly the sway bar mounting points. The Hotchkis reinforces these.

If anything it would put less stress on the shock towers and the like, as the sway does more work.

A 20mm rear convertible/iX bar is a very solid upgrade- and it won't harm your car at all.

25mm Z4 M Sport front, 20mm Convertible rear is an excellent combination.

I used to have Hotchkis but prefer my new setup. It is possible to have too much sway bar.

^ Z4M has a 27mm bar. Sounds like you have the Z4 non-M bar

Originally Posted by asma123

^lol i don't think i'd ever put that hideous thing in my trunk.
i prefer having my 2 12" subs

Loud bass isn't my style for my car. I used to have a 12" 1000 watt JBL in the back of my VW but that was a whole different animal all together. I want my car to be mean, not pimp-ish.

I would install them and not worry about it. The Mason braces like that are nice, but kind of silly when you consider the law of diminishing returns versus a REAL cage.

I was thinking about getting the Bavarian Autosport sway bars. The front is 27mm and the rear is 23mm... anyone have any experience with these?

Originally Posted by lcoleman

I would install them and not worry about it. The Mason braces like that are nice, but kind of silly when you consider the law of diminishing returns versus a REAL cage.

Explain what you mean by the "law of diminishing returns" please.

Originally Posted by TerraPhantm

^ Z4M has a 27mm bar. Sounds like you have the Z4 non-M bar

I said Z4 M Sport.

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...49&hg=31&fg=10

PS: Thanks for the S-04 vs PSS comparison! I had been looking around for a first hand analysis. I was tempted to try the S-04 after I burn my PSS up, but now I won't.

Im running the Mason Rear sub frame brace along with the Cross bars for added reinforcement. Ill be running this along with a full cage thats being installed early next year. Thing held up great along with my sub frame after a season of drifting abuse lol. I also know a few other pro e46 drift builds that tied in a solid sub frame brace along with there cage.

For those who follow FD this is mike essas latest e46 drift build showing the cage/subframe reinforcement all tied together. ideally the mason product is a similar concept and works awsome. Also the Hotchiks sway bars include the reinforcement for the subframe where the sway bars connect, which definitely doesnt hurt too have, being it is a weak point on our cars overall.