2008 Stage 3 ROUSH - Rebirth...

tigerhonaker

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Gerald,

Man you do excellent pics buddy. :hi:

It all looks great !!!


Terry
 

AutoXRacer

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Guess what guys...

Remember last year when I finished the car and took it to Race Wars for the first time....and I broke a BMR radiator support...?

Guess what I just found today...?

The driver side sway bar mount failed. sigh

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Passenger side looks OK

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Last year it was the passenger side that failed.

Time to call Kelly at BMR...

What is weird is that I tracked the car last year about 3-4 times (road race/HPDE) and the radiator support was fine.
Now, the common theme is Race Wars. Last year when I broke the first one (passenger side failed) I had just completed my very first Race Wars event.
I am now thinking if its the pitching forward and back thats braking these (this is the older version which is no longer in production); When I launch the noce is somewhat pitching up all the way to the finish line, then as soon as I cross the 1/4 mark, I slam on my brakes pitching the nose down.

Is that whats killing it?
 
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AutoXRacer

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Looking at the rust on the top of the crack, I'd say it's been cracked for a little while.

I was wondering about the rusty color...

I'm bummed out, this might be the last week of rain-free weather before the fall really sets in and I have to remove the drag radials. :(

I was hoping to whore out the car before the rain started (w/drags radials). After that street tires which are boring. lol
 

skwerl

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You don't need the front sway bar to drag race. Most unhook or remove it for better weight transfer anyway. Go drag race!
 

AutoXRacer

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You don't need the front sway bar to drag race. Most unhook or remove it for better weight transfer anyway. Go drag race!

I won't do that... I'm not a pro-drag racer. I just to it for fun and an opportunity to open her up without going to jail. lol

You think its the drag racing breaking the support?
 

Pentalab

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I won't do that... I'm not a pro-drag racer. I just to it for fun and an opportunity to open her up without going to jail. lol

You think its the drag racing breaking the support?

IF you toss the front sway bar, your handling could easily get worse for street use.
What size DR's are you using.. how wide and what width rim?
Another option might be 11.5" wide forgestars on the rear...with 315 mm wide nitto invo's..and the requisite offset of course. I think the invo's have a 200-220 tread wear rating. Then use a 285 or 295 front tire.
 

one eyed willy

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I won't do that... I'm not a pro-drag racer. I just to it for fun and an opportunity to open her up without going to jail. lol

You think its the drag racing breaking the support?

i would think the track days would hurt it alot more. its getting used the most on a autocross or road course. disconnecting for drag racing just helps with weight transfer but i dont think it really twistsmuch.
 

AutoXRacer

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IF you toss the front sway bar, your handling could easily get worse for street use.
What size DR's are you using.. how wide and what width rim?
Another option might be 11.5" wide forgestars on the rear...with 315 mm wide nitto invo's..and the requisite offset of course. I think the invo's have a 200-220 tread wear rating. Then use a 285 or 295 front tire.

I'm using the ROUSH forged wheel 18x10 with some Mickey Thompson ET Streets in a 305/35/18 size. Looking to go with a 305/45/18 size next time.
Although I don't think it will fit due to the Steeda sport springs being on the low side.
 

BMR Tech

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I am aware of the issue, and will be sending Gerald out our newer design.

Here is what the new version looks like:





This current design has proven to be indestructible. No issues with it, and I have got a lot being beat on, hard.

Also, we have been testing it with a sway bar set to 1144lb/in. for about 1 year now. To put that into perspective, most "beefy" bars out there max out (stiffest rate) at about 550lb/in.
 

AutoXRacer

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Wow, that does look a lot beefier!!! Holy smokes!!

I got to say, I have broken two BMR radiator supports, but that does not deter me from buying more BMR parts (although I think I have most of their parts already). Kelly has provided just amazing customer support and the BMR stuff is pretty nice.

Thank you Kelly!!! You guys are awesome!!!
 

BMR Tech

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Yes - you definitely have our full catalog under that car.

As for this part - we literally started the new design process about 30 mins after you sent us your first broken piece. We started analysis on your part - and before we even concluded what the issue was - it was apparent that it didn't matter, simply because it should not happen. That is why the new design is so robust - regardless of weld quality, material quality, etc....I don't want to see the mount just come off. With the new design, even a cracked / compromised tube/weld...and the mount likely won't fall off.

I am going to send it out today for you.

Thanks for the words.
 

skwerl

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OK, I'm up to speed now. I thought Gerald got the redesigned piece already, not just a second radiator support of the original design.

And yes, BMR's customer service is as good as it gets.
 

retfr8flyr

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Yes - you definitely have our full catalog under that car.

As for this part - we literally started the new design process about 30 mins after you sent us your first broken piece. We started analysis on your part - and before we even concluded what the issue was - it was apparent that it didn't matter, simply because it should not happen. That is why the new design is so robust - regardless of weld quality, material quality, etc....I don't want to see the mount just come off. With the new design, even a cracked / compromised tube/weld...and the mount likely won't fall off.

I am going to send it out today for you.

Thanks for the words.

What about the rest of us with the BMR K member, do we just wait for ours to break and you will send us a new one or what?
 

AutoXRacer

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What about the rest of us with the BMR K member, do we just wait for ours to break and you will send us a new one or what?

Why would the k-member break???
That is a pretty stout part...I can't imagine it ever breaking considering you can jack up the front of the car with it (although not recommended).

Have you broken yours?

The only time I have ever heard of a k-member being damaged is due to a front end accident where the car was totaled.
 

BMR Tech

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What about the rest of us with the BMR K member, do we just wait for ours to break and you will send us a new one or what?

We have a 2-year warranty on our parts. It is basically a "no hassle" warranty. Of course, I cannot warranty a part that is not caused by design or manufacturing defect.

As for customers who have had a part longer than 2 years, it does not mean we leave 'em out on their own, if they have an issue. If it is due to our manufacturing, then we will work with the customer on revising the situation.

That said, the issue here was the Radiator Support - not the K-Member.

:beerdrink:
 

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