Originally Posted by
YoitsTmac
I too have pondered about the subframe floor for far too long. I personally believe that non-M power and some auto-x is fine with some plates welded in on the bottom and calling it. Does anyone else find the Vince bar seriously expensive for what it is? I think last I asked it was nearly $900 to my door just for the rear mounts. I think it was even here, but it's not a very sophisticated design for what is a few bits of tubed metal welded together. It has a few pieces for aesthetics, but is otherwise a steel bar with some cut steel tube. I know you can say that about anything but you really could recreate it with your second try just measuring carefully.
Someone mentioned a through bolt being better than mounting something on top of the subframe bolts. This is true. I had a long discussion with an engineer about this. I wanted to make something similar to the Vince bar and capitalize on a simple design that's easy to install. When I got an engineer on board, that's when I got the schpeal.
On the other hand, CMP Engineering says that their design transfers to the loads to other parts. It also has gone through multiple revisions. They (he?) actually addressed the concerns of a full bolt through design, and mentioned that he was able to make it thinner and lighter while barely sacrificing rigidity. He also said that his new design isn't the right for most, but more than sufficient for someone who has a supercharged M3.
Honestly, for someone to confidently say they've used less material and still held the same level of added strength, to me that implies someone who genuinely understands how much strength is actually needed for the floor. although a bolt-through would be stronger, CMP seems to have done the math and sees a non-bolt through solution sufficient for sub...say 600hp cars. It's at the right price point and was an insta buy for me.