SMIC middle lower hard pipe

[S3AMJ]

Evening everyone, just been working on the car this weekend. I’m going to be removing the standard SMIC’s and was wondering, the hard pipe connecting the two in the middle lower. Is it “structural” strengthens the chassis, etc or can it be removed? Would free up a lot of useful space.

Thanks,

Ash


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[Bez480123]

I’ve left mine in...mainly due to other pipework been mounted from it! Maybe something I’d revisit at a later date & possibly fabricate some mountings for the other bits? It is a big lump like! Lol

Bez


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[scotty_24]

Same, left mine as there's stuff bolted to it

 

[<tuffty/>]

I removed mine and made a bracket to hold the PAS pipes...

Some say it helps stiffen the chassis but I don't think Prawn has any issues going round corners without it....

Its not really anywhere near the loaded point of the suspension so can't really see it being that useful... I'd rather have the access to the oil fiter

<tuffty/>

 

[S3AMJ]

I removed mine and made a bracket to hold the PAS pipes...

Some say it helps stiffen the chassis but I don't think Prawn has any issues going round corners without it....

Its not really anywhere near the loaded point of the suspension so can't really see it being that useful... I'd rather have the access to the oil fiter

<tuffty/>

You read my mind Tuffty! That’s exactly why I wanted to remove it, getting your hands/arms in and around there is a PITA with it in the way! I changed my power steering pipes over the weekend and it was a pig. Being as Prawn has removed his I’ll be doing the same when I change my SMIC’s


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[<tuffty/>]

Prawn didn't remove his... the A3 simply doesn't have one.... K04 turbo'd engines only... and some 180hp TT quattros iirc... the LCR has an alloy version thats not bolted to the chassis

<tuffty/>

 

[S3AMJ]

Prawn didn't remove his... the A3 simply doesn't have one.... K04 turbo'd engines only... and some 180hp TT quattros iirc... the LCR has an alloy version thats not bolted to the chassis

<tuffty/>

Sorry my mistake, I thought I read prawn had removed his. I’ll be pulling mine out then, although when I had a quick look at it Sunday... it looks welded to the chassis?


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[<tuffty/>]

Nah... its bolted on...

<tuffty/>

 

[desertstorm]

The factory must think it does something as it's fitted on the 3.2 v6 TT's and they have no side mount intercoolers. It does stiffen the front structure, along with the front bumper these are the only 2 things solidly locating the front of the chassis rails.

 

[<tuffty/>]

Would imagine its more they couldn't be bothered to design a bracket to replace the one the hard pipe provides for the PAS pipe

<tuffty/>