Diagonal cross braces don't fit after exhaust install.
 

After installing the Alta exhaust for a Cooper S Hatchback, the diagonal cross braces under the car no longer fit. They do not clear the exhaust.

1) Are these cross braces used for anything other than stiffening the chassis?

2) Are there any solutions to this problem or has anyone else run into it?

Thanks.

on the 1st gen cabrios the guys put spacers between the brace and body to give it the space needed.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2.../rearbrace.jpg

see https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...737-post3.html

That does look like a valid solution.
I think we might need some more room than that though. Would using this type of spacer compromise the handling characteristic of the car?

on the 1st gen cabs it was not a handling brace it's a safety brace to help stop that SUV from hitting the back of your front seats in a rear ender.

They look like they are for stiffening the chassis on the R56. Here are some pictures of the problem.

https://img195.imageshack.us/img195/9102/mini5x.jpg

https://img195.imageshack.us/img195/1105/mini2m.jpg

https://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6861/mini6p.jpg

where all is it hitting?

I believe its hitting the forward most resonator right after the cat. Those are just the photos from the shop that is doing to install.

I'm not installing it, I'm just trying to fix the problem.

I'd call Alta tech and see what they say. If that Catback was not changed to fit the R57 you will need to make some kind a spacer system.

Thanks for all of your help. The problem is solved momentarily with a spacer. That will be replaced with a new brace that is made specifically to fit this exhaust. I'll post pics of it when I get home.

Please let me know how this project goes because I'd like to install an exhaust as well, and it seems like there aren't any exhaust designed for the R57.

I'll post pics later today. I've been busy with work so I couldn't get the pics of what we went with last night.

Its essentially a spacer like the pictures that Dustin posted, but it is slightly larger for the R57. This is only temporary though. We will be figuring out a permanent solution in the near future. More likely than not it will be a custom rear brace.

Thanks again to Dustin for all of his help yesterday.

And just for the record, the Alta system sounds fantastic. Slightly more mellow than my dad's JCW R56, but much better sounding than stock. When the car pulls away it sounds great.

Let us know when that permanent fix is available. Catback replacement is definitely on my short list for my R57. I've been sufficiently scared away from the turbo-back solutions...

We are working to get the exhaust to fit PERFECTLY. We will keep y'all posted!!

Please get the exhaust done asap! I can't stand driving this quiet car any longer. :-)

The exhaust is done, just we're working on a solution for the brace. I think we may have it finalized next week. I'll post the temporary solution tomorrow. It isn't pretty, but it got us on the road for the time being.

https://img526.imageshack.us/img526/5558/dsc0353i.jpg

Here is the current solution. As you can see, it isn't the most elegant way to solve this problem. We will be figuring out something permanent this week.

The problem will be assessed next wednesday. We are going to eliminate the V-Band clamp that is causing the issue and weld that connection.

As soon as there is an update, I'll post more info. Hopefully with the clamp gone, we will have a good deal more clearance for the cross braces.