Miata Mailing List: January 1995, Message #77
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   From: Bruce Sanchez 
Subject: Suspension Crossbracing
   Date: Wed, 4 Jan 1995 01:26:52 -0500


>The Fall issue of the magazine reviews cross braces for pre-1994 Miatas.
>One item discussed is a package from Brainstorm for about $130 that
>includes a front subframe brace and a rear cockpit brace that connects the
>bolts for the shoulder harnesses just behind the headrests.  These items
>would supposedly make an earlier Miata similar to the current models in
>their stiffness.

>Does anyone have any experience with these or similar items?  Do the
>modifications affect ride? Steering?  Or just the stiffness of the body?
>Are the differences noticable on the road or just on the track?  Is your
>experience the same as what is reported in the fall Magazine article?

I have installed the GAB Strut Tower Brace on my 1993 C Package...works 
well, although it's difficult for me to isolate its effect since it was part 
of a suspension overhaul including GAB adjustable shocks, Eibach progressive 
rate springs, and Rod Millen anti-sway bars with graphite impregnated sway 
bar bushings.  The cars is definitely stiffer, more lively, handles 
significantly better than stock during fast cornering, is more predictable 
in its oversteer, and is a nice compromise in my mind between performance 
and comfort.

For those who feel that the stock suspension is "stiff enough," particularly 
during straight line driving, I would not recommend the extensive overhaul I 
listed above because the new setup is decidedly stiffer overall than stock, 
and this characteristic is most noticeable during straight line, freeway 
type driving.

Note that the strut tower brace cannot be used with most (all?) supercharged 
or turbocharged engines because of interference between the 
turbo/supercharger and the brace.

BTW, I am starting to notice a lack of stopping capacity with the 
Miata...4has nybody upgraded the braking system on a '93 or earlier?  Any 
experience with vented rotors, different disks, pads, lines, etc. would be 
much appreciated.

Bruce