Miata Mailing List: January 1996, Message #105
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   From: RTibbit@aol.com
Subject: Re: subframe bars
   Date: Wed, 3 Jan 1996 01:20:35 -0500

SORRENTINO@sscl.uwo.ca (Richard M. Sorrentino) wrote:
>I was thinking of spending some money on
>a front and rear subframe bar. The Tech Issue '95 of 
>the Miata magazine strongly suggests this for
>older cars (front bar for pre-94's and rear bar
>for pre-92's).
>
>1. Do you folks agree that this
>is a good idea?

I installed the Wiz front and rear braces on my '91.  The car is clearly
stiffer...this is easily felt going over railroad tracks, et cetera.  I also
installed the Brainstorm front sub-frame brace on my '93 Black'n'Red L.E.
 This didn't make as obvious a difference, but that car has fewer miles and a
bit different suspension (sort of an early "R") with Bilstein shocks and
different sway bars.  Overall, I think it's a good idea and would make the
addition again on both cars.
>
>2. Is there any difference between
>the sources for this (i.e., Technosports, Wiz, or
>Brainstorm)?

The Wiz products are made of tubular steel with stamped ends.  The Brainstorm
front bar is made of solid steel -- much heavier.  The 93 L.E. (which is
about 1/2 inch lower than the 91) has bottomed out a few times on rough or
high centered roads.  Since this front bar is the lowest point on the car, it
hits the road when this happens.  Sounds awful, but there is no damage --
this is a tough item.  I think the Wiz product may be damaged if it hit the
road at speed.  The Wiz rear brace is made of the same material as the front
brace and has a curved shape to clear the exhaust pipe.  I don't think it can
be as stiff as the Technosports brace, but it is a lot less expensive.  

>3. Can I install these myself, or should I have it
>done at my Dealer's?

The front bar from either source is truely a piece of cake;  do it yourself.
 The Wiz rear bar is equally simple but you'll have to get the rear
suspension aligned (the bar attaches to the bolts used to vary the
alignment).  Since you'll need to have the rear end aligned after installing
the Wiz rear bar, you might as well treat the project as an alignment and ask
the shop to slip the rear bar on "while they're at it".  You can probably
talk them into doing it at no extra charge.  Do the job right and get the
front aligned, too.  I've used a local NTW tire store for the alignment and
they did a good job.

Hope this helps,

Wayne Tibbit
MCA, Lone Star Chapter
Dallas