Miata Mailing List: August 1996, Message #113
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   From: scannon@earthnet.net (Skip Cannon)
Subject: Custom Rear Subframe Brace
   Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 23:44:49 -0400

Awhile back, I bought a used Racing Beat rear sub-frame brace.  When it
arrived, I noticed two things about it I didn't like.  It was made of sheet
metal, less than 1/8" in thickness.  It also showed signs of wear and
movement around the lower mounting holes (where it uses the lower
suspension adjustment bolts) which led me to believe it wasn't doing its
job.

Before I returned it, I showed it to a couple of structural engineers at
the aerospace company I work for.  They agreed that the brace would be
prone to flexing, and that there had been movement between the brace and
the suspension.

I decided to make my own brace out of 1/4" T6061 aluminum.  One of the
engineers has a machine shop at his home and fabricated it for me.  It
attaches to the same four points as the RB brace.  It also has a removable
section to allow installation without removing the catback.

I have found that it works very well on my 112k mile 90 Miata.  Shake over
bumps and railroad tracks is greatly reduced and the rear of the car seems
as solid as the front does.  The front, BTW, has the cast aluminum RB lower
brace and a shock tower brace.  Cornering has improved, to the point that
my nearly bald rear tires are begging for replacement.

The point of all this?  My friend, the engineer and machinist, is
encouraging me to do a small production run of these braces and sell them
over the net.  They will be produced on an NC four axis lathe.  I plan to
cut out the word "Miata" (or maybe "Miata.net") in Miata script as part of
the lightening holes.

He did a quality job machining the first one without using the NC lathe,
and I expect the production ones to be even better.

If there is sufficient interest, I will fund this effort.  To be upfront
about it, I will build in a little profit for my efforts (otherwise, why
bother?  I have mine already).  I do not expect to get rich on this, but
I'm not doing it for free either.

I expect the price to be in the area of $100.00 plus shipping.  The finish
has not yet been determined, but anodizing, powder coating or some other
finish will be provided.  Custom colors to match your car would probably be
feasible, but would cost a little more.

So, is anyone interested?  Email me with your comments/suggestions/flames.

Skip Cannon