Miata Mailing List: August 1996, Message #227
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   From: Larry Alster 
Subject: Re: Custom Rear Subframe Brace
   Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 23:31:53 -0400

Skip Cannon wrote:
> 
> 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


I'd be interested in one , keep me posted as to your progress.



Larry Alster
M Club Member #70
91 Crystal White
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