Miata Mailing List: March 1998, Message #231

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At 12:51 AM 3/2/98 +0000, SAMUEH01@MCRCR6.MED.NYU.EDU wrote:
>A number of people have commented that the 99 is more rigid than the
>90-97 cars.  Interestingly, the last issue of Miata Magazine described
>the changes that increase rigidity.  The 99 has only 1% more torsional
>rigidity and  about 6% more bending rigidity.  Not much.  However, by
>increasing the stiffing in four places arround the floor at the
>corners of the floor and at the transmission tunnel (by welding at the
>corners of the floor) the car has a subjective feeling of rigidity
>since less vibration is transmitted through the seat (see picture
>on page 69 of the last issue of 1997).  It might be possible to add or
>weld the same or similar type bracing to the 90-97 cars but it would
>require removing the seats and the carpeting and center console. 
>Interesting idea that you can impact the sensation of rigidity without
>increasing rigidity very much.
>
>Herb Samuels
>
Another thing that makes the car feel so tight is the new shock mounting
system. Totally different than the other one.
bill cardell
Dealer Alternative
970-464-0878
http://www.dlralt.com