Miata Mailing List: April 1999, Message #133

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I would start with the lower rear brace.  I have a Cannon brace, and
thought it made a huge difference going over bumps in my '91 base.  The
next brace to add would be the lower front brace.  Only after adding
those braces which make a substantial difference, would I recommend the
shock-tower brace.  I have all three, and the shock-tower brace made the
smallest improvement, but it still was an improvement. 

Mazda has added braces to the Miata over the years, and added a rear
lower brace in '92, and the front lower brace in '94  These were
originally part of the Miata design, but were deleted for cost reasons
and later added back.  A cockpit brace was also added in '94, but only
for side-impact safety, not for any suspension improvements. There is no
stock shock-tower brace yet on the miata.  Anyone with a '92 or later
might only recommend the shock-tower brace, as they already have the
most important brace standard.  

I would recommend the aftermarket lower braces, as they are much stiffer
than the stock braces.  I have the Cannon and Racing Beat lower braces,
and they are much more substantial than the stock braces (or the BSP
braces).  The Cannon can also be installed without exhaust removal,
unlike the comparatively stiff Racing Beat rear brace. I have the FM
shock-tower brace, but for this brace looks and cost become an important
subjective consideration in the choice.  

-Chris Hull


Matthew King wrote:
> 
> G'day everyone.
> 
> I'm not really into modifications to my precious red '90, Ness, (primarily
> because I'm still under 25, driving a sports car, and there's this little
> thingy called insurance that keeps popping up) but lately I've been
> thinking about the possibility of lashing out and getting a tower brace to
> tie up the suspension a little better.
> 
> The main reason is that I would like to reduce the aftershocks of hitting
> bumps/potholes, which (when the hardtop is absent) send severe
> shudders/vibrations through the chassis. (is this the same thing as the
> 65mph shimmy? it only really happens over bumps, but sometimes occurs on
> ripples at highway speed...)
> 
> >From what I've read around the web, a tower brace seems the best option for
> reducing the chassis flex, but if not, or if there are any better ideas
> (like getting some of the sub-frame braces off a later model), can anybody
> advise me what is the best first step.
> 
> personal replies please to:
> matthew.king@osi.varian.com
> 
> thanks everyone.
> Matty
> Melbourne, Victoria, Australia