http://mazdatrix.com/8pics/8Intake/knintake5b.jpg

is that the JIC front strut bar being sold at vividracing?

Well, it's pretty... but, because of the way it's mounted - with brackets that mount to the factory bar location, then the crossbar bolting into the brackets, effectively allowing it to pivot when the car's chasis flexes - I would think it would not do much for chasis stiffness. Though that was the purpose of a strut bar. All the other designs on the market (including the one that comes on the car stock) do not have the "pivot" points. My guess would be that this is next to useless, and is not only purely cosmetic, but would would hurt the torsional rigidity of the car... even if it is from JIC, which typically makes pretty good products.

Need a four point BRACE if your looking for more rigidity beyond stock...JIC is currently developing one i believe right now..but as far as all these 2 point BARS...your not doing anything to strengthen the rigidity only spending worthless $$ for something "pretty"...IMO....

I also think if your going to be competing with your car...I think this bumps you out of B-Stock...i can't find my rule book so i'm not 100% sure...

good point I think... do you think we can use the engine cover once a 4 point bar is in?

Check out the CP Racing 4 point bar. It allows the engine cover to remain on. I think it's cpracing.com. Whealy has this on his car I think.

Try www.cpracing.ca

Some of the two points are stiffer than stock and will help, but a four point will always make the biggest difference...

I have decided to order the Mazdaspeed four point, from pictures it looks like it will fit; once it's in will let you guys know ASAP...

Oh by the way, a strut tower bars function is to stabilize the shock towers... And mostly to keep them from compressing, that is moving toward each other; so as long as the pivots at the ends do not have any play they should help... A four point just increases stabilization on the other axis (front to rear) by bracing against the firewall (especially during hard braking into a turn)...

cortc,
Have you seen the autoexe 4pt? Looks sweet! I've seen a picture that seems to indicate that the engine cover will work with it. To me, it looks like more of a sure thing that it will fit the LH drive cars than the MS 4 pt. Its $600 though! OUCH!!

Maddog.

autoexe 4 pt

got any pics

Yep. Check this out. I'd get it if I thought I had nothing better to spend $600 on.

thanks for the pic but damn 600

ouch 600
i like the CP Racing 4 point bar but the blue is off
i have some guy that will powdercoat it for me
for 200 bucks its a great price, but after summer
rigth now i want the m/s sides

That is pretty cool looking, but man I thought the Mazdaspeed was expensive...