I had originally taken pictures as I was doing the job but someone deleted my memory stick so keep that in mind.

Step 1
Jack your car up onto Y supports, if you don't your going to have much tougher time!

Step 2
Using a 12mm Key an extender and a ratchet unbolt the 2 smaller black bolts of the Stock Bar. Repeat on the other side and Stock Bar will lift off.
http://www.polakgraphics.com/images/Strut%20Bar%20Install/Stock%20Bolts.jpg

Step 3
Using a 14mm Key an extender and a ratchet unbolt the 3 green larger nuts holding down the Stock Bracket. Repeat on other side, save the 6 green nuts. Lift the Bracket off.
http://www.polakgraphics.com/images/Strut%20Bar%20Install/Stock%20Braket.jpg

Step 4
Using a 17mm key and a ratchet loosen the Mazdaspeed bars blots to make it easier to position. http://www.polakgraphics.com/images/Strut%20Bar%20Install/Loosen.jpg

Step 5
Tighten the left and right brackets of the Mazdaspeed bar using a 14mm key an extender a ratchet and the green nuts. http://www.polakgraphics.com/images/Strut%20Bar%20Install/Green%20Screws.jpg

Step 6
Retighten the loosened MazdaSpeed Bolts.
http://www.polakgraphics.com/images/Strut%20Bar%20Install/Loosen.jpg

Step 7
Brace the Master Cylinder using an Allen wrench and a 1/2in wrench.
http://www.polakgraphics.com/images/Strut%20Bar%20Install/MasterBrace.jpg

Bar Installed!
http://www.polakgraphics.com/images/Strut%20Bar%20Install/Bar.jpg
http://www.polakgraphics.com/images/Strut%20Bar%20Install/bar2.jpg

IPT Cover and Bar (HOLY SMOKES BATMAN) http://www.polakgraphics.com/images/Strut%20Bar%20Install/IPT%20+%20Mazdaspeed.jpg

I can't wait for Parker at IPT to Carbon Fiber the rest of the engine bay.
I told him that when he makes the AirBox out of CF to make the hinges a little higher because with the Mazdaspeed bar the right side of the cover doesn't quite touch down.
See here
http://www.polakgraphics.com/images/Strut%20Bar%20Install/Fitment.jpg

Also when the cover rubs on the CF laminate on the Mazdaspeed Bar it scratches away the laminate on the bar so I put 2 pieces of black electrical tape over the place where the cover comes in contact with the bar.
See here (focus fix soon)
http://www.polakgraphics.com/images/Strut%20Bar%20Install/Tape.jpg

nice job polak.

The problem is my front strut is going to be a 4 pt one. There is no way I can fit the cover in securely right? Is there a way around this problem?

http://www.specr.com.sg/RX8%20AutoExe27.jpg
That is that bar by AutoEXE but by design I disagree with what they have done with it however the cover fits over it.

There is also this one by CP racing
http://www.cpracing.ca/feature/rx8tribar.jpg
However it’s my opinion that that bar is the worst of all. (But for 200 bucks well...)

The MazdaSpeed 4 point brace is the best out off all of them as is the case with the 2 point bar.

When going for rigidity the worst thing you can do is put bends in a tube which is what CP did.

And as far as AutoEXE it looks like they were trying to design that bar around the cover which just defeats the purpose of a bar for rigidity.

no doupt the MS looks the best, especially with the IPT cover :)

I don't think the 4pt MS or the Autoexec strut tower braces will fit LHD 8s. Look at the pics above and see that the windshield washer fluid and master brake cylinder are reversed on the LHD 8 engine bay (the one w/ the CP strut tower brace). I have yet to hear of any LHD 8s w/ these braces on. The day someone proves me wrong on the MS 4pt brace is the day I will order it.

Nice Job Looks Great !!!!! :)

I'd like to know what does bracing the master cylinder accomplish? Won't this transfer part of the strut bar stress to it therefore increasing it's wear?

Originally posted by JasonHamilton
A bit off topic, but can anyone explain to me the purpose of the engine cover? It seems to retain heat.

The cover directs air over certain parts of the engine while the car is moving, at least thats what mazda is saying.

Originally posted by neit_jnf
I'd like to know what does bracing the master cylinder accomplish? Won't this transfer part of the strut bar stress to it therefore increasing it's wear?

Not to sure on this one but all in all it will help with a minimal amount of chasis flex (back to front) and the master cylinder is a fairly study piece. Also no wear will occur beacuse you are bracing it.

Does the cover completely close? It could be just the angle, it looks like the front of the cover isn't pushed down all the way. Or maybe just for the shot.

Looks great, good job.

Originally posted by mmmdowning
Does the cover completely close? It could be just the angle, it looks like the front of the cover isn't pushed down all the way. Or maybe just for the shot.

Looks great, good job.


It is just the pic it goes down just like stock

parker

www.iptms.com

thats purty. congratz. gonna do the rears too?

Have you noticed a big difference in body roll with the Mazda Speed brace? I'm picking mine up tommorow so I'd like to know before I pay for it.

Yes very much so, I live in a development with lots of speed humps. When I went over the first hump I really felt a difference then when I took my first turn it was ecstasy. However, after the first hour you get used to it and you can’t remember what the stock bar feels like.

Sweet!! I can't wait to install mine tonight.

I think I will still have the cover on with cutting a few parts and tie them down to the strut... will let you know when i get my strut and installed them

Step 1
Jack your car up onto Y supports, if you don't your going to have much tougher time!

Why we have to jack up the car when we install the front strut bar? It is necessarily to jack up the car when install the Front and black strut?

Step 1
Jack your car up onto Y supports, if you don't your going to have much tougher time!

Why we have to jack up the car when we install the front strut bar? It is necessarily to jack up the car when install the Front and black strut?

the suspension then has a chance to rest- it is just a LOT easier to get one on that way- the back not so much, that one you could do without jacking

I didn't have to jack or lift the car up or anything to put my MS front tower bar on. Just loosen up all the bolts on the MS strut bar, place it over the mounting bolts on the struts. Then tighten everything up.

does the stock cover fit over the strut bar?
No it does not.

so should we jack up the car when installin the strut???

I did not jack up the car to do the install. No troubles at all.

Its a good idea too because it takes all the load off the front end, but no its not "nessessary".

i just recieved my MS strut bar today and on it, it says

"!caution do not perform the work with the vehicle lifted or jacked up. the nuts securing the bases are tigtened with the suspension upper mounts. if the front strut bar bases are removed while the tires are off the ground, the suspension could fall"

another question... is the side with the master cylinder suppose to be flexible? with the head being able to pivot?

If you're talking about the point where the bar hinges with the brackets that get bolted to the chassis, then no, it shouldn't be able to flex once you're done installing the bar. When I received my bar, the brackets were bent inward towards the bar, and I had to loosen the nuts to the hinges to swivel the brackets to a point where I could line it up with where it goes on the chassis. But after you line it all up and bolt it down, you're supposed to tighten up the nuts on those hinges. Basically NOTHING should move once you're done.

how tight are u suppose to make the master cylinder? i keep on adjusting it and playing around with it because it made my car REALLY slow when i tightened it... so ne advice of how much ur suppose to tighten it?

how tight are u suppose to make the master cylinder? i keep on adjusting it and playing around with it because it made my car REALLY slow when i tightened it... so ne advice of how much ur suppose to tighten it?
It should be tight and why does it make it SLOW??? :confused:

:scratchhe i know people stopped posting here about a year ago but i would still like to know what you mean by it makes your 8 SLOW.

It should be tight and why does it make it SLOW??? :confused:If you over tighten the MC you car could start brake draging and eventually come to a full stop and you won't be able to move, happened to me near my house it was the damnest thing.

Toss up is that your peddal feel gets alot better the tighter the MC is braced (less flex in the Firewall).

oh alright. thanks for clearin that up for me! :)

Ah... ic. The installation manual did stay make sure it is just touching it. I did not know why until now thanks Mark.