Tanabe USA

Hello Everyone,

Last June, we held an R&D Session at our Torrance, California location to test brand new parts for aftermarket tuning.
http://www.tanabe-usa.com/rndnews.asp

Our next R&D Session is coming soon, and we'd like to know what suspension, chassis, and exhaust parts you'd be interestd in seeing for future productions.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with us, Tanabe is a longtime manufacturer of springs, coilovers, exhaust systems, and chassis bracing for Japanese cars.

That said, what parts would you guys be interested in seeing in the future? The application doesn't have to be specific to the chassis of this forum btw.

tubingchamp

iTrader: (3)

Wouldn't mind seeing a front strut bar with a master cylinder brace on it..

gregs

iTrader: (7)

good call^^

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

just outa curiosity what is the master cylinder brase used for and what does it do?

tubingchamp

iTrader: (3)

Braces the master cylinder. It stops you from putting stress on it by braking and using the clutch. When you push on the pedals, it puts all the stress on it. The black cylinder on the right hand side of your engine bay right on the firewall.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

During hard turns the master cylinder can flex causing issues with braking.

I would like to see this as well and a floor brace.

tiltmode43

iTrader: (15)

How about a 4 point strut bar with integrated brake cylinder brace? Haven't seen one yet!

Perhaps a fender brace as well? Another part that one doesn't see too often for this car...

d j

fender and under braces

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

god dam thats ALOT of braces ...

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

How about an exoskeleton for the RX-8?

Like this:

Bunique

Braces, Braces, and umm please, more braces.

I would also like to see someone make (not sure if this would be tanabe's dept) a carbon fiber rear seat delete. basically something light weight to cover where the rear seats were for those who take out their rear seats for race purposes or whatever. Also if it would be possible to leave somesort of inserts in the bottom crease so that harnesses can still be ran back without having to hack at something.....IDK just a thought

terrypk1

i think i would like to see a four point strut bar with a master cylinder brace. it's gonna be affordable for most people...unlike a catback exhaust (1000+)

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

just a heads up to tanabe, mazdaspeed makes a 2 point strut bar with a mc brace. so price it accordingly! i'd like to see another option out there for sure.

and maybe another single exit exhaust? the only option out there right now is the hks hipower. and its pretty damn loud.

The Reverend

iTrader: (1)

Any word on why the titanium exhaust (I forget which medallion) was taken off the market?

d j

I am also curious as to why the ultra medalion lineup was discontinued.

d j

Here's the answer that I got from they're FB page:

Tanabe Racing Development USA
Though it was constructed very well and was very light, the market wasn't ready to pay the price for a full titanium exhaust at the time of its production. Instead of trying to find ways to manufacture the Ultra Medalion more cheaply, we chose to improve on our other exhaust lines, resulting in the creation of our current Medalion Touring, Concept G, and Concept G Blue exhausts.
Taking the strengths of the Ultra Medalion (strength and light-weightedness) and trying to implement them into the current SUS304 exhausts, we've managed to come to a good compromise between weight reduction, strength, overall performance, and price tag.