takahashi

The rear bar first... it goes across the boot like so.

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takahashi

PLease don't reply this thread until I said finish please.

Close up of the bar with MazdaSpeed plate.

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takahashi

Need to cut and take out the side matt to fit the brace in...

But if you have the spare tyre set you can skip cutting holes

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takahashi

Now it is the front strut bar... :D

The two bottom ones goes to where the stock was (but they use 3 bolts rather than 2)

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takahashi

Another view.. if you desire

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takahashi

Now is the little problem:

I cannot fit the cover back in. Hehe --- the way to fix it is to modify the cover -- my mechanic did it for me :D

Trim off the top stopper and make it thin. Also, make wider at the middle of the cover

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takahashi

Now fit it in state!

The middle bit goes underneath the top horizontal bar.

It is tight fit at the end.

Actually it is quite hard to put the bar in, required a lot of pushing. I have no doubt it is functional

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takahashi

This was the last picture - thank you for your patience.

How does it drive?
Then I have to say with the MazdaSpeed sway bar that I also have installed.
As cortc said, no sway at all.
Also I felt the car accelerate in ONE. No soft feeling in accelerating, turning and braking. Very strong.

No sway, no softness and still easy on your bump --- Taka is a happy man! :D

-8-

man that 4 point strut bar is an eyesore. But I guess you sacrafice that for functionality.

cortc

Very nice, I just installed the rear and sold the spare tire... taka, did you install the front and rear sway bar or just the front? And the four point, is it symetrical right to left?

I will be installing the brake pads this weekend as well...

takahashi

I have the front and rear sway changed.

The front bar - I think it is symmetrical but I have not made measurement to make sure - maybe a touch to the left.

Brake pad box have no information but to drive carefully in the first 100km. :p

DJ Freon

I would be very grateful if you could answer one question, Taka. I am considering buying and importing the 4 point front strut tower brace that you have installed up front on your car. I love the way it looks, but I have one question. I have heard that it has a "master cylinder brace" of some sort. Is there a piece that extends to the braking system? If so, does it look like it can be moved or relocated to the other side? If it is symetrical then I would buy one right away. Thanks in advance. Darn differences between right and left drive vehicles.

bureau13

I think the master cylinder brace is on the "normal" Mazdaspeed strut bar, not the 4-pointer.

jds

mikeb

looks awesome

if it was me I would just remove the renesis plastic cover

robertdot

Has anyone confirmed whether or not these will fit on RHD '8s yet? I know some US guys were talking about buying it, but I've heard no word. Anyone know?

cortc

I am pretty sure the 4 point does not have the MC brace, taka: let us know, and yes the break-in for the brakes is drive easy for about 100km then do the multi hard stops to seat the pads/rotors well...

5-10 from 60, hard... then 3-5 from 100 really hard; then drive around for a while and let them cool evenly; don't stop and let the pad sit on the rotor until they are cool (15-30min)...

Then your good to go, my friend...

It looks like it should fit, I am ordering one this week, when it comes in; will let everyone know...

takahashi

2 questions to cortc about brake break-in... is that 60kmh or 60mph? Secondly, do you mean I do the hard stop (I was told not to stop completely) then drive around easy until the brake cool, then park my car?

To answer your question DJ Freon:

Look at the picture once again. I think you are talking about an small extension to the blue container on the left. Note the silver stud at the end of it. I think it is what you are referring to.

It is only touching it and use the bolt to hold it in place. I doubt much of a functional purpose. I guess your car will be in the same spot?

Taka

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DJ Freon

Unfortunately, no. That is the master cylinder for the brakes. It's on the other side in my left hand drive car. Does it look like it can be moved to the other side easily? It actually does serve a purpose. The firewall is very thin on our cars, and it serves to support the force of the master cylinder trynig to push through the firewall when you brake hard.

Rotoman

Takahashi, great pics on the 4-point strut bar, just the info I was looking for, Thanks..
How long to install and what's the Price...

takahashi

The 4 point does not take long --- may be 20 minutes with 2 people. A lot of pushing and banging and need to cut the foam (found out there is Kavelar ~ correct spelling ~ in it, so hard to cut) to fit the ones on the firewall.
A$700 plus postage and tax from Japanparts.com

blksf8

I've been asking that same question for awhile. I think Cort was going to buy the 4pt brace a month or so back and let us know if it fit or not. any updates???

takahashi

You can email japanparts or jt-imports and ask them if they fit for the LHD car!

blksf8

um yeah...did that more than a few months back and no response. I have asked everyone...Rotary Extreme, Corksport, Trussville, etc....no confirmation yes or no...only speculation that it won't fit.

robertdot

I thought I heard Cortec talking about it a month ago. He says he'll order next week in the previous post. I'm pretty anxious to know. I'm doing suspension / handling mods first, so It's in the pipe. Just don't know how long 'cause I have expensive taste in parts

thew

i heard these make your windhiled break alot easyer.. they add more stress to the winshiled area and transfer body roll to that part of the car.

???