R3v9K

Hey guys just wanted to find info out about the Mazdaspeed Strut Tower Bar - Front. I obviously like it for the sake of dressing up the engine but does anyone who owns this believe that it is worth the money for performance/cornering. Anybody know any great finds for prices?

Mazurfer

I have it, I like it, but not really sure how much it really adds to cornering effects or performance.
Best prices are probably:

www.rosenthalmazda.com

or

www.trussvillemazda.com

Depending on who is running free shipping at the moment and I think that's Trussville.

RXH8TED

iTrader: (1)

well, In all honesty it does help a little, but You will not notice it unless you have a real use for it. For example, you prolly won't notice any difference just daily street driving, and Even the occasional speed fix down an old curvy backroad will not reall net u a difference unless you like to abuse your car and do it ALL the time. The onyl way you will notice much a difference is if you actualy bring your car to a road coarse or auto-x event on a regular basis.

hope that helps.

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

The greatest performance value of this part comes from the brake master cylinder support. The RX-8 has one of the stiffest chassis available.

skyse3p

the most performance u'll notice is the Brake stopper.

california style

does the brake support make the brakes feel firmer or something?

How does it actually help? (technically speaking)

LionZoo

The brake master cylinder support is worth the money alone, which is good since it probably doesn't offer much of anything else. However, after installing it there's a very noticeable difference in brake pedal stiffness.

diabolical1

basically it prevents the cylinder from moving forward when you push the pedal, which is pretty normal in every car without one. it therefore gives a more positive feel and slightly more braking response (probably not noticeable to the average person).

laythor

It's worth it for two reasons:

1. stiffer brakes
2. makes you get rid of the engine cover

kevinD1226

the mazdaspeed strut bar works with the cover

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

but I think missing the *b-pillar* weaken the whole thing.

Autoexe has something to counter that problem tho. Its coming to me soon.

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

Spend a little time studying the chassis design and save your money.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

I did study it for a bit. I have kinda the same conclusion, they added a lot of **** to support the *missing* of the B pillar. but is still not *there*. so ... anything to support it a bit more sounds good to me.

the bars wasnt expensive. compare to other garbage that I've spent ...

Hey, where is my Clutch Bracket support !!!!

slavearm

Ding ding ding... that's the winner. Also the #1 reason I went with the MS version.

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

The ingress/egress area has been reinforced with a rollcage-type hoop that renders the use of a "B" pillar unnecessary. You can lift the car up from one corner until three of the 4 wheels are off the ground and the doors STILL open and close smoothly. Is that stiff enough?

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

No, they have a very intelligent design with how the suicide doors, roof, and rocker panel all lock together

seriously, the RX-8 made a lot of other traditional vehicle chassis look like beer cans when it came out, it was an evolution in chassis stiffness

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

Yeah, what Team said.......

However, the rear doors have locking pins not for chassis stiffness but for side impact/safety purposes.

california style

The RX8 was designed from the ground up as a sports car.

Its suspension, chassis stiffness and weighting were all carefully balanced and designed as a sports car (not a saloon "sported up" like a lot of competitors).

Obviously as costs and emmissions were also in the balance (for any sensible company) certain things could be better, but I've always thought the car handles amazingly and any improvements made should be about power and its delivery rather than chassis/brakes/suspension which are all carefully balanced and interplay with each other.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Im not saying is not stiff enough. and I know what they did to the body to make up for the *missing* of the B pillar.

but like I said, its not there, you dont really *need* it. but its good to even make it stronger isnt it ?

Hey, I love the handling :D

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

We're getting into the same dyanic of argument as the " aftermarket intake" discussion.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

lol :P

Doesnt matter, I got it cheap. hohohohoo ~~~~ actually, free :D Its a gift but I have to pay some shipping. no biggy haha

Clutch Bracket ~~~~~

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying the MazdaSpeed bar isn't worth it. I have one on my car and it's cool. However, I just wouldn't want to see people making fools of themselves with erroneous information(I have done enough of that for myself!). The MS bar is mostly aesthetic, except for the brake cylinder support, and the factory one otherwise performs well.

Ya know J, that bracket is soon gonna be all done and ready to ship so you better get your next issue to harrass me about!

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

lol, but its still not done ~~~ Im just gonna keep harrassing u till you ship that sucker to me

I'll give ya a hint over what im gonna harrass u next : something to do with cooling.

hohohohohohohoho ~~~

The bar ... well, it might not do much alone, but it adds up. Mazda did a fine job on rx8 already I know. but some people just want perfection

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

J; oil or water? I have two rads available right now, ready to ship.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

O really ?

Pm