Koala Joe

This is a Re-Thread:

I just installed the JIC Front Strut Tower Brace, along with already equipped Mazdaspeed Rear Strut Tower Brace, Racing Beat Sway Bars, and lowered with Eibach Pros.

First impression after few runs: the car has definitely stiffened up a lot. Handling is much better compared to stock. Before when I take hard right or left turns at 45+ the car would lean moderately. Now the same turns and same speed, actually close to 50, hardly any lean at all.

Ride quality is comparable to Porsche 911, but still comfortable: I do feel the road a lot more than before. Overall, I love the setup. I'm not sure if its for everyone. If you think the stock setup is already stiff, then you might not like this.

Hope this helps.

elphkotm

Got pics?

blksf8

did you have to cut away at any of the side carpet plastic in the trunk?

epitrochoid

totally OT, but the guy at jiffy lube says to me "thats cool how the rear strut bar goes up so you still have trunk space" referring to spare tire mounting bar minus the spare tire.

Koala Joe

I had to cut a piece of the side carpet about 3.0cm x 5.0cm on both sides to allow the strut arm extension to slip through, its fairly easy. However I need to point out, when you're cutting the right side carpet, you're going to have to cut through the "wood" piece that is right behind the carpet, where the strap for the tire kit is stapled on. I ended up just removing the whole "wood" piece all together to make it easy. I'm still able to strap the tire kit securely.

spdspappy

By performing these mods, does NE1 know if the car still qualifies for BS in SCCA?

Killerking1964

spdsnappy, you should still be able to run in BS class if the bar attches in only 2 places, but maybe you will be in STU. Ask your local region's people, or contact DGill@SCCA.com. He's a nice guy and can tell you. The rule book I have is very complicated to decypher sometimes!

Koala Joe

This is a Re-Thread:

I just installed the JIC Front Strut Tower Brace, along with already equipped Mazdaspeed Rear Strut Tower Brace, Racing Beat Sway Bars, and lowered with Eibach Pros.

First impression after few runs: the car has definitely stiffened up a lot. Handling is much better compared to stock. Before when I take hard right or left turns at 45+ the car would lean moderately. Now the same turns and same speed, actually close to 50, hardly any lean at all.

Ride quality is comparable to Porsche 911, but still comfortable: I do feel the road a lot more than before. Overall, I love the setup. I'm not sure if its for everyone. If you think the stock setup is already stiff, then you might not like this.

Hope this helps.

Omicron

Re-thread from where? Care to post a link? Thanks...

RX8FOREAL

Just for comparison I have the following installed;

RB lowering springs
RB sway bars
CP Racing front strut bar

Just ordered today - JIC rear strut bar

I am very happy with my setup so far. The ride has noticeably stiffened up but is not overdone. After each mod I have noticed an improvement in handling, particularly cornering where before at times the DSC would activate and now at the same speed it does not.
The acid test is that my wife had not noticed or commented about the suspension. YES !
I ordered the rear strut bar today from VIVID and I am looking foward to adding to suspension.
I am more than ready for some additional power

Koala Joe

RX8FOREAL, how's the CP 4-Pt Strut working for you? I wanted to order the JDM 4-Pt Mazdaspeed Strut, but cost hella expensive, about $600 including shipping; so I went with JIC instead. I'm thinking of adding Autoexe Under Brace.

As for power, unless a working Turbo kit or Supercharger comes out, I'm not planning to do anything else other than exhaust and intake.

spdspappy

Cool, thanks!

phook

RX8FORREAL
What order did you do your mods in? I use my car as my daily driver and don't want to stray too far from the current ride quality while being able to take some of the 40Mph+ corners around here with more stability (and faster!).
Oh and maybe a couple of track days this summer too.

I've been wrestling with which springs to purchase (Racing Beat or Espelir), as well if I should just break down and put the Racing Beat sway bar set on. I figure I'll save some install $ if I just get them both on at the same time.

From your experience would you be able to say that the sway bars or strut braces make more of a difference?

RX8FOREAL

phook

My car is a daily driver also even though I live on the east coast in the winter. Without my Blizzaks I could not have made it through this past winter.
The order of my mods were;
1st- I had the RB sway bars installed
2nd- The CP Racing trianulated front strut bar
3rd- RB lowering springs

The was a noticeable improvement after each mod but the springs seemed to tie everything together into a tight suspension. I was nervous if after the mods the car would be too firm for daily driving. I am very happy with all the mods.
After talking to Huff from Vivid, I ordered the JIC rear strut bar, after which I am expecting a primo ride.
All these mods so far have been done with my snow tires on - I will be putting my summer tires on next week and can't wait to feel the difference.

phook

Interesting to hear that adding the sway bars made a noticable difference on their own. It's really hard to decide if upgrade sway bars would make a difference from specs alone (what will 32mm vs. 27mm honestly feel like?) - especially on a car that isn't driven at 10/10s. I can only immagine how much better it will feel for you after pulling the winter tires off. No winter tires being one perk we get for the price of unbearable heat during the summer I suppose.

Ultimately I think I will go with RB springs and the swaybar set. Reducing wheel gap is a total non-priority for me plus I really that they are designed to work with the stock struts.