I am thinking about my first performance mod being to add a front strut bar. since I have the spare tire kit I believe I can't add a rear strut (correct?)

Are there any adverse effects to adding a front strut without a matching rear?

Thanks in advance!

p.s. I am also considering MS shocks/springs. If anyone thinks this a more worthwhile mod I would love to know. I would also love to know what people think of this vs Tein H springs alone (which are obviously cheaper).

 

I was thinking about doing the same thing. The spare tire bar can be easily removed so you can just have the tire sit in the trunk. Not knowing what the clearance from the rear deck to the NEW rear shock tower brace would be, it looks like a bracket can be “rigged” that can hold the spare to the new bar. But it would reduce the trunk space more than the original spare bar does.

 

There shouldn't be any real negative effect from it, the car comes stock with no rear strut brace, and (sort of) one in the front. (I took the front brace off to do my spring install, and the end adapters look like they could seriously compromise the rigidity of the overall assembly.

 

IMO the RB springs and sway bars make a real difference in ride and handling. Much more so than changing out the strut bar. As far as shocks, I'm waiting on RB to get the Koni's to market and hopefully they will be matched to the RB springs (crossed fingers)

 

you car didn't come with a front strut bar?

 

I did that install. I put the RB Springs & Sways (F/R) on with the RB front sway bar endlinks. I also put on the Mazda Speed Front Strut Tower Bar. I have the spare tire mounting kit, so I did not do the rear. There is no problem putting on the front strut bar, and not doing the rear. I do agree though that you are better off doing springs & sway first. I will say that I was shocked at how small the rear sway bar was, and the front tower bar is TINY. The MS bar has a nice carbon fiber look to it, and is literally 3X thicker than the stock brace. I got mine from Rosenthal Mazda.

 

Hello all, I have the suggestion, Just drill a hole to the spare tire mounting bar and the strap, and put a bolt between them. and you will have a rear bar as well.