blizz81

In searching I saw mention of mazdaspeed "chassis braces", I take it this is the same as subframe connector bars?

With reports of body roll, who thinks SFCs would be a good idea? Or would extra weight hurt the lighter-the-better philosophy of the 8 too much to outweight the benefits?

Any aftermarket besides MSP eyeing sfcs for the 8?

wakeech

these chassis braces might be beefier strut tower braces?? but also could be even lighter subframe replacement braces... there are even the braces behind the seats which could be beefed up/made lighter too...

Sputnik

IIRC, there are both additional braces available, and beefier replacements available.

Unless these braces are shiny parts for appearance more than performance (which I do not expect from Mazdaspeed), the performance gain and "tossability" will more than outweigh the added weight.

Chassis braces will not decrease body roll. You need to look at springs, shocks, and anti-sway bars (a.k.a. anti-roll bars and swaybars). But, a stiffer chassis will actually take some of the harshness out of a stiffer suspension, making it a nicer ride, and making the car handle better.

---jps

Efini 8

dont strut tower bars allow the movement to transfer to the springs so you can have better control when the weight of the car gets transfered? mazdaspeed has a few products, sway bars and strut braces.

blizz81

I thought that chassis rigidity still lent some support to body roll. here's an example of a definition of a FSTB:

"The purpose of the Strut Tower Bar is to help eliminate flex that occurs between the vehicles' strut towers. The benefit is a quicker response, less body flex and truer tracking through turns, which improves handling. It helps improve steering accuracy and eliminates some of the roll in cornering. "

Now that's STBs and whatnot. What I'm wondering about are SFCs that weld up on the undercarriage frame points to provide extra support. Those that I've talked to from a couple different makes/models say that SFCs were a fine improvement, mainly for structural soundness and solidity, but also some said roll decreased/the whole car tightened up suspension wise. I've yet to meet anyone disappointed after installing SFCs on their car.

I'd hope that wouldn't be a concern for SFCs since you can't really see them anyway, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone made polished chromed bars :D

wakeech

no, strut tower braces really do only let the suspension do more of the work and reduce the chassis flex at some of it's weakest points: this isn't changing how strong the anti-roll spring is, the way in which momentum transfers, or the mass of your car (well, at least not very much)... it just kinda sounds like some of those rediculous product claims, which things like the laughable Tornado have all about them.

Sputnik

Technically, flexing in the chassis, and the resulting change in suspension geometry will change how much the car rolls. But that depends on the car and it's particular weak points, and the effect on roll will be minimal.

Don't forget, if you add a stiffer suspension, it will put more stress on the chassis, causing it to flex more. So a chassis brace in an appropriate place will make more of a difference at that point.

---jps