OK, I have searched and read up on all the braces, and I have come down to three choices:

Authentic Autoexe of Mazdatrix's knockoff
Beat Rush
Carbing

What I need is basically a new rear brace. Mine was trashed going over a hump in my dealer driveway. Instead of just replacing the stamped steel one, I was thinking it could be time to upgrade the bracing.

Which one has the smallest brace to ground clearance?
Which one has the greatest brace to undercarriage spacing?

 

The photos in this thread might help https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-autoexe-member-brace-61120/.

Three years later I have had no issues with the Autoexe brace.

 

the OE one isn't that expensive

Simply saying that it's stamped is misleading. It is two stamped pieces welded together such to provide a monocoque construction that is both strong and light.

 

Yes, I stand corrected there. It is a lightweight two piece weld.

On a side note: What was amazing was how easily it was trashed. My tech was the one who actually bent the crap out of it. He wanted to take my car out for a spirited drive after seeing my latest mods. It bent 90 degrees and also bent the floor pan where the bolts go. We had to straighten up the bolts the best we could, and then started working the brace back to it's original shape, but just gave up.

Since I am a fool with my money, I decided an under brace should be considered. I might just make one at the factory I work at, but all we use is steel, iron, and stainless. I'd like to make an aluminum one.

 

Can you measure the distance from the brace to the under carriage floor pan back at the rear cross piece? I have Scott's dual resonated midpipe, and this dimension is critical.

 

LOL the first pic in post #4 of your thread is MY car...

 

yes, it's designed to handle stress in the intended chassis stiffening direction only

yes, it's you're money and right to spend it foolishly

I seem to recall the rear plate costing me $38 discounted through Motorsports

sounds like you're Tech made a boneheaded move, it's not like tearing up the chassis stiffening plates is a regular occurence or problem that would justify the expense, but again it's your choice

over and out ...

 

OK, your convincing me of my own conclusion - I'm foolish

Still out to lunch though on my repair...

 

only if you fork out for a complete underbrace kit

over and out 2

 

Spent the day hammering out the bent up brace - man it twisted like a pretzel!

 

Dealer owes you a brace.

 

Yeah, I could make them give me one. But I had Wayne lower the brace to clear my after market midpipe, so it was both of ours fault. Besides, Wayne has been a good friend for over 4 years now. I'll just buy a new one, or study the above braces a little more. Right now I'm running around without one there.

 

teamrx8, why don't you like underbraces? (if that is the right impression i'm getting. if not, nvm)

 

If there is no difference in the Mazdatrix and AutoExe one I would say go with Mazdatrix. It's much cheaper.