The mazdaspeed one is the best in my opinion because of the brake brace bracket. Look for deals in the F/S section or with the vendors on this forum.

Front tower struts don't help much unfortunately. I have the greddy one because ti was cheap and nice looking...

just my $.02

 

Mazda added a 4 point toer strut brace for '09. If it wasn't a help, or wasn't needed, why would they add it? Answer: They wouldn't.

Bottom line, the original 2 point strut was put there for a reason, that being that they had to weaken the front crossmember to accomodate a larger winter climate battery and the air box. They put the strut in to try and restore front end stiffness. Appraently Mazda engineers believed it didn't quite do the job, therefore they upgraded it and are now using a 4 point strut which gives enhanced rigidity to the front structure.

Back in '05 I added an Autoexe 4 point strut brace specifically for the reason above. I read what they did during development of the car and deduced (correctly it seems) that Mazda would try and 'get by' with the least bracing they could, and more could improve handling and chassis rigidity.

It most definitely does improve the (04-08) car of course, and I wouldn't run the car without it. Since you can't retrofit the '09 version in an 04-08, get either the Autoexe which in my opinion is the best contruction and best brace due to the materials used and attachment points, not to mention it comes with a 4 point rear brace (same story there basically as far as that they 'had' to put it in) both for ~$650. Or alternatively any other front 4 point brace.

Buying any performance part because it's cheap and nice looking...I'm afraid it's hard to put this nicely ...is stupid..unless you're only interested in looks ... but moreso because cheap parts are typically a waste of money, whereas more effective 'so-called expensive' parts...are really cheap for what you get...actual performance improvements.

 

I got the 4 point STB from AutoEXE (front and rear) and I love it. I notice the car is stiffer in its initial turn response and a bit more responsive. It also looks pretty badass. IIRC, it was 600 for both.

 

I have my doubts about Mazda's 4-point bar since you can wiggle the rear attachment area. The Mazdaspeed is the only one with the master cylinder brace and it makes life easy if you have adjustable shocks. Corksport has a polished aluminum 4pt bar for about $200, Fluid Motorsports has one that looks like the MS, but without the master cylinder support for $200.

 

Yeah there are two versions of the Mazdaspeed Front strut, one with a brake cylinder brace and one that is a 4 point.

Currently we contracted a company to design us a 4 Point/6 Point Strut Brace that will actually incorporate a Master Brake Cylinder Brace.

I should be getting a prototype within the next month.

 

I went ahead and ordered the Mazdaspeed bar from Fluid Motorsports. Can't wait for it to arrive :D

 

Mazda has their own version of 4 point strut for 04-08, but its sold in Japan only. It mounts at different point (same as 09 version) than autoexe (there is another Autoexe 4 point strut, it replaced the original one, it slightly different)

 

Your dealership is stealing from you. It's $220 USD from this dealership which is like 275 CAD:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...subcat2=121537

And Fluid has it around or under the same price. Install takes about 20 minutes and anyone with a socket wrench can do it (tho its helpful to have a flexible socket extension).

Gotta ditch the engine cover or cut it up a bit tho. But why hide something as nice as the MS tower.

Best reason to go MS over other aftermarket brands is the brake master cylinder reinforcement.

Oops. Missed that OP already bought it. Congrats op.

 

I'd be anxious to see it. I like my four point stock brace but I feel it could be upgraded and don't want to downgrade to a 2 point bar, such as the MS one. I don't really like the autoexec one either so I'd be highly interested to see what you come up with.

 

Well, finally got my bar in (after FedEx delivered it to the wrong person) and installed it today. It's much bigger then I thought it would be but it still looks great, much better than the stock one. Thanks Fluid, I strongly recommend Fluid Motorsports to anyone :D