Extremely easy install.. Took about 45 minutes to get both the front/rear installed. So far so good. I like the performance of them. Steering is more crisp and precise. I highly recommend them. Attaching pics of the front and rear..

 

Looks good...

Has anyone yet figured out a way to mount the spare tire kit and the brace at the same time?

 

how much and where'd you buy?

 

Is the front bar significantly lighter or stiffer than the stock one? Is it totally carbon fiber except for the end pieces?

 

I think somepeople have laid the spare tire kit flat and mounted it that way.

 

Okay.. I used to have the spare tire in the trunk. It seems that the mounting bar for the spare tire acted as a strut bar.. The MS rear strut bar is about 1/4 the weight of the spare tire bar... THe MS rear strut bar is also flat with no curves which enhances it's support. For those of you with the spare tire kit that want the MS rear strut bar it's going to be easier for those that don't have the spare tire because the interior trim of the trunk is already cut to fit the strut bar.

The Front Bar isn't really lighter than stock. However, it is significantly stronger. The stock bar is so flimsy that a guy of average strength could grab the ends and bent it over their knee... The Front Strut Bar is made of aluminum, which is then wrapped in Carbon Fiber.... dunno why, I am guessing for looks.. But you won't see me start to complain

Cost.. I paid $339 shipped for both the front and rear. I bought them off Ebay. I know both Trussville and Rosenthal sell the pair for $372 (front $234, rear $138), not including shipping... So look around and you may find a better deal than the already low prices of Rosenthal and Trussville..

Hope that answered the questions you all wanted answers to.

 

Wow, you got the strut bars before the sway bars? Wait until you get the sway bars, even more of an improvement.

 

Sounds good, thanks...

 

Yup, I am waiting for the Racing Beat ones that I ordered to get here. Damn UPS.. always a day late....

 

I was going to find a picture but I can't

Basically, turn the kit sideway with handle facing the centre of the car and the flat surface leaning on the strut bar. You can tie the bottle in too!

Someone, I think cortc, took a picture before.

Anyway MY strut somehow is different
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ight=strut+bar

 

Here it is. You can tie the bottle of oil in too!!! :D :D :D

 

Ah.. got it.. Thanks! Appreciate the information. Extremely useful...

 

Oh.. rereading the question about the spare tire kit, I think Ellar was asking if the actual spare tire could be mounted with the MS Rear Strut bar.. The answer is no... I suppose you could jury rig a mount on the floor of the trunk, so the spare tire doesn't move around while driving.. though that would kill your trunk space.. and there's precious little to begin with..

 

You are Welcome philodox. I think you have to thank cortc.

No you cannot fit the rear spare in - nothing to hang on it anymore. No more space anyway :p

 

I didn't want to start a new thread on this topic, since there are already a million threads, so I guess I'll just add to this one since I am interested in buying a set from MS. If I just install the brace in the front and leave the back brace out. What kind of handling will I get? The reason why I ask is because I have a sub in the trunk and I am positive it will be in the way. However, the front is somewhat weak and I think jsut about any strut brace is going to be better than the stock peice. Any feedback is appreciated (sorry if I hijacked this thread).

 

No need to apologise for hijacking.. heh.. this thread was kind of dead anyhow.. You shouldn't have any trouble with just the front strut brace. You are correct in that the stock front brace is very weak. You will get a lot better steering response with the front strut bar and modest brake 'feel' improvement since it has a master cylinder stop built on the brace. If you have any other questions let me know.

 

I apologize for butting in, but I noticed that Takahashi appears to have the JDM version of the Mazdaspeed stut bars. I've noticed that Rosenthal Mazda sells the US version which is carbon fiber, Corksport sells the JDM version which is all silver and looks bigger.

My question is does anyone know if the JDM Mazdaspeed strut bar Takahashi has will fit the US RX-8?

 

I think it does. Call up rotary secret 7 in CA 626-912-8400 and ask them to confirm. They had the 4pt brace on their 8 and now are selling that one for $325. I think their car was a US 8 so it probably did fit.

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/rotorworks/masttobrus.html

 

I think someone like Charles should consider making a reverse version of the JDM Mazdaspeed 4pt strut brace so LHD cars can utilize the extra stiffness.

 

JIC has something kinda like it.

http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/p...7f097353597897

 

The only thing different from the JIC unit and the one from Mazdaspeed is the master cylinder brace I think. I could be wrong though.

 

Thanks for the info, I shot Rotory Secret and Corksport and email to just verify it will fit. I took a pic of my engine bay and compared it to the JDM pic with the MS strut bar installed, from what I can see all the bolts are in the right place and clearance looks okay.

 

Cortc have asked me about that before and he concluded that the brace to the little plastic reservior thing in front of the drum (I assume that is the brake/clutch thingy)... is important and function. So the answer is probably not.

THAT IS WHAT I TALKED ABOUT


People said it is a function piece and certainly it is a exact and tight fit when we installed it.