Shock tower brace. Worthwhile or toss it?
03-24-2013, 02:58 PM
#1
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Shock tower brace. Worthwhile or toss it?
When I was installing my Xidas I had to remove the strut bar to access the shock bolt on the passenger side. That thing is heavy! I noticed Emilio doesn't run one on Crusher but does have one on his 94R. Do they do anything for handling or improving lap times?
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03-24-2013, 11:00 PM
#6
I thought about putting a bar on my 91 a few times, but never felt like spending the money. In theory, shock tower bars are worthless for a double wishbone car, but I think the old NA chassis are so floppy that ANY bracing is helpful. I wouldn't add the weight to a caged car, but I'd definitely put one on a street car if it were free.
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03-27-2013, 09:09 AM
#11
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Apparently, they can be used as a structural component in a Locost. See pics here: Should I buy or have I smoked too much crack? - Miata Turbo Forum - Turbo Kitten is watching you test compression.
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03-28-2013, 08:26 AM
#13
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My car is not seam welded and caged so maybe the STB does do something positive for handling. If it's just to isolate vibration I could care less. Probably a naive question but why would it cost points if it doesn't make the car faster?
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04-04-2013, 07:48 PM
#15
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FOUND IT on Emilios post about his 94 with an STB
Quote:
Originally Posted by hornetball View Post
I see a really nice STB there. So much conflicting info out there on whether these matter on a chassis with control arms instead of McPhersons. Would love to hear your thoughts on that.
Reduces cowl shake a bit, has no effect on handling, looks cool. John liked the way it looked and wanted it in there. As he's the one building everything here, he puts his stamp on things like that. I wasn't digging the Cusco blue mounts so asked him to shoot those crinkle black.
To make any noticeable change to handling, it needs to be massive like the OEM steel braces or maybe the burly Tein STB for the NB's. Mazda added the braces for NVH reduction.
In the beginning Emilio says it reduces cowl shake. He says Mazda did it to eliminate NVH, but later says you'd need an OEM one to make a change to the handling. So mine's OEM, I guess it's helping?
I guess I'll try it with and without and see if I can see any difference
Quote:
Originally Posted by hornetball View Post
I see a really nice STB there. So much conflicting info out there on whether these matter on a chassis with control arms instead of McPhersons. Would love to hear your thoughts on that.
Reduces cowl shake a bit, has no effect on handling, looks cool. John liked the way it looked and wanted it in there. As he's the one building everything here, he puts his stamp on things like that. I wasn't digging the Cusco blue mounts so asked him to shoot those crinkle black.
To make any noticeable change to handling, it needs to be massive like the OEM steel braces or maybe the burly Tein STB for the NB's. Mazda added the braces for NVH reduction.
In the beginning Emilio says it reduces cowl shake. He says Mazda did it to eliminate NVH, but later says you'd need an OEM one to make a change to the handling. So mine's OEM, I guess it's helping?
I guess I'll try it with and without and see if I can see any difference
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04-04-2013, 08:22 PM
#17
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I have the massive NB Tien one Emilio referenced in the above. I live on one of those streets that has been repaved so many times that I will damn near high center on my driveway transition unless I take it at a 45° angle. Before the big *** Tien, my dome light would come on when I passed over the top of the transition. After the Tien, no light. 
Then some asshat at the transmission shop flattened my framerail and the light started coming back on again.
Did it do something? Yes. Is it worth it? Probably not.
I'd recommend you save your cash for something substantial. I installed a set of Frog Arms and they made a difference I could actually feel. I helped a friend install a set of V8R framerails and those things are BEASTIAL. I'm not nearly as hardcore so I have a set of FMs framerails in the garage, waiting for the free time and good weather gods to bless me so I can install them. I'd love to figure out a way to tie them into a set of door bars...
Then some asshat at the transmission shop flattened my framerail and the light started coming back on again.
Did it do something? Yes. Is it worth it? Probably not.
I'd recommend you save your cash for something substantial. I installed a set of Frog Arms and they made a difference I could actually feel. I helped a friend install a set of V8R framerails and those things are BEASTIAL. I'm not nearly as hardcore so I have a set of FMs framerails in the garage, waiting for the free time and good weather gods to bless me so I can install them. I'd love to figure out a way to tie them into a set of door bars...
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04-05-2013, 10:43 AM
#19
FOUND IT on Emilios post about his 94 with an STB
Quote:
Originally Posted by hornetball View Post
I see a really nice STB there. So much conflicting info out there on whether these matter on a chassis with control arms instead of McPhersons. Would love to hear your thoughts on that.
Reduces cowl shake a bit, has no effect on handling, looks cool. John liked the way it looked and wanted it in there. As he's the one building everything here, he puts his stamp on things like that. I wasn't digging the Cusco blue mounts so asked him to shoot those crinkle black.
To make any noticeable change to handling, it needs to be massive like the OEM steel braces or maybe the burly Tein STB for the NB's. Mazda added the braces for NVH reduction.
In the beginning Emilio says it reduces cowl shake. He says Mazda did it to eliminate NVH, but later says you'd need an OEM one to make a change to the handling. So mine's OEM, I guess it's helping?
I guess I'll try it with and without and see if I can see any difference
Quote:
Originally Posted by hornetball View Post
I see a really nice STB there. So much conflicting info out there on whether these matter on a chassis with control arms instead of McPhersons. Would love to hear your thoughts on that.
Reduces cowl shake a bit, has no effect on handling, looks cool. John liked the way it looked and wanted it in there. As he's the one building everything here, he puts his stamp on things like that. I wasn't digging the Cusco blue mounts so asked him to shoot those crinkle black.
To make any noticeable change to handling, it needs to be massive like the OEM steel braces or maybe the burly Tein STB for the NB's. Mazda added the braces for NVH reduction.
In the beginning Emilio says it reduces cowl shake. He says Mazda did it to eliminate NVH, but later says you'd need an OEM one to make a change to the handling. So mine's OEM, I guess it's helping?
I guess I'll try it with and without and see if I can see any difference
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04-05-2013, 11:54 AM
#20
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Cobalt triangulated strut/shock tower brace?
Polished Stainless Steel Miata Shock Tower Brace for Miata
Polished Stainless Steel Miata Shock Tower Brace for Miata
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