Effect on of removing factory mid-chassis brace (to fit RB Race Pipe)
 

Hi,

According to the Racing Beat website for the '99-'05 race connecting pipe ( Miata Race Connecting Pipe for 99-05 Miata - Racing Beat ) you need to remove the factory mid-chassis brace to fit. Cut/Paste from RB website below.

"Note: This connecting pipe is not compatible with the factory mid-chassis brace that came equipped on the 2001-05 Miata - this brace must be removed prior to the installation of the Race Connecting Pipe. ( To view a photo of this brace for reference, click here." http://www.racingbeat.com/photos/M2_OEM_Brace.jpg )


How much does this effect chassis stiffness? If there is negligible impact then no issue, but I'm sure the factory put it there for a reason. Are there any aftermarket braces available that can be used with the RB race pipe to get this stiffness back?

Any tips/suggestions/advice appreciated.

Cheers.

Ditch the brace

Really? I'd assume the only reason you'd say that would be from a weight savings standpoint, but i'd imagine with it being that low and in the middle of the car it wouldn't have that great of an impact? Unless the thing is just heavy as hell, i havent bothered checking it out on my NB.


Or i'm reading too far into that and you're saying not to worry simply in his case so he can fit the mid pipe.

:party:

Even if it's useless, it's some ballast in a really nice place.

That's what i want. Some useless bracing in the name of adding weight.

Sorry, I thought I was in the race prep section where people could have minimum weights to meet.

It sure is. That thing doesn't really weigh anything, which is also part of why it sucks as a brace.

Are people really ballasting heavy NB2s? (Serious question)

The old "its factory so it mist be there for a reason" is such an annoying bullshit line that gets repeated all the fucking time.

Yeah the factory puts shit on cars to sell more cars, that's the factories job, selling cars.

OEM strut tower brace must work because the factory put it there, yeah I'm sure it works to sell more cars, whether its because if better handling or because you can write it in the brochure we will never know without testing it ourselves.

Dann

Ok, i'll admit some things are hokey, and some things are there because people just "expect" them to be there. That being said, Mazda puts that brace on a lot of cars, my speed3 had one too. Its also under the car, not really in sight for a bling factor.

You really (not being snarky) think that chassis brace, on a convertible, does nothing?

Take it off and see if the car feels any different and/or is slower in any measure of performance.

One of this year's projects (if I ever get to them) is to install the complete MSM undercarriage bracing on my NB1. Will this be a waste of my time? I'll already have the interior out putting the roll bar in.

I think door bars would be a far better investment of time and money than the MSM belly brace from the standpoint of actually triangulating something. But that is one guy's opinion on an internet forum, so the bar isn't set very high.

Nah, I already said that it sells more cars. Just not sure if its because of stiffness, nvh, or brochure points (now with additional underbody bracing on all 2015 models!).

Dann

Hmm… street car, but I will keep this in mind, and I do not mind extra input. I got the MSM braces for $125, so not a lot of $$ invested.

125 dollars on parts that literally don't do anything positive for you.

Sounds like great value.

Input is welcome. Advice is taken into consideration. Opinions are evaluated.

Being a smart-ass is unnecessary.

Back to the conversation.

So, the question is: Regardless of cost, say I got the MSM braces for free, would it be a waste of my time to install them? Street car, plan to track it some, and I will have the interior out already.

Answer could be: Don't waste your time; Yes, do it; only add the rear double brace as it is really easy; sell it all; throw it in the trash.

You should test it out with your track day plans. Maybe run the first track day without the brace, then before you go back to the same track, try and keep other variables out out (don't install new modifications) and put the brace on before the track day. See if you notice any lap time differences.

I have noticed many of the changes I do on my autocross car affects many different things. Sometimes the car feels great to drive or is very fun, but I am slower than I would like to be. Lately I have been autocrossing without the rear sway bar in the car and it understeers mid corner. It makes the car less fun to drive but it slows me down, which has made me faster. I have now put higher spring rates in the front of the car, keeping all other changes the same, and the difference is massive, but I have yet to find out if I am faster or not.

TL;DR Evaluate what you want out of your car and what your cars purpose is. If you want to be fast at the track put the time in and test your hypothesis on chassis bracing with track times. If you just want fun and tactile feel, install it, drive on the street and see if it give you trouser tee pee. Enjoy the car.

Hard Dog door bars are not intrusive for street use.