Notices
Suspension, Brakes, Drivetrain discuss the wondrous effects of boost and your miata...
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: 949 Racing

Cut Out Strut Tower Brace

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 22, 2021 | 01:54 PM
  #1  
skylinecalvin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 486
Total Cats: 89
Default Cut Out Strut Tower Brace

From what i've read, Miata's don't benefit from a strut tower brace. Is there any issue if I cut out the strut tower mount to make more space? I outlined what i'm referring to in the picture below. The car will never be driven anywhere close to its limits. I will be doing the occasional auto-cross and HPDE but not really my main concern.

Disregard the mess... It's still a major work in progress and I plan on replacing the brake master cylinder + building a heat shield.

Unrelated question, is there anyway to resize photos within the post or does this have to be done before uploading?



Old Jun 22, 2021 | 02:05 PM
  #2  
SpartanSV's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,232
Total Cats: 169
From: Greeley, CO
Default

NA miatas don't have them so I don't see an issue
Old Jun 22, 2021 | 02:09 PM
  #3  
andym's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 560
Total Cats: 78
From: Miami
Default

The strut tower mount just bolts on. Undo the 2 shock tower bolts that hold the tops of the shocks in and that bracket comes out.
Old Jun 22, 2021 | 02:53 PM
  #4  
skylinecalvin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 486
Total Cats: 89
Default

Originally Posted by SpartanSV
NA miatas don't have them so I don't see an issue
I was thinking the same and most people mentioned the brace offers very little stability (if at all).

Originally Posted by andym
The strut tower mount just bolts on. Undo the 2 shock tower bolts that hold the tops of the shocks in and that bracket comes out.
The brace has been long since removed, but I'm wanting to cut out the mount for it. It's welded into the chassis. I'll of course cut a bit on the conservative side as to not mess with the top hat mounting area.
Old Jun 22, 2021 | 03:01 PM
  #5  
Scaxx's Avatar
Elite Member
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,654
Total Cats: 887
From: Seattle, WA
Default

Originally Posted by skylinecalvin


The brace has been long since removed, but I'm wanting to cut out the mount for it. It's welded into the chassis. I'll of course cut a bit on the conservative side as to not mess with the top hat mounting area.
PO welded it into the car? LOL
Old Jun 22, 2021 | 03:13 PM
  #6  
boileralum's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,108
Total Cats: 233
From: Indianapolis, IN
Default

Nice BMC reservoir
Old Jun 22, 2021 | 03:27 PM
  #7  
gesso's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 820
Total Cats: 276
From: Bay Area, CA
Default

https://treasurecoastmiata.com/i-119...wer-brace.html

Are you sure it's welded on?
Old Jun 22, 2021 | 03:40 PM
  #8  
skylinecalvin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 486
Total Cats: 89
Default

Originally Posted by boileralum
Nice BMC reservoir
Yea.... I underestimated how hot a manifold could get. I have a new one ordered. I'm going to build a heat shield in between the gab as well as put a starter heat shield/wrap around the BMC.

Originally Posted by gesso
Hahaha, no way. The PO welded it on. That's funny to know.
Old Jun 22, 2021 | 04:11 PM
  #9  
rwyatt365's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,459
Total Cats: 132
From: ATL
Default

Yeah, the heat from my turbo DP melted the MBC on my NB during a track day. Luckily, the session was about over and I was on my way into the paddock when my brakes failed completely!

Also, why weld in the strut bar mount? The PO must have been kinda weird.
Old Jun 23, 2021 | 11:23 AM
  #10  
Midtenn's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,195
Total Cats: 310
From: Murfreesboro,TN
Default

Pictures from side of this welded on strut bar tower mount is needed.
Old Jun 23, 2021 | 11:42 AM
  #11  
Joe Perez's Avatar
Boost Pope
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 34,402
Total Cats: 7,523
From: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Default

Originally Posted by Midtenn
Pictures from side of this welded on strut bar tower mount is needed.
^ This.

It's clear from the photo that the upper part of the brace mount is welded to the lower part of the brace mount.

However, unless some really improbable welding, which we cannot see in the photo, has taken place, then the whole assembly pictured can be removed from the car by removing the two nuts from the studs which are protruding vertically up through the body, from the upper shock mount.

EDIT: Put those nuts back once you're done. They're holding the front suspension to the body. It's fine to remove them when the car is at rest and sitting on the ground. But if you drive it, or jack it up with those nuts removed, the front shocks will fall out and you'll have a bad day.

Everything which I have highlighted in pink should come off, as one assembly, by removing the two nuts which are hidden from view in this photo, but at approximately the locations indicated by the green arrows:



Last edited by Joe Perez; Jun 23, 2021 at 12:42 PM.
Old Jun 23, 2021 | 11:56 AM
  #12  
Scaxx's Avatar
Elite Member
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,654
Total Cats: 887
From: Seattle, WA
Default

Am patiently waiting for pics as well lol
Old Jun 23, 2021 | 12:47 PM
  #13  
skylinecalvin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 486
Total Cats: 89
Default

It wasn't welded . I removed the nuts previously but it was just rusted to hell and back. A good tap of a hammer took it off.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Flyinglizard45
Miata parts for sale/trade
0
Mar 31, 2019 12:13 PM
hysteria411
Suspension, Brakes, Drivetrain
30
Jun 29, 2011 11:14 PM
bobsaget
Suspension, Brakes, Drivetrain
41
Nov 21, 2010 05:58 PM
Cody Strife
Miata parts for sale/trade
3
May 22, 2010 10:26 PM
RicanmiataRacer
General Miata Chat
29
Jan 31, 2007 10:10 AM




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:51 PM.