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Cut Out Strut Tower Brace

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Old 06-22-2021, 01:54 PM
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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?



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Old 06-22-2021, 02:05 PM
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NA miatas don't have them so I don't see an issue
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Old 06-22-2021, 02:09 PM
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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.
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Old 06-22-2021, 02:53 PM
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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.
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Old 06-22-2021, 03:01 PM
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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
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Old 06-22-2021, 03:13 PM
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Nice BMC reservoir
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Old 06-22-2021, 03:27 PM
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https://treasurecoastmiata.com/i-119...wer-brace.html

Are you sure it's welded on?
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Old 06-22-2021, 03:40 PM
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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.
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Old 06-22-2021, 04:11 PM
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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.
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Old 06-23-2021, 11:23 AM
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Pictures from side of this welded on strut bar tower mount is needed.
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Old 06-23-2021, 11:42 AM
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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; 06-23-2021 at 12:42 PM.
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Old 06-23-2021, 11:56 AM
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Am patiently waiting for pics as well lol
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Old 06-23-2021, 12:47 PM
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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.
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