DIY Strut Brace With Master Cylinder brace
11-18-2010, 05:39 PM
#23
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Bob
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11-18-2010, 11:43 PM
#24
I can understand why Boss Frog attached where they did. It is really the only point that you can bolt to readily. But, since you welded, it seems like you could go even further forward on the inner fender. It seems like the closer you got to the shock tower, the better the support would be. Is there a reason you didn't carry it to directly above the wheel well and across from the shock towers?
Last edited by Disaster; 11-19-2010 at 06:30 AM.
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11-19-2010, 07:01 AM
#29
Brake flex is only a big concern in the initial design (when it robs you of mechanical advantage therefore you have to design a higher effort system) or if the flex allows something to bottom, limiting brake application force. Neither is true with the Miata.
I owned a bike where the rear brakes flexed enough that you could bottom the hand lever. You could adjust the hand lever out further...but then it was uncomfortably far from the bar. Someone designed a horseshoe bar to reduce the flex and it worked great.
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11-19-2010, 07:04 AM
#30
Agreed, but would the difference be that much? IMHO, I've never had an issue with the flex of the cylinder so I chose to do nothing. I can see why someone would add something to their brace...since they are in the area anyway.
Brake flex is only a big concern in the initial design (when it robs you of mechanical advantage therefore you have to design a higher effort system) or if the flex allows something to bottom, limiting brake application force. Neither is true with the Miata.
I owned a bike where the rear brakes flexed enough that you could bottom the hand lever. You could adjust the hand lever out further...but then it was uncomfortably far from the bar. Someone designed a horseshoe bar to reduce the flex and it worked great.
Brake flex is only a big concern in the initial design (when it robs you of mechanical advantage therefore you have to design a higher effort system) or if the flex allows something to bottom, limiting brake application force. Neither is true with the Miata.
I owned a bike where the rear brakes flexed enough that you could bottom the hand lever. You could adjust the hand lever out further...but then it was uncomfortably far from the bar. Someone designed a horseshoe bar to reduce the flex and it worked great.
Bike as in motorcycle?
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11-19-2010, 07:11 AM
#31
I think for a lot of people installing these braces, it is akin to looking in the street for the money you lost in the alley way. The brace doesn't do much but it's sure easy to install. In comparison, the Frog Arms require a lot of time because you have to yank the fenders, but they work much, much better. The three point braces, that mount to the firewall are considerably more effective, but still not as good as fender braces.
The bike was a GT I-drive mountain bike. The bracket looked like a little horseshoe and fit over the rear suspension frame tubes. Slick piece of work.
Last edited by Disaster; 11-19-2010 at 07:34 AM.
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11-19-2010, 08:42 AM
#32
/\ Each piece on its own is only a piece of the puzzle. These combined with others are what complete the package. Anyone who thinks a single item is going to give them the results they are after, are only chasing rabbits.
Race seats are great, but only really show their potential with 5 or 6 point harnesses.
Turbos are great, but only really show their potential when drivetrain and chassis are prepared for them.
Strut bar is a decent piece, but only a piece.
Race seats are great, but only really show their potential with 5 or 6 point harnesses.
Turbos are great, but only really show their potential when drivetrain and chassis are prepared for them.
Strut bar is a decent piece, but only a piece.
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11-19-2010, 08:45 AM
#33
/\ Each piece on its own is only a piece of the puzzle. These combined with others are what complete the package. Anyone who thinks a single item is going to give them the results they are after, are only chasing rabbits.
Race seats are great, but only really show their potential with 5 or 6 point harnesses.
Turbos are great, but only really show their potential when drivetrain and chassis are prepared for them.
Strut bar is a decent piece, but only a piece.
Race seats are great, but only really show their potential with 5 or 6 point harnesses.
Turbos are great, but only really show their potential when drivetrain and chassis are prepared for them.
Strut bar is a decent piece, but only a piece.
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11-19-2010, 08:51 AM
#34
My last Miata had all kinds of braces, my current one has none.
You could get frog arms, and butterflies, and three points and rear subframe braces... I'm just not sold on adding a lot of metal to the car at those points.
I'd like to see actual track data on one car, braced everywhere vs braced nowhere. See if the hundred pounds of metal does something more than make the car more comfortable.
A cage, like a 12 or 16 point, tied into shock towers, that's some real triangulation.
You could get frog arms, and butterflies, and three points and rear subframe braces... I'm just not sold on adding a lot of metal to the car at those points.
I'd like to see actual track data on one car, braced everywhere vs braced nowhere. See if the hundred pounds of metal does something more than make the car more comfortable.
A cage, like a 12 or 16 point, tied into shock towers, that's some real triangulation.
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11-19-2010, 08:55 AM
#36
My last Miata had all kinds of braces, my current one has none.
You could get frog arms, and butterflies, and three points and rear subframe braces... I'm just not sold on adding a lot of metal to the car at those points.
I'd like to see actual track data on one car, braced everywhere vs braced nowhere. See if the hundred pounds of metal does something more than make the car more comfortable.
A cage, like a 12 or 16 point, tied into shock towers, that's some real triangulation.
You could get frog arms, and butterflies, and three points and rear subframe braces... I'm just not sold on adding a lot of metal to the car at those points.
I'd like to see actual track data on one car, braced everywhere vs braced nowhere. See if the hundred pounds of metal does something more than make the car more comfortable.
A cage, like a 12 or 16 point, tied into shock towers, that's some real triangulation.
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11-19-2010, 08:58 AM
#37
But first and foremost is what the driver likes as feedback from the car. Period!
And to each his own...
Now as far as data... we put on our cars what work and have been proven to do so. I'm not too worried about adding weight, because I have taken tons of weight out to accomodate this. Part of the puzzle I have mentioned above.
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11-19-2010, 09:02 AM
#38
Let's not go there! AutoX and Track setups are obviously different and many factors come into play with what you want out of the car.
But first and foremost is what the driver likes as feedback from the car. Period!
And to each his own...
Now as far as data... we put on our cars what work and have been proven to do so. I'm not too worried about adding weight, because I have taken tons of weight out to accomodate this. Part of the puzzle I have mentioned above.
But first and foremost is what the driver likes as feedback from the car. Period!
And to each his own...
Now as far as data... we put on our cars what work and have been proven to do so. I'm not too worried about adding weight, because I have taken tons of weight out to accomodate this. Part of the puzzle I have mentioned above.
I recall getting in a deep discussion about weight with this guy who did all kinds of stuff to remove weight from his car only to find he drives around with 50 pounds of tools in his trunk.
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