VQracer

This is always one of my favorite mods in any car because it makes very noticeable differance in structure of the vehicle. The 350Z has plenty of these braces from the factory, so it wasn't needed on that car.

AutoEXE and Mazdaspeed make these braces for the FD but it doesn't seem to be a popular mod. Does anyone have these, how do you like it?

Thanks,
Victor

darkside7

iTrader: (12)

afriehas the and of mine has the auto exe brace on his fd. it looks great, and his car fells a lot more stifer than mine.

alberto_mg

Overall, it seems that the FD chassis is sufficiently stiff and does not need any further chassis stiffening braces other than upper front strut and rear shock tower bars.

The other popular braces (like KGParts and Dragon's diff braces) have to do with eliminating wheel hop through [apparently] reducing drivetrain movement relative to the chassis.

user 9348703

alberto_mg---I disagree. Im not saying these are whats best (body stiffeners), but moving from my MR2 too the FD, I feel like I was in the middle of where the FD twists (right under the seat). 2 weeks after having my FD, I put a 7 point in it, now its stiff.

VQracer

what underbody braces do you carry?

SleepR1

Rx7 Store has both engine torque brace and rear diff brace. Use them together and the driveline is SOLID. Wheel hop gone.

VQracer

I was talking about the underbody, but thanks for the info. Those 2 pieces were on my list.

Bluem

like these

VQracer

AutoEXE

user 9348703

Mazdaspeed again just so its not a click pic.

doncojones

I wonder if these underbody braces would be compatible with a diff brace. Looks like they might use some of the same bolt holes.

teamstealth

heres a pic of my KGPARTS diff brace for reference on the bolt holes. it uses the very last 4 on the tranny tunnel. Looks like both body stiffeners would interfere, and only the Auto EXE brace would interfere with the dragon brace. Dont these body stiffeners cost a pretty penny from MS?

VQracer

I found a place that has the AutoEXE for 550 + shipping

doncojones

Looks like jt-imports has the Mazdaspeed braces for $720.

user 9348703

What do expect from MS hehe

Yeah Autoexe is just about the same thing as MS, just undercutting the prices a little.

I think Autoexe is trying to do away with MS again, but Mazda doesnt seem to mind, pretty weird.

Mazda Japan endorses both companies! wierd......

Anyway you will find 9 times out of 10 AUTOEXE will be cheaper then MS. The Name costs in this case.

teamstealth

now the question is....if this mod is really worth the price it demands and provides great benefits....how come you dont hear about it everyday?

doncojones

Because neither of the companies that make the things have any kind of official distribution channels in this country.

user 9348703

Actually its a pretty new mod. I dont have any input on it, since I have never used it, but it just MIGHT BE MIGHT BE a better alternative to a jungle gym in the back seat, if you want the stiffness but dont want to loose half your car in the process..

alberto_mg

that was exactly my original point. the fd has a very stiff chassis to begin with. we can all jack up one corner of our car and have the other 2 corners rise due to the stiffness of the fd's chassis. i don't see further underbody bracing as having all that much affect. especially at that ******* price. a flexible chassis is not the fd's weakness.

now on a car like the miata or 350 or bmw or vw, these underbody stiffeners make a very nice addition in my personal experience.

user 9348703

I disagree with the stiffness. I think the FD body moves WAY too much, but hey all opinions count.

For FREE I would have brought a set to put on someones car at 7 stock just so we all could see haha.

If I put them on my FD and say, no one will believe me hehe

doncojones

Sure the FD has a reasonably stiff unibody. That doesn't mean it can't be improved upon. The price of this stuff would be lower if either AutoExe or Mazdaspeed had official distribution channels in the USA, but they don't so you have to pay the cost of small importers bringing them over for you.

artowar

iTrader: (1)

Hey jt-imports, how do you like the "fender stiffeners" that are shown on your project car? How much do those cost?

user 9348703

Fender stifferners havent hit the track yet, thats what I got them for. Im not going to do a full body lightening and strengthing so they should help a little alot with my 4 point strut bar and 7 point cage damn thats a lot of points....

Anyway cost---I wish I could say.. Not too bad price wise, around $100, but the bummer part is removing the fender to put them on. I have had them for about 2 years now, but Im just getting around to changing the fenders so i finally got to throw them on...

teamstealth

well sure everything could be improved upon...but if it was a VITAL mod that showed noticable improvements...wouldnt someone have already made a profit on it here? Id like to hear from the Japanese market and if it has taken off over there. I just think money could be better spent on other weak spots in the suspension, such as beefier sway bars, toe links, etc.

VQracer

Even $550 the lowest price I found, it's not worth it. I'm pretty sure I can have someone fabricate the similar pieces for significantly less.