Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

I've been wanting a Re-Speed strut tower bar for a while now, but I don't know if my stock intake will get in the way.
I have some pictures attached showing what I have.
I'm wanting to do a restoration on the car, by keeping as many original pieces to the car as possible, so removing the stock intake is not an option.

In order from left to right here are my questions:

Picture 1:What are the lengths of each bar and what is the angle that the bracket comes out to connect the towers together?
Picture 2: Will the bar clear the stock plastic intake?
Picture 3: Where in the world can I find a replacement for the plastic intake?
Picture 4:Will the bar connecting the strut on the right side to the fire wall clear the intake?
Picture 5:How long is the bracket on the fire wall that is used to connect the towers?
Random question 1: On the inside of the intake there is a charcoal canister, is there a way to remove it so I can have the intake completely powder coated?
Random Question 2: If this fits and I get it, I want to do a custom color. What color should I have it powder coated??? I like Illusion Violet, but I would like to see other people have for ideas.

Thanks in advance.

Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

Well looking at picture 4, the bar on the right side connecting to the fire wall will clearly not fit. I have the line drawn wrong. I have it going straight to the heater hose, and not the hood latch where it should be.
So far this isn't looking too good for my idea. Will it still clear the intake?

orion84gsl

iTrader: (5)

It will not. I have an RB filter kit which is about the same diameter, maybe a bit less and had to trim about 2 inches off the top piece for the firewall bar to clear it. When I say trim, I mean cut the **** out of it with an angle grinder. Was not fun.

Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

:/ yeah kinda figured. Will the bar just connecting the towers clear?

rwatson5651

iTrader: (5)

Nope.

Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

Is there a place where I can at least get a replacement for the plastic intake piece?
I currently have zip ties holding it on and want to change that.

Banzai

iTrader: (13)

No body that I know of makes replacement snorkles, but you can find members in the classified section here who would have an air cleaner for sale from time to time.

Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

Okay, so I have started to draw out the plans to make my own Tower bar. For right now I have drawn out the brace that will be bolted down to the tower.
I took some measurements and I'm a little paranoid that they are wrong, and some I'm just not sure about. I drew out a 1 to 1 scale drawing at school today, so please excuse the crudeness of the drawing. Can some one please double check my measurements?
?3 was left blank because that radius will depend on the other measurements.
I'm not sure what millimeter the bolts are and how far the bolts are from the center.

Glazedham42

iTrader: (4)

Here are some measurements I used when I made my own strut bar. I guarantee they will work. I actually built mine and it fits perfectly. You can see my writeup in the archives.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-archive-71/other-how-make-your-own-strut-bar-723846/

Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

Thank you Glazedham42.
Can you please post a picture of your strut bar finished please?
I am curious to see what your looks like completed.

Glazedham42

iTrader: (4)

I ended up making my strut bar out of round bar instead of square tubing, but here is what mine ended up looking like. I added some tubes for the firewall braces too. Unfortunately I don't have drawings for that stuff. I just kind of did it by trial and error in my garage.

Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

Thank you for the picture.
Attached is the bracket I'm designing.
With your measurements I should have the CAD drawing completed in the next week.
Thanks again.

Glazedham42

iTrader: (4)

Looks good! Be sure to post up the finished product when you get done. I'd like to see how it turns out!

Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

Okay so I have almost completed a CAD drawing of the bracket I'm just waiting for my next paycheck so I can buy the male rod ends that I will be using to connect the brackets to the bar.
While I was researching other people's homemade tower bars some one mentioned that if the tower bar is not flexible or it is too strong it will twist the chassis. Is this statement correct?
Also what will I want to use for the bar aluminum or steel?
The most popular choice for steel is 4130 but what will be a good size for an aluminum bar?

orion84gsl

iTrader: (5)

The chassis is already able to twist, which is what the strut brace is there to counteract. Some rollcages are built to tie into the strut towers and make the chassis as stiff as possible. The idea behind stiffening the chassis is to allow the suspension to work properly. Same as polyurethane bushings and heim joints. If any part of the chassis or suspension mounting points are able to move while cornering, the suspension will not react correctly.

Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

Yeah, I was able to find a thread on a Miata forum talking about the do's and don't of tower bars shortly after I posted that so I was able to clear my questions up fairly quickly.
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread...=440621&page=4

I was able to order the kit in the picture attached today. The kit it's self amounted to 55$ shipped.
Also i was able to talk to a powder coating shop that is in walking distance of my school and they were talking 80$ per color ( I need to get in that business).
So once the kit comes in I'll make some final measurements and it should be smooth sailing from there.

Thank you guys for all the help.

Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

Project abandoned. :'(

Unfortunately no matter where I put the bar something gets in the way.