while i was bleeding the clutch on my S3 ('85) i noticed a heap of flexing of the firewall due to the loads apon it from the clutch pedal and master cyilnder. Im assuming the braking forces would be much worse too..

has anyone got any info or pics on thease sort of braces in a 1st gen? (it will save me having to think somthing up)

Im sure there have been a few differnt ways to spread these loads in rally/road race cars, ive seen stuff on the net for WRX's but i havent come across anything on the rx7's


this flexing isnt really a major problem, but im on a quest to get the most from the car by refining as many things like this as possible....
if the firewall is flexing it is a load that isnt doing its job on the brakes or clutch....
it's the same therory behind fitting braided brake lines i guess

 

Sumthin bout ya post reminded me of the Oct 2000 Hot4's i was reading today.....the one wif the Red FD on the cover...youll know wot i mean if u have it

 

nope, i havent got that hot 4's.....
this is a a brace for WRX's that is made here in australia

 

well, almost 4 years later ...

does anyone know of anyone that makes these for the Gen I cars or am i going to have to make my own?

 

There was a thread about this a long time ago, the unit was made from threaded rod, do a search on the firewall brace.

Where in Melbourne are you, I used to live in the Croydon/Ringwood area

 

The more I think about this the more I think that link was in the MR2owners forum, d'oh.

 

probably, i just ordered one for my MR2 Turbo and i would like to get one for my Rx-7. i've been searching for the better part of 80 minutes and i've found nothing on here so far.

i guess that means i'll probably have to try and find materials to make one. anyone know what kind of store i need to get some pretty thick sheet metal (like what one might use to make intake or exhaust flanges)?

 

Man go with aluminum to reduce weight. while I'm at it, this mod won't help your braking distances it will just give a slightly firmer pedal feel, is it worth the effort for not measurable improvement, this is why I haven't done anything to mine, I may end up doing a full dual master cylinder pedal box later though.

 

is it worth it? to me? yes ... i'll be putting a S4 master cylinder in to complete my braking system by the time i get it back on the road and i just want to round everything out with a brace.

aluminum is what i'd prefer. i just don't know where to get it - never had to before.

 

I get my aluminum stock from this guy, let him know I sent you.

http://stores.ebay.com/TRINITY-METAL-SALES

 

i wonder if like, adding an extra layer to the firewall would be easier than fabbing a stopper type brace? seems like theres nothing even nearby where you could put the brace

 

A brace,,,,, I can come up with something. It's going to have to be a " plate " of 16 guage aluminum at the firewall then braced forward to something like the strut tower
or a large " plate " on both sides of the firewall.

 

I've seen the firewall plate method used before on 1st gens. Custom job, not too tough to do.