...and I give it two thumbs up. With basic hand tools it was a pain to install because I had to tear through the metal that make up the tower. I also messed up the carpeting a bit. Oh well. With the right tools like some metal snips would have made the job easier and neater. Once it was in, it was well worth the effort. The back end feels totally connected now. I already had the front brace and lower arm brace on, but this really completes the package. I just had to share.

jerk_racer@hotmail.com

 

I forgot to mention that this is on my '89 TII.

 

Anybody who doesn't have front and rear strut braces is missing out. I've got the Mazdaspeed F & R braces and my car is so tight..(even considering my spring rates) it doesn't matter if traversing driveways, speedbumps or hi-speed cornering they make a noticeable difference in the car's rigidity. I have NO squeaks or rattles.
My rear piece was easy to install because the bracket bolts go thru existing holes in the shock towers..all I had to do was drill holes for the bolts thru the carpeting.
What sort of input do you have for the lower arm bar - I was kinda of curious about that piece and thinking about adding it.

 

After the rear strut installation, can you guys still keep the rear speakers?
Handling wise, after you've install the rear strut bar, did you guys notice the car is more tail happy or just grips the road?

Thanks

 

yeah, you guys with the rear strut braces, were you able to keep the rear speakers in the tower or not??? and were online can i find strut bars or braces for the rear
Thanks
Chris

 

I dont think the speakers will fit with a rear bar.
You might be able to modify the little bucket things the speakers sit in..

www.corksport.com sells a bunch of different braces, including the super cool Mazdaspeed ones.

 

What about those other "stiffening" addons braces. I think they go under the car in the front & rear right?

 

Does anyone make a Carbon fiber front upper?

 

The Mazdaspeed rear strut brace does not interfere with the rear speakers at all. I currently have MB Quart PKC-116 (6 1/2" coaxials) mounted in the rear stock locations.
I also have a crossovers tucked into the top of the shock towers under the speakers as well.

Regarding a carbon fiber strut brace for the front - I do not know of anyone who makes that. Just Cusco for the rear.

As for the rear end sticking better or sliding out - I have gone thru a number of suspension combinations. I bought my TII about 3 years ago and there was one time when the rear slid out on me once but I was still stock everything as I hadn't had the car long.

The way things are setup now I take an elevating 25mph onramp in 3rd at about 5000 rpm and just rocket out of the apex - very well tuned right now. Mild understeer, the rear is quite tenacious...and has a better ride than when I had Intrax springs on my N/A.
It's not really the strut braces themselves , it's really all of the mods working synergistically (spring rates / shock settings / sway bar diameters. The braces augment the other components.

I think the delrin toe-eliminator bushings that cancel the DTSS are a GREAT mod. I had 'em on an N/A and they were one of the first things I did to the TII.

 

FEDREX or anyone:

Do you have pictures on how the rear brace looks/fits into the car when its installed?

 

yeah, can we see some pic of the rear bar fedrex???? if not could you ecplain how it is mounted and still able to have the speakers???

 

I don't have a photo or a scanner but I did the install so I'll explain. There are 3 primary parts: 2 mounting brackets about 4" long anodized gold that mount vertically to the inboard side of each shock tower. The polished silver brace drops right in between them and you put the bolts in to hold the brace to the brackets,

The brackets are attached by included hardware bolts that go thru the carpeting into EXISTING holes in the shock towers. I predrilled holes in the carpeting so the bolts would go thru. This mount is below the position where the rear speakers reside. This bar does not have the large bracket rings that mount on top of the shock towers in the case of a front strut brace.

The MS rear brace simply mounts BETWEEN the rear shock towers.

I wish I had a scanner because I've wanted to post a pic of my car. Gotta go, I e-mailed this girl and she's responding...local at that!

P.S. I got the braces at Corksport.

 

do you know of anyplace with a write up of the toe-eliminator bushing install? a set came with my car, but they were uninstalled (along with a greddy boost cut controller) and i don't know how to install either...

 

call RB [www.racingbeat.com[/url] They have an instruction sheet with diagrams and will be happy to send you a copy.

On a side note - I think there are some Japanese tuners that make the bushings as well but I don't know if they differ in configuration or installation procedure.

Just call RB and describe what you have and they will advise.

Also, if I remember right, you're looking at 2+ hours of shop time to have these installed.

 

Grrrr. typo. www.racingbeat.com

 

No room for rear strut tower bar in a 'vert.

I love my 'vert, but I really want a hatch. I think I should have kept my '90 GTU and converted it into a turbo. Oh well, my car's pimp.

 

Go to http://www.mazdatrix.com/faq/rrsteer.htm .

 

Thanks!!