my custom engine brace! [PICS]
03-10-02, 10:49 PM
#1
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my custom engine brace! [PICS]
well, I decide to make one, since I could not afford production model. It only cost me $25 bux worth of parts and everything else went smooth. With instuctions provided by people on this borad. The shifting feels better, and it's easier to speed shift into third without misshifting.
Costs:
(2) Right Hand rod ends: $4.50 Each
(1) 36" x 1/2" AL rod: $5.00
(1) 36" angled AL piece: $7.50
(2) Nuts/Bolts: $3.00
Costs:
(2) Right Hand rod ends: $4.50 Each
(1) 36" x 1/2" AL rod: $5.00
(1) 36" angled AL piece: $7.50
(2) Nuts/Bolts: $3.00
Last edited by legendr35; 03-10-02 at 10:53 PM.
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03-10-02, 11:41 PM
#9
It's never fast enough...
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Originally posted by gmonsen
....does it prevent the motor from torquing on its mounts side-to-side?....
....does it prevent the motor from torquing on its mounts side-to-side?....
03-10-02, 11:52 PM
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thanks for the comments. I was wondering if anyone knows what type and where I can get bushings for the bracket? My whole car vibrates if the engine does.
03-11-02, 06:35 PM
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how hard is it to remove that bracket on the engine side? (the whole thing) I think I'd like to replace it with another material (SS?) and redrill the hole to be circular.
03-11-02, 09:31 PM
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Don't Diss the Group Buy
I enjoy the satisfaction of "do-it-yourself" projects as much as anyone else. I did the DIY stock airbox modification and I am so happy with it, I have no plans to ever switch to an aftermarket airbox.
I think you did a fine job on the DIY engine torque bar. I thought about doing one myself and agree that it would be fairly easy at a cost of less than $30.
Nevertheless, I went with the torque bar group buy at $180 including shipping. Expensive, yes. But there was simply no way I could make one myself that passed the "appearance" test. The torque bar will be one of the most visible components in the engine bay. I want mine to look professional and that is what I was paying for. Click this link and scroll down the page to see a picture of the group buy torque bar:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...threadid=59049
I suppose that a DIY front strut bar is also very feasible at a low cost. But again, there will be the appearance issue.
To each his own. I'm a die hard "do-it-yourselfer" so there is no way I am ever going to diss the DIY. But, just the same, I don't like to hear the DIY diss those who chose to go with the torque bar group buy. There are at least 30 of us in the group buy who each did it for a reason that was important to us.
I think you did a fine job on the DIY engine torque bar. I thought about doing one myself and agree that it would be fairly easy at a cost of less than $30.
Nevertheless, I went with the torque bar group buy at $180 including shipping. Expensive, yes. But there was simply no way I could make one myself that passed the "appearance" test. The torque bar will be one of the most visible components in the engine bay. I want mine to look professional and that is what I was paying for. Click this link and scroll down the page to see a picture of the group buy torque bar:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...threadid=59049
I suppose that a DIY front strut bar is also very feasible at a low cost. But again, there will be the appearance issue.
To each his own. I'm a die hard "do-it-yourselfer" so there is no way I am ever going to diss the DIY. But, just the same, I don't like to hear the DIY diss those who chose to go with the torque bar group buy. There are at least 30 of us in the group buy who each did it for a reason that was important to us.
03-11-02, 10:47 PM
#18
IM also in the process of manufacturing an engine brace.
Working in the aviation industry gives access to ample resources
I will have $0 invested, only my time.
I don't plan on selling them, so don't ask.
I respect the current GB & feel his great product & fair price.
What surprises me is that every version of engine brace I've seen has the "L" angle brkt, mounted on the fender, with the rodend underneath.
IM going to invert the "L" brkt.
That way you can easily access the mount bolts to the fender.
Be able to add shims or washer under the rodend to clear the ABS pump, as required.
I should have it installed in a day or two & will post photos.
Working in the aviation industry gives access to ample resources
I will have $0 invested, only my time.
I don't plan on selling them, so don't ask.
I respect the current GB & feel his great product & fair price.
What surprises me is that every version of engine brace I've seen has the "L" angle brkt, mounted on the fender, with the rodend underneath.
IM going to invert the "L" brkt.
That way you can easily access the mount bolts to the fender.
Be able to add shims or washer under the rodend to clear the ABS pump, as required.
I should have it installed in a day or two & will post photos.
03-11-02, 11:19 PM
#19
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How about using the aluminum motor mounts that RP makes? Would that do the same thing? And put the pressure on the factory points made for it? I know some J-Spec race cars use the brace but I see the motor putting forces on the unibody fender mounts that Mazda never intended on make.
I have seen some peeps try to enhance a car with braces, traction bars, and such. Seen Jeep people put too stiff motor mounts on and leave the trans mounted the same and crack a bellhousing. Some things have to move, and one thing tight with another loose could break something.
Don't get me wrong, ITS YOUR CAR DO WHAT YOU WANT, but if it works so well why doesn't MazdaSpeed have one?
Has any REAL suspension guru looked at the whole working together?
Thanks, Jeff
I have seen some peeps try to enhance a car with braces, traction bars, and such. Seen Jeep people put too stiff motor mounts on and leave the trans mounted the same and crack a bellhousing. Some things have to move, and one thing tight with another loose could break something.
Don't get me wrong, ITS YOUR CAR DO WHAT YOU WANT, but if it works so well why doesn't MazdaSpeed have one?
Has any REAL suspension guru looked at the whole working together?
Thanks, Jeff
03-12-02, 12:16 AM
#21
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as far as aperance goes ill bet it wont cost more than 50 bux to get that polished...after its ben bling blinged you still save 100 bones....ahh my next project
didnt mazda speed just release the metal ast a few months ago..i think their a bit behind...but every japanes tuner makes these..for fc and fd..just have to get a jap rx7 mag
didnt mazda speed just release the metal ast a few months ago..i think their a bit behind...but every japanes tuner makes these..for fc and fd..just have to get a jap rx7 mag
03-12-02, 12:41 AM
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Originally posted by skunks
how did you attach the bracket to the fender wall? just by metal screws or by bolts? also is that AL rod a solid rod?
how did you attach the bracket to the fender wall? just by metal screws or by bolts? also is that AL rod a solid rod?
03-12-02, 12:48 AM
#23
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Originally posted by Bacon
as far as aperance goes ill bet it wont cost more than 50 bux to get that polished...after its ben bling blinged you still save 100 bones....ahh my next project
didnt mazda speed just release the metal ast a few months ago..i think their a bit behind...but every japanes tuner makes these..for fc and fd..just have to get a jap rx7 mag
as far as aperance goes ill bet it wont cost more than 50 bux to get that polished...after its ben bling blinged you still save 100 bones....ahh my next project
didnt mazda speed just release the metal ast a few months ago..i think their a bit behind...but every japanes tuner makes these..for fc and fd..just have to get a jap rx7 mag
Why spend up to $200 for the same exact thing while you can have the same thing for $25. It really doesn't make any sense to me. Plus, I think the brace I built doesn't look half bad. Heck, it only took about 1 hour to build and another 30 mins to install.
P.S. I'm not dissing the group buy. I actually like the brace the group buy offers, but I personally can't afford it, I didn't think a brace could cost $180+, although I know how much cost is involved in mass producing this.
Last edited by legendr35; 03-12-02 at 12:53 AM.
03-12-02, 01:34 AM
#24
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Excellent Job ! Just polish that baby and you could probably sell that for $180. BTW, is your FD your daily driver? Your engine bay (part that's showing) is clean as hell.
03-12-02, 01:47 AM
#25
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I agree with Bacon, make the thing for $30.00-$35.00 at the most and put the other $150.00 into mods. I know I certainly don't need a car with everything polished, just my opinion, but if you like polished stuff thats cool too. And like has been said "Function over looks"