Just wanted to share some pics of the 2 oil pan braces available for our FD's.

This is simply to show other members what they look like and how they fit on the pan. This is NOT a thread to state if one is better than the other or to start any issues. I personaly own 1 of each and they are installed on 2 of the 3 FD's in my stable. I am pleased with BOTH braces and have no issues with either one. I hope this info will help those that are debating on purchasing one.

1.Here are the braces side by side. The Banzai Oil Pan Brace is on the left and the Garfinkle Brace is on the right. BOTH are of the same thickness and have only a slightly different design.




2. Here the braces are installed on the oil pan but NOT tighten down or secured.

First one is the Banzai Brace




Next is the Garfinkle Brace.




Hope this info is helpful to other members. You can't go wrong with either one and I am 100% satisfied with my purchases. Customer service was GREAT with both and items were shipped in a very timely manner.


L8R

 

hey, thank you for the pics! they're very helpful! my 95 fd has a slight oil leak, around the pan area..will you by any chance list the prices for the oil pan and the brace? thanks!

 

I put the Banzai brace on my oil pan with my rebuild... it's fantastic.

-Geoff

 

FD3s Oil Pan Brace

Link to Banzai Oil Pan Brace.

-Geoff

 

Garfinkle isn't a authorized vendor on this forum. Just Google "Garfinkle oil pan brace"
For Banzai Racing's website for their pricing.

 

Running the banzai brace right now, very nice piece and service. Comes with instructions and hardware.

 

The Banzai piece is very well priced and they always ship quickly in my experience..... back in the Gotham Racing days we used to make our own, but we've been using the Banzai brace on most rebuilds for some time now

 

YES... Banzai's customer service is 2nd to NONE.... If all other business's were run like that my car hobby would be so much easier.....

 

Thanks for the picture, both are very nice piece, I'll definitely get one of these if my pan start to leak.

 

I have the Banzai oil pan brace and a brand new JDM engine. As far as I remember we had to do some modifications/drilling on the brace for it to fit the JDM oil pan. This may be due to a slight difference in late model jdm vs US oil pan design.

 

^ That is a common mistake. Our brace does not require any modifcations to fit the JDM pan. It fits it perfectly.

There are two tapped holes in the block that are not used, one is under the left side motor mount and the other is on the rear edge of the block. Both of these holes are not present on the gasket (do not use) and are only pin holes on the oil pan. If the installer wants to use those holes they need to drill out the pan as well as the brace, the aluminum motor mount bracket will not longer fit onto the engine if a bolt/stud is installed under it.

Since the rear 2 inches of the pan are flat and already have 3 studs across the rear and 6 bolts clamping the brace between the motor mount brackets and block, there really is no need to complicate the installation by adding hardware in locations that Mazda did have originally. This just leads to endless tech emails/calls about individuals oil pans not having holes, and wanting to know what they should do.

 

My car is JDM. Brace went right on, no mods.

-Geoff

 

Rich - true that! I ordered one the other day - they had it shipped with in 6 minutes (not kidding - i got the email with tracking number and all within 6 minutes of placing the order).

6 FRIGGIN MINUTES!!!!!!!

Big ups to Banzai

 

Looks like my mechanic made a common mistake. Luckily I am using steel mounts on both sides.

 

Nice part.

 

banzai brace here. and jdm car. fits perfect.

 

Thank you for the comparison pics!

 

Amen to that man.