do any of you have any problems with your engines rubbing against the strut bars when the engine torques?? Just curious if there is enough torque to make that happen (of course that is if your mounts aren't bad).

I want to get one but i'm not sure which one to get. I'm afraid that it might rub because alot of pictures i see...it sits very close to the engine.

 

I've seen some that will rub the hot side intercooler pipe when the crossover pipe is modified for a large Stock Mount intercooler.

Other than that I don't know of any other issues with rubbing.

I'd go for a stock R model brace.

 

I have the cusco bar, and it hasn't rubbed any engine parts (as of yet). It has rubbed a bit of the hood insulation on the right side of the bar (near the bend).

 

so would the stock strut brace be good enough? or should i look for an aftermarket one? do they all work the same?

 

They all pretty much work the same. Some people have been getting the $19.95 eBay bar, but I wouldn't go quite that far myself.

The stock R1 bar is usually more expensive than the Cusco bars, but looks better under the hood IMO.

 

mine rubs the pass side hood and my m2 ic pipe on the hot side rubs a little, i just put some rubber tape i got from work on there and call it good...

 

Yes, my stock R1 bar rubs one of the silicone hose couplings on my M2 medium intercooler a little. Not a big deal though.

Brian

 

The stock MAZDA bar is Steel and VERY stiff - Stiffer than any of the Aluminum or CF bars, But is also rather Heavy

 

WONG F. R.- You may want to check the price of the stock R1 strut bar before you decide. If you can't get a used one and have to buy from the dealer, you are talking almost the price of a new IC. Not sure if the difference in performance- if there is any- warrants such a high price. My $0.02
Ron A.

 

ronarndt:
I agree, the DEALER wil rape you for a new bar, BUT Used ones can be had for $100-125 and IMHO they are worth that if for no other reason than for the nice shiny RX-7 badge in the middle.

 

so the holes in the stock bar don't make the bar any LESS rigid vs. a solid bar?

 

I have a HKS SS BOV mounted on a Greddy elbow that rubs my Cusco strut bar unless I angle the BOV down.

Jon
'93 SSM base

 

those are speed holes


like someone else said, the bar is a heavy piece of engineered steel. much more thought was probably put into those holes and placement than many other braces total.