MX-5 Miata Forum > NA/NB (1990-2005) Miata > NA/NB Suspension / Handling / Brakes > New 1990 owner
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mcormg1
19th October 2007, 18:38
I just bought my first Miata, a 90 base model in really excelent shape and am very happy with it. I would like to keep it looking stock but improve, not so much the handling, but the flexing and shimmy. I am thinking of firstly, the rear chassis brace that was added to later models, then a front chassis brace and a shock tower brace. Can anyone help me with advice on whether those additions will help and which companies models are the best for fit and results? I am in Nova Scotia and also want to know the ins and outs of ordering from Mossmotors Mazda Mania or other US based distributors.
Thanks for any advice or comments you could provide.
Filphil
19th October 2007, 20:37
If you are looking for bracing, many would recommend the flyin' miata butterfly brace. They're have a sale on it right now and I have heard many many good things about it.
evozine
20th October 2007, 02:05
Here is my experience with my stock 1991 miata.
-Adding the cabin brace made a noticeable difference, the car seems to shake less, especially over bumps. I got mine used from a 94 miata- a must have for $20 dollars
-Adding the inexpensive lower front brace seems to provide more stiffening to the front- another must have for $20 dollars.
-I just picked up a copy of the Flyin Miata rear cannon brace, I haven't installed it yet, we'll see if it's worth $70 dollars, which is half of the Flying miata cannon brace.
Do your research on the flyin miata frame rails and butterfly brace, as there are some downsides: mostly just the cost, installation pain, accessibility to the exhaust, and of course a small reduction in ground clearance. With that said, pretty much everyone seems like the FM setup, you just need to decide if you want to spend $350 dollars... instead of $20. I've already made my decision...!
Alik
20th October 2007, 11:33
Here is my experience with my stock 1991 miata.
-Adding the cabin brace made a noticeable difference, the car seems to shake less, especially over bumps. I got mine used from a 94 miata- a must have for $20 dollars
-Adding the inexpensive lower front brace seems to provide more stiffening to the front- another must have for $20 dollars.
-I just picked up a copy of the Flyin Miata rear cannon brace, I haven't installed it yet, we'll see if it's worth $70 dollars, which is half of the Flying miata cannon brace.
Do your research on the flyin miata frame rails and butterfly brace, as there are some downsides: mostly just the cost, installation pain, accessibility to the exhaust, and of course a small reduction in ground clearance. With that said, pretty much everyone seems like the FM setup, you just need to decide if you want to spend $350 dollars... instead of $20. I've already made my decision...!
Hmm. Very, very interesting.
May we please have the links to these items?
Seriously (yep, there's a lot of sarcasm on this board, but this is not another instance of it), I'd love to know where you got those braces so cheap, and how they're working out.
Also, do you have a rollbar installed? If so, how did that affect the stiffness alongside with the other additions?
Thanks.
mcormg1
20th October 2007, 17:57
Hey thanks. I've never seen anything on the flying miata or rear cannon brace or butterfly brace for that matter but will check it out. I have what I think is a cosmetic rollbar and have seen other rollbars that are more substantial with a welded bottom brace going from seat belt mount to seat belt mount. that would seem to do the same thing as your cabin brace and provide better rollover protection than what I currently have. Great to belong to a roum where ther is help and advice.
Ciao
Gary
evozine
21st October 2007, 00:42
Both the front and rear pieces I installed did improve the ride for me. The later miata's had bracing added to them for a good reason. I put on the rear subframe brace today. It went on pretty easy.
The co*ckpit brace came stock on certain NA's, I believe 93-95 miata's had them. I bought mine from a guy who upgraded to a Hard Dog rollbar. I've seen the co*ckpit braces for $20 dollars on ebay and craigslist.
I have no affiliation with the ebay vendors, so don't shoot me "moderator gods", here are the links:
Rear Subframe:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda-Miata-Mx5-Mx-5-T6061-Rear-Subframe-Brace_W0QQitemZ280164343555QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m280164343555
Front, lower brace:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda-Miata-MX5-Eunos-90-04-Front-Lower-Arm-Under-Brace_W0QQitemZ300161215553QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m300161215553
nickj
21st October 2007, 17:10
On my very wobbly '91, I added RB front and rear subframe braces, an FM shock tower brace, and an RB style bar which acted as a chassis brace. No single brace seemed to make a huge difference, but the combination of all four stiffened the car a great deal.
I haven't tried the FM Butterfly brace, but probably would if I had another early Miata to stiffen up.
mcormg1
21st October 2007, 20:38
Thanks. What is a RB stuff. I assume it is a vendor. Could you let me now the name and where you got it?
Thanks again
evozine
21st October 2007, 21:14
He's talking about racing beat, check out the vendors on Miata.net...
Al
zooki
21st October 2007, 22:29
That rear frame brace looks like it would negate a larger rear sway bar and mounts/bushings. Is adding a larger rear sway bar compatible with your rear frame brace? Thanks in advance.
nickj
21st October 2007, 23:39
The Racing Beat rear brace fit just fine with an FM rear sway bar, but I had to modify it to fit an FM dual exhaust. The brace looked kind of flimsy to me, but it did the job and worked great for a dozen years.
skiutah
25th October 2007, 00:52
I also have a 1990 and added the Racing Beat front brace- it was fantastic. The car is much more solid and I noticed the difference immediately.
Pete Rushbrook
25th October 2007, 08:48
I added all the braces and a rollbar, one at a time. Each piece helped and eventually brought it up to the stiffness of a later Miata. All that bracing added together made nowhere near as dramatic a difference as the Butterfly.
mcormg1
25th October 2007, 19:13
Thanks Pete. I guess that pretty much made up my mind. I will still add the front and rear frame braces but in conjunction with a butterfly. The roads here in rural Nova Scotia can be pretty rough and pot-holed due to winter frost so the stiffer I can make the car the better I'l like it I'm sure.
JeffGoji & Miyoshi
25th October 2007, 20:16
The front subframe brace did make a noticeable change in the handling and ride for me.
The Cannon brace I installed in the rear made no difference whatsoever.
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