Confused About Chassis Bracing (With Pics) - Advice Needed!

[Chuck21]

Hi all,

I'm really hoping somebody can clear this up for me; I've decided to add some bracing to my mk1 1.8 (I know there are differing opinions on bracing but I'm going to give it a go!) but can't get a clear answer on what my car already has. It's a late model (1997) mk1 1.8 so has the bar between the rear wishbones/uprights (see pic1) but the front is obscured by an undertray (see pic2). Looking at the IL Motorsports braces from MX5Parts (http://www.mx5parts....25-p-361.html / http://www.mx5parts....1225-p-362.html) my questions are:

-What bracing do I have and would these replace or complement what's on there already?

-Given the undertray would I have to remove it or would an engine mounted tower brace be better?

-Can anyone recommend a suitable tower brace for a 1.8 - it looks like the air-box would get in the way?
I'd really appreciate your thoughts and advice before I take the plunge!

Thanks
Charlie

[ady_GTi]

The front lower brace is roughly where the rear legs of the wishbones bolt to the subframe. (i think) So shouldnt be obscured by the guard. I know some cars had one fitted from the factory. I fitted one to my 1.6 and it made a noticeable difference.

On the rear its not really worthwhile unless you have a 1.6 as these had no bracing as standard. Not sure about strut brace i had a supercharger in the way so couldnt try it.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Mk2.5 Sport brace fits with a supercharger. It fits with my MP62 anyway.

I've heard it said that the front tower brace makes no difference on an MX5 but if that is true then why did Mazda fit it to so many of their cars? They wouldn't waste that much money on a marketing gimmick.

[Typhoons]

The 1.8 comes with plenty of extra bracing, so you shouldn't really need any more except for maybe track work. As the MX5 has double wishbones rather than McPerson struts, a strut brace is rather pointless as a stut brace, though it may reduce body flex in the engine bay.

[VladD]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Mk2.5 Sport brace fits with a supercharger. It fits with my MP62 anyway.

I've heard it said that the front tower brace makes no difference on an MX5 but if that is true then why did Mazda fit it to so many of their cars? They wouldn't waste that much money on a marketing gimmick.

My car has a front spoiler and rear wing, but I doubt that they actually do much. Some people just like to have things like that on their car.

[Richyvrlimited]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Mk2.5 Sport brace fits with a supercharger. It fits with my MP62 anyway.

I've heard it said that the front tower brace makes no difference on an MX5 but if that is true then why did Mazda fit it to so many of their cars? They wouldn't waste that much money on a marketing gimmick.

the front tower brace helps more with NVH than anything else, I certainly noticed a difference when I fitted one to my MK & MK2.

FWIW all MK1/2 braces fit an MP62 hotside and coldside. The Mk1 brace also fits the M45 coldside, dunno if the MK2 brace fits that car.

[MX-5 Lazza]

VladD said:

My car has a front spoiler and rear wing, but I doubt that they actually do much. Some people just like to have things like that on their car.

That's ergonomics though. The tower brace is hidden under the bonnet and most new car buyers don't care about what's under the bonnet.

[VladD]

MX-5 Lazza said:

VladD said:

My car has a front spoiler and rear wing, but I doubt that they actually do much. Some people just like to have things like that on their car.

That's ergonomics though. The tower brace is hidden under the bonnet and most new car buyers don't care about what's under the bonnet.

Fair comment. I suppose a strut brace is more after market, but I'm sure some people still fit them just because it makes it look cooler.

[Graebob]

MX-5 Lazza said:

ergonomics

aerodynamics

[St. Anger]

Aesthetics.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Graebob said:

MX-5 Lazza said:

ergonomics

aerodynamics

I definitely didn't mean aerodynamics. It's aesthetics I meant. They are just there to look good.