My New Pretty Part

[MazdaTom]

The amount of flex will still be small (neglible for someone like you). And the cost of a one piece bar (if available) probably isn't justified for the slight increase in stiffness that it provides.

[Huzer21]

Installed (DIY Coming): Another benefit of the new strut bar...the ability to adjust the new coilovers easily. The old bar would have required removing it if you wanted to adjust. Note the MS bling oil cap...haha.

[MazdaTom]

Plus it gives you a place to put your hand when you lean over the engine. Just make sure it isn't hot first!

[Huzer21]

And finally, a picture of it all covered up. Just some minimal trimming with a dremel.

[RX-7 Chris]

Now you can't see the new part.

[Huzer21]

I can't see it while I'm driving anyway. Haha.

[GR-8]

Looks real nice. Is there any noticible difference in handling. Today is a nice enough day to test it out. Congrats on the new toys. Can't wait to see the center counsel also. If you screw the spare one up you can have the other one I have.

[Huzer21]

No driving impressions yet, I've only driven from the garage to the street. Tomorrow I'll get a chance to get out with it. Thanks for the offer on the console, I'll keep that in mind, I've got the spare one marked up, I just haven't hacked it apart yet.

[Huzer21]

Initial impressions: Well, I'm not going to get to the point on the street where I can really see if there's a difference in feel. Especially with all the gravel Denver and CDOT puts down on the roads. The main thing I'm successful at is sliding the rear end out on the anti-cold tires I have. I noticed an ever-so-slight difference in brake pedal feel, seems slightly more "solid" when depressing. I backed off the brace just to see if it was in my head, and it definitely does feel a little different with the brace in place.

Overall, I don't think the difference will be felt on the street, especially since the car comes stock with a strut tower bar. So far, the two biggest mechanical changes on the car have been the RB sways and the AFE short shifter. I'm sure the F/R Mazdaspeed bars tighten things up a bit, but they definitely aren't a "let's go for a quick ride on the street and see if you can tell the difference" type of thing.

[SpeedRacer]

So when are you gonna paint all that engine trim?

[Huzer21]

Oh, most of that pretty plastic goes away once the S/C goes on. No sense painting what won't be there. If I've got some paint left over from the other project, I may do something with the engine cover. Doubtful, though.