Chassis bracing

[mph]

A bit of a heads-up as to what's stock and what you can get.

There's three sets of bracing available:
* lower bracing
* front strut bracing
* anti-flex plates

pre '03 specification:
lower bracing: front only, longitudinal only
front strut bracing: none
anti-flex plates: present, weak

'03 specification:
lower bracing: front & rear, good
front strut bracing: none
anti-flex plates: present (unknown if changed)

Aftermarket parts are available for all three areas.

Front Strut Bracing

Not supplied as standard, this brace arguely make the single biggest improvement to handling. It connects the tops of the two suspension structs (nomally conealed by two rubber caps) under the front bonnet. There are many aftermarket manufacturers, TRD and Cusco being two of the more recognised brands. The cost in the region of £175-£225.

But before you rush out and buy one, there's a couple of drawbacks of a front brace. Firstly, the front covering plastic must be cut, to greater or lesser degree depending on which particular model purchased. Secondly, again depending on model, you may either have restricted use of the front luggage bin cover, or may even have to permanently remove it.

Excluding the cutting the plastic cover, fitting is easy, requiring nothing more than a spanner/socket & torquewrench.

Just for completeness, rear strut bars are also available for around the same price, and replace the existing brace that is over the engine bay. While they do add some strength to the rear, it is already fairly rigid in that area and for normal driving wouldn't really be noticed.


Lower Bracing

This is split into front and rear braces. The only known aftermarket supplier is TRD, costing around £225 for the set. The newer '03 models come with bracing that looks like it's taken straight out of the design book for the TRD parts and use all but one of the same mounting points. The front brace adds strength to the main body both in lateral and longitudinal directions, just behind the front suspension. The rear braces adds longitudinal support to the rear suspension.

Fitting, while not needing any specialist tools, does mean working under the car and the difficulty possibly associated with that. The rear bracing attaches to the suspension, so ideally an alignment should always be carried out (though in theory shouldn't have changed).


Anti-Flex Plates

These are one or more plates have connect the left and right 'halves' of the floor pan, spanning the central 'transmission' tunnel. The pre '03 provides two small plates. [sorry, can't comment on '03 model]

Aftermarket suppliers are quite scarce, with most alternative parts being made by enthusiasts. These consist of one single plate that replaces the two smaller plates, usually with bracing/flanges either laterally or/and longitudinally. Prices are around £80.

Fitting is under the car, right in the centre and only requires a spanner once you've got there.


So what do all of these extras get you?

directly observable:
* markedly reduced scuttle-shake
* much sharper steering

subjectively:
* a more solid feeling
* more confidence in car handling

And the downsides...

* less cash in your pocket
* requirement to cut trim (front strut bracing only)
* warrantee

While I've mentioned warrantee, I wouldn't anticipate any dealership causing a problem over any of these items.

[Anonymous]

An interesting summary.

Is there any recognised order for the application of replacement parts?  Is it a case of anti flex first, followed by lower, then front and finally rear?

I run a 2002 model and am interested in tightening up the response and feel of the car, but without losing its compliant ride.

Advise anyone?

Thanks

Andrew

[juansolo]

Top stuff, very interesting.  I thought you'd be way beyond worrying about MrT's warranty by now given the quite seriously non-standard nature of your motor!  s:D s:D

Just thinking, it might be useful to have a technical/modifications section on your site when it's up and running with stuff like this in.  It would make it a doddle to find stuff and would stop the same questions being asked over and over...

Back to the strengthenage:  So do you reckon there is any value in just replacing the rear strut brace and adding the front on an '03?  I know from the MX-5 that just adding a strut brace made little discernable difference without other strengthening measures...  Just trying to work out the cost of what needs to be done to make a worthwhile difference.

[Anonymous]

Front Strut Bracing

TRD and Cusco being two of the more recognised brands. The cost in the region of £175-£225.

The Cusco is quite a bit cheaper than that I think.

Lower Bracing

This is split into front and rear braces. The only known aftermarket supplier is TRD, costing around £225 for the set.

Cusco also do front and rear member braces; again, I'm not sure of prices, but cheaper than TRD.

Anti-Flex Plates

Aftermarket suppliers are quite scarce, with most alternative parts being made by enthusiasts.

Again, Cusco do one, but it's not popular, since it's more expensive, and poorer than enthusiast-made versions.

Sorry if it looks like the above is a bit of a Cusco advert; it's not meant to be! I'm not pledging allegiance to either TRD or Cusco, but just want to fill-in the gaps...  s:) s:)

[mph]

Sorry if it looks like the above is a bit of a Cusco advert; it's not meant to be! I'm not pledging allegiance to either TRD or Cusco, but just want to fill-in the gaps...  s:) s:)

Not a problem. I've been up all night dealing with server issues and wanted a break but CBA to check up what Cusco actually still sells but knew that juansolo would be on my case for this thread.

Just thinking, it might be useful to have a technical/modifications section on your site when it's up and running with stuff like this in. It would make it a doddle to find stuff and would stop the same questions being asked over and over...

An article database for this stuff is in the pipeline. Yes really it is. Honest. Soon!

Is there any recognised order for the application of replacement parts? Is it a case of anti flex first, followed by lower, then front and finally rear?

Nothing 'recognised', but here's my opinion:
1 front strut bar
=2 lower braces (pre 03 only)
=2 anti-flex plate
3 rear strut bar (marginal benefit, IMO)

I run a 2002 model and am interested in tightening up the response and feel of the car, but without losing its compliant ride.

This is a good point. You are not changing the suspension in anyway, merely making it work how it's supposed to - ie, making the suspension do the moving, not the chassis. Ride comfort isn't diminished in anyway by making any of these changes.

I thought you'd be way beyond worrying about MrT's warranty by now given the quite seriously non-standard nature of your motor!

I may not, but it's still a big issue for most owners whose cars are less than three years old. For example, the Dastek Unichip is great value for money as a performance upgrade, but there has been no uptake even after all the noise I've made about it. From talking with the garage, whom have had numerous enquiries, as soon as they say that wires have to be cut and spliced into the engine ECU, people got very edgy.

So do you reckon there is any value in just replacing the rear strut brace and adding the front on an '03?

A Front Strut Bar and Anti-Flex Plate is what I'd recommend for an '03. Then use the money not spent on a rear strut bar on a couple of days professional one-to-one tuitition at North Weald. Talking of tuitition, in fact really the best performance modification you can make to his car - improve the driver.

[Tem]

Here's what I did and noticed...starting from stock car.

Antiflex plate. Didn't really notice any difference on cornering or smooth roads, but it made the car feel better on bumpy roads. Before this it kinda felt like the car is sometimes trying to jump both ways at once. After this it just feels as one. This one also made some annoying rattle in the cabin go away.

TRD Member brace set. Improved steering bigtime. Made the car feel kinda like a kart. Took it off for some pics later on and without it the car feels like there's a rubberband between the steering wheel and steering axle  s:) s:)

TRD Rear upper strut tower bar. Can't say I can tell any difference. Looks better than the stock, but that's it. Maybe the clock would tell if it really helps, but can't feel anything.

TRD Front upper strut tower bar. I didn't really get a chance to try this out, but seemed to keep the front on the ground better on hard cornering.

[Sam]

Damnit mph! I can feel my wallet opening again   s:shock: :shock: s:shock:   have been thinking for some time about putting a front strut brace in, and was going to get round to asking about the improvements. Anyone know if the TTE anti-roll bar kit is the same as the TRD lower braces?

[Tem]

Anyone know if the TTE anti-roll bar kit is the same as the TRD lower braces?

TTE stabilizers:

Adjustable in 3 positions.

TRD member brace set:


TRD anti-roll bars come with the Sportivo:

You can get them without the full kit, but they are not adjustable and have been tuned for the kit.

[juansolo]

juansolo would be on my case for this thread

  s:oops: :oops: s:oops:    s:D s:D  

TRD anti-roll bars come with the Sportivo

Hmmm, anybody got this?  Opinions, costage?

whom have had numerous enquiries, as soon as they say that wires have to be cut and spliced into the engine ECU, people got very edgy

I can understand that.  Everything else that you can do is utterly revertable to stock with no evidence of fettlage.  That isn't.  Could cause issues with a warranty claim and/or resale.  For example I stripped all the mods off my MX-5 before selling it as mostly stock (still had uprated brakes) and then flogged the other bits seperately.  It's much easier to shift a stock car.

Personally I'm looking at leaving the engine utterly stock that way I can leave things like the already excellent brakes, well alone.   In fact I was planning on leaving the whole car stock, but there are a couple of areas I'd like to improve for track use.  Mainly I wouldn't mind stiffening things up a little but not so far that it destroys on road ride.  Adjustable shocks would be an idea as, like with the Westfield, you can stiffen them up at a circuit then back them off for the road.

Mainly I'm just testing the water for what is out there before I do anything at all.

[Sam]

Hi Tem, (excuse my ignorance   s:oops: :oops: s:oops:  ) does the TRD member brace kit mean that the anti-roll bars are not really required? I mean does it eliminate body roll as well as stiffening the chassis?

[Hope4Sun]

Have to agree that the front bar seems to make a real marked improvement as a first step, but as Martin said, fitting can be a bit of work   s:? :? s:?  , but a little bit of time, can look very nice  s:) s:)







Andy

[mph]

does the TRD member brace kit mean that the anti-roll bars are not really required? I mean does it eliminate body roll as well as stiffening the chassis?

Member braces and anti-roll bars are two completely different things.

Member braces attach to the chassis to stiff it.

Anti-roll bars connect the left and right suspension parts together, acting as a lateral spring.

Could cause issues with a warranty claim and/or resale.

While true, unless you physically take the rear luggage bins out and look, you'd never find out as it wouldn't show up on the engine diagnostics.   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  

In fact I was planning on leaving the whole car stock, but there are a couple of areas I'd like to improve for track use.

Hmmm, I recall saying exactly the same thing a while back...   s:P s:P  

Mainly I wouldn't mind stiffening things up a little but not so far that it destroys on road ride. Adjustable shocks would be an idea as, like with the Westfield, you can stiffen them up at a circuit then back them off for the road.

The TRD Sportivo, while not adjustable, is an excellent compromise of a firmer ride without destroying day-to-day driving. Plus you're safe in the knowledge that a good setup is just fit'n'forget. Cost is around £1200 Again, there's probably cheap alternatives than TRD but they're not complete kits and you're into the field of knowing how to probably setup a car. ...and it just so happens that I have the kit fitted. Do I get the feeling I might become a demo car at Cadwell Park?   s8) s8)

[juansolo]

Do I get the feeling I might become a demo car at Cadwell Park?

  s:D s:D  Quite prossibly  s:D s:D

[markiii]

Sportivo

I have it. Wow what a difference. Sitting in Martins at North weald would have convinced me if I wasn't already. It's strange but it seems to improve the steering feel as well as the handling. Costs approx $1100 plus shipping, VAT, import duty e.t.c

Anti flex plate

Well worth buying, for anyone who has the hard top and knows what a difference it makes to the stiffness when on, all I can say is the antiflex plate makes it feel like the hardtop is on when it isn't. hey hey berst of both worlds.

As for the order of application I'm going to disagree slightly. Though please bear in mind I don't have the bracing yet, wheras as Martin does, though I beleive he had them all fitted simultaneously?

1.  Antiflex plate. (For the reasons above plus it's by far the easiest and cheapest.

2. Front Lower braces and rear lower braces. Having driven my 02 and SteveJ's 03 back to back it's amazing the difference that they make to the tautness of the car. Plus they are likely to not be noticed by Mr T so nno warranty issues, and they also require no cutting.

3. Front Strut brace, I have an article from a book by one of the MX5 desogners (links to follow) which explains why a front stront bar does little on the MX5. On ours it is a know area of improvment, though I doubt as effective as the lower braces.

4. rear upper brace. As per Martins comments the car already has braces in this area and any benefit will be largely cosmetic.

Mark.

PS Once the Japanparts GB is fulfilled I may be looking to organisa GB for the TRD Braces as I've found a pretty good supplier.

PPS If you are buying the front strut brace, there are 2 versions, RHD and LHD, they will both fit but the RHD has a cut out for the fillerbottle.

[Anonymous]

TRD Member brace set. Improved steering bigtime. Made the car feel kinda like a kart. Took it off for some pics later on and without it the car feels like there's a rubberband between the steering wheel and steering axle  

Have a set coming from Carson Toyota in California and can't wait to get them on   s8) s8)

On price I was quoted £280 and then VAT to go on top from an UK TRD importer so went with US supplier at £200 including shipping   s:) s:)  but still have to pay import duty and VAT  s:( s:(   so should be more like £250.

[Jap GT300]

TRD Front



TRD Rear



£140 each from  w www.poweraxel.com w  (Japan)

Adam

[Tem]

TRD Front
TRD Rear
£140 each from  w www.poweraxel.com w  (Japan)

Front $192, rear $169...which are about £114 and £100. From Steve @ Carson Toyota (US)  s:) s:)

[Anonymous]

Be aware that the front TRD upper strut brace is different for LHD and RHD models; that hole fits over the brake reservoir here.

At best, the LHD model (ie from the US) would be "awkward" (although you don't have to access the brake fluid reservoir often), and at worst, may not fit (it looks a pretty close thing from what I can tell, although I'm not sure).

[Tem]

Good point...but I think Steve has mentioned that he can get both.

[GSB]

Anti-Flex Plates

These are one or more plates have connect the left and right 'halves' of the floor pan, spanning the central 'transmission' tunnel. The pre '03 provides two small plates. [sorry, can't comment on '03 model]

FYI, I had a good look at this yesterday, and I can confirm that the '03 model shares the same plates as the earlier version.

[Comer]

pre '03 specification:
lower bracing: front only, longitudinal only
front strut bracing: none
anti-flex plates: present, weak

'03 specification:
lower bracing: front & rear, good
front strut bracing: none
anti-flex plates: present (unknown if changed)



Lower Bracing

This is split into front and rear braces. The only known aftermarket supplier is TRD, costing around £225 for the set. The newer '03 models come with bracing that looks like it's taken straight out of the design book for the TRD parts and use all but one of the same mounting points. The front brace adds strength to the main body both in lateral and longitudinal directions, just behind the front suspension. The rear braces adds longitudinal support to the rear suspension.

Fitting, while not needing any specialist tools, does mean working under the car and the difficulty possibly associated with that. The rear bracing attaches to the suspension, so ideally an alignment should always be carried out (though in theory shouldn't have changed).

Please note that you cannot fit 03 rear lower braces on a pre 03, trust me I've tried!  The fronts can fit no problem.