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Do styles bars actually improve chasis rigidity? or are they purely for looks? Any benefits? What are peoples experiences with them? Im in the market for one coz i like the way they look and was wondering if they offer anything else.

Sorry just realised i posted in the wrong section

just get a rollbar instead
my BD did make a noticeable difference to the car especially around tight corners or potholes/road ripples

if you really want chasis rigidity get one of these
http://www.mx5mania.com.au/product1228.htm

SM wrote:just get a rollbar instead
my BD did make a noticeable difference to the car especially around tight corners or potholes/road ripples

if you really want chasis rigidity get one of these
http://www.mx5mania.com.au/product1228.htm

I have 2 things to say to that SM, please don't take it the wrong way.

1. Some people think BD bars look crap.
2. You have just spent $1500 of someones money by suggeesting a BD bar and FM butterfly brace instead of under $200 for a style bar...

Now, in answer to your question Jimmy, yes, it does give extra rigidity. Any extra bracing accross the seatbelt towers will strengthen the car, so you just have to decide whether the added weight is worth the effects. Since I like the look of them, it made quite a difference (definitely changed the handling of my car) and they don't weigh much, a style bar was a good option for me and worth installing.

THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF A STYLE BAR IS FOR LOOKS. So, if you are out to get a super stiff chassis, keep looking. If you are out to make the car look more bling by adding some extra bracing, then I say go for it.

My 2c.

Boags

You're treading very careful & politically correct when it comes to Roll bars & stylebars these days Boagsy.

I won't take it the wrong way
and they arn't the most beautiful things as you stated, also make it harder to get the top down/up without getting out of the car

Another good point SM.

Out of curiosity, has anyone had to remove the factory windblocker because they installed the BD?

Boags

mine had to be removed so yet another point against it but then i've heard of people having both fitted at the same time but I'm not the best person to ask as my windblocker is replaced with my 6x9's

so whats the weight differnece between a rollbar and a style bar?

A couple of kgs. A style bar is less metal and will weigh less, I'm not sure exactly how much though.

Boags

BD steel bar is around 15kg
BD alloy is around 5 kg

These are the only weights i'm familiar with.

Boags'MX5 wrote:I have 2 things to say to that SM, please don't take it the wrong way.

1. Some people think BD bars look crap.
2. You have just spent $1500 of someones money by suggeesting a BD bar and FM butterfly brace instead of under $200 for a style bar...

To add to that you cant engineer a stylebar
you can a BD roll bar

and they only cost 700 bucks

JimmyJ5 wrote:Do styles bars actually improve chasis rigidity? or are they purely for looks? Any benefits? What are peoples experiences with them? Im in the market for one coz i like the way they look and was wondering if they offer anything else.

Sorry just realised i posted in the wrong section

1 Yes
2 Yes
3 the first two are the only benifits
I used to make them but the thought of someone mouse trapped doesn't go down well

the ones i have made in the past will bend back into the soft top ie they are no where near as upright as the RB type ones or the ebay type ones

factory windblocker can be put back in place and held there with cable ties to the BD bar.... Bevan and I have both done this. Alternatively you can bolt it in behind the roll bar (requires drilling). I find the best way to pull the top up from the driver's seat is to open the door and reach back over my right shoulder and pull on the frame (I have a race seat the prevents turning the upper body). Alternatively you could put a loop around the frame and pull on that (as per the Miami Miata mob's product in the US).

I have a RB2 style bar on my car, and I can easily raise the top from the driver's seat with no extra effort.
Not only have I noticed the difference in rigidity with the style bar on, even my wife commented that the car felt stronger and more secure, and it stopped a lot of rattles around the area.
My original windblocker is still there, I just had to move it forward a few cm's.

I reckon it would be next to impossible to get \"mouse trapped\" with the RB2 as it leans backwards anyway.
I've seen photos of MX-5's with RB2's that have rolled, and while the windscreen has collapsed. the RB2 bars are still there and upright, although scratched, so I think that they can be of benefit in a roll over - although not as strong as a BD roll bar.

Don't know if the Chinese versions are as strong, but the original RB2 bars are very strong with big, strong welds in them and seem very tough.

Just my humble opinion.