mx5cartalk.com

Hi guys,

As would know I just got my NB recently so I am doing a whole lot of enhancements to it as soon as I can. I won't make the same mistake as I did with my NA which was only modded after several years of ownership. I want to perform these mods now so I can start to enjoy it sooner rather than later. Mt Dandenong tourist road is calling me !

I just bought some middle chassis brace from a NB8B (2001) from a wrecker. They are rectangular in shape and look quite elaborate. I just discovered that they don't bolt on directly to my NB8A without some modification. Yes. I know in hindsight I should have just sprung for the FM butterfly brace but excitement got the better of me.

The question is besides Dick at the MX5 Factory, does anybody know of a place where I could get this job done in Melbourne preferably by someone who knows about MX5s ? I always found Dick's workmanship top notch by the way but just wondering if there was an alternative. NSW guys are lucky that they have Mania over there for a one stop shop.

Or should I just ditch the idea of trying to get the NB8B middle chassis fitted to my NB8A, and just spring for the FM frame / Butterfly rails instead ?

Ultimately, what I am trying to achieve is more solidity in the cabin. I fitted a N Power front strut brace over the weekend and it did not do much to quell the scuttle and shake within the cabin when the road gets rough.

miatalim wrote:The question is besides Dick at the MX5 Factory, does anybody know of a place where I could get this job done in Melbourne preferably by someone who knows about MX5s ?

Tony @ Fultech, 10 Johnston St Burwood, 9888 7499

I took my car to Motorsport Essentials in Mulgrave. Apparently, Dean has done some good chassis work for MX5 clubbers.

Dean modified my NB8A so that it would fit the mid body chassis brace from NB8B. He did a great job and seemed to know what he was doing as the car felt incredibly different. Anyone with a NB8A should really consider doing this because I am confident that you will feel a difference. The front strut bar which I fitted did not make an appreciable difference to rigidity and handling. The middle chassis braces seemed to tightened the car significantly...I am getting a lot less scuttle shake and general cabin vibration.

Dean also fitted my chrome dial rings to my speedo for no charge. It would have taken me 2 hours to do it myself.

All in all, I would definately recommend Motorsport Essentials to Melbournians. Once you experience what a good operator they are and the extremely reasonable prices, you'll want to tell people about it too. Highly recommended. Thanks to the forum member who recommended me.

Next mods on the list, CAI, roll bar and Konis.

miatalim wrote:Anyone with a NB8A should really consider doing this because I am confident that you will feel a difference. The front strut bar which I fitted did not make an appreciable difference to rigidity and handling. The middle chassis braces seemed to tightened the car significantly...I am getting a lot less scuttle shake and general cabin vibration.

Hi what about NA8 owners. Would we feel an improvement as well. I recently added an MX5+ rollbar and and am feeling a substantial improvement in rear end stiffness.

Hami,
Talk to the blokes that have already done this stuff, Cheyne and Ben's Garage Threads would be a good place to start.
Greg.

x2 for Dean. Great guy

snshami wrote:Hi what about NA8 owners. Would we feel an improvement as well. I recently added an MX5+ rollbar and and am feeling a substantial improvement in rear end stiffness.

Does the NA8 come with the front subframe brace under the gearbox? I found bracing the front subframe made a huge difference to my cabin twisting. Car feels much more solid.