Any suggestions for easy chasis stiffening for NA8 ?

michael · Postby **michael** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:34 pm

Hi All,

I have a standard NA8 and I was just wondering whether there were any easy and worthwhile add ons to minimise scuttle shake etc. The car is used purely for normal road use. I've read forum comments on various bracing, like butterfly brace for example, but not sure whether this is straight forward or worthwhile for my intended application. Any suggestions on appropriate solutions based on experience ?

Thanks for your thoughts.
Michael

broady · Postby **broady** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 11:08 pm

Yep, I noticed a huge improvement in ride quality with my FM butterfly brace.

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 11:18 pm

Roll bar?

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 11:30 pm

+1 for the BD rollbar.

michael · Postby **michael** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 12:12 pm

Thanks for your feedback fellas.

Regards
Michael

Scoota · Postby **Scoota** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 1:45 pm

If you're looking for a stiffening solution that offers some roll-over protection and stiffens the body, then the I.L. Motorsports Torque Box Roll Bar seems to be the best around, in my opinion (no connection with I.L.M., I'm just a fan). And it has the benefit of being ADR compiant, so you won't have to worry about VicRoads (or other roads authority) hassling you. I don't have one myself, but I have heard good first-hand reports about this device.

I'll be installing a fully welded roll-cage soon so it's not on my shopping list, but if I was looking for a bolt-on stiffener & roll bar for a road car, this would be my pick. The massive RHS beam that crosses behind the seats apparently adds a significant amount of torsional stiffness.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 4:33 pm

Remember he said it's for an NA8. These come standard with the stiffening bar across the back of the seats. A bolt-in rollbar doesn't give much noticeable improvement over that, although a rollbar's good for all sorts of other reasons.

The next step up for an NA8 is add-on chassis rails like these. http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?deptid=4538&parentid=0&stocknumber=13-69010
They say that a butterfly brace adds a little more, but most of the benefit is just in the beefed up rails.

Postby **mx52nv** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 7:08 pm

Scoota wrote:If you're looking for a stiffening solution that offers some roll-over protection and stiffens the body, then the I.L. Motorsports Torque Box Roll Bar seems to be the best around, in my opinion (no connection with I.L.M., I'm just a fan). And it has the benefit of being ADR compiant, so you won't have to worry about VicRoads (or other roads authority) hassling you. I don't have one myself, but I have heard good first-hand reports about this device.

I'll be installing a fully welded roll-cage soon so it's not on my shopping list, but if I was looking for a bolt-on stiffener & roll bar for a road car, this would be my pick. The massive RHS beam that crosses behind the seats apparently adds a significant amount of torsional stiffness.

I think you mean the MX5 Plus Torque Box Roll Bar.
Les @ MX5 Shop

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 10:30 am

mx52nv wrote:I think you mean the MX5 Plus Torque Box Roll Bar.
Les @ MX5 Shop

+1

See http://www.mx5plus.com.au/part_display. ... t=60&cat=8

MX5 Plus are in Brisbane too so you wont have to worry about P&H.

I noticed "The Stiffening" (I'm a "Highlander" fan - 1st movie only) immediately on the drive home after getting it installed at MX5 Plus after just the first two corners. It's a mod I believe everyone should do to an NA/NB if they plan to keep their car for a while, definitely worth it.