Handling mods for NB8

Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres questions and answers

Moderators: timk, Stu, zombie, Andrew, -alex, miata

Nevyn72
Speed Racer
Posts: 2189
Joined: Fri Nov 29, 2013 8:51 am
Vehicle: ND - RF
Location: Sydney

Re: Handling mods for NB8

Postby Nevyn72 » Thu Jan 30, 2014 3:37 pm

hks_kansei wrote:
sailaholic wrote:Does the NBb not come with one?


Has a windblocker instead.

Hard plastic centre, folded ~3mm steel mounts.
Not sure if there's a steel bar inside the plastic, but I doubt it.


There isn't, it's just molded plastic.
I'm currently pulling mine apart to see if there's a way to re-install it now I've fitted my MX5+ roll-bar.
"A Convertible has a top you can put down when the weather's nice...... A Roadster has a top you can put up when the weather's bad."

alexbwang
Fast Driver
Posts: 115
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:34 pm
Vehicle: NB SE
Location: Melbourne, VIC
Contact:

Re: Handling mods for NB8

Postby alexbwang » Thu Jan 30, 2014 3:55 pm

Nevyn72 wrote:
hks_kansei wrote:
sailaholic wrote:Does the NBb not come with one?


Has a windblocker instead.

Hard plastic centre, folded ~3mm steel mounts.
Not sure if there's a steel bar inside the plastic, but I doubt it.


There isn't, it's just molded plastic.
I'm currently pulling mine apart to see if there's a way to re-install it now I've fitted my MX5+ roll-bar.


Very interested - keep us posted!

Nevyn72
Speed Racer
Posts: 2189
Joined: Fri Nov 29, 2013 8:51 am
Vehicle: ND - RF
Location: Sydney

Re: Handling mods for NB8

Postby Nevyn72 » Thu Jan 30, 2014 6:15 pm

Watch my garage thread, if I can come up with anything I'll post about it there. :wink:
"A Convertible has a top you can put down when the weather's nice...... A Roadster has a top you can put up when the weather's bad."

User avatar
Lokiel
Forum legend
Posts: 4126
Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 2:39 pm
Vehicle: NB SE
Location: Brisbania

Re: Handling mods for NB8

Postby Lokiel » Thu Jan 30, 2014 9:03 pm

kazama wrote::
doors bars try to address the mx5s biggest structural weakness. the lack of a roof. its a compromise but from what ive read its not enough to turn me off them.
id go as far to guess that doors bars will make a larger overall difference than frame rails, roll bar and a front tower brace combined.


Door bars still don't address chassis-twist, a proper roll bar does.

I'd like to hear from someone who's tested door bars only vs an MX5 Plus roll bar only to hear their impressions - I suspect both chassis stiffening would be noticeable but in very different ways.
Don't worry about dying, worry about not living!
Garage Thread: http://www.mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=76716

MLR
Fast Driver
Posts: 155
Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2014 5:56 pm
Vehicle: NB8A

Re: Handling mods for NB8

Postby MLR » Thu Jan 30, 2014 9:14 pm

http://www.bossfrog.biz/Miata_Performance.html Frog Ribs.

Automotive Plus (MX5 Plus) do door bars, I have just purchased the single hoop bar of them and they talked about them whilst I was on the phone.

I will be asking for some pics to see how it is engineered, if it looks as good as the Frog Ribs I may get some.

The Frog Ribs are US$300 + US$200 shipped to Sydney.

User avatar
hks_kansei
Speed Racer
Posts: 6154
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:43 am
Vehicle: NB8A
Location: Victoria

Re: Handling mods for NB8

Postby hks_kansei » Fri Jan 31, 2014 9:40 am

Lokiel wrote:
kazama wrote:Door bars still don't address chassis-twist, a proper roll bar does.


Wouldn't there be more twist in the great open section between the doors than there would between the pretty well boxed in boot/parcelshelf/seatbelt tower area?




Then again, I;m one of those guys that thinks for most people the stiffening effect of bracing they feel is directly proportional to the cost of the bracing.
1999 Mazda MX5 - 1989 Honda CT110 (for sale) - 1994 Mazda 626 wagon (GF's)

sailaholic
Speed Racer
Posts: 3511
Joined: Thu May 19, 2011 3:38 pm
Vehicle: NA8
Location: Brisbane

Re: Handling mods for NB8

Postby sailaholic » Fri Jan 31, 2014 10:10 am

hks_kansei wrote:
Then again, I;m one of those guys that thinks for most people the stiffening effect of bracing they feel is directly proportional to the cost of the bracing.


:lol: :lol: :lol: :BROADY:

Didn't light year have his car all braced up and then took it all off for weight savings and said he felt no difference? Maybe the bracing is only there to help control all that additional weight the NB put on from mid to end of life :mrgreen:

MLR
Fast Driver
Posts: 155
Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2014 5:56 pm
Vehicle: NB8A

Re: Handling mods for NB8

Postby MLR » Fri Jan 31, 2014 11:38 am

I was mistaken with the door bracing from MX5Plus, only door bracing is with a full cage, which you cannot have and still be legal on a road registered car.

For longitudinal bracing they recommend rail bracing, but only if needed, the boss frog design would have negligible improvements, whilst the cusco style would have nil due to their engineering design.

Good bunch of guys there, very helpful, and the savings I will have from not buying parts that do next to nothing will go towards some 15 * 8 buddy clubs and some semi's.

alexbwang
Fast Driver
Posts: 115
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:34 pm
Vehicle: NB SE
Location: Melbourne, VIC
Contact:

Re: Handling mods for NB8

Postby alexbwang » Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:32 pm

Thanks for all your replies. It seems that some squeaks and rattles are normal for a roadster and aren't worth trying to eliminate for a car used as a DD.

In summary, some simple / low cost bracing could be done to stiffen the chassis, but that same money put towards a good suspension setup will net you superior results.

The best bracing mods for an SE seem to be a well designed roll bar, underbody frame rails and frog arms.

User avatar
de Bounce
Racing Driver
Posts: 1091
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 5:19 pm
Vehicle: NC
Location: Northern Burbs - Melbourne

Re: Handling mods for NB8

Postby de Bounce » Sat Feb 01, 2014 10:42 pm

Required modifications to a NB for the street:
Good tyres.
A proper wheel alignment.

LEARN to drive!

For street use, I doubt anyone can use the difference all the bracing, suspension changes or other "go fast" mods will gain over someone who can actually drive!
2011 NC2 PRHT SE in Dolphin Grey
2001 NB8B in Crystal Blue - Sold :(
Motorkhana Video

project.r.racing
Speed Racer
Posts: 3722
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:16 pm
Vehicle: Non MX-5
Location: Glasshouse Mountains, QLD

Re: Handling mods for NB8

Postby project.r.racing » Sun Feb 02, 2014 10:07 am

de Bounce wrote:Required modifications to a NB for the street:
Good tyres.
A proper wheel alignment.

LEARN to drive!

For street use, I doubt anyone can use the difference all the bracing, suspension changes or other "go fast" mods will gain over someone who can actually drive!
finally someone talking some sense.


Return to “MX5 Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 200 guests