FM Frame rail's

16bit · Postby **16bit** » Wed May 30, 2007 4:30 pm

hey has anyone got these fitted? if so what sort of change did they make and how much did you spend on installation?

tk421 · Postby **tk421** » Wed May 30, 2007 9:59 pm

http://www.aus-cartalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=23806

Hi 16bit,

Probably should have posted this under body paint and trim. Above is a link to my review of both the brace and the rails you refer to. The postage is a good portion of the price so if your going to do it I would go the whole hog rather than just fit the rails, but up to you (the butterfly comes with the rails) - unless of course you are fitting it to an NB8B in which case you already have an X brace under the car.

Personally I'm still really happy with it, my regular mechanic who drove it for the first time a few weeks ago was blown away by how much it had tightened things up. He was an NA owner for many years and gets LOTS of Mx5's through his doors (Jason from Top tune in North Sydney)

Mark Pakula reviewed it in last months Auto salon mag (fitted to his NA) and and gave it a pretty big rap as well ie more grip less rattles etc - and makes the car nicer day to day. I'm sure he will comment on this thread at some stage of his experience.

I commented in my thread about what was involved to fit it. Mine was the first one that Mania fitted ,Mark's was second I think. Its quite an involved fit and was about 2.5 hours work, though if you use them it will probably be a little faster given it will be the third one they have put on.

That said there seems to be a good MX5 parts supplier / fitter in all of the eastern states at least these days so I'm sure any of the them could look after it depending on where you are. Whilst you could do it yourself I really would get someone with a hoist to look after it for you. The job looked like a pain in the rear and I'm glad I didn't have to do it :mrgreen:

Cost to fit? - Add a couple of hours labour from you favourite mechanic onto the purchase price and you get the picture. I would just give Simone a call and ask her the cost if thats where you are planning to go.

Hope this helps

Steve

kula · Postby **kula** » Wed May 30, 2007 10:02 pm

yup:)

i love the difference it made..

honestly, and i really felt it on the track, it makes as much of a difference to the handling of the car as a set of coil over does.

tk421 · Postby **tk421** » Wed May 30, 2007 10:22 pm

kula wrote:yup:)

honestly, and i really felt it on the track, it makes as much of a difference to the handling of the car as a set of coil over does.

Yeah good point. The car felt a lot more composed last time I was at Wakefield. Don't have coil overs yet but sounds like teins might go nice with the brace (hmm MORE spend after the FFS supercharger..just what I need! :lol:

)