Flyin Miata Butterfly Brace Frame?

[Steampunk]

I'm only new on the forum, but the comments I heard on here and elsewhere, about aforementioned dealer, is fairly underwhelming.

[16bit]

im actually designing a new type of butterfly brace that will be made out of 6mm Ballistic alloy (what they use in some banks for bullet proof), Im thinking about making a few sets to see how well they will sell.

I would be careful how it goes over the frame rails as another 6mm on the bottom of the rails will fudge quite a few peoples legal ride height. just something to keep in mind in the design process. I have also been working on one that doubles as a flat undertray that can have a diffuser and front splitter added. not sure if i will sell it as it will be made out of composite materials and will cost me more to make then people would be willing to pay - maybe. good luck its a product that is screaming to be made locally.

[MXkal]

yea i took that into consideration about the ride height. I can always just make some stainless versions if the alloy just doesnt cut-it

[Mactype]

I had a quote a few weeks ago off FM for one of these, was a bit exxy for shipping so I figured I'd get one locally as their wasn't much difference in end costing. Anyway, this is what I got back from FM with regard to shipping one out.

Here are the shipping costs and options to send p/n 13-69920 (1990-97 Butterfly Brace Kit) to postal code in Australia:

UPS Expedited: $371.59 USD
BAX Global/Schenker: $306.31 USD

[drifter]

Based on what I've read on miata.net the door bars improve chassis rigidity more than the butterfly brace. This is from people who have done both and structurally it makes sense. The possibly dangers are similar to a stylebar but at least they are functional...you can even use them to leverage yourself out of the seat

[Steampunk]

Interesting ... never seen these anywhere. Can't really see how it can improve lateral or torsional rigidity (unless it's joined under the dash and behind the seats), which I assume is the main reason for the interest in the FM brace....?

[Alfadog]

^ Aren't those bars illegal?

[wun911]

How heavy are they, I dont want to be adding like 30 kg to the car just to make it stiff...

[Alex]

I'm sure that Kula on the forum has those

[sliq]

Interesting ... never seen these anywhere. Can't really see how it can improve lateral or torsional rigidity (unless it's joined under the dash and behind the seats), which I assume is the main reason for the interest in the FM brace....?

what possible dangers are there from these door bars and a style bar?
man.. those bars are fugly imo

[PUR157]

If I'm not mistaken, the problem is that upon side intrusion, those bars may fold inwards and trap the occupants (similar principle to alleged mouse trapping of dodgy style bars)

I can't judge whether or not it's a valid concern, as if the impact is strong enough to compromise the side intrusion beams... the passengers wouldn't be alive enough to get trapped...

[MXkal]

either way, it would still hurt.

[marcusus]

I remember those side bar thingos being brought up on here a while ago. I could be wrong, but I seem to remember them being illegal for probably the aforementioned reason of side intrusion protection.

As for the shipping of an FM brace, the question is whether or not the price will reduce significantly if a whole heap are shipped out at once. That's really where the saving would come in I would say.

[Jimmy]

Id say it would be worth while getting a \"group buy\" price from mania and also FM. Interested to compare the 2.

[sliq]

Guys,

Just got a reply back from Flyin' Miata.

I got an estimate of shipping costs to my hometown Bankstown in Sydney. Costs of shipping for One Butterfly brace GUESTIMATE price was for:
$390USD for UPS Expedited (1 week transit) and
$275USD BAX Global/Schenker (about 2 weeks transit).

For about Seven FM Butterfly Braces:
UPS Expedited: $1390 USD (about 1 week transit time)
BAX Global/Schenker: $625 USD (about 2 weeks transit time)

He didn't state whether there would be any saving if we bought the braces in bulk - I've sent the bloke an email enquiring whether we do save or not. We don't want to save only on the shipping!!!

Suppose we buy 7 of these and send them to here.. It would be about $350 + $625 (shipping)/7 = $350USD + $89USD = $439 USD = $495 AUD.
Factoring in shipping to your doorsteps.. Say.. $30 plus or minus, it would be about $530 ish to your doorstep..

Let me know what you think..