Fitting a Whiteline strut brace

jackmack · Postby **jackmack** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:36 pm

My Whiteline engine bay strut brace arrived today. Have tried to fit it to my NB8A, however it touches the top of the inlet manifold. Maybe they have sent one for a different model. Has anyone had this problem?

Postby **NitroDann** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 11:56 pm

it means your engine has been out and back in and the guy who did it didnt quite get the engine mounts in the right spot. he tightened the mounts while the engine was still supported.

Dann

jackmack · Postby **jackmack** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 11:16 am

Checked the engine mounts and all good. Checking with the supplier of the brace...I understand that the NA brace and NB brace are different so maybe I have been sent a NA brace. Anyone know about a possible difference between the NA & NB brace?

Postby **NitroDann** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 12:31 pm

Did you undo them or just look at them?

MIMXV · Postby **MIMXV** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 1:01 pm

KSB602 is the part no. for NA.

jackmack · Postby **jackmack** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 1:53 pm

NitroDann wrote:Did you undo them or just look at them?

Checked with MX5+. They suggested the engine cannot be mounted too high as there is only one position the engine can be fitted correctly. Also if the engine was fitted too high then other components would not line up correctly...like the gearbox etc, would they not?

jackmack · Postby **jackmack** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 1:55 pm

MIMXV wrote:KSB602 is the part no. for NA.

The part I have has 602 stamped on it. I have suggested to Whiteline Australia that the attachements at either end of the brace are too short and maybe incorrectly fitted. They said they had that problem once before and are checking into it.

Postby **NitroDann** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 2:06 pm

Awaiting your reply.

Dann

jackmack · Postby **jackmack** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 3:25 pm

Whiteline Australia have contacted me after they researched the issue. They said that the 602 is not a suitable fit for my NB8A as it sits too closely or on the inlet manifold and too close to the rocket cover. They where very helpful and diligent in their summary but said unfortunately couldn't assist with a suitable replacement. They also understand that this part is advertised as a suitable part for an NB8A. They are arranging a full refund to me through the supplier. Go figure...

jackmack · Postby **jackmack** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 6:09 pm

Talked to MX5 Mania this arvo...they also said the later versions of the Whiteline were not a good fit for the NB. Where to now....Cusco?

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 6:48 pm

Google the astinagt forum and have a look at rupes parts. He imports from Japan.

aka_juffa · Postby **aka_juffa** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 3:17 pm

sailaholic wrote:Google the astinagt forum and have a look at rupes parts. He imports from Japan.

Here is a link to said site.

http://www.astinagt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10668

Scroll down and you will find the '1989-2011 MX-5 / Miata /Eunos Roadster' parts list.

He has a few upper front braces available.

J.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 10:49 pm

Rupe's a great guy, I've bought a fair bit of stuff from him.

As for the brace issue, NA and NB braces should be interchangeable, I've never seen a fitment issue with the intake manifold?

The only fitment issue I've seen is if the car has Aircon fitted, on some cars the a/c hardlines run right near the strut tops.

Postby **NitroDann** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 11:10 pm

jackmack wrote:
NitroDann wrote:Did you undo them or just look at them?

Checked with MX5+. They suggested the engine cannot be mounted too high as there is only one position the engine can be fitted correctly. Also if the engine was fitted too high then other components would not line up correctly...like the gearbox etc, would they not?

This is incorrect the engine mounts each (there are 2) have a single 10mm bolt protruding from them that fit into the chassis, however on that side of the car the bolt doesnt go into a hole it goes into a slot, the hole is slotted around 2 inches long to assist in getting the mounts in because its very difficult to manhandle the entire drivetrain and get 2 bolts into 2 holes when the bolts to no line up with the holes until the engine is fully lowered.

Pic related

red is the engine block, the black squares show how the mounts are positioned with the blue line being the bolts, the pink is the subframe.
Because the mounts are angled you can see that the tip of the bolts are much wider than the base, where it will eventually be touching the subframe when bolted together.
As a result one side is slotted, if the engine mounts bolts are tightened with the engine still supported the mount will be bolted into a position halfway up the slot and as a result that side of the engine will be higher than factory.

Trust me Ive had engine out of these dozens of times and have the exact same issue with a racecar and a whiteline brace.

This next picture shows the front subframe as viewed from the position a driver would sit, you can clearly see the 2 holes for the engine mounts on the sloped surfaces and very clear is that the inlet manifold side is slotted. on the left there is a central hole with a hole above and below to locate lugs on the mounts, on the right you can see the bottom hole for the bottom lug and a large vertical slot to aide engine installation.

Dann

jackmack · Postby **jackmack** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 11:55 pm

NitroDann wrote:
jackmack wrote:
NitroDann wrote:Did you undo them or just look at them?

Checked with MX5+. They suggested the engine cannot be mounted too high as there is only one position the engine can be fitted correctly. Also if the engine was fitted too high then other components would not line up correctly...like the gearbox etc, would they not?

This is incorrect the engine mounts each (there are 2) have a single 10mm bolt protruding from them that fit into the chassis, however on that side of the car the bolt doesnt go into a hole it goes into a slot, the hole is slotted around 2 inches long to assist in getting the mounts in because its very difficult to manhandle the entire drivetrain and get 2 bolts into 2 holes when the bolts to no line up with the holes until the engine is fully lowered.

Pic related

red is the engine block, the black squares show how the mounts are positioned with the blue line being the bolts, the pink is the subframe.
Because the mounts are angled you can see that the tip of the bolts are much wider than the base, where it will eventually be touching the subframe when bolted together.
As a result one side is slotted, if the engine mounts bolts are tightened with the engine still supported the mount will be bolted into a position halfway up the slot and as a result that side of the engine will be higher than factory.

Trust me Ive had engine out of these dozens of times and have the exact same issue with a racecar and a whiteline brace.

This next picture shows the front subframe as viewed from the position a driver would sit, you can clearly see the 2 holes for the engine mounts on the sloped surfaces and very clear is that the inlet manifold side is slotted. on the left there is a central hole with a hole above and below to locate lugs on the mounts, on the right you can see the bottom hole for the bottom lug and a large vertical slot to aide engine installation.

Dann

Dann,
You have gone to a lot of trouble to explain the situation that my car may be in. For this I thank for your time and your knowledge. I will book the car in tomorrow to MX5+ and have them do the necessary work and adjust the mounts. If what you are saying is correct and the engine is mounted too high and can be lowered, then the strut brace will certainly clear the inlet manifold. It will still be a close fit but will clear. I will let you know Dann. Cheers