Lachstock and Four Turbo Charged Cylinders ['04 NB SE]

ManiacLachy · Postby **ManiacLachy** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 11:57 am

With my stock strut bar/catch-can combo removed, I wanted to get a brake master cylinder stopper. Often these are integrated into aftermarket strut tower braces, but they can be bought as standalone also. I bought one from Garage Star in the US. I think OMGPham also sells them, but his shop has been offline for a couple of weeks.

The idea behind them is that when the brakes are pressed, the firewall flexes some and the pedal feel and pressure isn't as direct as it could be. The brace simply puts a stopper against the master cylinder, which it is pressed against during to resist the flex.

http://garagestar.com/blog/product/brake-master-brace-na-miata/

Not a perfect fit ...

It doesn't quite line up square with my master cylinder, but it does have a good firm contact. The effect of the brace on my car is minimal in practice, pedal feel is firmer but it's not a huge change. Oh, and I had to replace one of the nuts on the shock tower, the stock one was too big to get a socket on and fit against the brace and the nut. Luckily I had one left from when I replaced the nuts on the rear shocks when I installed the Xidas.

Garage Star also sells a nice Radiator Cooling panel, and it comes in a raw stainless steel finish, which matches my various NitroDann stainless bits very nicely. The panel prevents air escaping over the top of the radiator, and should aid in cooling. I decided I should get both bits at the same time :wink:

http://garagestar.com/blog/product/nb-radiator-cooling-panel/

Engine bay shot, I like the stainless look

I really need Dann to do a run of Coolant Overflow bottles now, to complete the look! My engine bay isn't as shiny as some, but this car works for a living, and that's reflected in it's appearance :mrgreen:

Postby **NitroDann** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 12:55 pm

I will consider the overflow soon.

All those parts of mine are aluminium btw!

ManiacLachy · Postby **ManiacLachy** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 1:52 pm

Lol. Thanks for the correction Dann. No great rush on the overflow for me, my wallet could use a rest :mrgreen:

If/when you do make them though you can count me in.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 2:50 pm

I hope u picked up the spanner on the left headlight.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 2:53 pm

A nice folded stainless heatshield over the extractors would look good...

ManiacLachy · Postby **ManiacLachy** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 3:12 pm

bruce wrote:I hope u picked up the spanner on the left headlight.

I was aware I had a few tools laying around, so before I closed the bonnet I put all the tools back in their spots to make sure I hadn't left anything under there :wink:

bootz · Postby **bootz** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 3:53 pm

bruce wrote:A nice folded stainless heatshield over the extractors would look good...

Yeah, wonder if insulating the intercooler pipe, which is sitting over the exhaust, would make a difference.

That airbox is a work of art!

Postby **NitroDann** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 3:59 pm

Insulating it won't do a thing.

speed · Postby **speed** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 5:58 pm

Looking good. Shame about the alignment of the brake stopper but short of remaking it what can you really do...

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speed · Postby **speed** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 6:01 pm

NitroDann wrote:I will consider the overflow soon.

All those parts of mine are aluminium btw!

Dann, are the air boxes made in bulk and if so, any chance that you will do a run for NA's?
Would be happy to cut my own hole for the alignment of the pipe.

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Postby **NitroDann** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 8:11 pm

Yes they will be, in the coming month or 2.

Dann

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 9:47 pm

I wouldn't be too happy with that brake master cylinder stopper.

You should send him that photo to illustrate how "off" it is because he's probably just guessing where the stopper needs to be for RHD cars - in the US, the master brake cylinder is on the opposite side of the car.

With any luck you may get a "better fit" version for free - at the very least, future versions may fit better.

smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 9:55 pm

Lokiel wrote:I wouldn't be too happy with that brake master cylinder stopper.

You should send him that photo to illustrate how "off" it is because he's probably just guessing where the stopper needs to be for RHD cars - in the US, the master brake cylinder is on the opposite side of the car.

With any luck you may get a "better fit" version for free - at the very least, future versions may fit better.

I agree, they wouldn't have a RHD drive car to mock up the stopper so it's a best guess. I'm pretty sure Cusco make a MCS, if GarageStar will accept the return (they should, fit is pretty bad) at least you know the Japanese items will fit.

Engine bay looks very schmick!

The American · Postby **The American** » Tue Nov 29, 2016 6:48 am

speed wrote:Looking good. Shame about the alignment of the brake stopper but short of remaking it what can you really do...

Is there enough space to slot the mounting holes further left so that the whole thing can be positioned further right, and then drill another hole for the stopper bolt on the left hand side of the gusset?

speed · Postby **speed** » Tue Nov 29, 2016 7:55 am

The American wrote:Is there enough space to slot the mounting holes further left so that the whole thing can be positioned further right, and then drill another hole for the stopper bolt on the left hand side of the gusset?

It certainly looks possible from the photo.

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