Thoughts on gacchiri braces?

[WE3RX7]

I saw these years ago by a different company on some yahoo jdm auction. Didn't think much of it then, but now I'm kind of wondering, would it be worth it to do this?

I've got my car's front end torn down as I build up the suspension, undercoat, paint, install bushings, brakes, etc... and since I'm pretty much stiffening everything I can, I'm thinking about throwing these on. I came across them again at www.autornd.com:

http://www.autornd.com/catalog/produ...8696e7f4e475a3

What it seems is that it would be similar to extending my roll cage into the engine compartment without having to. These braces would stiffen up the area around the seam welds in the fenders, etc.

Anybody ever use them, think its worth it? I'm thinking it would really round off my front end since I have the MS front underbrace, MS bushings throughout and will be using an engine brace and master cylinder brace too...

[djmtsu]

They make these for Miatas too, they call them Frog Braces or something. They are supposed to work, but I don't know anyone who has used them.

[Max777]

Why not just stich weld the chassis? After buying all the braces n shit, I almost think a used mig welder and some argon might be cheaper...

PS: another thing that will work a hella lot better than that: FC vert front subframe! It has this huge rear brace which I'm 100% positive will work better, and if you can find a junkyard vert, will be cheaper to get as well.

I have a vert btw, and this is one of the things I've been contemplating on putting on the other car if I ever get a coupe shell.

[WE3RX7]

Do you have any pics of the vert subframe that would show that extra brace? I have a feeling my MS bar would basically be the same idea there.

The front clip is already stitch welded fairly well in the inner fenders on the coupe. The only thing would maybe be to had done a continuous bead weld... but no thanks.

I do plan to stitch weld the rest of the chassis where the sheet metal is overlapped and not welded though... there are some areas in the cabin for that.

Braces aren't very expensive either - my main reasoning for this over permanent solutions is if the car gets hit/totaled, I'd be able to hopefully swap parts easily to another chassis easily (if the parts didnt get damaged in the process)....

Thanks for the info so far though, I'll see if any mx-5 guys have frog braces...

[Max777]

Here, this pic shows it quite well, this is after I was done painting my bay:



Another shot (before paint):

[WE3RX7]

Very cool - learn something new everyday I guess since I didn't realize the vert was different there.

It wont work for my application though as it is exactly where the lower control arm brace goes across. Its nice to know I'll have something there though now that I see Mazda thought it was a good idea too.

Thanks for pics!

[Whizbang]

there are also sub frame connectors running down under the verts here and there.

[Max777]

Originally Posted by Low Impedance

there are also sub frame connectors running down under the verts here and there.

What exaclty do you mean by that? I know that the vert is reinforced like crazy where the rear seats go, and there is also that brace, but apart from that, i havent noticed any other differences.

[JL1RX7]

When you go under the car you see all kinds of stuff. It has runners up and down the frame compared to the coupes.

[jgrewe]

Originally Posted by Max777

What exaclty do you mean by that? I know that the vert is reinforced like crazy where the rear seats go, and there is also that brace, but apart from that, i havent noticed any other differences.

Besides the area where the backseat would be that has the extra bracing there is a lot of extra layers of metal on the door pillar up front. There are 5 layers of stamped steel in the door hinge area that curve up to the strut horns instead of just 3 on the coupe.

The steel used for the rockers(inside,outside and vertical piece in between) are all easliy twice as thick. The floor pan steel is also much thicker.

The extra subframe requires some mounting points to be taken from a 'vert. There are a couple thick steel extensions that fill the space to the "frame rail" as it kicks up for the suspension subframe.

[WE3RX7]

Yea - I do plan to add floor braces and such as well. I figure by the time I add all the bracing and my 8pt cage, I should have a very nice and stiff chassis that isnt completely cluttered as it would be w/ a 12pt cage, x-bars, etc....

[firzen]

^ What are the part numbers for these MS braces? I've been thinking of adding some structural support to my car w/ minimal welding for the same reasons as you but haven't heard too much of any braces that Mazdaspeed makes.

[WE3RX7]

I will check tonight. The one MS brace that takes the place of that vert rear subframe brace is the one I have now. MS also makes the upper strut bar and rear strut bar. I havent seen any floorbraces from MS. AutoEXE makes a few too...

I'll get some details on it tonight for ya..

[firzen]

Originally Posted by WE3RX7

I will check tonight. The one MS brace that takes the place of that vert rear subframe brace is the one I have now. MS also makes the upper strut bar and rear strut bar. I havent seen any floorbraces from MS. AutoEXE makes a few too...

I'll get some details on it tonight for ya..

Thanks, I'm particularly interested in the one that replaces the vert subframe's additional piece, as I know the vert's subframe doesn't bolt on to the coupe's frame.

For anybody's that's interested on why, there are some good discussions on the other forum about it.

[Phoenix7]

never met anyone who had them...wanna be the first?

THe vert always gets shit but I honestly think it's the best FC out there.

rigidity difference between the vert and the coupe is a mere 1% with the top up. THe extra weight for a roofless well-handling car is nothing...turbo swap it and you're golden.

People complain that it's heavy and slow but it IS the coolest FC built.