Strut bar design

[Josh]

couple of ideas from MAZDASPEED





and another from Auto EXE



Here is one for a civic, this might be a cheaper design



I would go with something more along these designs. seems to be kind of the new standard. I have been thinking about making some one off braces for my MX, I just havent gotten around to it, and I have to get a spooler for my welder but thats another story

I guess the only problem with a design like this would be the distance of the strut towers to the fire wall, and if one bar like this would fit all of the different models from MX3, 323, protege, escort...

[300zxrb26dett]

I am having Jim build a prototype for me so pictures will be up when its available.


If anyone can provide a picture of their car with the Millenia manifold from the front so I can see how high the manifold sits in relation to the firewall, that would be great, Measurements of some kind would be even better

[300zxrb26dett]

Well finally an update after almost a whole year..........


The delay has been my fault since life got busy and many things changed and I have not been able to get funds to Jim to start on this, so he ended up building this on his own dime and time but here are some pictures of a prototype Jim threw together.

Overall design is still there but some changes have been made to simplify my original design to keep costs lower then it would have otherwise been. There is another prototype version he is going to complete soon and pics will be posted when its finished.

[kulluminati777]

Looks VERY rigid.

[MrMazda92]

I've been thinking about a B pillar/Rear strut bar assembly that joins together... Where you can remove the B pillar and rear portion fairly easily for passenger transport.

I could weld up a prototype, but I lack the skill to make it aesthetically pleasing. I'd be down for a slot in a bulk buy though, if the idea ever takes off.

[300zxrb26dett]

Prototype 2 pics are now up:

http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/showth ... sign/page7

[bbunkerc397]

Could you build one to fit a klze? That would be sweet.

[300zxrb26dett]

We are working on trying to make it fit, but we need people with these engines to get us some measurements so we know if it can be done. Problem is nobody has come through with that yet.

How does a Corksport bar fit with a KLZE engine? How much clearance is there from the intake manifold to the bottom of the bar?

[Nd4SpdSe]

We are working on trying to make it fit, but we need people with these engines to get us some measurements so we know if it can be done. Problem is nobody has come through with that yet.

How does a Corksport bar fit with a KLZE engine? How much clearance is there from the intake manifold to the bottom of the bar?

Fits with some tweaking. Here was mine with a curved-neck ZE. When I installed my Outlaw spacers, I just have to grind off those stand-offs on the top of that center VRIS plate and that's it.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=59329&hilit=corksport+bar

People never really seems to like my setup for whatever reason. It worked great with no effects or diminished performance.

[crazycanadian]

We are working on trying to make it fit, but we need people with these engines to get us some measurements so we know if it can be done. Problem is nobody has come through with that yet.

How does a Corksport bar fit with a KLZE engine? How much clearance is there from the intake manifold to the bottom of the bar?

Fits with some tweaking. Here was mine with a curved-neck ZE. When I installed my Outlaw spacers, I just have to grind off those stand-offs on the top of that center VRIS plate and that's it.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=59329&hilit=corksport+bar

People never really seems to like my setup for whatever reason. It worked great with no effects or diminished performance.

I can understand with the spacers there might be a clearance issue... did you have any before??

[300zxrb26dett]

Thanks for the pictures. Comparing those pictures with the ones Jim posted of the second version, the front bar should clear, but the rear bar may not, regardless some extra height will be added to the bar.

Someone that is running a Millenia manifold can give me a measurement that would be great.

Where the rear hood seal goes, remove the seal and there will be an edge sticking up. Put one end of a level on that edge and the other hanging over the engine bay. Make sure the bubble is in the middle (level) and measure from the highest point on that millenia manifold to the bottom of your level and tell me what it is.

If you guys want this, now is the time that you need to speak up before this design is finalized.


Crazycanadian: I will be patiently waiting for your results:)

[Nd4SpdSe]

I can understand with the spacers there might be a clearance issue... did you have any before??

Kinda, with the bar in it's original design, yes, it wouldn't fit. I had to go without the bar for a few months after my KLZE swap until we figured out how to get it to work. It just came to my mechanic one day while we were working in my car.

The strut bar can't go any higher than it is, it was already touching the hood. For the spacers, I just have to grind these down and it fit just fine.

[300zxrb26dett]

Where was the bar touching the hood at? middle or sides?

Honestly measurements are key here.

[Nd4SpdSe]

I can't measure on a car that doesn't exist anymore...

You can easilly see the scraping marks here:


This was also on a CF inverted scoop hood rather than the OEM. My CF hood did seem to sit lower than the OEM

[300zxrb26dett]

I wasnt aware your car didnt exist anymore. Ok well then who else has a Millenia intake?


Perhaps maybe the MX3 has a different hood line that is sloped more then the BG cars. The ebay bar that is on my escort is 3/8" below that rear hood seal edge and still has at least another inch before it would touch my hood in the middle.

I have the stock hood on right now, but the heat blanket is gone.


Or perhaps the MX3 guys with a Millenia intake will have to use the first design posted above on the white car.