MX-3.com

i just ordered a Ractive strut tower brace (toucan industries)...anyone else got one? how is it? u like it? dislike it? how easy was the install? any tricks i should be aware of? replies are appreciated...thanx

i hve the corksport ones.......fronts are easy the rear take some time but its a 30 minute operation on the front about an hour on the rear<P>jason

ok, so installation is easy...but what kind of handling differences are obtained? is it barely noticeable? or is it a drastic change? (talking about the front tower bar, not the rear)

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DJGypsy:<BR><STRONG>ok, so installation is easy...but what kind of handling differences are obtained? is it barely noticeable? or is it a drastic change? (talking about the front tower bar, not the rear)</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><BR>your wallet will feel it more than you do.

i have a klze and i was wondering if the ractive tower braces would fit on my mx3, i talk to corksport and said they still trying to manufature one for the mx3 with klze engine

why wouldn't fit, it's basically the same engine as the 1.8. same size, except maybe for the intake manifold that's different, wich may cause a clearance problem ( not sure). But my guess ( and it's just a guess is that it would fit.<P>and I have the Ractive "too", and it is barely noticeable.

have you seen a klze in a mx-3....<BR>you basicly need a shoe horn to get it in.plus the intake manifold is alittle higher<BR>that is why it wont fit.....i think if you would design one that would brace off the fire wall...and kind of a diamond design it might work<BR>jason

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by monty73741:<BR><STRONG>have you seen a klze in a mx-3....<BR>you basicly need a shoe horn to get it in.plus the intake manifold is alittle higher<BR>that is why it wont fit.....i think if you would design one that would brace off the fire wall...and kind of a diamond design it might work<BR>jason</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Umm, the K8 and KLZE use the same block, and same tranny. Its not any bigger than the stock engine.

INDEED!<P>i installed my ractive without a problem on the ze

when i helped do a klze install<BR>the intake maifold was a little higher......jeff abrams has said that it differs from engine to engine.....<P><BR>jason

NEWS UPDATE! i installed the brace a few days ago...u don't feel it much in straight line driving or gentle turns, but if you start to load up the front end going faster through a corner, i've noticed that the front end is considerably more stable and predictable, and the car has about 40% less body roll...considering i'm running on crap tires and the loose stock suspension that came with the car in 1994, i would consider this a great bang for the buck bargain...only cost me $35, and only took 20 minutes to install...i would recommend this to anyone who is on a limited budget like myself who is looking for a little kick with their ride...thanx guys for your opinions before!

The only time there's a problem with installing the front strut bar is when phenolic spacers have been used on the IM. This raises the IM, mine rubs against the underhood insulation, no room for a strut bar.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DJGypsy:<BR><STRONG>NEWS UPDATE! i installed the brace a few days ago...u don't feel it much in straight line driving or gentle turns, but if you start to load up the front end going faster through a corner, i've noticed that the front end is considerably more stable and predictable, and the car has about 40% less body roll</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><BR>Ummm, youre going to need to stop BSing. A strut tower bar CANT stop body roll.

I have both front end rear ractive strut bars. I feel a small difference when I hit bumps and when I turn at higher speed. I heard that strut bars make a real difference with aftermarket spring, is that true. If not, I don't recommend those strut bars cause the diff is really small on stock spring.

hey ProtegeSTS: i don't mean to be rude or start an argument, but i am not BSing...i know the thing doesn't stop body roll completely, but you gotta admit, it could eliminate *some* of the body roll...the whole car is noticeably more stable now [img]shrug.gif"%20border="0[/img]