GT Spec Suspension parts

[MsP155]

i Just wanted to see som pix how the GT Spec V brace + bar and the bars and the four point ladder brace and the trailing arms...and maybe whatever colorful looking suspension parts you might have

[livelyjay]

If you browse around some of the sites that sell the parts, you can find pictures of them installed.

Corksport has some pictures of them isntalled (http://corksport.com/store/category/4qc0/99p-suspension_misc.html)

[livelyjay]

Also remember that most of the vendors are now shipping the blue colored bars and may only have limited stock of the orange.

[We Are Ninja]

^ That's a great thing if your car is blue... :)

Do these braces make any appreciable difference in handling? (I'm getting some blue trailing arms, either way...).

[mryellermp5]

here are some pics on and off a MSP (but items are spoken for already)http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123671872&highlight=orange

[livelyjay]

^ That's a great thing if your car is blue... :)

Do these braces make any appreciable difference in handling? (I'm getting some blue trailing arms, either way...).
It's great if you car is any other color than Spicy Orange or Black (unless you are a fan of orange).

Search through the forums for peoples results. I would think the front ladder and tie bar make hardly any difference. Maybe a bit in the front suspension/frame flex. Might keep the front of the car flatter in the corners. Trunk cage would be my next guess that actually does something. Kind of like a super rear strut brace to keep the back from flexing.

I have no idea what significance the trailing arm, links, and V-brace would have.

[CitizenPro]

The trailing arms prolly wont do anything besides add a bit more strength, and the Panel/V-Brace are actual reinforcement pieces that should add Xtra Strength to your chassis. The Ladder bar just drops some weight, and the Tie Bar is added reinforcement. Now the Trunk Cage makes a huge difference, i immediately noticed the stiffness it gave the vehicle on its ass end.

[We Are Ninja]

^ Very good to know.

*Researching*

[livelyjay]

I plan on getting the ladder bar, tie bar, and strut tower bar eventually. Do you have to remove the Kenwood sub woofer brackets to install the rear strut bar?

[18sOnAiR]

I plan on getting the ladder bar, tie bar, and strut tower bar eventually. Do you have to remove the Kenwood sub woofer brackets to install the rear strut bar?

yes you do. I didnt want to lose the subwoofer so I install the cage without the rear strut bar.

[livelyjay]

Hmmmm, maybe I'll fab something of my own that goes above the subwoofer, if it's even possible.

[alexB]

Would it be a possibilty to get unfinished pieces for a discounted price? Like say If I wanted them not painted or powdercoated. Because I have a friend who does powdercoating and would like to have them match my titanium colored brake calipers. Has anyone thought of this and talked to the guys at gt spec?

[18sOnAiR]

Hmmmm, maybe I'll fab something of my own that goes above the subwoofer, if it's even possible.

its not above, maybe below you could

[livelyjay]

its not above, maybe below you could
Good idea, one of which I never thought of and is very obvious (braindead

[Speed3.5]

so bottom line is if you don't have big power to throu/toss the car around these "reinforcement" bars won't do any thing at all ??

[FunkyBuddha]

They help. It's not just "throwing" the car around corners. It's the car's weight as well, plus you and passengers. The ladder bar is stiffer than the stock sub-brace that it replaces. The old stock piece I can twist, plus the ladder bar is lighter.

[ChopstickHero]

They help. It's not just "throwing" the car around corners. It's the car's weight as well, plus you and passengers. The ladder bar is stiffer than the stock sub-brace that it replaces. The old stock piece I can twist, plus the ladder bar is lighter.

yep, the ladder bar is much stiff and alot lighter.

i had the front tie bar on and i liked it, but every time i really hit a hard right or left turn, it would make a loud metallic "pop" noise. I went underneath and noticed it hitting the cross member under the engine. i took it off eventually and the noise went away.

[o.g.sk8er]

I was quite surprised at how well these braces work. I have the front 4 point ladder bar, lower tie bar, rear strut bar, v-brace and panel...

Mike is right..the ladder does pop every now and then...I put a small piece of rubber in there to keep the noise down.


Oh...This is a P-5, but you get the jist of it...hehe

http://www.msprotege.com/members/o.g.sk8er/TEST%20735.jpg

[ChopstickHero]

nice Pat! i love the way your car handles. i was thinking of picking up the rear v braces if anybody ever sells them used. :)

[susamafone]

nice Pat! i love the way your car handles. i was thinking of picking up the rear v braces if anybody ever sells them used. :)

they dont come around very often. i noticed a differance with the v-brace. car seemed to handle better. either that or replacing the crappy stock tires helped. probably a combination of both.

i got my v-brace used. and im always searching for the ladder bar or tie bar. dont think ill get the trailing arms, but i probably will just to have a near complete set

[Tom03es]

Mike is right..the ladder does pop every now and then...I put a small piece of rubber in there to keep the noise down.

I have the ladder brace and I don't get any noise. All I had to do was grind down the drain nipples on the bottom of the sub frame for it to fit properly.

I do notice that when I exit a driveway at an angle- it is very easy to lighten up the inside front tire enough to spin it if I give it too much throttle. I didn't get this with the stock piece installed. And I have been driving through the same spot leaving work for 8 months- 3 with the stock brace and 5 with the ladder brace.