Full GT Spec Underbracing Installed & Review

[Aaron@JSC]

I recently had the opportunity to work with Ken at GT Spec on ‘officially’ testing some of their existing Mazda3 bracing for fitment on the MS3. Here is some pictures and information on what I found.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c204/WRXD/forumpic1.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c204/WRXD/forumpic2.jpg

Parts tested:
GTS-SUS-1135 4-point ladder brace
GTS-SUS-1190 4-point mid brace
GTS-SUS-1158 Mid-Chassis brace
GTS-SUS-1126 Rear lower tie brace
GTS-SUS-1127 Link reinforcement panel
GTS-SUS-1128 Rear V-brace
GTS-SUS-1125 Front lower tie brace


Fitment and installation:
Fitment was perfect an all of the parts I tested with the exception of the front lower tie brace, which was actually designed to work with an automatic transmission on the fist model year Mazda3. Because of this, it does not clear the trans enough on the MS3; however GT Spec is possibly in the works to build a MS3 specific version.
Other than that, the GT Spec bracing bolted right up to the stock mounting points with no issues. Some of the braces use existing hardware and bolts while other utilize threaded inserts and heavy duty bolts/washers. Installation is pretty straight forward and can be done with standard hand tools. Installing the rear lower tie brace was a bit tricky because the bolt on the passenger side is very close to the gas tank allowing for limited clearance. Also it is important to note that the link reinforcement panel does require you to remove the rear camber bolts. I just made extra sure to mark the stock bolt orientation with some white-out so I could be sure they were reinstalled properly.
Installing the GT Spec underbracing does require you to remove some of the stock chassis bracing. Since I had all of these parts off of the car at once, I decided to do some weight measurements of the stock vs. the GT Spec parts. Here are the results:

GT Spec 4-point mid brace: 1.5 lbs
Stock mid brace: 4.5 lbs
GT Spec ladder brace: 4.1 lbs
GT Spec Mid-Chassis brace: 3.5 lbs
Stock mid-chassis brace: 10 lbs
GT Spec Link reinforcement brace: 4 lbs
Stock link reinforcement brace: 10 lbs.
GT Spec Rear V-brace (combined): 1.7 lbs
GT Spec Rear lower tie brace: 1.2 lbs

Even after adding 3 additional braces to the car, it still works out to 8.5lb weight savings (for all you auto-x gurus).

Driving Impressions:
The GT Spec chassis bracing makes a considerable difference on this car, even when just used as a freeway daily driver. Turn-in feels much crisper and the handling of the car feels tighter overall. I can definitely feel that my stock springs are now the weak link in my handling. I plan on getting the car out on the AutoX course to really experience the competitive advantages of this setup as opposed to when I was running stock. I thought that with the added bracing cabin vibration would be a major issue; however vibration increase is minimal if noticeable at all. This may also due to the fact that I have been driving with a poly rear motor mount for the last 6 months as well.
Overall, I think that the GT Spec chassis bracing is a great handling upgrade for the MS3 on both the street and the track. I drive almost 80 miles a day on this setup and I don’t find it uncomfortable for daily driving, though definitely not as soft as stock. Complimented with a stiffer springs/dampers and some thicker swaybars, this would be a killer upgrade in handling for the MS3.

Let me know if you have any questions or want to see any more photos, I have a whole bunch that I have taken during the testing process.

[udontknowjack]

whats the different between the gt spec and the autoexe's? and whats the price??

[ndedomin]

whats the different between the gt spec and the autoexe's? and whats the price??


I am installing the GT Spec stuff (minus mid-chassis brace) on my car next week. Its good stuff!

The GT SPEC and Autoexe parts serve the exact same purpose. Autoexe tends to be a little expensive to ship since it comes from overseas. GT Spec is in a much more reasonable price range and it is an excellent product.

The only parts I don't know the prices for are the mid-chassis brace, b/c I did not order it, and the front lower tie brace b/c it only fits 2.0L automatic mazda 3's. Here are prices I paid for the parts I am putting on my car:

Rear Lower Tie Brace: $95
V Brace: $180
Link Reinforcement Panel: $140
Ladder Brace: $161
Mid Brace: $190

[phillyb]

thank you for this thread. i was looking at these braces and had no idea where the fuck each one goes

[Aaron@JSC]

you bet guys-- I have worked very closely with GT Spec personally on this so any technical questions I can definitely forward to them.

[jam_asian85]

Hey Aaron could you PM me prices for each brace, and if there's any possiblity of getting a combo price.

Thanks,
James

[Aaron@JSC]

absolutely--
I don't even have these up on my website yet-- give a day or so to get my ducks in a row and get some pricing worked up. There will definitely be forum specials on these though.

[CWPspeed3]

Those look pretty sweet, just added to my wish list...

[phillyb]

i think your original post answered most of my questions aaron, but lemme see if i can reiterate...
i can use this setup with stock suspension? yes
will i be able to use this setup with coilovers? it appears to be so
coilovers or gtspec bracing first?
gtspec bracing or sway bars first?
the removal of some of our bracing seems to be necessary, which is fine, that shit is heavy

[ericrapp]

I am intrigued, not necessarily ready to buy. but I see some pieces I could use. Any momentum for an upper rear tie in? Please inquire about combos and maybe staged packages. Thanks Sure is nice to see this stuff coming out! My springs and sways are in. Adding some chassis tension might be good too.

[ndedomin]

i think your original post answered most of my questions aaron, but lemme see if i can reiterate...
i can use this setup with stock suspension? yes
will i be able to use this setup with coilovers? it appears to be so
coilovers or gtspec bracing first?
gtspec bracing or sway bars first?
the removal of some of our bracing seems to be necessary, which is fine, that shit is heavy


You can definitely use coilovers with these parts. In fact, the best possible scenario for the track would be if you have coilovers, chassis braces such as these GT SPEC ones, AND sway bars. I don't believe the order you install them matters too much, but if you want a list of the order of priority, I would say:

1. Coilovers
2. Sway Bars
3. Chassis Braces (the GT Spec stuff)

[udontknowjack]

Hey Aaron could you PM me prices for each brace, and if there's any possiblity of getting a combo price.

Thanks,
James

+1 aaron...combo price..(glare)im very interested!!

[udontknowjack]

ndedomin...where did u go to get the tein ss...i tho they are still beening test on jflo's car??

[ndedomin]

udontknowjack, they are still technically being tested. However, I got them through a Tein vendor in new hampshire....the shop I have my car taken to. They called up tein and talked to them were able to special order these for me. If you really want them right now, you can order the tein SS for the regular mazda 3 and just upgrade the springs. The MS3 coils being tested are simply the MZ3 hatch coils with upgraded springs.

[Aaron@JSC]

you can order the tein SS for the regular mazda 3 and just upgrade the springs. The MS3 coils being tested are simply the MZ3 hatch coils with upgraded springs.

not to hijack the thread, but this is exactly correct-- this is what TEIN told me when I asked them about MS3 coilovers. TEIN has part numbers generated for the MS3 specific kits, which means they on their way to being released. SEMA is coming up and they hopefully will be out by then.

you can be sure JSC Speed will be stocking these coilovers when they are out.

[udontknowjack]

aww...too late...i brought the bc racing coilover got a great deal shipped with front camber plates

[udontknowjack]

but i'll be interested of a combo price on the gt spec underracing!!(rockon)

[Kurt07]

Do the front braces help in off the line traction?

[MTuning]

would u guys start stocking these than? i would love a ride to feel the difference :D

[ndedomin]

If anyone is in the new england area, I'd be more than happy to let you have a ride after next week when I am installing these on my car. I expect good things!

Aaron, good call on stocking these. They are a great item and I hope they sell well for you.

[phillyb]

yeah, i'm really excited about these as well. i wish i was in nwe england still

[ericrapp]

Yes sir Aaron, looks good thanks for making this stuff available to us.

[Buffalo_Bill]

Now that's alot of braces!
(dance)

[C.A.T.A.P]

Hey Aaron could you also PM me prices for each brace, and if there's any possiblity of getting a combo price. Also Aaron i have a ? for you. Which do you think would have the best handling for the car the Sway Bars or the Chassis Braces (the GT Spec). Im trying to find out which one will give me the most out of my car first. Also do you have a price on the CPE Engine Mount

Thanks so much
Wallace

[ericrapp]

We need deals Aaron! Combos. Stages are always cool too. And this would cause me reason to come visit in spring time!

[Hookedupmp5]

Hey Aaron, I know this seems to involve mostly 3's but do you have any experiance with protege 5's with gt spec parts installed and how they handled?

[Aaron@JSC]

Hey Aaron could you also PM me prices for each brace, and if there's any possiblity of getting a combo price. Also Aaron i have a ? for you. Which do you think would have the best handling for the car the Sway Bars or the Chassis Braces (the GT Spec). Im trying to find out which one will give me the most out of my car first. Also do you have a price on the CPE Engine Mount

Thanks so much
Wallace

Definitely swaybars. Swaybars are the best bang for the buck handling mod you can do to pretty much any car, next would probably be springs.

[diforbes]

If bought two or three of the GT Spec braces, which ones do you recommend as a good start to brace the front and rear? Thanks.

[CWPspeed3]

That nice bit of spam reminded me I still have to install my mid brace, starting to see some spring like temps just need to find a 21mm socket now.

[Wagonbacker9]

A little off topic, but since its been 6 months I don't feel too bad about it...
I only see 2 of the GTSpec parts for the Protege on your website, and I don't know what is meant by the Rear 4 point linkage bar.. the prices are way too low for the trunk cage.. I'm trying to collect 2 or 3 more GTSpec parts, and would LOVE to get them in orange (though I know that will be difficult). Let me know if you'd be willing and able to assist me please!