GTSPEC 4 Point Mid Chassis Reinforcement Brace

[BSTD3]

Anyone have this installed can give their opinion?

http://mazda3performanceparts.com/product_info.php?cPath=137_140&products_id=487076

 

[jp4130]

When I had my Mazda 3 I wanted to buy that brace. When I got my speed 3 I was pleased to see that Mazda had already installed a brace in this location. I think the factory piece is adequite, while also helping to keep a smooth flatter surface for areodymics. I think that some of thier other braces may benificial. Also cobb is coming out with some steel chassis braces. People love aluminum but imo steel is the proper material for bracing.

 

[Racing_Extreme]

When I had my Mazda 3 I wanted to buy that brace. When I got my speed 3 I was pleased to see that Mazda had already installed a brace in this location. I think the factory piece is adequite, while also helping to keep a smooth flatter surface for areodymics. I think that some of thier other braces may benificial. Also cobb is coming out with some steel chassis braces. People love aluminum but imo steel is the proper material for bracing.

steel is also very heavy. GTSPEC's quad-wall design

 

[enganear]

steel is also very heavy. GTSPEC's quad-wall design

I laugh everytime I see an aluminum brace. Aluminum is roughly half the weight of steel, but only 1/3 as stiff. You can always design a stiffer brace from steel for the same weight.
-enganear

 

[silverspd3]

Learn something new every day. Was not completely aware of that fact. Thanks enganear.

 

[enganear]

Learn something new every day. Was not completely aware of that fact. Thanks enganear.

Aluminum does have a lot of advantages, it can easily be extruded into the shapes in your picture and casts at a much lower temperature than steel. It machines easily and is economical to recycle. Most common alloys are very corrosion resistant without any coating. It has a much higher coefficient of heat transfer than steel, but much lower than copper.

It just isn't the best choice when deflection is important, as in a brace application.
-enganear

 

[jp4130]

I laugh everytime I see an aluminum brace. Aluminum is roughly half the weight of steel, but only 1/3 as stiff. You can always design a stiffer brace from steel for the same weight.
-enganear

Aluminum does have a lot of advantages, it can easily be extruded into the shapes in your picture and casts at a much lower temperature than steel. It machines easily and is economical to recycle. Most common alloys are very corrosion resistant without any coating. It has a much higher coefficient of heat transfer than steel, but much lower than copper.

It just isn't the best choice when deflection is important, as in a brace application.
-enganear

(iagree) Very well said; exacly why I believe steel is better for bracing,
explained perfectly.

 

[Racing_Extreme]

Any idea on why none of the brands use steel?

 

[enganear]

Any idea on why none of the brands use steel?

Aluminum has more "marketing power", kinda like "The Schwartz".

The really funny thing is that alloy steel is no stiffer than mild steel, alloy steel will just deflect further before plastically deforming. (higher stress limit)
-enganear

 

[jbiird317]

Aluminum has more "marketing power", kinda like "The Schwartz".

ahh, i see your schwartz is as big as mine....

 

[serialtoon]

ahh, i see your schwartz is as big as mine....

(crazy)

 

[jp4130]

Any idea on why none of the brands use steel?

All the factory oem braces I have ever seen are steel; they have smart engineers on staff. For example, fd rx7s, nissan 350z and even my fathers 04 accord coupe all have steel chassis braces. The oems use steel because it is the right material for the job.
As for aftermarket braces, Cobb Tuning also chooses steel over aluminum. Hopefully they come out with some for the speed. (drive)