mazdaspeed6 designed from start to drift!

[Autox MSP]

http://carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/portal/alias__carpointau/tabID__6485/ArticleID__6727/DesktopDefault.aspx

pretty good review from carpoint.com

 

[crossbow]

Another review...
http://carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/portal/alias__carpointau/tabID__6485/ArticleID__6994/DesktopDefault.aspx

50% stiffer + 20% stiffer springs is countered by the 20% increased weight. Body roll up the wazzoo!

 

[Mikey444]

nice nice! I read thru both of them, seems really promissing. I just have one question about body rigidity. How much less rigid is my 5 door sport to a 4 door sedan? Performance wise, what does it change for me?

 

[crossbow]

They're about the same rigity...maybe the hatch is a bit less (like 5% less), but the cost is the increase in weight. Because of the increased glass surface, the rear had to be stiffened to compensate, which increases the weight of the hatch.

Is it enough to notice? Not if your just street driving. But if your driving aggressively, you can tell the difference between a 6 with a sunroof...and one without.

 

[Mikey444]

yea I drive very agressively sometimes but am always soft with the powertrain, I have hatch and sunroof. It doesnt bother me hauling a lil bit extra weight, just wantd to know exactly what all the fuss was about lol.

 

[crossbow]

Ya now the MPS 6 takes stiffening to a whole new level. Its got braces all over the damn place...which also disables the ability to fold down the rear seats (like the rx8). Unfortuantly all the braces were made of steel...and it added a whole slew of weight.

The question will be if you can remove the bracing, or if its welded to the frame. If its removable, it would be possible to have a company make replacement braces out of alumnium, which could shave as much as 100 lbs+ off the car while maintaining rigidity.

The rx8 owners are currently doing this with certain pieces. They're shooting for 2700 lbs .

If you want to stiffen your chassis, but don't want an MPS 6, there are subframe braces made by GT spec that will accomplish the same feat for the standard 6. They'll be a group buy for them in about a month, I'll post the link when it starts.