The Long Road Back

[HarryB]

YESSSSSS!!! Great news! I personally dislike sway bars, especially for bad roads.

[—Bryan—]

I expect a name for that car after the weekend family road trip. ;)

BTW...I often refer to it as the Mothership, the Starship, or the Starship Enterprise.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Bryan, I installed a used 1” FMfront bar on my NB and I am happy with it. It was available when I needed an upgrade and it was free.

I can’t say I miss the larger RB bar my NA had. For as much street driving the NB sees, it has been lovely. I use SM/949 endlinks on it.

[—Bryan—]

Bryan, I installed a used 1” FMfront bar on my NB and I am happy with it. It was available when I needed an upgrade and it was free.

I can’t say I miss the larger RB bar my NA had. For as much street driving the NB sees, it has been lovely. I use SM/949 endlinks on it.

I might like the FM bar, but the 23mm MSM bar is almost an inch in diameter itself. The major gain would be the adjustment (multiple holes). I'm kind of done messing around for now...my MSM bar will do for now. I'm planning to sell my 949 links with the RB--already have a buyer lined up.

[—Bryan—]

Aesthetics question:

Keep the MSM lip

Sell MSM lip, go back to classic nakedness (would likely require body work to fill holes and scratches)

Sell MSM lip, add RS Factory Stage lip for OEM+ appearance optimization

Sell MSM lip, add RS Factory Stage lip eBay equivalent for OEM+ appearance optimization

[HarryB]

Option 4. I like the MSM lip, but everyone has it (or rather a copy of it). I am also a sucker for genuine parts, but cannot justify the cost of an original RS Factory lip, as it is highly likely to get damaged due to its' location. I also got a copy, and it needed work to make it fit properly without gaps, so keep that in mind too.

P.S. If you get a copy, opt for a flexible PU one.
EDIT: The one you linked looks alright

[—Bryan—]

I also got a copy, and it needed work to make it fit properly without gaps, so keep that in mind too.

What'd you have to do to make yours work?

[HarryB]

Had to trim the sides where it meets the start of the wheel well and make some brackets. Then I had to massage it a bit on the center; I did so with a hair dryer (as a proper Miata owner) to heat up/soften the PU and then applying pressure. It was not bad for a knock-off by any means, just not perfect.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Aesthetically, the lip needs the small Tupperware to tie it together. I like the naked NB2s, but I like NB1s with the factory front lip and small Tupperware sides. Optional rear factory splash guards complete the look, to me, but not necessary.

I am not a big fan of the MSM lip, it looks busy with the inner stachions. I like that RS lip though.

[—Bryan—]

I think the RS lip could work without Tupperware, just like the R-Package lip can work on a naked NA--even without the rear lip (I rocked that combo on my old NA).

Part of me really wants to go back to the car being totally naked, but it would mean body work to plug the holes and buff out the scratches and such the lip leaves behind. Also means I have to actually find a buyer for the MSM lip...

[—tsingson—]

I think if you found some skirts like Steven was saying, keep the lip. I have an NB1 with all the tupperware, lip and mud flaps and I can't even begin to think what it would look like without them.

[—Bryan—]

I think if you found some skirts like Steven was saying, keep the lip. I have an NB1 with all the tupperware, lip and mud flaps and I can't even begin to think what it would look like without them.

Naked NB2's always look better than naked NB1's. I drove The Tick with no lips or anything for almost a decade, and really liked it that way. The thought of trying something new is kind of intriguing, though.

[HarryB]

You can take a look on mine; I run a lip but no side skirts (although I agree that the small ones would look nice).

[—Bryan—]

You can take a look on mine; I run a lip but no side skirts (although I agree that the small ones would look nice).

Got a picture?

[HarryB]

Borrowed a couple from my "build" thread: http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....trato-blue-NB2