FM anti-sway bars & RB anti-sway bar braces

[NW Bill]

I'm planning to add Flyin' Miata front & rear anti-sway bars (http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?...0%20%201990-93) to replace the stock components on my 2004 NB (ending up with an FM Stage 2 suspension). But a potential problem area I need to address are the NB anti-sway bar mounts, which are less substantial than those on the NA. (To see the NB mounts flexing under use, watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQG5aUrhpew )

I've been looking at a couple of Racing Beat solutions to correct this, the complete RB "Sway Bar Brace Kit" @ $92 (http://www.racingbeat.com/Miata-1990...ars/54120.html) and the "Brace Kit Hardware" (aka "blocks") @$31 (http://www.racingbeat.com/Miata-1990...ars/54122.html). (To see how much less the mounts flex with just the blocks, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3deivrLzxmo)

What I'd like to know is what effect adding either the complete RB "Sway Bar Brace Kit" (which adds a brace to the front anti-sway bar as well as the "blocks") or just the "Brace Kit Hardware" ("blocks") will have on the performance of the FM front bar. While improved performance would be welcome, what I want to avoid is degraded performance. Since I have no plans to track this car (ie, extreme use), but it does see spirited use, I'm also wondering whether adding the compete kit is worth the added $61 over just installing the blocks.

I've also looked at the FM "Heavy Duty Sway Bar Mounts" (http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?...umber=13-36600) but they seem like significant overkill for my needs, in addition to being more expensive and harder to install.

If you know of any, I'm also interested in learning of other alternatives that may be out there.

While I know thousands of Miata NBs have logged millions of miles without breaking the NB anti-sway bar mounts, as a devotee of Murphy's Law my interest is in doing everything reasonable to avoid being one of the exceptions (BTDT with other sportscars and parts that never break).

Bill

[BoBo]

If your just getting the FM sways or Racingbeat solid sways, then you should be fine.However, if your getting the RB front tubular, then I would shoot for the extra mount protection, such as the HD swaybar mounts or the RB block.I spoke to someone from Racingbeat years ago and they told me that, there is no need for the block or any sway bar mount reinforcement unless I go tubular. But its always good to have extra protection though, If you look at it this way, it will cost more money to have your mounts repaired if case you rip the sway-bars off. It might add a little performance by reducing the flex, but the rb kit should take a lot of stress out of the mount area during hard cornering.

[Massiah]

The RB blocks are the only thing you need to save the mounts from significant stress. Any stiffer than normal sway bar will add a good deal of flex to these mounts, the stiffer the bar the more likely it is, and the NA mounts are no better than the NB. I've seen both develop hairline cracks/deep fractures over long periods of use or continued hard driving. You can spend the extra money for piece of mind but that's all you're going to get.

[Blueiii]

I have the blocks and bolts for my 91 with a RB tubular bar - no issues at all. The only thing I recommend is being sure to grind down the bushings a bit.

[Thumper13]

I use the RB blocks with my FM front sway bar. If you really abuse the car with the really stiff set up and you will eventually notice some minor hairline cracking in the lower control arm, for some reason they were mostly on the left side. By abusing I am referring to race track or serious mountain carving. The guys at BSI showed me a few on some of their Spec rental cars that they were repairing.