Flyin' Miata complete butterfly brace v2.1
Flyin' Miata complete butterfly brace v2.1
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Description
Our original butterfly brace was a very popular upgrade for NA and NB Miatas. Now it's better in every way! It has more ground clearance, it's more effective, it's easier to install and it costs less.
First, why do you want chassis rigidity? Because a stiff structure allows the suspension to work better. If your chassis flexes, it's basically a big undamped spring that changes your suspension geometry under load and shudders every time you hit a bump. A stiff chassis will give your suspension a solid platform to work from, leading to better, more predictable handling as well as improved ride quality. There really is no downside. Chassis stiffness is usually measured as torsional rigidity - resistance to twist - because that's how loads usually travel through a car.
When it came time to update the design of our popular and effective butterfly brace, we did it properly. We tested Miatas in a variety of configurations, from a high mileage 1990 to a late NB with the full Sport bracing. Here are some of the highlights:
- The new design is stiffer than the original design
- The new design ties right into the front subframe mount points
- Fuel/brake lines have more room than with the original design
- The new design fits a wider range of cars and exhausts
- The new design includes mounting points for attaching a flat undertray (not currently available)
- The new design is dramatically easier to install and remove for service.
Ground clearance is unchanged from the factory Sport bracing. The new design gives more clearance for various exhaust configurations and is easier to remove if you need to do work like dropping the trans. It's fully compatible with factory front and rear subframe braces. Cars with the "Sport" undercar bracing will have to remove two cross braces in the center. It's made of stainless steel so there is no concern about rust. Total weight is 33 lbs, low and in the center of the car.
The butterfly brace includes our frame rail kit and supplements it with two cross-braces. If you already have our version 2.0 frame rails (the ones with Flyin' Miata cut through the sides), you can add the butterfly brace upgrade. If you have our older frame rails then they're unfortunately not directly compatible without welding in some mounting plates.
The differences between the 2.0 and 2.1 butterfly brace designs are minor, and they are interchangable. The primary modifications have been for more consistent quality.
Stiffer. Easier to install. Lower price. Now that is progress.
Instructions
Shipping
What does it fit?
Fits: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2004 MSM, 2005, 2005 MSM
Emissions
Emissions do not apply.
Warranty
1 year
SKU
I had these and the strong arms installed. Front of the car is definitely stiffer. almost no cowl shake.
SO when I first heard about this body bracing I thought "How much can this actually change the driving character of my car?" The real answer is A LOT! I have a 2k NB1, FM Coilovers, Sway bars, Adjustable end links, Urethane throughout, new hubs, new bearings, new engine mounts, Wilwood Big Brakes, HD roll bar. Only the coilovers has had as much of an effect on drive and handling. Pretty amazing once you drive mostly flat and the suspension can do the work. BTW. Check your rails, many get crushed, like mine and require some clamps, and angle iron to reshape. Try not to use a hammer if you are not skilled, because this is high strength steel and you will wreck it. Get help from a body shop they usually can fix it for a few hundred AND refresh the undercoating prior to install to prevent rust post install, for all you in the salty states. If you use 3M seam sealer around the bolt holes (sparingly) when you tighten them down they will be water tight. While you have the interior out, now is the time to get a carpet kit, leather seat covers, swap out the stereo, put sound dampening in and all the other fun projects you've been putting off. Shifter boot anyone?
I'm sort of shocked each time I head out for a drive after installing the frame rails and braces. The 1990 has always felt floppy and unbraced, but this kit has stiffened everything up nicely. The car feels much more taught and the Ohlins shocks are finally able to do their job correctly. Squeaks that were occurring now occur much less often, which is great.
The installation was pretty simple and the YouTube videos from Flyin Miata and others were very helpful. The car was up on jack stands for the entire process. Drilling holes in the car was kind of scary at first, but turned out to be pretty easy. I measured everything many times throughout the process and everything lined up perfectly when I was done. I do believe I need new engine mounts, because the front butterfly brace was touching the headers. I've temporarily removed it until I can change the engine mounts over the winter. The entire process took about two days of moderate effort, mostly because I was being very careful.
The frame rails and braces are the last step in bracing my car. Other chassis upgrades include a FM shock tower brace, a Racing Beat front lower control arm brace, and a FM rear Cannon subframe brace. I wasn't sure how much of a difference I would feel with the rails and braces, but the difference is quite noticeable. After sway bars, I would recommend this easily as a second upgrade.
I took the instructions video very seriously for installing the rails and braces and it was easier than I expected. I did it without a lift in my garage. Good result as well.
Awesome product, would buy again if needed