Corksport rear brace bar install & review - Mazda 6 Forums : Mazda 6 / Mazda Atenza Forum

tunersteve · 08-13-2009, 05:27 PM

Here's my personal review of the rear brace bar, available here

UNBOXING:

-My first impressions were how light the box was. At roughly 4 lbs total, this brace won't add excess weight to the car. Package was clean and provided everything needed to install it on the 6/MS6. Instructions provided were easy to follow and made the whole install simple and painless.

INSTALL:

-Overall, this is a quick and easy install. For the MS6, it requires dropping the rear seats, which can be the toughest part of the whole procedure. In my particular car, I have the fold down seat pulls, so this was effortless. Once down, remove the two 14mm bolts in the lower corners of the frame, add the brace, then use the new supplied bolts and you're all set. I torque the bolts down to 70 ft-lbs and seemed to have no issues. Note: A ½" ratchet and 14mm 6 point socket would be recommended if available.

Once complete, fold seats back up, reinstall any trunk lining (if necessary) and you're all set!

IMPRESSIONS:

-This brace is a perfect addition to anyone who does occasional track/spirited driving. In my particular application, the brace was added to a set of H&R lowering springs and the Whiteline adjustable rear sway bar. As before, I drove the vehicle before and after on an identical route and compared the results from before.

As I made the loop of the route, I felt that the car had more tendency to rotate, which is a welcome addition to the natural understeer tendencies that the MS6 typically exhibits. The car won't oversteer easily, but it can bring the rear around if the TCS/DSC is disabled. Nothing that is too hard to control, especially if you're used to a RWD vehicle.

As a whole, the $99 is a great price for a solid piece. It's a clean, simple looking brace with a solid purpose that appeals to the weekend racer, or the driver looking to get improved handling response out of the car.

Pics:

djmarkian · 08-14-2009, 01:50 PM

Very nice thinking of getting this and the front strut bar myself...

Hayate · 08-14-2009, 06:42 PM

I find it hard to believe that aluminum bar could add any stiffness above and beyond the box channel steel bottom brace, and other corner braces that Mazda added to the Speed6 already.

jmhinkle · 08-14-2009, 08:06 PM

+1. The Speed6 has all kinds of stiffening added to the front and rear suspension areas. The front strut bar is merely for looks if you decide to add it and I can't help but doubt this does anything back there at all. Looks pretty if you want to show it off I guess. It would be in the way of my batteries anyway.

block8head · 08-14-2009, 08:54 PM

I have the autoexe one and it's work awesome in the corner.... One of the best mod i ever done.....

djmarkian · 08-15-2009, 01:54 AM

The speed def has a rigid chassis and I love it. I also have the H-brace on as well, and it stiffens up the front very well. I can feel the rigidity especially with imperfect roads out here in BK. I do some how feel the rear needs some help...

tunersteve · 08-16-2009, 01:15 PM

Well, one thing to notice regarding the stiffness of the car is this. When I jacked the car up to swap wheels after this was installed, it really doesn't want to keep the rear wheel down on either side like it used to. Kinda hard to explain without before and after pics. but you can visibly see how much stiffer the chassis is by putting it up in the air and seeing how it flexs, or lack thereof.

superskaterxes · 08-16-2009, 10:23 PM

wait the rear seats fold down?!?!?!?!

lol jk jk

Hayate · 08-17-2009, 03:50 PM

QUOTE (tunersteve @ Aug 16 2009, 10:15 AM)

Quote:

Well, one thing to notice regarding the stiffness of the car is this. When I jacked the car up to swap wheels after this was installed, it really doesn't want to keep the rear wheel down on either side like it used to. Kinda hard to explain without before and after pics. but you can visibly see how much stiffer the chassis is by putting it up in the air and seeing how it flexs, or lack thereof.[/b]

I'd love to see before and after pics!

Are you jacking the car on the rear diff?

aviator79 · 08-17-2009, 03:59 PM

Well go jack up your car to x inches and then he go do the same thing. I dont think your going to find a difference other than the fact that hes lowered is not going to be exactly the same.
and blockhead this isnt the antisway bar he he put on this goes ontop of the steal crossbrace.

08-13-2009, 05:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
tunersteve Drivers License Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 81 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Here's my personal review of the rear brace bar, available here UNBOXING: -My first impressions were how light the box was. At roughly 4 lbs total, this brace won't add excess weight to the car. Package was clean and provided everything needed to install it on the 6/MS6. Instructions provided were easy to follow and made the whole install simple and painless. INSTALL: -Overall, this is a quick and easy install. For the MS6, it requires dropping the rear seats, which can be the toughest part of the whole procedure. In my particular car, I have the fold down seat pulls, so this was effortless. Once down, remove the two 14mm bolts in the lower corners of the frame, add the brace, then use the new supplied bolts and you're all set. I torque the bolts down to 70 ft-lbs and seemed to have no issues. Note: A ½" ratchet and 14mm 6 point socket would be recommended if available. Once complete, fold seats back up, reinstall any trunk lining (if necessary) and you're all set! IMPRESSIONS: -This brace is a perfect addition to anyone who does occasional track/spirited driving. In my particular application, the brace was added to a set of H&R lowering springs and the Whiteline adjustable rear sway bar. As before, I drove the vehicle before and after on an identical route and compared the results from before. As I made the loop of the route, I felt that the car had more tendency to rotate, which is a welcome addition to the natural understeer tendencies that the MS6 typically exhibits. The car won't oversteer easily, but it can bring the rear around if the TCS/DSC is disabled. Nothing that is too hard to control, especially if you're used to a RWD vehicle. As a whole, the $99 is a great price for a solid piece. It's a clean, simple looking brace with a solid purpose that appeals to the weekend racer, or the driver looking to get improved handling response out of the car. Pics: __________________ '07 MS6 Sport \| Liquid Platinum Metallic Appearance: 20% tint\|SU Blackout badges\|LED front corners\|LED parking lights\|Hoen Xenonmatch fogs\| CX-7 antenna\|LED interior lighting\|Mazdaspeed oil cap\|G2 Tungsten Grey painted calipers Performance: Mazdaspeed CAI\|AWR rear mount\|SU test pipe\|Forge BPV\|TWM Stage 2 shifter w/ bushings

08-14-2009, 01:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
djmarkian Mazda Guru Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 2,095 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Very nice thinking of getting this and the front strut bar myself... __________________ 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 sport - Whitewater Pearl Engine & Drivetrain:COBB AP (stage 2+TIHS 93 FMIC), COBB SRI kit (AEM dry flow), COBB MS3 shifter weight, F2 BSD kit w/PTP tray, ATP catless downpipe, Vibrant performance HF cat, Custom FMIC, Denso 2-step colder plugs, Speedies Inlet Pipe kit, HKS SSQV (black edition), SU shifter bushings, SU rear motor mount, AWR transmission mount, AWR passenger side mount, TWM short shifter stage 1, Magnaflow exhaust, Aero Turbine resonator, Corksport muffler hangers, Top Fuel oil catch can, NRG grounding kit, Mazdaspeed oil cap, BLITZ rad cap / Suspension:H&R coilover kit, Megan Racing H-brace, GT spec trailing arm brace, Corksport front strut bar, Corksport trunk brace / Brakesf)EBC greenstuff brake pads, Stoptech slotted rotors, Techna fit brake lines, ®stock / Wheels & tires:League WKR-1 18x8 et 40, Kumho ASX 225/45-18 / Interior:Auto Exe buckskin wheel wrap, Corbeau A4 seats, Corbeau sliders, Audiolink Ipod adapter, Cable jive iphone 3g converter, Prosport boost gauge, RECARO child seat, Pre-amp+EQ by 808speed6, Apex'i mount bracket (AP) / Exterior:Smoked side and rear marker lights, flat black OEM grill, VG shark fin antenna, 35% tint all around, Carbon mirror covers / Lighting:HID 6000k low beams, HID 6000k 55w fog lights, LED brake, reverse and rear signals... Fluids:ENEOS synthetic oil 5w40, Amsoil DOT4 racing brake fluid, Royal Purple (drivetrain)... You can always rely on an ignorant person to be ignorant cause im not asian lol...

08-14-2009, 06:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Hayate Track Racer Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bend OR Posts: 231 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	I find it hard to believe that aluminum bar could add any stiffness above and beyond the box channel steel bottom brace, and other corner braces that Mazda added to the Speed6 already. __________________ 2007 MS6, Mazdaspeed CAI, Speedie TIP, RPM Sport Springs, Bilsteins, SPC Adj. Ball Joints, Whiteline Rear Sway Bar, AWR Endlinks, Corksport Frt Tower Brace, GT Spec Trailing Braces, CPE prototype MM, TT Frt Diff Mount, CPE Rear Diff Mount, Cobb AP, Dashhawk, Battery Relocate to trunk bracing. Wheels: Summer: OEM. Winter: Konig Feathers 17x7.5 +45 (17.1 lbs) w/ Yoko Ice Guard IG20 tires, Racing: BBS STI 17 x 8 +53 hub bored to 67.1 (18 lbs) w/ Yokohama Advan A048 235/45ZR17 R tires.

08-14-2009, 08:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
jmhinkle Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rio Rancho, NM Posts: 4,649 Thanks: 61 Thanked 23 Times in 17 Posts Groans: 1 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	+1. The Speed6 has all kinds of stiffening added to the front and rear suspension areas. The front strut bar is merely for looks if you decide to add it and I can't help but doubt this does anything back there at all. Looks pretty if you want to show it off I guess. It would be in the way of my batteries anyway. __________________ Yup, my car is stock.

08-14-2009, 08:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
block8head Rally Racer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: planet called"Moon" Posts: 1,877 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	I have the autoexe one and it's work awesome in the corner.... One of the best mod i ever done..... __________________ 2006 Mazdaspeed? Link here:for the vent pod http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?show...c=102208&hl=

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08-15-2009, 01:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
djmarkian Mazda Guru Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 2,095 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	The speed def has a rigid chassis and I love it. I also have the H-brace on as well, and it stiffens up the front very well. I can feel the rigidity especially with imperfect roads out here in BK. I do some how feel the rear needs some help... __________________ 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 sport - Whitewater Pearl Engine & Drivetrain:COBB AP (stage 2+TIHS 93 FMIC), COBB SRI kit (AEM dry flow), COBB MS3 shifter weight, F2 BSD kit w/PTP tray, ATP catless downpipe, Vibrant performance HF cat, Custom FMIC, Denso 2-step colder plugs, Speedies Inlet Pipe kit, HKS SSQV (black edition), SU shifter bushings, SU rear motor mount, AWR transmission mount, AWR passenger side mount, TWM short shifter stage 1, Magnaflow exhaust, Aero Turbine resonator, Corksport muffler hangers, Top Fuel oil catch can, NRG grounding kit, Mazdaspeed oil cap, BLITZ rad cap / Suspension:H&R coilover kit, Megan Racing H-brace, GT spec trailing arm brace, Corksport front strut bar, Corksport trunk brace / Brakesf)EBC greenstuff brake pads, Stoptech slotted rotors, Techna fit brake lines, ®stock / Wheels & tires:League WKR-1 18x8 et 40, Kumho ASX 225/45-18 / Interior:Auto Exe buckskin wheel wrap, Corbeau A4 seats, Corbeau sliders, Audiolink Ipod adapter, Cable jive iphone 3g converter, Prosport boost gauge, RECARO child seat, Pre-amp+EQ by 808speed6, Apex'i mount bracket (AP) / Exterior:Smoked side and rear marker lights, flat black OEM grill, VG shark fin antenna, 35% tint all around, Carbon mirror covers / Lighting:HID 6000k low beams, HID 6000k 55w fog lights, LED brake, reverse and rear signals... Fluids:ENEOS synthetic oil 5w40, Amsoil DOT4 racing brake fluid, Royal Purple (drivetrain)... You can always rely on an ignorant person to be ignorant cause im not asian lol...

08-16-2009, 01:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
tunersteve Drivers License Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 81 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Well, one thing to notice regarding the stiffness of the car is this. When I jacked the car up to swap wheels after this was installed, it really doesn't want to keep the rear wheel down on either side like it used to. Kinda hard to explain without before and after pics. but you can visibly see how much stiffer the chassis is by putting it up in the air and seeing how it flexs, or lack thereof. __________________ '07 MS6 Sport \| Liquid Platinum Metallic Appearance: 20% tint\|SU Blackout badges\|LED front corners\|LED parking lights\|Hoen Xenonmatch fogs\| CX-7 antenna\|LED interior lighting\|Mazdaspeed oil cap\|G2 Tungsten Grey painted calipers Performance: Mazdaspeed CAI\|AWR rear mount\|SU test pipe\|Forge BPV\|TWM Stage 2 shifter w/ bushings

08-16-2009, 10:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
superskaterxes Mazda Guru Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 3,358 Thanks: 4 Thanked 11 Times in 6 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	wait the rear seats fold down?!?!?!?! lol jk jk __________________ 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 GT Black Mica #4126 GT3076R BITCHES ~ TXS BOV ~ Custom 3" MAF SRI w/ giant AEM filter ~ AP PROtune'd ~ MBC ~ Custom Side-to-Side FMIC w/Treadstone TR8 Core ~ CPE DP ~ DNP Mani w/Tial 38mm MV-S EWG VTA'd~ CPE BT TIP ~ TWM Stage 1 Short Shifter ~ CPE RMM ~ TTFMM ~ CPE RDM ~ BC CO's slammed ~ SPC BJ's ~ EBC Red's ~ Stoptech's ~ Technafit SS Lines ~ Autometer Boost & STRI EGT in Custom Built Vent Pod ~ 20% Tint ~ LED Tails ~ Denso ITV-24's ~ Xtra Shorty Antenna ~ Dashhawk ~ CPE Dual CBE ~ Custom Strut tower bar ~ Whiteline RSB ~ PnP'd IM ~ CDFP Internals ~ labonte meth kit ~ VC tapped OCC ~ 320WHP/385WTQ ~ 12.9 @ 107 1.8 60' ~ fastest stock turbo trap speed in the USA

08-17-2009, 03:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
aviator79 Mazda Guru Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Derby CT Posts: 3,726 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Well go jack up your car to x inches and then he go do the same thing. I dont think your going to find a difference other than the fact that hes lowered is not going to be exactly the same. and blockhead this isnt the antisway bar he he put on this goes ontop of the steal crossbrace. __________________ RENT FENDER ROLLER</span> CPE Standback - CPE catted DP to dual muffler CS mounts - CPE FMIC w/ OEM air dam & HKS BOV - mrlilguy CDFP - D N <span style="color:#4b0082">P - CPE CAI - speedie6 TIP - SU MM - TWM SS - TT Front MM - TT & CPE Rear Diffmounts - BC Coilovers - Brembo Front/StopTech & EBC Redstuff rear - F2 Baffle <strike>BS</strike> - <strike>VTCS & EGR</strike> - - 8.5x18et45 GM 57F's w/ 245/40 M3s / 18x8.5et45 Advan RZ GM w/ 245/40 Re01Rs - Passport 8500 X50 + LI Quad Laser Jammer - X50 mute button, Sub volume, LI swith & Dashawk custom mounted in steering column - EURO Tails - Rola Roof Rack - Prosport Boost gauge-Vent mount - TSX projector Retrofit - 55w projectors in fog retrofit - Carputer - CRX antenna w/ sat antenna mounted in front - Audison Dynaudio & Alumapro - Amsoil/Schafer Supreme