Looking at the three original braces on my NC1 they start off quite muscular nearest the engine and get flimsier the further back you go on the chassis.
It’s interesting if you look at the likes of ilMotorsport that do a full replacement kit. They put all the serious bracing at the rear.
There are a couple of posts praising the full kit as making the car feel more sophisticated/ more of a piece. It much the same price as one of the more pricy exhausts. Which would you choose?
Or you could gorge on both of course👍
Curious as to how you got on with that brace, I have heard the fitment can be difficult.
I was also under the impression the long sides of the triangles were over where the original braces were.
Hi @FE_Kitchen. Felix, I had some welding done to fix that hole, fairly straight forward I was told and they see it a lot! Had both braces changed, the one pictured was rough, had to be careful not break the nut welding inside the frame.
The other side was done by DFTR in Dudley, they do they all the time but honestly I’d managed to loosen 2 bolts myself. The petrol tank sits above it so you have to be careful if you want to heat it.
Welding, parts (from MX5 Spares inc new bolts), labour and include a gearbox and axle box oil change, £400 or just under.
Hope this helps. Iain
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Hi Iain, the question I was on about was the IL motorsport brace that Beryl had.
However I am suffering from rusty braces myself, you say you did some welding inside the frame, what was the purpose of that?
As for loosening, also very curious what you did to loosen them off. I am hoping to loosen mine off shortly.
I am still fresh faced in car maintenance so I appreciate the info.
Felix
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I’m the same Felix, still learning. Sorry for the confusion btw!
Welding was for a hole as seen in the picture, common fault.
Loosening them, lots of WD40, some heat and a long bar on a wrench!
The guys that did it fully have a special tool that breaks the tightness somehow…. Plus they had it up on a ramp which helps massively.
Find a good guy and I reckon let them do it. If you snap anything in your drive, it’s not going anywhere!
Good luck
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The fitment problem is over-rated I think. Only one bolt was slightly problematic. With hindsight I would have altered how I supported the car whilst fitting.
Having their exhaust too I’m very impressed with ILMotorsport quality.
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No worries, I hijacked the thread a bit!
Ah, I see, makes sense.
Sounds like my plan. The tool that breaks the tightness - Air hammer perhaps?
Yes, a wise idea. Budget concerns and a mechanic friend whisper in my ear that I can do it myself… 
Interesting, perhaps they have changed manufacturing since those reviews are several years old.
They do review well. Incidentally, assuming that is the catted one from mx5parts, have you run it through an mot yet Beryl?
Much obliged
Edit, I see you have the backbox of the exhaust, so my question makes no sense.
Midpipe is living rent free in my head atm 
Here a good video of a box section repair, it can be done its just time and money.
