P5 Frame Rail Reinforcement sneaky peek

Technical Area Steering & Suspension
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 Was at P5 on Wednesday for a follow up to a routine service, got a look at the new rail reinforcement. Stainless, looks a solid work of art. The word has always been that the best value for a hundred squids is a visit to WIM. Well, this might well be as good value. If you are passing Northolt, call in, you really have to see. Very impressive. Anyone looking for a stiffer chassis for better handling has to have a look. Want 'em.Saw the prototype for the Brace also soon to be available same material, crossbracing, very strong. Wannit too. Now, please, in time for Summer.

 

 

 

 

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We were talking about this a couple of weeks ago…

http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/3332.aspx

I’m madly saving to get the rails but are you now saying they are doing them in SS?

Noooooooooo! might have to wait even longer…decisions decisions!

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  • Mine are being fitted, a slot sadly not available till14th May, perhaps the crossbrace development might be completed by then —hope so. I’ll report my findings here but I suspect that others have already booked into P5 for these, so may already have written by then. Certainly, the units look immensely strong as does the prototype brace. From my peek, the rail reinforcements were full length ss and the brace allowed for the lowered suspension set up, enclosing the transmission tunnel almost completely but not reducing ground clearance. When Phil showed me the installation fitted on a test car, he gave me a crowbar to try to find a weakness.Truly, for those who are quick enough to need a stiffer handling chassis, don’t take my word for it, call in and see yourself, I was more than impressed. If you are there, have a look at the new SportDrive suspension too. Also very impressive but a lot of cars are already booked in for fitting so I may have to wait for this. The PureDrive (remember ?) was excellent and still is, but this new unit seems to be an extended development allowing for better grip in weight transition. I don’t really understand the technicalities, but God it sounds clever. Can’t wait, hope I can afford it, anyone want to buy a wife ?
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Phil emailed me earlier:

I just thought I'd give you an update on where we are with our frame rails. We received 2 sets of prototype rails last week and test fitted them on a couple of cars, including a M2.5 Sport. As we figured there's some tweaking to do to fit the Sport model, but this is a minor change. They fitted perfectly and were very pleased with the neat routing of the fuel/brake lines.
 
We're now marking the rails up to fit our cross section brace. This will feature a tubular section construction and will tie the rails together in 3 separate place (front/mid/rear) and be connected to each other. We're also design the rails to accommodate an optional crouch harness eye and looking at adding eye bolt attachments for harness lap straps as well.
 
We expect the rails to be completed within the next 4 weeks.
Sounds like these rails are going to be very similar to the FM frame braces, just UK sourced without all the hassle of import tax etc (£ really poor against the $ etc). I hope they will fit with the beatrush ali under panel that I've got on my 'to-do' list!!!
http://www.gomiata.com/mibealunpa19.html