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  • Dec. 22, 2011 8:43 a.m. z31maniac SuperDork

    Front and rear complete subframes are for sale, not too far from me.

    From what I understand the rear isn't worth it since you lose the ability to easily add a rear subframe brace. But the lower arms/hubs on the NA subframe will give you a more mm of track width?

    The front I know has better geometry for the steering.............but is it enough to REALLY be worth the effort?

    I'm trying to prevent myself from going overboard building it before I even get it to its first HPDE!

  • Keith

    Dec. 22, 2011 9:04 a.m. Keith SuperDork

    What year is the tub? If it's 1994 or newer, the NB rear won't affect your ability to install a rear subframe brace. If it's older than that, you will have to show some creativity in bolting the front of the brace to the floor.

    The NB would give you an extra 5 mm of track width per side in the rear, and it comes from the uprights. You can mix and match those if you do/don't want it. Front track is the same.

    Worth it? I did it on the Targa car because I was building from scratch. On a complete NA, I probably wouldn't bother.

  • Dec. 22, 2011 10:04 a.m. z31maniac SuperDork

    It's on a '90.

    I think the subframes are off a 2002. I thought of building the entire front subframe with new bushes/hubs and everything then bolting it up, but wasn't sure it was worth it.

    Thanks for confirming!

  • amg_rx7

    Dec. 22, 2011 12:24 p.m. amg_rx7 HalfDork

    you would also need the steering rack iirc

  • Keith

    Dec. 22, 2011 1:47 p.m. Keith SuperDork

    You need the steering rack and ideally the front uprights, which also means you need the front upper control arms.

  • Dec. 22, 2011 3:51 p.m. z31maniac SuperDork

    Yeah, the subframes are COMPLETE. Down to the springs/struts/mounts, steering rack, etc.

  • Keith

    Dec. 22, 2011 4:24 p.m. Keith SuperDork

    Tempting. That will get you a larger brake package as well, and the later rear subframe bracing is good stuff.

  • Alan Cesar

    Dec. 22, 2011 4:47 p.m. Alan Cesar Associate Editor

    Curious, how well do the small brakes on early Miatas stand up to track use? Any issues with fade?

  • Keith

    Dec. 22, 2011 5:11 p.m. Keith SuperDork

    Depends on the pads, the track, the power level and the driver.

  • mthomson22

    Dec. 22, 2011 5:44 p.m. mthomson22 Reader

    I swapped in 1.8 NA caliper brackets, but retained my oe calipers, and rotors on my 91. ProSlot rotors and Hawk pads. They are very good now.

  • Keith

    Dec. 22, 2011 6:19 p.m. Keith SuperDork

    I'm betting you changed your rotors at the same time.

  • Dec. 22, 2011 7:37 p.m. z31maniac SuperDork

    I already picked up a set of NB sport calipers and brackets

 
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