The Miatas we are driving could be up to 28 years old at this point, and a broken subframe is both a safety issue as well as a financial issue. A used subframe is usually over $300 and new is $400+shipping.
In response to this problem, Mazda has produced a pair of subframe reinforcements that are made from 12 gauge laser cut steel and are designed to be welded into place to help alleviate stress cracking at the factory weld on the subframe caused in the harsh racing environment.
The braces weld into place in between the lower control arm mount and the main body of the subframe and have a large dimple die hole in the center of them to help give them strength and also serve as an inspection hole for tech to be able to see the original OEM subframe welds.
These parts are accepted on Spec Miatas in both SCCA and NASA. I would like to request that this be a 0-point modification as there is not a performance gain from this part.
There is a thread on Mazdaracers (the home of the Spec Miata class) at http://mazdaracers.com/topic/6308-subfr ... -scca-nasa with quite a bit more info and comments on the issue.
I would appreciate your feedback on this, and please let me know if you have any questions about this issue.
Cracked Subframe Photos
![Image](https://www.dropbox.com/s/5nbjrnci2ruhuli/broke1.jpg?raw=1)
![Image](https://www.dropbox.com/s/fcryy1ejdf0xxwp/broke2.jpg?raw=1)
![Image](https://www.dropbox.com/s/z9pm3ihtm95e8ko/broke3.jpg?raw=1)
Uninstalled Part
![Image](https://www.dropbox.com/s/lhmpkgup5hwny3l/uninstalled.jpg?raw=1)
![Image](https://www.dropbox.com/s/5eejtjm8cog16jj/uninstalled2.jpg?raw=1)
Installed Part
![Image](https://www.dropbox.com/s/inp4ht2vn9hebws/installed.jpg?raw=1)
![Image](https://www.dropbox.com/s/g09mcvc0mk6kyh6/installed2.jpeg?raw=1)