AutoPower Roll Bar Install

[gwoods]

I scored a Autopower roll bar already painted classic red for $75 last month and have started the install process.

I also scored a complete flying Miata butterfly brace kit and frame rail re-enforcements for $75 that will be next.













The parcel shelf and all the carpeting have to come out. The seatbelts have to be removed from the towers.

I have it fit now I will go back and clean up the edge and drill holes for the mount. I am considering welding it in but the gas tank is right there.... perhaps I will remove it I am out of gas so it should be easy. That would present a good opportunity to put in a better fuel pump before turbo

[gwoods]

Couple more photo's of the install it was pretty simple I think it took less than 4 hours. I also did a intensive Hitman level cleaning of the seats and carpet. I found a bunch of money I think around $12 in change and a diamond ear ring there is $8 in quarters in the picture.



I had planned on tack welding the mounts but changed my mind for two reasons. It bolts in 14 places so its not going anywhere and the additional time of dropping the gas tank. I also did not clean up the cuts as much as I had thought about cleaning them because I am lazy.







The seats in this car are really nice!



Sad its an auto and will not change to a stick



The butterfly brace

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Damn, where do you keep scoring these amazing deals?!?!

[gwoods]

Craigslist man I'm always checking Miata. The dude with the rollbar and brace had listed it three times. No phone number I finally posted my own add asking him to call me. He had listed it under a email that he doesn't use but was crusing Craigslist for Miata parts and saw my ad asking him to call me. The first time he listed the for $400 then $300 then $150.

I still need someone to sell me a megasquirt for around $400 to stay in my $2000 budget.

I ran into an issue with the brace my car has been bottomed out pretty bad and the frame rails are crushed flat in about a 5" spot on both sides. I'm guessing a speed bump when previous owner had it stupid lowered.

I tried pounding it down for about an hour using different hammers and wood and metal blocks. Then I tried jacking the brace onto the frame then I tried lowering the car onto the brace.

I'm going to have to cut the car or cut the brace I'm thinking to cut the brace but will ask flying Miata what they think.

[gwoods]

Update wow this really changed the handling the car feels so much firmer! I can't wait until I get the braces installed. I put 100 miles on it yesterday and can't believe how much stiffer the car feels.

Should I pad the roll bar? I like the way it looks the hard dog padding fits the auto power bars so it's easy to do and much safer.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Its up to you really...

[gwoods]

I think I'll lea cut unpadded the car is girly enough without wearing a pad?