Quote:
Originally Posted by Entroper
I haven't seen any regulation that requires a Petty bar (what you pictured). What they do require is bracing on the longitudinal axis, and a Petty bar is one way to do that. The usual way is to have rear supports for the main hoop, which is easy to do on an NA/NB:
On an NC/ND, the top folds differently, and you can't use the same design without removing the soft top. So you see designs like the Petty bar or the removable rear bracing from the trunk linked above.
As far as safety for street use, check out the picture above, and tell me if you think the passenger is safe from hitting their head on the bar. The bar in the picture does have the recommended high-density foam padding, but that's not enough to protect your head in a rear-end collision. You're supposed to wear a helmet or install a seat with a high enough back to protect your head.
This is still, IMO, the twins' biggest advantage if you want your car to serve double duty as a track toy and daily driver.
My personal solution is to keep my NB when I buy an ND next year.  |
I have no experience with NA/NB but looking at the picture it's easier to see why the denser padding is required
douple hoop bar on my NC miata was a lot more street-friendly but it was also more expensive than "Hard Dog",
also need to add, it's dramatically cheaper to mod an NA or NB compared to an NC Miata, not sure how the ND will be..too bad the new ND doesn't have a special motor like the NC but instead comes with a mass produced low-revving Mazda 3 engine :/
this would be my favorite mod if I ever go back to Miata
http://www.bbrgti.com/product_detail...e=18&model=531