FM frame rails scraping longevity.

Opgedronken · 05-03-2012, 07:31 PM

So I've decided I need to get my car a bit lower to the ground.
I barely clear speedbumps right now (lowered 1-1/4") when I'm alone in the car.
The FM frame rails seem like a good protection against smashing up my rails, as I've read of quite a few people using them here.
I was just wondering how much life I can expect out of them as they're only 2mm thick.
I'm also a bit scared of snagging one of the weight saving cutouts they have on a speedbump.
Can anyone shed some info on this?

_spyder · 05-03-2012, 07:35 PM

I'm this low and I barely ever scrape them. Just be a careful driver. Never been snagged or scraped down.

Yeah, they're scratched up, they'll outlive the car for sure.

Opgedronken · 05-03-2012, 07:42 PM

Considering the average speedbump here is more than 5 inches tall and has a concave entrance, I'm 100% sure I will scrape on 95% of them

.

morr · 05-03-2012, 07:42 PM

If you're getting them just for scraping and not bracing, why not just fab your own out of slightly thicker material?

VincentMiata · 05-03-2012, 07:44 PM

true my mx5 is only lowered about 4cm and im having trouble with alot of speedbumps..

DazedAndConfused · 05-03-2012, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opgedronken

Considering the average speedbump here is more than 5 inches tall and has a concave entrance, I'm 100% sure I will scrape on 95% of them

.

5 inch tall speed bump? 0_0

I would NEVER even attempt to go over one, and I rarely let obstacles get in my way

kung fu jesus · 05-03-2012, 07:46 PM

I have an unusually high speedbump at the entrance to my home. I installed the FM rails last year and drag my car over them at least twice a day, no worries. I have since raised the car and only drag on it with a passenger and a full tank of fuel. The damn bump is so high, my wife's stock height NB would bottom out on it.

Bumpity?! · 05-03-2012, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kung fu jesus

I have an unusually high speedbump at the entrance to my home. I installed the FM rails last year and drag my car over them at least twice a day, no worries. I have since raised the car and only drag on it with a passenger and a full tank of fuel. The damn bump is so high, my wife's stock height NB would bottom out on it.

do you have to "ricer dance" over them lol

VincentMiata · 05-03-2012, 07:48 PM

so you have trouble with one speedbump. we have alot of them. very anoying speedbumps.

Opgedronken · 05-03-2012, 07:51 PM

They're everywhere, and 5" is just an average one, they get higher and they're very steep

.

Edit:

And we have these, a lot of them. Also about 5" high, impossible to avoid or take diagonally.

kung fu jesus · 05-03-2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumpity?!

do you have to "ricer dance" over them lol

nope, just slowly rolled the front wheels over, wait for the car to hit onto the bump, goose the throttle/feather the clutch to prevent high-centering, done.

DazedAndConfused · 05-03-2012, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opgedronken

They're everywhere, and 5" is just an average one, they get higher and they're very steep

.

Edit:

And we have these, a lot of them. Also about 5" high, impossible to avoid or take diagonally.

these aren't as bad as long as you know where they are though. you can keep 2 wheels on the side of the street and just roll one side of the car over. These would be a bitch if you encountered them at full speed at night time though and didnt realize they were there. Bye bye undercarriage

Opgedronken · 05-03-2012, 08:24 PM

I smashed over a particularly high one of those once, luckily that was still at stock height so no (noticeable) damage

.

babyhands · 05-03-2012, 09:00 PM

What the hell? I've never seen a speed bump like that before.

low and slow · 05-03-2012, 09:08 PM

i have fm rails and they never get snagged. These things take a beating and they are still super straight (just scratches). they are a must have if u dont want to destroy our oem cardboard rails lol

Opgedronken · 05-03-2012, 09:35 PM

I guess I'll be getting them either way then, as anything is better than the stock rails

.
Your car seems pretty low, so I can imagine them holding up to a beating pretty well.

sw96 · 05-04-2012, 12:11 AM

Mine scrape all the goddamn time and the fronts are kinda messed up from getting snagged on shit. It was so bad that I unhooked my airbags because I was scared I'd hit a really big bump and have them deploy as happened with fabel. Finally just raised the car about 1/3 inch and it's fine now.

Frankie850 · 05-04-2012, 12:34 AM

Frame rails are for pussies

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2

VincentMiata · 05-04-2012, 03:52 AM

VincentMiata · 05-04-2012, 04:00 AM

Also some of the speedbumps around here

Opgedronken · 05-04-2012, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie850

Frame rails are for pussies

Well for one Miatas don't sell for near scrap metal value here in Holland, so I'd like to keep my rails intact

.

XCLR8TN · 05-04-2012, 06:47 AM

I think the very fronts of my FM rails are about half as thick as they used to be, I can measure it if I remember tomorrow since they're off the car. But they really do take a beating, I've never had an issue snagging them on anything, they just scrape right across. My rails were about .5" off the ground right before I took it all apart for the build.

caliboy15 · 05-04-2012, 08:21 AM

^^spammer!

DazedAndConfused · 05-04-2012, 09:06 AM

I reported him. He should be banned sometime today

rikaro · 05-05-2012, 01:34 AM

I have the rails myself but my car isn't really low. I just don't like the fact that they welded threads on the passenger side for the fuel lines and rails. Wish they just weld it on the side. The ones that are on my car are all scraped to nothing after a week of driving.

jdmcwestevo · 05-05-2012, 02:09 AM

im not lowered that much at all i have tokico illuminas and fm springs, but i still damn near high center on some speed bumps around here that are SUPER steep. my 65 Nova SS Resto mod is way worse....the front crossmember is about 1 1/4" off the ground lol AND the car is super long with almost 2" of travel in the coilovers. that thing high centers on driveways into shopping centers lol

Opgedronken · 05-05-2012, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rikaro

I just don't like the fact that they welded threads on the passenger side for the fuel lines and rails.

Luckily the ones I'm looking at don't have this feature. They're totally smooth on the bottom.
The real FM rails are way too expensive to get shipped to the EU.
My car will probably be at around the same height as yours, just barely tucking tyre

.

sb253 · 05-22-2012, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DazedAndConfused

These would be a bitch if you encountered them at full speed at night time though and didnt realize they were there.

General Lee business

DazedAndConfused · 05-22-2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sb253

General Lee business

Ironically this just happened to me a couple of days ago. My car ended up okay other than the alignment, but I had a concussion for most the day. lol Also I didn't bust my oil pan which I guess proves that mazdaspeeds dont need skid plates.

batou · 05-22-2012, 08:55 PM

IIRC, John (Breezy) had FM frame rails - he had (has?) no issues.

05-03-2012, 07:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Opgedronken Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tegelen, The Netherlands Posts: 1,428	FM frame rails scraping longevity. So I've decided I need to get my car a bit lower to the ground. I barely clear speedbumps right now (lowered 1-1/4") when I'm alone in the car. The FM frame rails seem like a good protection against smashing up my rails, as I've read of quite a few people using them here. I was just wondering how much life I can expect out of them as they're only 2mm thick. I'm also a bit scared of snagging one of the weight saving cutouts they have on a speedbump. Can anyone shed some info on this?

05-03-2012, 07:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
_spyder Functionally formed. Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,538	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. I'm this low and I barely ever scrape them. Just be a careful driver. Never been snagged or scraped down. Yeah, they're scratched up, they'll outlive the car for sure.
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05-03-2012, 07:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Opgedronken Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tegelen, The Netherlands Posts: 1,428	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. Considering the average speedbump here is more than 5 inches tall and has a concave entrance, I'm 100% sure I will scrape on 95% of them .

05-03-2012, 07:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
VincentMiata Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Eindhoven, The netherlands Posts: 372	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. true my mx5 is only lowered about 4cm and im having trouble with alot of speedbumps..

05-03-2012, 07:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
kung fu jesus Ninja Messiah Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: RDU, NC Posts: 5,894	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. I have an unusually high speedbump at the entrance to my home. I installed the FM rails last year and drag my car over them at least twice a day, no worries. I have since raised the car and only drag on it with a passenger and a full tank of fuel. The damn bump is so high, my wife's stock height NB would bottom out on it.
	__________________ I ♣ baby seals.

05-03-2012, 07:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
VincentMiata Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Eindhoven, The netherlands Posts: 372	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. so you have trouble with one speedbump. we have alot of them. very anoying speedbumps.

05-03-2012, 07:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
Opgedronken Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tegelen, The Netherlands Posts: 1,428	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. They're everywhere, and 5" is just an average one, they get higher and they're very steep . Edit: And we have these, a lot of them. Also about 5" high, impossible to avoid or take diagonally.

05-03-2012, 08:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
Opgedronken Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tegelen, The Netherlands Posts: 1,428	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. I smashed over a particularly high one of those once, luckily that was still at stock height so no (noticeable) damage .

05-03-2012, 09:00 PM	#14 (permalink)
babyhands Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 227	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. What the hell? I've never seen a speed bump like that before.

05-03-2012, 09:08 PM	#15 (permalink)
low and slow Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: pittsburgh, PA Posts: 120	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. i have fm rails and they never get snagged. These things take a beating and they are still super straight (just scratches). they are a must have if u dont want to destroy our oem cardboard rails lol

05-03-2012, 09:35 PM	#16 (permalink)
Opgedronken Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tegelen, The Netherlands Posts: 1,428	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. I guess I'll be getting them either way then, as anything is better than the stock rails . Your car seems pretty low, so I can imagine them holding up to a beating pretty well.

05-04-2012, 12:11 AM	#17 (permalink)
sw96 Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 963	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. Mine scrape all the goddamn time and the fronts are kinda messed up from getting snagged on shit. It was so bad that I unhooked my airbags because I was scared I'd hit a really big bump and have them deploy as happened with fabel. Finally just raised the car about 1/3 inch and it's fine now.

05-04-2012, 12:34 AM	#18 (permalink)
Frankie850 Jr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 53	Frame rails are for pussies Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2
Frankie850 Jr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 53

05-04-2012, 03:52 AM	#19 (permalink)
VincentMiata Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Eindhoven, The netherlands Posts: 372	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity.

05-04-2012, 04:00 AM	#20 (permalink)
VincentMiata Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Eindhoven, The netherlands Posts: 372	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. Also some of the speedbumps around here

05-04-2012, 06:47 AM	#22 (permalink)
XCLR8TN Speed Racer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Munroe Falls, OH Posts: 4,614	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. I think the very fronts of my FM rails are about half as thick as they used to be, I can measure it if I remember tomorrow since they're off the car. But they really do take a beating, I've never had an issue snagging them on anything, they just scrape right across. My rails were about .5" off the ground right before I took it all apart for the build.
	__________________ _Jess_ 1991 White Mazda Miata DD 1991 BRG Mazda Miata LS6 swap coming soon (getting close!) http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/89-roadster-projects/33687-91-brg-ls6-build.html

05-04-2012, 09:06 AM	#24 (permalink)
DazedAndConfused Esteemed Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Fort Swag Posts: 5,205	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. I reported him. He should be banned sometime today

05-05-2012, 01:34 AM	#25 (permalink)
rikaro Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 269	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. I have the rails myself but my car isn't really low. I just don't like the fact that they welded threads on the passenger side for the fuel lines and rails. Wish they just weld it on the side. The ones that are on my car are all scraped to nothing after a week of driving.
	__________________ Matt Kwok Photography OTCmaterial - northwest automotive blog My Build Thread

05-05-2012, 02:09 AM	#26 (permalink)
jdmcwestevo Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 127	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. im not lowered that much at all i have tokico illuminas and fm springs, but i still damn near high center on some speed bumps around here that are SUPER steep. my 65 Nova SS Resto mod is way worse....the front crossmember is about 1 1/4" off the ground lol AND the car is super long with almost 2" of travel in the coilovers. that thing high centers on driveways into shopping centers lol
jdmcwestevo Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 127

05-22-2012, 08:55 PM	#30 (permalink)
batou Hide yo kids hide yo wife Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 6,118	Re: FM frame rails scraping longevity. IIRC, John (Breezy) had FM frame rails - he had (has?) no issues.

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