Gas pedal vibration at 3.7k+ rpms?

[MoonieGT]

I'm getting a high frequency vibration in the gas pedal. I'm fairly certain that it's because I took off the intake manifold brace. I've seen a lot of people say that you don't need it... But if I'm getting a vibration I'm pretty sure it needs to go back on...

Just wanted to hear other people's experiences...

[trickyrix]

Weird. I've never had a problem with my missing bracket in the last 3 years. Post an update and let us know if that was causing the vibration.

[MoonieGT]

I'll post back after its on. I guess I'm kind if wondering if this could indicate some other problem... Did this unmask some other issue or is it just normal engine vibration...

[trickyrix]

4-bangers are buzzy. But it sounds like maybe you're feeling a loose heat shield? One of my RX-7s had a nasty buzz/vibration that I tracked down to a busted heat shield on top of the cat, which was right under my feet.

[MoonieGT]

This is definitely being transmitted through the gas pedal. It is a strong enough to tickle my foot.

[Titus]

Check your motor mounts.

[MoonieGT]

The mounts are only 20k miles old, so unless they're loose that's not the issue... But I'll keep that in mind if putting the brace back doesn't fix it.

[MoonieGT]

Nice and smooth again with the bracket.

[VFR750]

Guess it does something after all rather than just get in the way....

[MoonieGT]

A lot of people don't seem to have a problem with it removed, but you can't believe the difference it's makes on my car... It's really not hard to remove during oil changes. I guess I'll just remove it during the change and put back aftwards from now on.

[POS Racing]

I have had 4 Miatas ('92,'94,99,'02) and I never removed the bracket off of any of them and I changed the oil multiple times on the entire group.

Am I missing something why would one need to remove the bracket for an oil change???

[MoonieGT]

Just easier access. YMMV.

[Titus]

I have had 4 Miatas ('92,'94,99,'02) and I never removed the bracket off of any of them and I changed the oil multiple times on the entire group.

Am I missing something why would one need to remove the bracket for an oil change???

You must have small hands. I have not removed mine, but have considered it. I usually manage to loose some skin trying to get may hand out.

[POS Racing]

You must have small hands. I have not removed mine, but have considered it. I usually manage to loose some skin trying to get may hand out.

I am not a dainty little guy but I've never had that much trouble changing the oil filters in the miatas over the years.

Guess I just have skillz the rest of you lack.

[Rob®]

I never had problems on the cars that still had the bracket either. I never saw why people complain about changing motor mounts either. But I have little girl hands and forearms.

Just for conversation's sake, my bracket has been removed since 2003. No issues, boosted all but 3 or 4 months of that time, taken to 7500rpm each and every time it's driven (all 60k miles over that time ).

[SirHustlerEsq]

Guess it does something after all rather than just get in the way....

Yep, it sure does:

I love the idea that Mazda spent time and money to engineer a brace, make a cast for it, and install it on a car when it had no function. Typically, the things I "take off" my car are requirements from a socialist, authoritarian mandate on emissions or safety, I leave the structural stuffs.

Well, maybe it does. It seems that some people break the throttle shafts with the brace, some without. I keep the brace to cover my bases.

[2K Miata]

I have had 4 Miatas ('92,'94,99,'02) and I never removed the bracket off of any of them and I changed the oil multiple times on the entire group.

Am I missing something why would one need to remove the bracket for an oil change???

Not sure how you are accessing your oil filter. But I put the car on jack stands. Remove the passenger side front wheel. Reach in and, bingo, you can grab the filter without any problems. Good time to rotate the tires while you've got the car in the air.