Cobalt 3-Point Shock Tower Brace

Easy installation. High quality product with great looks and strong design. Dresses up the engine bay nicely!

-- Daniel M. ( 2007 MX5 Copper Red GT ) May 2023

I had picked this up some time back and finally got around to installing it. First the positive. This brace is stiff, much more rigid and will transfer loads better than the stock NC brace. It is a looker, it really does look good, while it wasn't purchased for the "bling factor," it brings it any way.

The not so positive (but definitely not a deal breaker) is that does not (or at least in my case) bolt right up. I don't know if the tooling for making these is getting worn or somebody was just asleep at the switch when this particular bar was being made but I had to pull all four holes outboard where this attaches to the factory bracket at the firewall. The two inboard holes were pulled outward about 1/8" and the two outboard holes had to be pulled outboard and slightly back by about 1/4" in order to install this bar. This is something that I recognized when I first got this brace and went to install it, but didn't have time then to do the fiddling to make it fit. That fiddling wasn't difficult but was somewhat tedious as I did not want to open those holes up anymore than I had to to make the brace fit.

Does it work? My butt's rate gyros and hand's strain gauges are not calibrated well enough for me to give any specific numbers but I did observe that the car seemed to exhibit slightly less cowl shake and that steering feel/effort had gone up. I think some of this may be due to a possible camber change since the fasteners for the top side of the damper/spring. I'll have the alignment checked and then have a better idea. In any case, the car does seem to hold a point and go to it a bit better than before.

Bottom line, would I buy it now knowing what I know now? Yes, indeed I would.

-- James P. September 2022

Wow, I must have gotten one of the few of these that Goodwin Racing recently got in because I see that they are out of stock again. I was notified that these were in stock and immediately ordered one. Five days later I received and installed it. Opening the well packaged box, I felt like I should be wearing white gloves to unwrap the gleaming chrome piece. Being my car is a GT, it came with the factory FSTB, but I could not access the adjusters on my MeisterR coilovers. That is the main reason I ordered the Cobalt FSTB. I could have drilled holes in the stock FSTB but for the price of the Cobalt, the added rigidity of a welded as opposed to bolted brace and the beefed up structure, I felt it was well worth the price. The only issue I had on the install was (as pointed out by others) lining up the four factory firewall support bolts with the Cobalt bolt holes. Definitely took more finagling then I thought it should. However, that being said and after a few choice words, I am still glad I ordered and Goodwin quickly provided the Cobalt FSTB. So, if you want one, be sure and put in your notification to Goodwin and order one as soon as they let you know they are in stock again. You won't be sorry.

-- Steve C., St. Louis, MO ( MX5 2009 GT ) August 2022

I installed this brace this weekend. My only gripe is I could not get one of the cowl bolts to align properly in the brace hole to allow the shoulder bolt to screw onto the bolt so my brace has 3 of 4 attachment points on the cowl secured. Overall, the brace requires some finesse and a few whacks of the rubber hammer to sit properly. After that, like other reviewers have noted, the steering does feel heavier (an aide to reducing oversteer?) and the car rattles less. Turn in seems more precise.

-- Dean F. ( '08 NC ) August 2022

The Cobalt STB is well made and sharp looking. My car had the OEM FSTB but I had heard it was not very effective at reducing front end flex. The Cobalt was a straightforward install after I removed the sound tube to clear up mounting access to the driver side front shock. I bought it primarily to reduce flex and the creaks from where the hardtop meets the front window frame. I noticed a significant improvement right away, even in 40 degree weather and driving some less than smooth backroads. Would recommend this product for reducing rattles that result from front-end flexing. Nice engine bay bling as well.

-- Mark W., Oklahoma ( 2013 Club PRHT 6MT ) January 2020

I chose this as one of my winter projects. Upon opening the box it is a thing of beauty. The pictures cant describe how good it looks in the car. Beyond that, the install went well, its a little tight and I suppose that just helps the end ride. Cant wait to take her for a ride this spring. Now onto other winter projects.

-- Bruce B., Peterborough, NH ( MX5 2006 ) January 2020

This piece looks great.
The install went pretty easy with the good instructions provided. Having a second person could help line everything up. I also loosened a few extra hose clamps on the driver side to get more wiggle room to those bolts. Easy enough install, looks good, seems stiff.

Hope this helps!

-- Justin S., Raleigh NC ( 2009 mx5 prht black ) December 2019

The Cobalt unit really tightened up the steering feel in my MX-5 after the installation of MeisterR coilovers. I had the stock 3-piece strut tower bar but this Cobalt unit is much stronger and more solid. As a bonus, the interior of my car is quieter now. The car seems much more solid. Highly recommended upgrade.

-- Mark J., Peosta, IA ( 2015 MX-5 ) December 2019

This brace made my car significantly stiffer. It has greatly improved cornering ability. It's much more responsive and stable. The look is just a plus . My car did have the factory STB, this shiny unit makes it feel like a joke. It did take a little bit adjusting to get it to go on, that was the only negative . Not a big deal though.

-- Alonzo J., Los Angeles ( 2010 MX-5 GT ) May 2018

First I wanted to be able to easily access my coilovers. I could have drilled my stock tower brace but I feel sure it was constructed to minimum standards at best to be cost effective. I'm very fortunate to live within two hours of some amazing mountain curves in Western North Carolina. I've read that the support is not really necessary but after 11 years in dirt midgets I can attest to the value of structural rigidity in getting the most out of your handling upgrades. Without it you're putting all the load on your sways. Second and more importantly, the reason I installed the 3 Point Cobalt Tower Brace under my hood is that it looks so damn cool!!!

-- Jasper W., Lexington, NC ( 2006 Miata Sport ) April 2018

Looks great can feel the increase in stiffness over the factory strut tower brace. The right side is very tight with the air sensor. I will watch to make sure it is not rubbing through.

-- Roger M., Fort Wayne, IN ( NC 2010 ) April 2016

I replaced the OEM brace with this one. Excellent fit and finish and a great improvement in stiffness. Well worth the price.

-- Andy P., Starkville ( 2008 MX5 GT ) August 2015