My review of the CS TMM insert and CS front lower tie bar

[twenty5psi]

Ordered some CS chassis and suspension components over the holidays and they arrived earlier in the week. Got the tie bar and TMM insert installed last night but I still need to get the RSB on the car, judging by the reviews I'm saving the best for last.



CS TMM INSERT: TMM insert was first, pretty straight forward installation, the only tip I would have is even after you release tension on the drivetrain with a jack before removing the main bolt, it needed to come up a little bit more for the insert/TMM assembling to line up properly again. The pics I took show how the stock TMM insert and the CS insert sit on the lower TMM assembly, but this is not how it goes back together, you press the insert into the upper TMM assembly. The stock TMM insert is flimsy, and mine was actually broken on a car that's less than a year old!







CS FRONT LOWER TIE BAR: Got the TMM all back together and the engine bay buttoned up and then threw on the lower tie bar, this is the piece I was actually more interested in as it doesn't seem to have a big following here on MSF so I wanted to shed some light on this and give my impressions. This bar is surprisingly light but still looks and feels much beefier then the main alternative "Traction Bar" on the market, these work by tying the two main control arm pick up points together, which should increase chassis rigidity and keep the front suspension geometry happier under high-load situations. This is pretty damn easy to install, you'll need a good breaker bar with some leverage if you're doing this on jack stands, but it's as simple as loosening two bolts and sliding the brace over them, then re-tightening the bolts.





DRIVING IMPRESSIONS: The tie bar makes itself known first, the first slow corner out of my neighborhood I noticed it, the front end has a much more eager character, it wants to pull you through corners and gives you that nice "taut" feeling. The car seems more composed on choppy roads, had a few little rattles in the interior from the RMM that seem to be reduced or gone. One of my biggest pet peeves about this car was the "nervous" feeling that comes through the steering wheel under braking/decel on less than perfect roads, it seems MUCH better!

The TMM insert is stealthy at first because it's not like a big RMM upgrade where the car buzzes with a new mount, no new NVH to speak of! If I'm being super OCD there maybe a SLIGHT increase in A/C-on idle vibes(it was ~80 here yesterday in FL) but I'm going to say this is because the battery was just reset and the fuel trims were still settling down. The reduction is drivetrain slack is noticeable, the clunking etc. left over that my RMM didn't take care of seems to be gone, wheel hop is essentially a non-issue now on the street. The best part about the TMM is the shifting though, it just feels better, particularly in high load or RPMs.

For $150 combined if you have a modded MS3 you should really consider this mod combo, you feel that the front end of the car can handle the bigger power numbers now, where as before without the bar and insert the car give you that "too much for its own good" feeling, now it's just impressive.

[IGMO71]

I have installed the inserts for the TMM and the RMM noticed a big difference. I have been trying to figure out if I want FSB and RSB or Chassis bracing. How did you decide to go with RSB and front lower brace?

[someguy]

TMM insert I pushed mine into the mount, didn't set it in the car first...was easier that way?

I wish CS would explain why the tie bar can't go on the 2010 Canadian MS3.

[twenty5psi]

Originally Posted by someguy TMM insert I pushed mine into the mount, didn't set it in the car first...was easier that way? I wish CS would explain why the tie bar can't go on the 2010 Canadian MS3.

No, I pushed it into the mount as well, took that pic for comparison.

[CorkSport]

Originally Posted by someguy TMM insert I pushed mine into the mount, didn't set it in the car first...was easier that way? I wish CS would explain why the tie bar can't go on the 2010 Canadian MS3.

The headlight level sensor and the bar try to occupy the same location.

-Derrick

[someguy]

Originally Posted by CorkSport The headlight level sensor and the bar try to occupy the same location. -Derrick

Well now that's silly (on Mazda's part)...any thoughts on relocating? I assume it's not in that location on every 2nd gen?

Thanks though Derrick

[someguy]

Ahh ok, good stuff

[Kyle Undefined]

Nice review Data!

Was looking at the FSB awhile ago, but wasn't too sure if it would make a difference or not.

[SomeNobodyspeed3]

When I did the tmm I'd agree with you, my 1st problem was getting liquid wrench (to break the bolt free) then where I had jack and hight, I'd just recommend once you unscrew tmm bolt tale your time and when it comes out it'll 1hold, 2... You don't want option2 lol. But with shortshift, ssb, heavy shift knob, and cs tmm insert completely eliminated my speed3s problem shifting in 2,3 gear during heavy accl and shifting, usto skip gears, that's just a bad memory nowadays

[The Ridge]

man I wish there was a Gen1 TMM insert.

[Playaj]

Originally Posted by The Ridge man I wish there was a Gen1 TMM insert.

Just buy a gen 2 tmm. I got one on here for just shipping cuz another member just wanted to get rid of it then found a new corksport insert for real cheap. Now just got to get off my lazy ass and change mounts.

Sent from my KFAPWI using Tapatalk HD

[Dareman]

Originally Posted by The Ridge man I wish there was a Gen1 TMM insert.

I used it on my Gen1, just had to dremmel it away in a couple spots to make it fit.

[norcalcasey]

loving my TMM insert. I actually like the whine too, lets me know whats going on

[IGMO71]

Hey Twenty5psi,

How's the sway bar doing?

[twenty5psi]

Originally Posted by IGMO71 Hey Twenty5psi, How's the sway bar doing?

Good stuff! Installed it last night, car feels great.

[IGMO71]

Originally Posted by twenty5psi Good stuff! Installed it last night, car feels great.

Thats Awesome, been curious to hear how that combination worked out.

Hey on another note: I noticed you are running the UR TP and the CBE. You didn't run the DP? There are so many options just trying to figure it out. I have read every post on all the options and have turned myself in so many circles. LOL

[twenty5psi]

Originally Posted by IGMO71 Thats Awesome, been curious to hear how that combination worked out. Hey on another note: I noticed you are running the UR TP and the CBE. You didn't run the DP? There are so many options just trying to figure it out. I have read every post on all the options and have turned myself in so many circles. LOL

Going to leave the stock DP until I go big turbo, the TP and CBE combo sounds great.

[twenty5psi]

@Spencer@CorkSport

Having a slight issue with the lower tie bar I believe, have been getting a weird vibration on takeoff in colder temps since the TMM broke in a little bit, checked the torque and whatnot on the TMM and it was fine, on a hunch went down and looked where the tie bar has minimal clearance by the transmission and sure enough it looks like there is some contact that is occuring. I have an old SURE RMM mount(I know I need to get rid of that garbage) do you believe it has shifted the engine to create a clearance issue?

[Playaj]

Ok don't do this, a good source said the gen 2 tmm won't fit the gen 1

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[2.0t03speed]

Originally Posted by Playaj Ok don't do this, a good source said the gen 2 tmm won't fit the gen 1 Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

that is completely false i am running a pu tmm on my gen 1. You need the complete assembly though. Upper portion, tripod, and the bolt. Reason being mazda switched the thread pitch on the main bolt for the pu tmm. The gen 1 tmm uses a coarse thread bolt where the pu uses a fine thread bolt.

[pzr2874]

So, doing the tie bar.... with load or without? I'm thinking without.... but just in case.

Thanks

[twenty5psi]

Front suspension was unloaded when I did it, but it really shouldn't matter, it's not like a strut bar where it could effect the suspension geometry unloaded vs. loaded.

[shaneski]

Originally Posted by twenty5psi Front suspension was unloaded when I did it, but it really shouldn't matter, it's not like a strut bar where it could effect the suspension geometry unloaded vs. loaded.

Just wondering with the tie bar has it improved traction when trying to launch off a stand still etc.

[Nliiitend1]

Originally Posted by shaneski Just wondering with the tie bar has it improved traction when trying to launch off a stand still etc.

You'd be much better off focusing on bushing compliance issues than this tie bar, IMO.

If you're still using OEM LCA bushings, those should be the first change you make if the goal is to help traction off the line.

[SomeNobodyspeed3]

Iv got CS insert and It's Working for me ask the Beamers, mustaschangs, subs, challengers... list go's on, if they liked the back of my car? just saying smoother shifting= smiley face for me for them. CS Thank you for making my Factory insert go from (image below)

to the blue (see OP) makes a diff 2 me no more grind or slip 2-3rd just saying CS brings it

[2.0t03speed]

Just ordered a cs rsb and lower tie bar hope to see a nice difference in handling.

[rolanblack]

What's up with the lower tie bar issue? Incorrect install or just a clearance issue?

[2.0t03speed]

@twenty5psi; any update?

EDIT: Found this while searching for some stuff this morning. Looks like it's happened before with certain mounts

Front Lower Tie Bar

[twenty5psi]

Basically the same issue I have, it's starting to warm up here so I don't hear it much anymore. If you pull the driver wheel you can clearly see the bar and trans case about a millimeter from contacting each other.