CUSCO Strut Brace Type OS (Front) for Mazda RX8 (Series 1 & 2, 2003-2012)

Oval-section aluminium links both front towers, cutting chassis flex for sharper turn-in and cleaner steering feel on every RX8.

Reviews from around the web

Independent reviews of this product gathered from other stores and owner communities.

Got my Cusco strut brace from RX8 Upgrades. Once again superb service and super fast delivery! Thanks mate I love it!

$320

The Mazda RX8 front strut brace from CUSCO is the first upper-chassis upgrade most SE3P owners reach for. It links both front suspension towers with a lightweight oval-section aluminium pipe, reducing the flex that blurs steering feedback and softens initial turn-in. Every RX8 built between 2003 and 2012 is covered by a direct bolt-on fit.

Knowing where this brace sits in a staged chassis build helps. Subframe-locating work removes factory clearance at mounting points first, making the car feel more settled over bumps. Upper bracing, including this Mazda RX8 front strut brace, builds on that foundation. The result is more immediate turn-in and tighter response through direction changes.

Mazda RX8 Front Strut Brace CUSCO Type OS Features

  • Oval aluminium pipe delivers genuine rigidity while keeping weight over the front axle to a minimum.
  • The steel mounting plates carry a CUSCO blue finish, adding a purposeful, branded look to the engine bay.
  • Linking both towers limits flex as cornering loads build, giving the front suspension a steadier platform. This makes steering feel noticeably more direct from the first drive.
  • Owners wanting brake master cylinder support can step up to the CUSCO Strut Brace Type OS (Front) with Brake Cylinder Stopper variant instead.
  • Finally, bolt-on fitment uses existing OEM hardware, so no drilling, welding or specialist installation is required.

For RX8 enthusiasts working through a staged chassis build, fitting the Mazda RX8 front strut brace early locks in the upper chassis before you invest in lower or underbody bracing. The front end feels cohesive and responsive rather than vague. You notice it on the first back-road corner and every subsequent direction change. CUSCO’s official site documents the full Type OS range and the engineering behind it.

A natural companion is the AUTOEXE Lower Arm Bar (Front), which extends chassis support to the lower front suspension for a more complete front-end package. Drivers wanting to sharpen overall dynamics further will find that the KTS SC Damper System Coilover Set pairs exceptionally well. Adjustable damping and spring rates work with a stiffer, better-located chassis rather than compensating for a flexible one.

Reviews from around the web

Independent reviews of this product gathered from other stores and owner communities.

Got my Cusco strut brace from RX8 Upgrades. Once again superb service and super fast delivery! Thanks mate I love it!

Additional information

RX8 Model

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SKU CU-FSB-S1S2 Category Types , Brand:

Related RX8 Upgrades

This front strut tower brace is one of the best Mazda RX-8 upgrades you can make to your Series 1 (2003-2008) or Series 2 (2009-2012). Front strut braces are among the top Aftermarket mods you can buy from CUSCO for owners who want better performance and reliability from their RX8. If you are looking for rx8 front strut brace for sale in Brisbane (QLD), Sydney (NSW), Melbourne (VIC), Canberra (ACT), Adelaide (SA), Darwin (NT) or Perth (WA), you’ll find high-quality Japanese Bracing upgrades at RX8 Upgrades.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this CUSCO strut brace fit both Series 1 and Series 2 RX8 models?

Yes. The CUSCO Type OS front strut brace is a direct bolt-on fit for all Mazda RX8 SE3P models built between 2003 and 2012, covering both Series 1 (2003-2008) and Series 2 (2009-2012) without any modification.

What is the strut brace made from, and how does it mount?

The main beam is an oval-section aluminium pipe, chosen for rigidity without adding unnecessary weight over the front axle. It mounts using existing OEM hardware via steel mounting plates, so no drilling, welding or specialist installation is required.

What difference will I actually feel after fitting a front strut brace to my RX8?

By linking both front suspension towers, the brace reduces chassis flex as cornering loads build. The most immediate result is more direct steering feel and sharper initial turn-in - something most owners notice from the first back-road corner after fitting.

Is there a version of this brace that also supports the brake master cylinder?

Yes. CUSCO offers a variant called the Strut Brace Type OS (Front) with Brake Cylinder Stopper, which adds support for the brake master cylinder. If that additional function is part of your build plan, that variant is the one to choose rather than this standard version.

Where does a front strut brace fit in a staged chassis build for the RX8?

Upper tower bracing like this CUSCO brace works best after any subframe-locating work, which settles the car over bumps first. Fitting the front strut brace early in a build locks in upper chassis rigidity before you invest in lower or underbody bracing, giving each subsequent upgrade a more consistent foundation to work from.

What other chassis upgrades pair well with this front strut brace?

The AUTOEXE Lower Arm Bar (Front) is a natural companion, extending chassis support to the lower front suspension for a more complete front-end package. Coilovers with adjustable damping and spring rates also work more effectively with a stiffer, better-located chassis rather than having to compensate for flex.

Does the CUSCO strut brace affect engine bay appearance?

The steel mounting plates carry a CUSCO blue finish, giving the brace a purposeful, branded look inside the engine bay rather than the plain appearance of an unbranded brace.