BlehmCo. RSTB Install/Review
12-23-2003, 02:37 PM
#1
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BlehmCo. RSTB Install/Review
I just finished installing my new rstb, courtesy of Matt93SE. It seems to be made very well, has quality welds, and the fit is perfect. The factory dust covers even went back on! 
Install time was around 45 min. for me, since my rear seat was being a PITA. The seat went back on fine, and the bar fits nicely and doesnt get in the way of anything. I'll post again tonight after the road test. 
Well since the roads were wet, I didnt really get to push the limits. From what I did test, though, it works awesome! The whole car feels much tighter and more controllable. It almost feels like I have my 17" wheels on in terms of grip! Body roll seems to be reduced also, but that could just be in my head. The rstb makes more of a difference than my fstb, in my opinion. This is an awesome mod, $72 very well spent!
Excellent work Matt! Did you make the endbolts?
Install time was around 45 min. for me, since my rear seat was being a PITA. The seat went back on fine, and the bar fits nicely and doesnt get in the way of anything. I'll post again tonight after the road test. Well since the roads were wet, I didnt really get to push the limits. From what I did test, though, it works awesome! The whole car feels much tighter and more controllable. It almost feels like I have my 17" wheels on in terms of grip! Body roll seems to be reduced also, but that could just be in my head. The rstb makes more of a difference than my fstb, in my opinion. This is an awesome mod, $72 very well spent!
Excellent work Matt! Did you make the endbolts?
^^^^^
12-23-2003, 07:20 PM
#4
Originally Posted by Brad92SE
I just finished installing my new rstb, courtesy of Matt93SE. It seems to be made very well, has quality welds, and the fit is perfect. The factory dust covers even went back on! Install time was around 45 min. for me, since my rear seat was being a PITA. The seat went back on fine, and the bar fits nicely and doesnt get in the way of anything. I'll post again tonight after the road test.
Well since the roads were wet, I didnt really get to push the limits. From what I did test, though, it works awesome! The whole car feels much tighter and more controllable. It almost feels like I have my 17" wheels on in terms of grip! Body roll seems to be reduced also, but that could just be in my head. The rstb makes more of a difference than my fstb, in my opinion. This is an awesome mod, $72 very well spent!
Excellent work Matt Did you make the endbolts?
Well since the roads were wet, I didnt really get to push the limits. From what I did test, though, it works awesome! The whole car feels much tighter and more controllable. It almost feels like I have my 17" wheels on in terms of grip! Body roll seems to be reduced also, but that could just be in my head. The rstb makes more of a difference than my fstb, in my opinion. This is an awesome mod, $72 very well spent!
Excellent work Matt
Did you make the endbolts?I wish I could make the end clevises! those are made by FK bearings, and are the most expensive (and strongest) part of the whole piece! it would be very nice if I could make them, but that requires $$$$$$ equipment that I don't have (yet!)
think the car handles nice now, just wait until you get one of my Lower Tie bars and the rear parallel link kits!
12-23-2003, 08:53 PM
#10
Originally Posted by Fosgate Fan
how much was that rstb? $75?
Yup, $75, plus shipping... since you're in Houston, come pick it up and you can save on shipping.
Originally Posted by vwink182
keep your day job...just trust me
12-23-2003, 09:42 PM
#11
Hey Matt, did you make the underbody susepension stuff to clear the wsp sfc's? I'm sure you did considering you have them but I'm just curious as I'd like to buy the full sfc kit along with all of your suspension mods.
12-24-2003, 06:00 AM
#12
Originally Posted by mtcookson
Hey Matt, did you make the underbody susepension stuff to clear the wsp sfc's? I'm sure you did considering you have them but I'm just curious as I'd like to buy the full sfc kit along with all of your suspension mods.
12-24-2003, 08:29 AM
#14
hey matt,
quick question. in your opinion is it worth ordering the st sway bar kit or an addco rsb and the st fsb?
i know the addco is thicker but will it make enough of a difference to make up for the extra cost?
you seem to be the suspension pro here so i figured i'd ask for your insight.
quick question. in your opinion is it worth ordering the st sway bar kit or an addco rsb and the st fsb?
i know the addco is thicker but will it make enough of a difference to make up for the extra cost?
you seem to be the suspension pro here so i figured i'd ask for your insight.
12-24-2003, 03:50 PM
#16
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Originally Posted by Matt93SE
think the car handles nice now, just wait until you get one of my Lower Tie bars and the rear parallel link kits!
12-24-2003, 05:49 PM
#18
First off matt, thanks for the quick delivery. The items came in good shape. What do you mean by hardware though? I got the bar, 2 brackets, and 2 end links. This may be another stupid question, but aren't some of the holes on the brackets too close to the edge? Could the pulling forces bend the material at those places?
12-24-2003, 08:22 PM
#19
Originally Posted by anaximander
First off matt, thanks for the quick delivery. The items came in good shape. What do you mean by hardware though? I got the bar, 2 brackets, and 2 end links. This may be another stupid question, but aren't some of the holes on the brackets too close to the edge? Could the pulling forces bend the material at those places?
the hardware was the endlinks and the bolts going through it. if you got the links, then you got the bolts too.. I bolted those together before I ever wrapped them up, so I know they all got nuts abd bolts in them, or they didn't have any of the endlink hardware.
as for the bolt holes, look at your FSTB (if you have one). there's a lot less metal on those than on my links, so these will be more than strong enough. the top plate on the rear struts isn't flat anyway, so you're going to bend up the brackets a bit when installing. not a big deal at all, as long as you get the bolts torqued to spec (like 32 ft lb I think).
Shock211....
as for the handling, I recommend EITHER the ST set or the Addco rear, but not both ST front and Addco rear. just because the Addco rear is bigger doesn't necessarily mean it's better when you're running a fat front sway bar too.
ST goes for beefing up both ends by (grab a number... say 50%) basically, while the Addco Rear bar ONLY reduces rear-end body roll by like 100%. the ST keeps the same handling characteristics of the car (still pushes a bit through corners), while the addco changes to more of a tail-happy setup to change the characteristics..
If you want to go with both ST front and Addco rear, go for it, but be ready to spend some $$ backpedaling If you don't like the way it handles. I can't make much assumption on it, but I would say the handling with both would be pretty weird since they go by different methods.
12-24-2003, 10:15 PM
#21
Originally Posted by Matt93SE
Shock211....
as for the handling, I recommend EITHER the ST set or the Addco rear, but not both ST front and Addco rear. just because the Addco rear is bigger doesn't necessarily mean it's better when you're running a fat front sway bar too.
ST goes for beefing up both ends by (grab a number... say 50%) basically, while the Addco Rear bar ONLY reduces rear-end body roll by like 100%. the ST keeps the same handling characteristics of the car (still pushes a bit through corners), while the addco changes to more of a tail-happy setup to change the characteristics.
as for the handling, I recommend EITHER the ST set or the Addco rear, but not both ST front and Addco rear. just because the Addco rear is bigger doesn't necessarily mean it's better when you're running a fat front sway bar too.
ST goes for beefing up both ends by (grab a number... say 50%) basically, while the Addco Rear bar ONLY reduces rear-end body roll by like 100%. the ST keeps the same handling characteristics of the car (still pushes a bit through corners), while the addco changes to more of a tail-happy setup to change the characteristics.
i'd rather make an all around improvement as opposed to just the understeer related issues.so i guess the st sway bar kit is what i'll get. after that it'll most likely invest in a BlehmCo rstb. you don't plan to stop making them anytime soon do you? i'd be ordering it late spring or mid summer 04.
thanx again...
I sell suspension techniques 
12-26-2003, 07:06 AM
#26
Matt, I have a FSTB on my Max right now what would you suggest as my next step in suspension mods? I have to pick them up one at a time. Should I go with the lower tie, RSTB or start looking at a sway bar kit.
12-26-2003, 11:00 AM
#27
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Originally Posted by -shock211-
thanx for the info matt.
i'd rather make an all around improvement as opposed to just the understeer related issues.so i guess the st sway bar kit is what i'll get. after that it'll most likely invest in a BlehmCo rstb. you don't plan to stop making them anytime soon do you? i'd be ordering it late spring or mid summer 04.
thanx again...
i'd rather make an all around improvement as opposed to just the understeer related issues.so i guess the st sway bar kit is what i'll get. after that it'll most likely invest in a BlehmCo rstb. you don't plan to stop making them anytime soon do you? i'd be ordering it late spring or mid summer 04.
thanx again...
12-26-2003, 11:44 AM
#28
Grant- I'd say do the RSB, but I do want everything Matt makes... eventually
Bman, last time I talked to Jeff about suspension stuff he loved his setup and wants a bigger RSB
hehehe
Bman, last time I talked to Jeff about suspension stuff he loved his setup and wants a bigger RSB
hehehe
12-26-2003, 05:28 PM
#31
Matt my RSTB showed up a few days early, so I was able to install in Christmas morning 
I gotta say Sweeeet, definitly stiffened up the rear end nicely. The car rides on rails now. A very worthy mod.
I gotta say Sweeeet, definitly stiffened up the rear end nicely. The car rides on rails now. A very worthy mod.
