Otto FSTB Installed.... WOW!!!!!
01-19-2004, 06:25 PM
#1
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Otto FSTB Installed.... WOW!!!!!
I bought an Otto FSTB and it finally got here today. I wasted no time and got straight to installing it, holy shiznat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know some people say they can't notice a difference, others say it makes a world of difference, I'm going with the world of difference crowd.
Here's my setup right now:
Eibach Springs front
Stock Springs rear
Tokico Blues front
Stock Struts rear
Suspension Techniques RSB
Stock 92se wheels with semi crappy tires
and now Otto FSTB
Now just a few days ago Jeff and I installed the front Eibach/Tokicos, and man did that make a difference, I felt so much more attached to the road, turns were much more stable, and that was only the front! quick left right swerving felt much more responsive, but the car still didnt want to come back the other direction (ie swerving left but starting the right turn, it didnt want to come back and go to the right).
With the FSTB now it instantly digs in, and to think before I could feel the tires working, that was nothing compared to now. It is just insane, I didnt want to stop driving my car (but I did so I could take pictures). oh man, this setup rocks, The front end carves into turns, the RSB makes sure the rear end tracks , I'm in love, and the best part, is I'm not even half way there! On man now my car definately out handles my Dads 2000 SE 5spd with 235/45r17's, no doubt about it, I absolutely love it. Screw going fast, the twisties are sooooo much fun [/mini Matt], lol.
Anyway, on to the eye candy:
Now here are a few things I notice about the bar:
-It has more of a shiney finish than I thought. I thought it would have had more of a brushed look.
-The Plates are not a perfect fit, they are really close but not perfect. I just lined them up, only one of the outside holes needed a little pursuasion (lol, sp), ie. towel and hammer (since I dont have one of those plastic ones). Didn't damage the threads at all, but it didnt exactly slid right on. I could have put it on by tightening the bolts on it, but I wanted to get it level before I did that.
-The bar seems more solid compared to the ebay ones, it doesnt seem to flex as much (really very little at all).
-This bar gives me plenty of room to hook up a timing light/etc. I love it. No more messing around with wierd angles like with Dave's ebay one. (I know I dont mess with timing that much, but still).
-Gets beauty points, but I think I might have to play lemming to Michael and snag a Nismo sticker
now I'm mad because I forgot to take pics of the car with just the front eibach/tokico's installed.
I think I'm going to go back out for another drive.... It's dry out and my favorite backwoods twisty road is calling 2nd gear.
I know some people say they can't notice a difference, others say it makes a world of difference, I'm going with the world of difference crowd.
Here's my setup right now:
Eibach Springs front
Stock Springs rear
Tokico Blues front
Stock Struts rear
Suspension Techniques RSB
Stock 92se wheels with semi crappy tires
and now Otto FSTB
Now just a few days ago Jeff and I installed the front Eibach/Tokicos, and man did that make a difference, I felt so much more attached to the road, turns were much more stable, and that was only the front! quick left right swerving felt much more responsive, but the car still didnt want to come back the other direction (ie swerving left but starting the right turn, it didnt want to come back and go to the right).
With the FSTB now it instantly digs in, and to think before I could feel the tires working, that was nothing compared to now. It is just insane, I didnt want to stop driving my car (but I did so I could take pictures). oh man, this setup rocks, The front end carves into turns, the RSB makes sure the rear end tracks , I'm in love, and the best part, is I'm not even half way there! On man now my car definately out handles my Dads 2000 SE 5spd with 235/45r17's, no doubt about it, I absolutely love it. Screw going fast, the twisties are sooooo much fun [/mini Matt], lol.
Anyway, on to the eye candy:
Now here are a few things I notice about the bar:
-It has more of a shiney finish than I thought. I thought it would have had more of a brushed look.
-The Plates are not a perfect fit, they are really close but not perfect. I just lined them up, only one of the outside holes needed a little pursuasion (lol, sp), ie. towel and hammer (since I dont have one of those plastic ones). Didn't damage the threads at all, but it didnt exactly slid right on. I could have put it on by tightening the bolts on it, but I wanted to get it level before I did that.
-The bar seems more solid compared to the ebay ones, it doesnt seem to flex as much (really very little at all).
-This bar gives me plenty of room to hook up a timing light/etc. I love it. No more messing around with wierd angles like with Dave's ebay one. (I know I dont mess with timing that much, but still).
-Gets beauty points, but I think I might have to play lemming to Michael and snag a Nismo sticker
now I'm mad because I forgot to take pics of the car with just the front eibach/tokico's installed.
I think I'm going to go back out for another drive.... It's dry out and my favorite backwoods twisty road is calling 2nd gear.
01-19-2004, 07:00 PM
#7
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I bought it from another member, but Southwest autoworks is having a blow out right now. I think they said they have 5 left, $40 shipped. I still need to ask my dad if he wants one.
Pervis-
Thats the greatest part! I've got sooo much more to do, and judging by the reactions I've seen from the RSTB, Stage 2 tie bar, sub frames, and bushings, it's going to be great!!! There is also the ST FSB and I haven't even installed my rear suspension yet, not to mention new wheels tires. I'm sooooo excited
Pervis-
Thats the greatest part! I've got sooo much more to do, and judging by the reactions I've seen from the RSTB, Stage 2 tie bar, sub frames, and bushings, it's going to be great!!! There is also the ST FSB and I haven't even installed my rear suspension yet, not to mention new wheels tires. I'm sooooo excited
01-19-2004, 07:06 PM
#9
Originally Posted by MrGone
-Gets beauty points, but I think I might have to play lemming to Michael and snag a Nismo sticker
LOL
I like my nismo sticker...rice or not
.Best looking and fitting bar for the VE out there right now IMO.
01-19-2004, 07:12 PM
#10
Originally Posted by MrGone
Pervis-
Thats the greatest part! I've got sooo much more to do, and judging by the reactions I've seen from the RSTB, Stage 2 tie bar, sub frames, and bushings, it's going to be great!!! There is also the ST FSB and I haven't even installed my rear suspension yet, not to mention new wheels tires. I'm sooooo excited
I am trying to put off SFCs in hopes that I will find (and be able to afford) a VE 5spd first.
01-19-2004, 08:14 PM
#13
very nice looking bar, I just saw Michael's in person and it looked very nice, especially with the Nismo sticker on it (I didn't know it didn't come like that til he told me).
it does look beefier than the Nissan ones (I have the old-school flattened oval bar that was made for the VE about 5 years ago)
it does look beefier than the Nissan ones (I have the old-school flattened oval bar that was made for the VE about 5 years ago)
01-19-2004, 08:41 PM
#14
Awesome! I have one too and love it, and it gives me something to polish under the hood. 
The price is definately worth it! Next you'll have to try out one of Matt's RSTBs!
By the way, procarparts.com carries them for $55.
The price is definately worth it! Next you'll have to try out one of Matt's RSTBs!By the way, procarparts.com carries them for $55.
01-19-2004, 09:29 PM
#16
i got an otto racing fstb too (least i think it is, he said it is courtesy nissan fstb, but the box he shipped it in said otto racing 
). bought it off an fellow org member. not as fancy as yours though, but it does the job rather well now i'm saving up for matt's rstb
). bought it off an fellow org member. not as fancy as yours though, but it does the job rather well now i'm saving up for matt's rstb
01-19-2004, 09:30 PM
#17
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 773
Originally Posted by dmontzmax
I got mine a while ago for damn near $70 shipped 
My bar was $12 with $12 shipping. $24 to my door.
Works great. I don't need no bling bling fstb, since the hood has to be closed in order for it to work right
.
01-19-2004, 10:51 PM
#20
i'm considering waiting till i have as many suspension mods as i possibly can acquire within 2 months before slapping them all on at the same time. eibachs, tokicos, fstb, rstb, fsb, rsb, ltb 2, sfcs, ideal 8" wide 17s...... what a glorious day that would be....:earth calling sola!!!:
01-19-2004, 11:24 PM
#22
Originally Posted by davebond007
Wow, to think that you could have bought (almost) 3 of the cheap ebay bars for that.
My bar was $12 with $12 shipping. $24 to my door.
Works great. I don't need no bling bling fstb, since the hood has to be closed in order for it to work right.
My bar was $12 with $12 shipping. $24 to my door.
Works great. I don't need no bling bling fstb, since the hood has to be closed in order for it to work right
.
I dont mind spending the extra bit for quality, especially since it will be there forever
01-20-2004, 07:03 AM
#24
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Originally Posted by dmontzmax
True, but I could also use Fram oil filters and nobody would see them
I dont mind spending the extra bit for quality, especially since it will be there forever
I dont mind spending the extra bit for quality, especially since it will be there forever
hahahahahahaahhahahaha (again)I'm going out on a limb here, but I think the Otto might be better than the ebay one because it seems like you can install it 'tighter'. The ebay one you just kind of find the tightest fit then install it, but with this one it seems like its pulling the strut towers together abit more, Then ontop of that, I'm still having nightmares from seeing the other kind flex (I think it was Jeff who showed me) when I pushed on mine it barely move.
Shock211- I think its just a 5th gen bar. I think you have to call them to get the pricing, I just saw them talking about it in a group deals thread.
Oh and Dave.... Just a few days ago you wanted an Otto, Don't go dissin on Donny's stuff (heheheehhehe)
It's not even light out yet and I want to go back on my twisty road
Lophix- That was my origonal plan, to install everything at once, but money, time, and pure impatience kind of cancelled those plans. I'm glad though, I really like to find out what each mod feels like, and oh man, at this rate, I think if I went from stock to fully modded my mom would give my room to one of my stepsisters because I would never leave my car.
Thanks everyone for the replies! I appreciate it!
01-20-2004, 08:25 AM
#25
Originally Posted by MrGone
Shock211- I think its just a 5th gen bar. I think you have to call them to get the pricing, I just saw them talking about it in a group deals thread.
oh well who cares i gotta a vg anyways.
i'm gonna call up SWA and see if they have any in stock
thanx
out of stock!?!?!? 
01-20-2004, 10:05 PM
#28
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,941
Originally Posted by -shock211-
I thought the vq30dek fstb didn't fit the VE?
oh well who cares i gotta a vg anyways.
i'm gonna call up SWA and see if they have any in stock
thanx
oh well who cares i gotta a vg anyways.
i'm gonna call up SWA and see if they have any in stock
thanx
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....light=fstb+gxe
EDIT: Hahaha, I was so excitable back then!
(Just re-reading some of that stuff....)
01-21-2004, 12:14 AM
#29
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 773
(not to go OT or anything...I have to respond now..)
Whoa whoa whoa...Fram oil filters? I have never used a Fram. K&N filters have always been on my car, I have a Mobil 1 M1-208 cause the K&N's were out of stock in the store at the time (and the M1-208 was $4 cheaper), and for the future I'll be using the old kickas s Nissan (the -66yy00 or somethin) filters that I got (I have 5 of them).
Man, a fram?? Where did you come up with that one? lol.
Btw, my ebay bar fits ok, and works fine. I do think though that the Otto bar may be a bit more rigid because of the joints. I don't think the actual bar has anything to do with it, but how it fixes to the mounts is much better.
Whoa whoa whoa...Fram oil filters? I have never used a Fram. K&N filters have always been on my car, I have a Mobil 1 M1-208 cause the K&N's were out of stock in the store at the time (and the M1-208 was $4 cheaper
), and for the future I'll be using the old kickas s Nissan (the -66yy00 or somethin) filters that I got (I have 5 of them).Man, a fram?? Where did you come up with that one? lol.
Btw, my ebay bar fits ok, and works fine. I do think though that the Otto bar may be a bit more rigid because of the joints. I don't think the actual bar has anything to do with it, but how it fixes to the mounts is much better.
01-21-2004, 07:47 AM
#32
Originally Posted by davebond007
(not to go OT or anything...I have to respond now..)
Whoa whoa whoa...Fram oil filters? I have never used a Fram. K&N filters have always been on my car, I have a Mobil 1 M1-208 cause the K&N's were out of stock in the store at the time (and the M1-208 was $4 cheaper), and for the future I'll be using the old kickas s Nissan (the -66yy00 or somethin) filters that I got (I have 5 of them).
Man, a fram?? Where did you come up with that one? lol.
Btw, my ebay bar fits ok, and works fine. I do think though that the Otto bar may be a bit more rigid because of the joints. I don't think the actual bar has anything to do with it, but how it fixes to the mounts is much better.
Whoa whoa whoa...Fram oil filters? I have never used a Fram. K&N filters have always been on my car, I have a Mobil 1 M1-208 cause the K&N's were out of stock in the store at the time (and the M1-208 was $4 cheaper
), and for the future I'll be using the old kickas s Nissan (the -66yy00 or somethin) filters that I got (I have 5 of them).Man, a fram?? Where did you come up with that one? lol.
Btw, my ebay bar fits ok, and works fine. I do think though that the Otto bar may be a bit more rigid because of the joints. I don't think the actual bar has anything to do with it, but how it fixes to the mounts is much better.
01-21-2004, 07:53 AM
#33
[QUOTE=MrGone]I bought an Otto FSTB and it finally got here today. I wasted no time and got straight to installing it, holy shiznat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I, also, just got mine!!Amazing, I paid an extra $12 and it came the next day. Cant wait to put it in, thanks.
I, also, just got mine!!Amazing, I paid an extra $12 and it came the next day. Cant wait to put it in, thanks.
01-21-2004, 10:36 AM
#34
Originally Posted by Bman
Since you have a '92 just like I do, I think you should get one of these VE-fitting bars anyway, because of the A/C hose. I'm sure this has come up several times since, but here's one of the original threads about this...
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....light=fstb+gxe
EDIT: Hahaha, I was so excitable back then! (Just re-reading some of that stuff....)
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....light=fstb+gxe
EDIT: Hahaha, I was so excitable back then!
(Just re-reading some of that stuff....)i'm actually bidding on a 5th gen fstb as we speak....
BUT I WANT THE DAMN OTTO ONE for $40 !!!
damn you swowlinc!!!
01-21-2004, 10:43 AM
#35
We will have this in stock by Friday and we can do them for $50 shipped for you guys. They are not listed under the 89-94 section as it is the same bar as the 5th gen maximas. Give us a call if you have any questions.
01-21-2004, 10:53 AM
#36
Originally Posted by -shock211-
yeah...realistically it seems that with a little work most nissan fstbs are interchangeable. i've seen a 240 fstb on a 3rd and 4th gen maxima...
i'm actually bidding on a 5th gen fstb as we speak....
BUT I WANT THE DAMN OTTO ONE for $40 !!!
damn you swowlinc!!!
i'm actually bidding on a 5th gen fstb as we speak....
BUT I WANT THE DAMN OTTO ONE for $40 !!!
damn you swowlinc!!!
01-21-2004, 11:05 AM
#37
Originally Posted by swowlinc
Hey man, High speed Internet!! They told me that this was for the 5th gen though and it wasnt 40 it was 50+ shipping.
but from now on, you and i are enemies
j/k
01-21-2004, 12:34 PM
#38
Originally Posted by -shock211-
it's cool...i'll order one when they have more in stock.
but from now on, you and i are enemies
j/k
but from now on, you and i are enemies
j/k
PS-
...Ouch!
01-21-2004, 03:13 PM
#40
Originally Posted by MrGone
swowlinc- I'm curious, how was the install? Did the end brackets just drop right on or did you have to kind of force it down over the strut bolt?