Front Strut Bar?
12-11-2006, 12:57 PM
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 156
Originally Posted by traxtar944
I don't know if a STB alone will give "go-kart" style turning. I didn't feel too much of a difference with that suspension mod alone. However, when I added the RSTB, and sway bars.....woah momma look out. The car seriously handles better than the miatas I've taken autocrossing in the past.
True story!
True story!
12-11-2006, 01:16 PM
#44
Well i can't deny that it did feel stiffer. But I still maintain my opinion that this mod alone is pretty much for looks only. Add those other pieces and it can make a pretty big difference, though....
While on the topic of suspension mods, I'd like to add that I just recently installed the lower tie bar. This is probably the most noticeable mod besides the sway bars. I posted earlier about a loose feeling in the steering wheel, and after this install the feeling has almost totally gone away. It feels just as tight as the gf's mustang, if not better. I think that the mustang has a different gear ratio in the rack and pinion setup, which is why I thought it felt tighter. The LTB makes up for the difference for sure! I was thinking that getting a momo steering wheel with a smaller diameter would also tighten up the steering.....anyone have any ideas?
While on the topic of suspension mods, I'd like to add that I just recently installed the lower tie bar. This is probably the most noticeable mod besides the sway bars. I posted earlier about a loose feeling in the steering wheel, and after this install the feeling has almost totally gone away. It feels just as tight as the gf's mustang, if not better. I think that the mustang has a different gear ratio in the rack and pinion setup, which is why I thought it felt tighter. The LTB makes up for the difference for sure! I was thinking that getting a momo steering wheel with a smaller diameter would also tighten up the steering.....anyone have any ideas?
12-11-2006, 02:03 PM
#45
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Okc 405
Posts: 999
first off make sure all ur bushings are still in good condition cuz that also effects the way ur steering wheel feels also ball joints and last but not least all the nuts are secured to specs cuz all that can make a good amount of play and make u feel like its loose. and if you want more go with matt93se's stage 2 lower tie barthat has a 4 point chassis mounting stiffing for a tighter feeling of steering. i plan on getting that mod for my VE-5 myself when i get the money for it as well as alot of other things matt makes for the 3rd gens
12-11-2006, 05:43 PM
#46
Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 168
Just bought myself a strut brace. It should be here on Friday. Is it really as simple as it looks to install? It looks like all you need is a decent wrench to do it, but I figure I'd better ask these sort of questions before it gets here. I like to be completely sure of what I'm doing before I actually do it.
12-11-2006, 07:42 PM
#47
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Okc 405
Posts: 999
best to use sockets but first sprey the nuts on the towers with wd 40 to get the rust to break loose alil then take a cresent wrench and break the nuts lose but be careful not to strip the nuts then once broken free use a 16 mm socket i beleave thats the size that those nuts on the towers are someone correct me if im not right and take them off and place the strut bar on and juz tighten back up the bolts onto the towers if u want u can also put some anti sezie lub on the studs coming up from the shocks so that if later need be removed wont be as hard to remove them again.
12-11-2006, 09:44 PM
#48
For all reading this thread and looking for a strut tower brace...I AM still selling my old one for $15 shipped. You really can't beat that and it's as good as new. I only used it like 4 months untill I got the custommaxima one.
12-13-2006, 03:03 AM
#50
Originally Posted by elusivemax93
best to use sockets but first sprey the nuts on the towers with wd 40 to get the rust to break loose alil then take a cresent wrench and break the nuts lose but be careful not to strip the nuts then once broken free use a 16 mm socket i beleave thats the size that those nuts on the towers are someone correct me if im not right and take them off and place the strut bar on and juz tighten back up the bolts onto the towers if u want u can also put some anti sezie lub on the studs coming up from the shocks so that if later need be removed wont be as hard to remove them again.
Hey jlars205 I believe they are 14mm nuts and I would recommend using PB Blaster over WD40..compare them and you'll see huge difference overall. If you have a VG30E you will need to slightly move that big AC line a bit with a screw driver or something of that sort so you can have clearance. If you search you'll see that I made a thread about 1 year ago asking how to install FSTB...you'll find all answers for questions in there
12-13-2006, 09:31 PM
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Townsville, Australia
Posts: 162
Originally Posted by RMTC
i bought an ebay one and noticed nothing other than it looks cool and you can say you have it.
And as for reducing roll, simple physics says that a strut tower brace cannot and will not reduce body roll. Heavier springs and Anit-roll bars (sway bars) do that. But if strut tower flexing is reduced it should keep your tyres flatter on the road and therefore improve steering feel/response during hard cornering.
I put heavier anti-roll bars on about 3 months later and they certainly made a difference! Definitely better bang for buck than the STB.
I also put a stage 1 lower tie bar on a while back, I think I may have noticed a slight difference, but could also be explained by the placebo effect!
12-13-2006, 09:38 PM
#53
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Okc 405
Posts: 999
thanx for the size correction ColumbainMax lol wasnt sure as i havent had to mess with those bolts yet in a good whiles on this max last max i had i did but this one since ive bought it i havent done any suspension work yet to it
12-15-2006, 08:30 AM
#54
Originally Posted by elusivemax93
thanx for the size correction ColumbainMax lol wasnt sure as i havent had to mess with those bolts yet in a good whiles on this max last max i had i did but this one since ive bought it i havent done any suspension work yet to it
....except I got another correction to make on the quoted statement as well 
Its with an "O" 
and its ian but I know those were typos right 
12-16-2006, 12:53 AM
#55
The one I'm selling looks like the one in post #43. I'll be back home on Tuesday. $10 and I'll give it to ya, no shipping necessary. $15 and I'll give it to you if you want me to meet you halfway.
12-16-2006, 04:32 AM
#56
Dude since you'll be home on Tuesday I hope you'll be attending the "Chicago Maxima Club" meet at Ginos East great food, great cars,cool people, fun pictures. That way Brian and I arent the only 3rd genner there. There's no FSTB pic on post #43..did you mean like the one on 41 or 42?
great food, great cars,cool people, fun pictures. That way Brian and I arent the only 3rd genner there. There's no FSTB pic on post #43..did you mean like the one on 41 or 42?
12-18-2006, 04:40 PM
#60
Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 168
Hey ColumbianMax, this is completely off topic, but I just noticed something about your engine bay. Where is the the vessel for your radiator fluid? Mine is right in front of the battery and I have a VG as well. Just curious.. You have a very clean engine anyway.
Oh, and my strut brace came today. It's going in tomorrow afternoon.
Oh, and my strut brace came today. It's going in tomorrow afternoon.
12-19-2006, 10:02 PM
#65
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 14
I like it when you get a OEM looking brace and you get through SCCA or other Tech and raises no suspicion and no points lost. thats just me!
Its a simple brace that makes sense especially with soo much weight up forward.
Its a simple brace that makes sense especially with soo much weight up forward.
12-20-2006, 04:06 PM
#68
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 38
Originally Posted by ColombianMax
Hmm, red looks cool, the rest I'd kept chrome but then again thats me..I'm keeping it chrome as it IS a gxe
Nice job...lets just see how long the "chrome" holds the paint
Nice job...lets just see how long the "chrome" holds the paint
from the cadillac dealer
12-23-2006, 07:52 PM
#75
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: BFE, UT
Posts: 3,194
Originally Posted by jbeau
is the rstb that big of a difference? I have a large system in the trunk, just wondered if it was worth modifying my setup when the new stuff goes in in the spring thanks
www.mattblehm.com
$100, spendy but worth it.
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