Strut bars
01-12-2006, 09:50 PM
#2
i got mine for 25$ on ebay... for the most part i dont feel any difference what so ever.... the only difference is that its harder to work on the motor with a huge strut bar in the way... i would save ur money if i were you...
01-12-2006, 10:27 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 866
A cheap one off of Ebay is well worth the investment in my opinion ($25-30 shipped). I got mine from Courtesy Nissan years ago for about $70, and it was still a worthwhile investment at that price. The cheaper bars do the same thing as the more expensive ones, just without the name and glamor. Some people say they don't notice a difference, while others say they do. I definitely notice a difference with mine, especially at highway cruising speeds (lane changes, emergency manuevers, off-ramps). It is also apparent in sharper turns. The front end doesn't "roll" as much, and I'm on stock SE springs/struts. However, it is not readily noticeable at low speeds like around town in residential areas. I have really pushed my car to the limits on occassion (including 2 pursuits as a cop, both reaching triple digits), and can honestly say that mine with the 3 bars will surprisingly outhandle a lot of other cars (including late 90's Camaro's, a Mustang 5.0, Ford Police Interceptors, and any truck I've been in).
Interestingly, I had taken mine off on night to polish it. My wife took the car the next morning to church, not knowing the FSTB was not installed. When she returned, she commented that the car just wasn't handling as good as it used to. Then I told her about the FSTB being off, and she has now become a believer in them. And my wife isn't one to notice a whole lot about a car.
I also have the RSTB installed. I'm not convinced they do a whole lot for our cars. This could be because of the steel plate behind our backseats adding rigidity to our backends. But it does make a nice bar to hold road gear against the back seat so it doesn't all flop around in the trunk (spare oil, flares, windex, etc...).
The RSB definitely makes a huge difference, even moreso than the FSTB. If you don't have one, I'd highly suggest it first, then the FSTB. The RSTB is really not needed from a performance aspect IMO. Just keep in mind that RSB's induce oversteer, which effectively cancels out a lot of our understeer. The backend will seem lighter, and more willing to kick out (but not excessively, or even like a regular RWD car). I've noticed that a FSTB seems to help keep this in check, probably due to the frontend being tighter and kept flatter on the road. Or it could be because of less weight transfer side to side because of added rigidity.
Anyways, those are my thoughts. I'm very satisfied with my bars (all 3; even if the RSTB is mainly just a trunk rack for gear). The FSTB and RSB are definitely worth the price, and neither impacts the quality of ride like lowering does. But then again, they won't give the level of performance proper lowering will. And contrary to what a few on here believe, our cars are not full blown race cars, even if some try to achieve that. It is still a FWD 4 door with a very impressive balance of sportiness and comfort. Mine carries my wife and 2 kids in style with added performance for safety (yeah, that's what I tell the wife. In reality, performance = fun).
If you have any more questions, post or PM.
Hope this helps.
Semper Fi,
Dave
Interestingly, I had taken mine off on night to polish it. My wife took the car the next morning to church, not knowing the FSTB was not installed. When she returned, she commented that the car just wasn't handling as good as it used to. Then I told her about the FSTB being off, and she has now become a believer in them. And my wife isn't one to notice a whole lot about a car.
I also have the RSTB installed. I'm not convinced they do a whole lot for our cars. This could be because of the steel plate behind our backseats adding rigidity to our backends. But it does make a nice bar to hold road gear against the back seat so it doesn't all flop around in the trunk (spare oil, flares, windex, etc...).
The RSB definitely makes a huge difference, even moreso than the FSTB. If you don't have one, I'd highly suggest it first, then the FSTB. The RSTB is really not needed from a performance aspect IMO. Just keep in mind that RSB's induce oversteer, which effectively cancels out a lot of our understeer. The backend will seem lighter, and more willing to kick out (but not excessively, or even like a regular RWD car). I've noticed that a FSTB seems to help keep this in check, probably due to the frontend being tighter and kept flatter on the road. Or it could be because of less weight transfer side to side because of added rigidity.
Anyways, those are my thoughts. I'm very satisfied with my bars (all 3; even if the RSTB is mainly just a trunk rack for gear). The FSTB and RSB are definitely worth the price, and neither impacts the quality of ride like lowering does. But then again, they won't give the level of performance proper lowering will. And contrary to what a few on here believe, our cars are not full blown race cars, even if some try to achieve that. It is still a FWD 4 door with a very impressive balance of sportiness and comfort. Mine carries my wife and 2 kids in style with added performance for safety (yeah, that's what I tell the wife. In reality, performance = fun).
If you have any more questions, post or PM.
Hope this helps.
Semper Fi,
Dave
01-13-2006, 05:11 AM
#8
If ur gonna get one get an EBAy one...i got one fits good...looks decent....stiffens up the front a little bit....its hard for me to judge because i have a lower tiebar as well so it the front is all tied togehter.......if u want to look at anything drop me a pm i live in buffalo....i also agree sway bar is another great mods to do
01-13-2006, 08:36 AM
#9
MaximaSE96, I live in Buffalo as well, thats why I'm asking since buffalo is known for crazy weather... and I'd like to get a better handle car...
but in general, I see some of you have mixed feelings about the RSB, but seeing ur testimonies, i've decided to get a front strut bar... thanx all
how does this one look
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-96...29398414QQrdZ1
but in general, I see some of you have mixed feelings about the RSB, but seeing ur testimonies, i've decided to get a front strut bar... thanx all
how does this one look
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-96...29398414QQrdZ1
01-13-2006, 12:13 PM
#11
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 24
Originally Posted by MaximaSE96
If ur gonna get one get an EBAy one...i got one fits good...looks decent....stiffens up the front a little bit....its hard for me to judge because i have a lower tiebar as well so it the front is all tied togehter.......if u want to look at anything drop me a pm i live in buffalo....i also agree sway bar is another great mods to do
i'm getting a FSTB here in a couple of weeks just wanting to know more. Thanks.
01-13-2006, 12:32 PM
#14
Originally Posted by cmc82
Lower tiebar?, what would this do and what would it cost. Is it easy to install.
i'm getting a FSTB here in a couple of weeks just wanting to know more. Thanks.
i'm getting a FSTB here in a couple of weeks just wanting to know more. Thanks.
It ties togther the lower control arms helps stiffen the front up...super easy to install if ur 5spd..little more work if ur auto
mattblehm.com
matt93se
IMO....even with coilovers a RSB is still worth it ut my sees track tiem often....coilovers sooth the understeer issues if properly set up right....so in general alot of people dont use a RSB with coilovers...but if it was me i still would..but thats me
Yes strut bars do stuff...thats y ur getting more understeer than before...to help understeer RSB do amazing things jsut get used to it first before u take turns at 70 mph
01-13-2006, 06:20 PM
#16
I actually have tein springs and kyb-agxs on 18s and my ride was madd rough and felt like my car was gonna fall apart when going over bumps and railroad tracks...after I purchased a $20 ftsb from ebay, my ride feels much better and more solid. I would recommend them...cheap and more comfort.
01-13-2006, 06:26 PM
#17
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 29
i was wondering which ones from ebay caused no problems, as some1 who isn't mechanically inclined, i don't won't hassle with parts that won't fit. and i read certain brands require changing certain parts of the strut bar for it to work
01-13-2006, 11:40 PM
#22
Just remove the strut mounting bolts on top in the engine bay,install the end plates,retighten the mounting bolts. Then attach the bar to the two ends,tighten the bar,the screws usually thread in opposite directions.done
01-14-2006, 01:22 PM
#25
Also, energy suspension makes some great poly bushings that stiffen up the ride substantially. New front sway bar bushings made my ride handle a lot better. I'm putting in the control arm bushings as soon as it gets warmer out.
any other thoughts on the lower tie bar mod??
any other thoughts on the lower tie bar mod??
01-14-2006, 03:54 PM
#26
Originally Posted by ethnic6
how do u install a FSTB, jus screw it in?
01-14-2006, 05:31 PM
#28
Originally Posted by Dave Holmes
Mine carries my wife and 2 kids in style with added performance for safety (yeah, that's what I tell the wife. In reality, performance = fun).
If you have any more questions, post or PM.
Hope this helps.
Semper Fi,
Dave
If you have any more questions, post or PM.
Hope this helps.
Semper Fi,
Dave
01-14-2006, 08:55 PM
#29
Originally Posted by ethnic6
thanx a lot all... Bobafear whats energy suspension?
http://www.suspension.com/nissancars.htm
And the FSTB does make a difference. Whether you buy a $25 eBay FSTB or $150 Stillen, they do pretty much the same thing.
Do more research here:
http://maxmods.dyndns.org/index.php?MaximaHandling
01-16-2006, 02:58 PM
#34
Originally Posted by nismos14
Good thing we have vet's like us on the board to help out 
01-16-2006, 06:57 PM
#37
Originally Posted by 1996blackmax
I must have gained a few ponies too 
Plus, now it's harder to steal my stock intake... I've heard those are hot on Ebay these days.
01-16-2006, 07:07 PM
#38
Originally Posted by njmodi
And it helped change my weight distribution to 55/45... crazy stuff..
Plus, now it's harder to steal my stock intake... I've heard those are hot on Ebay these days.
Plus, now it's harder to steal my stock intake... I've heard those are hot on Ebay these days.
I better go and check to see if mine is on tight enough
01-16-2006, 07:53 PM
#39
Senior Member
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Alexandria, VA, & Central Jersey
Posts: 2,647
The front strut bar made for our cars do not really do anything. However there are strut bars made for other cars that do a great deal.
that one is for an rsx, but since it has no bolts but is all welded, it is actually more useful. The reason why the ones made for us isn't AS useful is becaues the bar will actually turn since the nuts aren't a fixed joint. as pressure is being applied, the bolts will either tighten or loosen therefor makeing the bar useless. Thats why that mugen bar will do what it is engineered to do
that one is for an rsx, but since it has no bolts but is all welded, it is actually more useful. The reason why the ones made for us isn't AS useful is becaues the bar will actually turn since the nuts aren't a fixed joint. as pressure is being applied, the bolts will either tighten or loosen therefor makeing the bar useless. Thats why that mugen bar will do what it is engineered to do
01-17-2006, 07:01 PM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 165
Originally Posted by f550maranello2
i got mine for 25$ on ebay... for the most part i dont feel any difference what so ever.... the only difference is that its harder to work on the motor with a huge strut bar in the way... i would save ur money if i were you...
