how are the quality of those cheap generic fstb's? do they align with the bolts well? do they stay outta the way of the other things under the hood?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/STRUT...69194690QQrdZ1

..i do understand, 'you get what you pay for'..i'm just wondering if anyone has had experience with these

 

some say that the brand names are better, some say that the ebay one is just as good... honestly I don't see much of a difference, I have an ebay FSTB and it works just fine...

 

i got a generic one off ebay for 35 shipped to Canada and it works fine

 

Strut bars are G@Y, get a real suspension.

 

I have an Ebay one, and it fits right.

 

It was my first mod. I don't see a difference between the ebay one and stillen's 200 dollar strut bar

 

ebay fstb here too

 

Of the ones on ebay, I think the OTTO ones seem to be one of the better designed ones.

 

I don't think it does anything. It was my first mod. Now that I have KSports I don't think I really need it.

 

ok, thanks all. i ordered one off of ebay..hopefully it'll fit well and all.

 

ebay one works just fine. Just make sure it's not rubbing any vacuum hoses when it's installed.

 

You might have some slight fitment issues with an ebay one. For instance, I have washers under the bracket on the top strut mounts so that it doesn't rub some evap equipment. Other than that, it's good for $20 shipped.

 

just would of curiousity how it is better designed?
It was one of my first mods, and i like it when i was stock suspesion. I could feel it alittle when i did a u-turn, or somethign like that, but it makes no great differance exept for alittle bit of looks. mine was $20 shipped off ebay and it is thick and sturdy.

 

Wow. This is honestly the first time I've seen anyone say that coilovers are a SUBSTITUTE for a FSTB. Two different things, two different effects, two different uses.

Suspension mods like coilovers reduce body roll and load transfer, whereas a FSTB reduces chassis flex. Substituting one for the other is like ditching a turbo kit for a sound system -- technically you could make an argument for it, but it's not like one will make the other useless.

In fact, chassis flex becomes MORE of a problem if you stiffen your suspension because you will be placing more stress on your frame, so having coilovers would actually make you need a FSTB more...

 

ding ding ding!

 

So if you are going into a sharp turn at 80 mph, would you rather have KSports or a strut bar? But, I do see your reasoning. I found there to be a way bigger difference in handleing after I put KSports on than when I put the strut bar on. The average Maxima driver will feel a bigger difference with KSports.

 

LOL. You are comparing apples to oranges my friend.

 

Okay, whatever. The FSTB sucks.

 

I noticed a much bigger difference in highway acceleration with my DE-K swap than with my lighter rims. The average driver will DEFINITELY feel a bigger difference with a DE-K than with lighter rims. So, are the lighter rims useless? Is a DE-K swap somehow better than lighter rims?

The Ksports would be a clear choice over a FSTB in a sharp turn at 80 mph. But you can't generalize from that because it picks out one particular circumstance in which the Ksports are specifically designed to give the most benefit, and in which a FSTB gives extremely little (if any) benefit. If my circumstances were different, so might my choice -- if I drove on nothing but bad roads, I would much rather have the FSTB than the Ksports. Just like how if I autocrossed a lot, I would much rather have lighter rims than a DE-K swap.

Plus, a FSTB hardly costs a fraction of what Ksports cost anyway...

 

Get it set up properly and you might think differently. The 4th gen chassis has the rigidity of a big block of cheddar cheese... ANY stiffening will be a big improvement.

 

To add to Justin's post (d00df00d) not everyone is going to spend the amount of money needed for a good k-sport setup. Since the FSTB was my very first mod, I was able to notice the initial difference on stock setup.


Even after getting my progress/illumina setup, I removed my FSTB in hopes to sell it for a stillen one. For the week I had it off, i noticed the difference.

 

I have noticed the 5th Gen rides so much different with KSports than the 4th Gen, due to the stiffer chassis. You always amaze me d00df00d. Every post you make is 100% on point. Keep that KSport thread alive!

One last thing, I couldn't tell a difference with the FSTB vs. without. Mine was something like $25 bucks. Was it worth it maybe, maybe not. It get's in the way whenever I work on front suspension or anything in the engine bay. I do sometimes use it as a handle for reaching inside the engine bay. Now, the engine bay looks naked without it.

 

Good point! Maybe I will notice the difference if I remove it for a day or so. It's like going back to a car without a Y-Pipe. Now that sucks...

 

I'll be honest. Out of the thousands of dollars I spent making my car look like every other car on the org, the strut bar is probably the most effective mod I have.

 

Like every other car on the org?

Then explain how you missed the awesome d00df00d-special FENDER DENT MOD!

 

If you want to see the difference a FSTB makes, try these things with and without it:

1. Find a section of road with a lot of left-right transitions. The FSTB will not add grip but should make your car behave more consistently and predictably.

2. Find a section of road where there are bumps and ruts on only one side. The FSTB should make the car less prone to getting thrown off by them, especially in a corner.

3. Find a parking lot or driveway such that the entrance ramps upward. Go up that ramp at an angle, so that your wheels go up one at a time. This may not be a good test for you since you're slammed and kitted and might need to take it UBER-slowly, but if you go up the ramp at anything more than a snail's pace, the FSTB should make the front end feel more like it's moving as a unit instead of two separate and loosely attached parts.

I got my FSTB (Alutec -- check it out) after I got my Ksports, and I definitely noticed a difference with and without it in those three circumstances.

If you don't notice a difference, you might want to try adjusting the FSTB.

...And if it still doesn't make a noticeable difference after that, I guess we all will have learned something about some eBay FSTBs...

 

Nice reply! I will try those 3 things.

 

Now this is my car acting stiff:

 

My car looks like every other car, not yours.


Yours is extra special with that dent of death.

 

umm..it's rubbing one or two hoses.. i'm not sure which ones they are, but they're near the center of the rod. i'll take a picture later tonight when i have some time, but i dunno if it'll affect anything - long term or short term. i know it's rubbing against a wire cover that's covering a bunch of little electrical wires, but i think it's ok.

 

LOL it's more like comparing an all roast beef suculent hoagie with my dirty, dingy, skid marked undies...

 

^ this one is from the back view

is this ok? what should I do if it's not?

 

..BUMP.. umm.. can anyone help? about the 2 pictures above, i dunno if it's affecting anything..

also, since installing the fstb, everytime i'm going fast on a road is a bit curvy and has lil bumps/potholes/cracks, i almost feel like i'm going to jump off the road. any ideas on what the problem could be?

AND, I don't know if this has been since the fstb (might be), but my tire wear on the front drivers side is HORRIBLE. the thread is practically totally gone. could these 2 have been connected in some way? cuz i haven't changed anything else..ever, really.

 

Check your tie rod ends. If they're worn, that would explain all the crap you're getting.