Hello,

This newsgroup has me convinced that one thing I should absolutely get is an FSTB.

I have a 99 GXE Auto, and I believe in getting the most bang for my buck (that's why I got the maxima - and boy has it been value for money).

I searched the internet for FSTB's and found that Streetbeat sells one for around 35 bucks, supposedly for 95-99 Models. I would have placed an order straight away, but I noticed that Courtesy has a different FSTB for 99 maxima, which is distinct (at least, has a different part number, not sure if it has different geometry) from the 95-98 Maxima FSTB.

My question is, does the Streetbeat FSTB fit straight into the 99 maxima, or does one have to perform some sort of amputation (eeks) to make it fit the 99 model ? The fact that Courtesy sells a different FSTB for 99 model onwards (for around 90 bucks) is making me think twice before I order one.

I would appreciate any sage advice from all the great guys on this newsgroup.

Thanks.

Manish

 

I have a 99 SE and just put on a FSTB from procarparts.com on ebay for $29.95. It is listed as 95-99. Quality is really good and the bar is about two inches wide x 3/4 inch thick, instead of a round bar. I think this really helps for the money especially going around sweeping corners with mid-corner bumps. The only thing I had to move was the brace on the A/C tube to lower it because they were touching. Very easy to install, like 5 minutes. I was told to torque the nuts to 30-35 lbs.

 

Just wanted to share my bad experience with streetbeat.com. I ordered a FSTB from them and it took over 3 months. I emailed them numerous times all of them which were unanswered and even called them to finally find out they were on back order. I tried to cancel the order and a few days after that I received the FSTB. Go figure?! By this time I wan't even going to try to return it.

 

they took forever on me too so i just cancelled. i called and talked to one of the guys and he sounded cool, and explained what was going on. if you do order from them, just call first and make sure they have them in stock.

 

it had two left feet on it....so it would not fit....but i sent it back and am waiting for the new one...only been a week or so.....ill post back...i talked with jason there and he said he would send it off asap when he recieved the old one...nice bar though...don't know how it performed. ..yet

 

Wow i'm also currently HAVING a bad experience with streetbeat...first they sent the bar but one of the brackets was bent on it, so i send back the bracket for a replacement and they send me the WRONG bracket...now its been almost a month and after calling them twice they said they'd send out the other bracket, this was on monday of last week! I am very unpleased with their service and won't order from them again.

 

I just got my Matrix strut brace put on today. It looks nice, and helped out quiet a bit. I payed 52 shipped for it from Summit Racing, only thing was taht it was on backorder and didnt ship out till 2 weeks later.

 

Got to Cattman or Courtesy Nissan. They are more $$$ but they deliver on what they say. Now 2-4-7 weeks down the road.

 

I baught the bar a few weeks ago from procarparts.com. VERY nice product. Big beefy polished bar, came in 5 days from CA to NJ. Only 30 bucks!!!! Procarparts.com is definately the place to but it from. If you pay 90 bucks or more for this thing your crazy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cg...865003&r=0&t=0

 

greg has a FSTB listed for around 40 dollars. He has good reputation on the board.

 

I had some shipping problems with them as well, they said it would take one week and it took two. I tried calling at the end of the first week and they would put me on hold and then told me they would have someone call me back...did that ever happen...nope. Talked to some guy though and he finally got it figured out. I ordered 5 of them (we ended up paying only $34 a piece since they all got shipped to same location) and all 5 were okay. One guy here in Utah had a 99 and we did have problems installing his, had to remove the small whatever it was from the drivers side strut, he used a crowbar to pry it off and it bolted on just fine after that.

 

I had the same small whatever on my drivers side strut. Used a hacksaw and took it off nice and neat.

 

Seems to be more negative issues with streetbeat than positive experiences.

 

I just ordered streetbeats bar a few days ago, still no email saying when they shipped it

 

hmmmm how bout go for a RSB first? the max's beam axle is the biggest source of the sloppy handling... the FSTB would come second for me...
i'd go for the Courtesy FSTB cuz its well known good service and cheap...

 

I had a great experience with StreetBeat FSTB. Ordered on-line and it was delivered about a week later. Well built, solid, no problems. What a great handling improvement for practically nothing. BTW, it was a Matrix bar. Nice.

Cheers

 

I was the one that posted Streat Beat on the Links Page because of the fact that I didn't have a problem when i ordered my about six months back. It received it within two weeks of placing the order. If everyone is having such a bad experience with them now i would not order from them.

 

Hey what do you guys think if we keep a black list sticky for websites that by experience should be avoided?

 

I got my FSTB for my '99 Max SE within 2 weeks, shipped from AZ to NY. Other than the fact that the label on the bar was for a '95, I had it installed with no problems. However, DO NOT EMAIL THEM. Don't expect a reply. BUT they are nice over the phone.

The total cost shipped was approx $50, so $15 shipping was kinda obsurd, but when you feel how your car handles after it's installed, you'll think it's the best $50 you ever spent!

The bar itself is not unique to StreetBeat. They buy it wholesale from some manufacturer in Taiwan. The brackets are adjustable to fit the width between the strut towers, and the bar itself is chrome, .5" by 1.5" wide, and slighly arched.

You might also want to try http://www.performancesuspension.com
They sell the same bar for $30.

 

just a reminder to the original poster of this thread.. many people claim that all strut bars are created equal. but, when you talk to someone that had one of the cheaper models and then upgraded to a stillen bar, they claim there is a noticable difference between the two. i myself dont have a fstb yet. so i cant say if this is true or not. i had ordered one from streetbeat and shipped it back cause i decided not to go with that one. im suprised that so many people had a bad experience with them. i ordered mine, it was back ordered, they notified me via e-mail two days later, and i had it in about two weeks anyway. im not sure which one im gonna buy yet, probably the stillen, but i do have the addco rsb and i can tell you it makes a HUGE difference in handeling. if your on a budget go with the streetbeat, or one on e-bay. i cant see there being a difference between the one they sell for 35 bucks and the one courtesy nissan sells for 80..

 

go to www.ebay.com i paid $20 for mine and got 2 days after winning the auction. the quality is really good.

 

I just checked out procar.... They say they don't have the FSTB that fit on a 99 " SE " ! did you have any problems w/ the fit? Oh BTW what is a "Flossed" burger/emblem?

 

I got one from them and had no problems with the install. Also, my 99 SE does not have that Cali-spec bracket on the driver strut tower. Check out my website to see what it looks like. BTW, ask for the "C" ends.