Should I get a STillen or Courtesy FSTB?
They both function as good right?

 

i would get stillen 'cause for 99's (only) u need a to modify the courtesy

 

to fit it.

 

What other brands of FSTB are good for a good fit and performance?

 

They sell one made by Vibrant, $35.00+$10.00 shipping. If you order, ask them how long it will take. Some of us waited 3 months. I think they're taking 7-10 days now.

 

Where can I order a Vibrant FSTB? Do they have a website?

 

Why doesnt the courtesy FSTB fit the 99's?

 

you sure that the street beat one is just as good?..cuz that price sounds too good to be true

 

its really does not matter which one you get. They all work about the same. Just make sure you get one that fits your car. (the price differences are only for nicer look really)

 

CNC'd aluminum, not a tube or something like that. I'm sure they work just as well as the Stillen, but I love the way the Stillen looks. And you can adjust it, to preload he towers. I don't know if that can be done with the others.

 

Both do the same thang.

 

the brackets are different.

 

I'd pay the extra money for the Stillen bar... looks and fits much nicer.

<img src="http://www.cyberhosts.net/~gotrice/products/stillen/maxfstb02.jpg">

not the greatest picture.. it looks much nicer in person, though.

 

Hey that does look nice. Time for a change.

 

aftermarket look whereas the courtesy bar looks OEM.
Both function the same. Courtesy's bar has to be ajusted no matter what model max you've got. That is just the way it is made since it will fit a variety of vehichles. Stillen is made specifically for the MAX's dimensions- but this is not neccessarily a flaw. Just depends on how often you pop the hood to show off the VQ.

 

thanks for the info...

 

They both function the same. Vibrant makes and distributes to companies through Canada. They are sold through a few companies. I have one Freedom Design and one from Street Beat. They are the same pieces, exactly, except for the Freedom Design model has their logo painted on it. They even have the same mounting plates and bolts. I haven't seen the one from Courtesy, but I suspicion that they are the same. It's true that Stillen's look better, but you can get a front and back for the price of one of Stillen's. The reason why I have 2 is because I made new brackets for the Street Beat one and used it in the back.


Freedom Design cost me $75 with free shipping from ptuning.com
It took less than a week to get it.


Street Beat cost $35 + $10 for shipping & took 2 weeks

 

Does anyone have the URL or phone number for Street Beat? Anyone have a pic of the Street Beat bar?

 

Does the FREEDOM DESIGN and the VIBRANT fit good on the max?

 

I had to take of a bracket near the driver side tower. It was just spot welded on. It came of with a hammer & and a screw driver. Other than that it fits fine.

 

Eeeeeek, I didn't feel like cutting that bracket off my 99, so I just went with the high $$$ Stillen bar *sigh* At least it looks nice

 

Street Beat's url is http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com. I have it, and it fits great (on my 95). They are all adjustable, and the Street Beat bar looks a lot like Courtesy's, which you should be able to find a picture of. It has black mounting brackets. The Stillen does look a lot nicer, but with the $140 I saved I can buy an Addco RSB. Just food for thought.

 

I think I might go with streatbeat. Whats up with installing it? I heard someone say that you have to be careful when you tighten the nuts? Can I do it myself without doing them too tight or what is the right way?

 

Torque them down to about 31 lb-ft. If you overtorque it, you'll risk snapping the upper strut bolt.

 

How do I know when I get to 31 lb-ft?

 

I have the one from street beat and I think it looks great and it also works just as well as any other bar. For stillen you are just payin for the name. Plus street beat can afford to get it to you that cheap cause they buy in bulk.

 

You need to buy a torque wrench. It will run you about $10-$30 bucks. There are different kinds of torque wrenches (3 that I know of). I know one of them requires you to hold it right to get the correct reading.

TMAX

 

PepBoys, Sears, or any parts store should carry a torque wrench