i was thinking about getting one... but i was thinking of putting that money towards a cai..

does a rear sway bar significantly improve the handling or is it barely noticeable

 

I bought mine in the Addco group deal, and I think that it is a steal worth every penny. The my Maxima feels like a diffrent car, now I can't take corners like nothing. I strongly suggest you get one.

 

I just got mine in, can't wait to get it on. How long did it take you?

Thanks

 

Approximately 45min, it's very simple to install.

 

yea, and it would been a lot easier if we didn't have to bend some of the screws...took me and my friend approximately 1 hour and a half being we didn't know how to fit things and being it was our first time...

if i had the choice, i would rather get CAI first but the RSB does a good difference when it comes to turns...you'll definitely feel it but you'll feel and hear the difference in a CAI much more...both are worth it though....

 

Bend bolts? I didn't have to bend anything. Everything went well. As far as intake, I already have one, and it is louder than my exhaust.

 

What exhaust do you have?

as for the sway bar, it was the biggest suspension difference i felt on the car besides FSTB and RSTB.

 

Let's put it this way, the RSB will make you want the CAI even more

DW

 

I wish I had gotten my RSB before my intake.

But I got a sweet deal on my RSB though. $100 brand new.

 

I have an Apexi N1 exhaust, with 2.5" piping and the resonator removed. The intake is only louder at WOT.

 

.....does an RSB make a big improvement on handling/cornering, etc? how about the Front and Rear strut tower bars? It seems to me that my lowered car has already improved in handling, but will the bars still further improve it? will it make my ride any harsher?

 

Of all the suspention mods, its got to be the RSB that makes the most noticible difference. The back becomes really stiff.

 

if I had paid 4 times as much as the $120 I got my rear sway bar for I would still say it was worth every penny.

 

What do you mean by stiff? stiff as in handling/cornering or stiff as in stiffer, harsher ride from the back end?

I've heard that the car makes weird popping noises w/an RSB. Is that a big deal? are there any adverse side effects to adding an RSB?

Cheers!

 

You'll notice it when you go over speedbumps or potholes. The rear feels a lot more planted but when you go over speedbumps, the rear is stuff. But for regular driving, it shouldn't really matter.

And people that hear popping noises with their RSB put them on wrong. I heard no popping when I put on my RSB. There are no real adverse side effects to adding a RSB.

 

Here's my opinion. I had the Addco RSB on my car when it was the stock height and then when I had my Suspension Techniques springs (1.6" front, 1.4" rear). The difference in handling was huge. The car was far more stable and I only had the bar adjusted to about 50% stiffness. Then I got Intrax springs (full 2" drop front/rear). With this drop, my roll center was much lower. With as little wheel travel as I've got in the rear, the RSB really doesn't serve a huge purpose. I experimented and took off the RSB. I didn't notice any real difference in handling. I did notice a better ride though because I reduced the rear beams unsprung weight by 15lbs. I ended up selling the RSB.

IMO, if you have the stock height or a normal drop (1.4-1.6"), get the RSB. It helps and you'll notice the difference. If you've got a 2" drop or coilovers, I don't think the RSB will do much for you other than cause a little suspension bind and a harsher ride. The lower you go, the harsher the ride. Some guys really like the super stiff, harsh ride, and absolutely flat cornering. Remember this though, super flat cornering doesn't necessarily mean better handling. Sometimes a little roll is good. Ironically, when Motor Trend tested the Stillen SC Max, they recorded better lap times and higher MPHs WITHOUT the RSB installed. The 4th/5th gen does have a RSB stock and it's HUGE (1.5" diamater). It's located inside the beam (you can see it from underneath the beam). How it works is that it makes the beam into the RSB by tying into the lateral control arms.


Dave