Got the FSTB from Stealthmax and installed it.

Pros (vs the OBX):

fits correctly
doesn't put pressure on the hood
no more squeaking sounds when the stereo is off
both windshield washer nozzles work
inexpensive
lightweight
does the task it's designed for

Cons (vs the OBX)

less structurally sturdy
not as solid feeling
not as cool looking

For those who doubt the necessity for the FSTB, I removed it 2 weeks ago and didn't put one back on until I installed the FSTB from Stealthmax. Without the FSTB, turning radius felt a lot wider, turning felt sloppier and less sure, the front end felt less solid and looser. So I spent $82 for the OBX, now $55 for the Stealthmax FSTB. Question now is what to do with the OBX FSTB?

 

Forgot to ask, did anyone else bend the mounting rings when they installed the FSTB? I don't have a torque wrench, so I used a regular wrench and tightened it down as tight as I could. The rings don't fit on the strut towers, they are larger and don't lie flat, so when you bolt the rings down and apply pressure, it bends the ring and even causes the paint to flake off the rings.

 

Any reason you didn't choose a Courtesy FSTB??

Just curious -- mines' due here anyday now.
From what I gather, they're pretty much all the same - except the Stillen.

G.R.

 

Tan, check your e-mail

 

Price I guess. Plus everyone else was getting the group deal FSTB. I like to follow the herd... MOOOOO!

 

Checked it, thanks for the info. I'm ordering the torque wrench from JC Whitney. Thanks for the offer though

 

So according to this, you need a torque wrench to install the FSTB? Dont worry Mike, I dont want to borrow yours. I just want to know the correct way to install it so i dont make the same mistake that tan did..

 

Yeah, you gotta tighten it to the correct torque. Over-tightening the bolts can damage the strut towers.

And it's TANMAN. I don't know you

 

LOL! It's not that, Tanman e-mailed me prior to this. Just informed him that i already replied to it.

If you're in Houston i extend the offer to you as well

Tan, well glad you finally decided on a Torque Wrench would have been of more use to you if you got it the very first time

 

Hehe sorry just giving him grief. I'm trying to remain anonymous in case someone is watching .

Mike, I first bought a torque wrench from Sears, but it only worked for 10-75 ft-lbs. So then I returned it and won one on eBay. The eBay seller scammed a bunch of people and never sent the torque wrench (I used CC and just cancelled the charge). Now I'm bidding on another torque wrench on eBay and this one will hopefully be sent. For anyone interested:

eBay dutch auction.

 

sorry guys, didnt mean to be a ****. I am as sick as a dog right now and I just got a OBX and I have been fighting with myself to go out and buy a torque wrench...

 

Sorry man, hope you feel better.

Well, to make you feel worse, the OBX doesn't fit correctly on our cars. It sits too high and puts a lot of pressure on the hood. When I had the OBX on my car, if the radio was off, I could hear the hood and strut towers creaking from the pressure. That's why I bought the FSTB from Stealthmax.

Does anyone know what other cars the OBX bar will fit? I'd like to sell mine.

 

Bump.