I called Courtesy Nissan and the parts guy told me that the FSTB that they sell is incompatible with the 2k1 SE because it rubs the intake plenum.

Can anyone here confirm this?

Does the FSTB from CustomMaxima have the same problem?

 

That's interesting. They advertise it as compatible with 1999-2003 on their website.

I too am interested in this FSTB - or which ever ones properly fit 2001 SE properly. I'd like to know if they actually WORK as advertised. Suspension on my car is stock (17" wheels w/Pilot Sport tires). Without any other suspension mods, will this (or any) FSTB have any appreciable effect on handling?

 

I've got Stillen one's , Front and Rear, installed at the same time and I notice a change!
It's stiffer in corners and the lateral rolling as decrease.

I own a 2K1 SE A.E. majestic blue 5 Spd

 

buy OTTO ... from procarparts.com or ebay.. no rub ..same as stillen but ALOT cheaper

 

Yes, Courtesy's web site says theirs works with those years. But I called just to see what colors they had left and the person (Butch) said that it wasn't compatible.

The Stillen one is expensive.....otherwise I'd get it.

The OTTO one looks very nice.

I'm also waiting on a response back from custommaxima.com.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

EVERYTHING Steallin has is expensive - sometimes they're the only game in town so wacha gonna do. I saw the OTTO strut bar and agree that it does look nice. It looks like it has no length adjustment to compensate for strut-to-strut manufacturing tolerances. Could this make it a bear to install?

For those who have installed the front strut bar, does it REALLY make a noticable handling difference?

 

Nope.

 

Interesting? I have a 01 SE AE and have had the Courtesy FSTB installed for almost 3 years now... Not a single problem to report. Perhaps they changed the design since 2000.

 

i have a 2k1 and i've noticed some difference in my cornering...
the car just dives into the corners... i like it

 

JJAMES: Have you tried a FSTB on a stock suspension and found it did nothing to affect handling?

Looking at the placement of the strut towers relative to the firewall (which should provide much of the frame stiffening in that area, I would think you'd have to be pushing the car pretty hard to get the strut towers to flex enough to feel it. I'm looking to improve cornering stability with minimal increase in ride harshness. If FSTB is a waste on a stock suspension, where's the best place to put my money?

 

The best place to put your money was in your Pilot A/S, which you have done. After that, if you want to improve the stock suspension, I would have to say the general consensus is a RSB, which I do not have. I don't regret buying the FSTB, as I only paid $12 for it.

And maybe I don't notice the improvement because I don't really fly around corners.

 

I've had a Courtesy bar now for over a year on my 2K1 SE A.E. Not a single fittment issue. Like someone else said...maybe they've changed the design since then.

The FSTB was definitely the least noticeable of all the suspension mods I've done. I could immediately tell the difference after insallation, but it was not a night and day difference. In all fairness though, it was the least expensive mod out of the bunch...and the easiest to install. Absolutely worth the money.

Tony

 

I have installed the same Courtesy bar on a 2k and 2k2, it fit both fine although a little care was required on the 2k2 to clear the manifold (not the 2k). My own 2k has a Stealin, I prefer the Courtesy, the end adjustment is better. The only problem with the Courtesy was that the chrome plated end mounting bolts are not reusable - they are brittle enough to snap on first removal, but very easy to replace.

 

I've had the Courtesy FSTB on my 2k1 GLE for about 4000 miles now with no problems... and i did notice a pretty big difference.

 

Sounds like it may not be a total waste of money then. Just won't expect a total transformation of the car's handling. I may go ahead and give it a try - since, like me, it's cheap and easy Next step - the ever popular RSB!

 

On 2002-2003 the Courtesy bar will make contact with the manifold while in reverse. 2001 Maximas should be fine.