I have seen a lot of lurkers lately and some newbies (Welcome to the forum - I think you will find a lot of great things about it) and I've seen the question more than once on the first mods - what they should be. Based on my experience today, I will give my opinion (and that's all it is) and hope to provide some rationale on why I think these are the best two mods to do first.

They have been doing construction on my way to work and about three weeks ago, they built a new entrance ramp onto the highway. From the smaller highway, you have to make a left turn at a signal onto this entrance ramp to enter on the interstate. It is an S-shaped entrance ramp (but not exactly as tight as an actual S- but it is of that design). It's rush hour and there's a fair amount of traffic and I always wind up behind a string of cars doing 25 miles an hour because of the S.

For the first time, the light turned yellow and the car in front of me went through and I stopped so I could be first. When the light turned, I punched it. Accelerating rapidly I took the S-turns nicely with my FSTB and RSB grabbing hold of my suspension and keeping things tight through the turns. Shifting smoothly through the gears (auto, but with 1st TCM replacement and vb mod), the turns felt great and I didn't hesitate as I was pushing my foot down more and more as I approached the interstate. I jumped out onto the interstate at a nice 80 MPH and out-ran the car that came up on ly left and was trying to prevent my merge onto the interstate. The adrenaline was definitely pumping. Coming at 80 out of those turns to jump out on to the interstate was a rush. The car handled so niecely and I was so comfortable in the turns. It was fantastic.

So, based on the performance value you get from the handling improvement, I recommend these to be first. Sure struts and springs and lowering your car will improve the handling even more, but the FSTB and RSB are moderately priced and give you such a bump in the handling that they get my recommendation for all those who want an opinion as the first mods you should get for your car. Thanks all for listening. For an old guy like me (27) who doesn't race....much!, I enjoyed that little rush from my baby this morning!! (Made me sad to get out of the car though to come to work!)

 

Definitely, FSTB and RSB are good first mods....they are pretty easy to do also and you will feel them...

 

I'm one of the newbie's asking all those questions.

I have some quotes from Stillen and Avalon for the Stillen RSB and FTSB. Stillen=477 and Avalon=415 (for both)

Does anyone know how much shipping is from Avalon?

If I can change my oil, can I add these? I feel confident I can.

Thanks

 

Yes you shouldn't have a big problem. I've never changed my oil but I put on the FSTB, and RSB (Stillen) myself. I don't think I am really mechanically inclined but I had no real problems. Plus all there a bunch of people on this forum that have instructions on their websites on how to put on the RSB. The FSTB was a piece of cake!

 

I am a complete idiot when it comes to things (ask mingo, Paul2kGXE, mdeal, etc......) and I did these without any problems so you can do them fine. I have never ordered from Avalon so I don't know their shipping costs, but I would assume that they are reasonable compared to what anyone else would charge.

Again, welcome

 

there is a group buy right now for the stillen rsb... its going for 219 + shipping. here... check it out:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=28883

 

So the car handles less like a sedan, and more like a sports car? Able to go fast through curves, with less body lean etc...


I have heard something in other posts about a wheel lifting off the ground in hard cornering wiht the RSB. Is this true?

 

One more thing, to install the RSB, can I put my back wheels up on the ramps I use to change my oil? Will that give me enough clearence? thanks again

 

The instructions say that you are better off if you use jack stands and remove the wheels. Your installation will be much easier. I could not (and still cannot) get my lug nuts off (due I'm sure to overtorqueing by the dealership when they rotated mytires). I used jack stands to raise my wheels and it was fine. So, if you choose not to or cannot remove your wheels, you will still be ok, it will just be a little more difficult.

It makes the car handle a lot tighter. True sports cars handle even better, I'm sure, but the RSB and FSTB make the car handle more similar to a sports car and less like a loose family sedan. That's been my experience.

 

Soon I will be getting my FSTB, probably from $tillen. The FSTB was my first mod on my old Sentra and it was like night and day! I can't imagine what the FSTB will do for the Maxima. I read somewhere on this forum before that the RSTB is not as noticeable as the RSB (which mounts underneath)...?????

 

The RSTB, as I have heard, will not be very noticeable unless you push your car to the extreme limit like when you autocross. The RSB is much more noticeable though.

 

I guess I'll wait to get the RSTB! The RSB sounds more appealing...

 

I just ordered a FSTB from Courtesy Nissan for $79.00 and it does the same thing that Stillen does for alot less money. I plan on getting the rear as well. Probably from Addco. They have it for $160. That is a total of $239+shipping. And if a Maxima doesn't have a stock rear anti sway bar, why wouldn't adding one be a big improvement?? I am under the impression that you COULD feel a difference.

 

You're confusing RSTB and RSB. RSB= Rear Sway Bar = Big Improvment, RSTB = Rear Stut Tower Brace = In the rear not a big improvement.

 

ah....gotcha! My mistake. Good to hear b/c I had no plans on getting a rstb. I want the sway bar-Thank you

 

I just bought the stillen RSB and FSTB. How long did your's take to arrive? Avalon are in New Hamphsire and I'm near Philly...

 

is their any online resellers that sell STILLEN products? or is www.stillen.com the only place I can buy from?

and how is the installation? very easy, easy, hard? you just bolt them on?

 

I bought Stillen RSB and FSTB from Avalon racing. The two together from Avalon are 411, the two together from STillen are 477. Here's the link:

http://www.avalonracing.net/maxima.htm

I live near Philly, and Avalon is in New Hampshire, so it made sense for me to get Avalon, not to mention they are cheaper...If I lived in CA, and I wanted the parts right away, I might order directly from Stillen.