I was just cruising eBay looking for a FSTB, and I've noticed a lot of them on eBay with a buy it now price of $7, which $16.50 shipping. That's $23.50 shipped for these FSTBs.

My question is, is there any real difference between one of these and an Otto/Custommaxima/Stillen bar? It seems that it's all the same concept, and you're just paying for a logo slapped on it.

Can anybody confirm/deny?

 

No difference other than looks and price.

 

Awesome, that's what I was hoping.

Edit: $22.90 later, a budget FSTB on its way!

 

yeah, i paid 26.99 w/ shipping and mine works/looks great

 

i got mine on ebay also.

Greg

 

Me too , 8 bucks plus shipping, excellent!!! BEST TWEAK EVER!!!!

 

it's a piece of metal basically...no difference between stillen the ebay stuff...Although i did hear something about the FSTB "touching" the engine ( as the engine tilts as gears change etc..)...anyone see anything like this?comments?

 

Only ever heard of this with VQ35 owners. I did have a bit of a problem with the engine hitting the bar when I gunned it in reverse (reverse, engine tilts forward). I put a few washers under the mounting brackets and the problem's been solved.

 

So did I from EBAY but I spent more for look and got a OTTO RACING one for the front and a generic one for the back. don't wanna sacrifice looks when it come to the engine bay.

 

So the problem of hitting the egine is only for VQ35 and not VQ30 engines?

 

Only ever heard of complaints with the VQ35. I have a VQ35 and experienced it myself. Can't speak for VQ30 equipped A33's.

 

Interesting. I'll take your washer approach since I have a VQ35.

 

another ebay fstb user, paid about $22 and it works perfectly and looks pretty good imo.

the problems with the fstb touching the engine for the 3.5 are most likely very rare, and might actually signal there's something wrong with the motor mounts.

 

There's nothing wrong with the mounts.

As I explained in my post - I have to hit the gas pretty hard - in REVERSE - to get it to happen. Under normal "reversing conditions" there is no problem. It's just when you add the low clearance of the bar from the manifold in the 3.5s with heavy acceleration in reverse (causing the engine to tilt forward) you have the possibility of touching the bar to the engine.

 

isn't the shipping on these lke $20?

 

Hmmm... I might actually look into these eBay FSTBs... since I doubt I'll be gunning it in reverse anytime soon....

 

I was thinking about getting one of the Ebay FSTB's and then spray painting it black to match the exterior paint of the Max. I have some Rust-Oleum "High Heat" black spray paint that I think should work great on it. I think this will eliminate it standing out too much and will put less a burden on its looks.

 

I just ordered on yesterday for $23 total... how do ya think the paint will hold up, given all the stress the bar will be under?

 

should hold fine, has on mine

 

Thanks... I might paint mine too...