They have some cheap FSTBs on ebay and I wanna kno if they will perform any less than the more expensive(eg:stillen) bars. In other words, is there anything I should know about strut bar quality?

ebay:

1) CNC FSTB- $40+s&h
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-03...spagenameZWDVW

2) Carbon Fiber FSTB- $11+s&h
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-03...spagenameZWDVW

3) Sabersport FSTB- $16+s&h
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-03...spagenameZWDVW

 

Get the first one, It's a Stillen copy, which probably works the best.

That's what most of us here have.

 

they are all the same. None are better than any others. Period.

 

I think I'm going to get the third one. It's cheap and I guess better then nothing.

 

I got OTTO. Here's the reason: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....highlight=FSTB (post #18)

 

they are all the same.. the cheapest one will work the same as the most expensive one.......

 

I got the Otto (stillen copy) to avoid the issues of rubbing the engine and depressing windshield sprayer hose.

 

I got the Otto one as well, you are only paying for the name if you go with Stillen.

 

does anything special go along with installing the otto fstb or does it just bolt right up?

 

You need to tourqe them down to a certain number with a tourqe wrench. Dont remeber the number though. Try to install it on a flat surface. I have the Otto FTB, w/ no problems. It rubs against the black hood heatsheild a little though. I dont know if you keep the black rings.

 

I got the first one there thats a stillen copy. Should be here this week but UPS sent a notification saying it wsa delayed

 

Torque it to 35lbs. as per Nissan instruction.

 

I just ordered an Otto bar.

 

just ordered the #3 special with extra wa-bammm. Can't beat 28.50 shipped!

 

I just ordered an otto for $45 shipped. Now gotta find someone with a torque wrench

 

Try installing it with the front wheels off the ground (jacked up). A little theory I have since auto-cross: I last installed my FSTB when the car was up in the air (changed springs). Might have "spread" out the chassis and stiffened it up better. Just a theory. Probably BS.

 

There's been a long thread about it some time ago. As far as I remember, at the end everyone agreed that it's better to keep the wheels on the ground when you install chassis braces. What happens is, you basically preload the bar, which results in poor wheel alignment and extra strain on the chassis.

 

I went with the Sabersport (#3).. That should do the job for the everyday street performance that im lookin for.. at a real good price

 

i heard this before too, havent done it tho, and it does make sense that that would temper with the alignment. btw id go with the 1st or 3rd one.

 

where did you guys pick your otto bar from?

 

im guessing ebay, big selection of otto bars from ebay

 

here on the forum is where I found mine

 

i got the ebay one and it works just as good as any FSTB. i bought JIC magic FSTB for my 240sx (probably top of the line) and they did the same crap the ebays ones did. but try to avoid the ebay ones if you can. get something a little better like the otto one.

 

I own the third one. Works fine with stock wheels and tires.

Chassis feels a little tighter and a little less understeer on the highway ramps.

Occasionally, it may bang a little in reverse but besides that....no clearance problems.

thanks

 

Very good question. I have been looking to buy an Otto bar for the last month, scanning ebay every day and none have come up. Any other options out there?

 

BigFly - There's Custom Enterprise, I'm seriously considering them, they have a red or blue on sale for 49.

Where else can you find Otto racing besides Ebay? Where did every one else get theirs???

 

All the quality FSTBs are the same in terms of performance. Some of the ebay specials really are complete crap though. You could bend them over your knee so theres no reason to expect them to do anything in terms of making the chassis more ridgid.

I think there is deff a difference between FSTBs but I also think FSTB makes very little difference so its money better spent somewhere else.

 

I'm getting a used Stillen from a fellow org member, I currently have a generic cheapo, I'll post up when I get the Stillen on with any different impressions, obviously looks but I'm wondering if there is more flex in the cheaper alloys. I was orginally going to get an Otto but a Stillen for a couple bucks more is peace of mind.

Procarparts on ebay sells the Otto from time to time

 

if your car is already dropped, is there noticable difference between having a front bar and not?

thanks

 

FSTB improves chassis ridgidity, it is not a suspension mod. Thus it shouldent matter if the car is dropped or not

 

thats what my belief was, but I saw someone post here that rsb works best on an unmodified suspension, etc..

thanks for reply

 

#3 Sabersport, have had it on for 4 months and it works fine.

 

Sorry to bring this back but better than yet another thread on the subject....
Can the 4TH GEN (99) OTTO STRUT BAR fit our 5th gens?
thanks in advance.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NISSA...ayphotohosting

 

Buy Cattman's Titanium FSTB. Last time I checked, it costs ~$200.

 

i don't think they will...i think i read somewhere that it wont...but what do i know

 

............................................. ...nah. ~$200 for just a fstb FTL.


Dammit LOL
Thanks anyways. Anyone else might know for sure??

 

I like the OTTO bar best. I purchased the Stillen bar for my 01 purely for looks before function. Otto bar looks exactly like Stillen for alot less, too bad I didn't find the Otto last year.

 

MJK mentioned RSB, i chose Stillen again, I thoght the mounting brackets for the trailing arms were well made compared to others. I installed rsb after f & rstb and noticed immediate improvement. Removed the rstb for comparison, and really didnt notice it was gone.

 

QFT, plus bold for emphasis. The difference DOES exist.

The thing is that the difference is not always noticeable unless you have really really stiff suspension (e.g. coilovers) and/or you are really picky about how your car rides and handles. If you're not on coilovers or you're not uber-sensitive, by all means, grab an eBay FSTB. Otherwise, at least get the Otto FSTB.


Wanted: Someone to give me a dollar for every time I repeat that FSTBs and RSBs are NOT comparable. They do entirely different things.

A RSB affects how the suspension works and does nothing for chassis stiffness. It works great with stock suspension and most coilover kits, but can sometimes be problematic for some people with certain aftermarket spring-and-shock combos.

A FSTB is chassis stiffening and does not directly affect how the suspension works. It really just helps make sure that the chassis doesn't flex in corners and over bumps so that the suspension can do its job as it's supposed to. With a FSTB, the particulars of the suspension setup don't matter as much. The only thing that makes a big difference is the stiffness of the springs: the stiffer they are, the more of a difference the FSTB will make because the chassis will be subjected to greater forces.

 

This thread popped up again and reminded me. Well my Stillen is on, it does look better, no noticable handling difference but I think the key here is in the build quality and as in an earlier thread Steven88 had a cheapo ebay one break at the weld on the bracket, so that's something to consider. Hope this helps.