Just found one on eBay, $22 shipped ($10 + $12 shipping). Tried to get the $28 one a while back but seller ran out of stock.

00 01 02 03 NISSAN MAXIMA FRONT UPPER STRUT TOWER BAR (sold by 4caroption)

Comments?

 

Cool. That's way cheap...

 

From the looks of it, the bar doesn't look like it will do anything besides flex.
I am on the fence about buying one too but from what Ive read they bend very easily which wouldn't help in performance, just in looks.

 

Looks like the ebay one I bought a few months ago... it doesnt matter if it bends a little, its more about compression. I installed mine and noticed a difference right away on ramps for the freeway you can tell it stiffens up the front end and feels way better.

 

I have the Stillen one and yet couldn't tell the difference. I am just buying for the brand...

 

Most of them are pretty much the same, just make sure you torque the strut bolts correctly and make sure the allen bolts are REALLY tight.

 

It's shiny, and has a nice clean look to it.

I'm skeptical of a threaded, adjustable design being secure enough to avoid flex. And the welds on the brackets don't look particular beefy. I've read where people take their ebay FSTB brackets and have them reinforced with a stronger weld.

But it sure is shiny. For $22/shipped, go for it!

 

They all essentially have the same minimal effect, some fit better, look better, made of nicer materials, etc...

I bought one 6 years ago and it still looks great and fits fine, heck for $18 shipped. The bar get really tight when it's all mounted correctly to the strut mount bolts. So go for it.

 

i bought a very similar one off ebay this past summer and i noticed the difference right away, especially on quick lane changes, and on and off ramps. and like it states, for the price you cant beat it. i went for it, and was pleased with the results.

 

I was about to buy one and there are no more for that price...

 

Dang...and they only sold 2 of 'em. Should ask the seller if he can acquire more of 'em.

 

Well it sure looks like some very nice "eye candy" but threaded and adjustable seems like it would have way to much flex ... and given there is very little room over the top of the engine and the placement of our hoods, I would hate to test it at full force in a turn just to see it punch up against the hood and leave a big dent ... but like I said nice "eye candy"

 

im the second buyer of that bar off ebay i should be getting it soon, ill let u kno how it is

 

i have it for about a year now and i love it. i don't know if theres a difference between the Stillen and this but i think it great product and its CHEAP!

 

For $22 I guess you cant go wrong..I mean it looks pretty good aesthetically. I have the custommaxima.com FSTB and IMHO it really improved the turn-in and overall handling of my front end...best $30 I ever spent

 

Anyone who got this bar - did you have any fitment problems?

 

http://www.custommaxima.com/product/...r/Default.aspx

That one?

 

The bar itself looks alright. Not so sure on the brackets they look a little wimpy.

 

Yeah I'm gonna have to do a little grinding...the driver's side won't fit because of the bracket that holds the air box is in the way. Should only take a couple minutes with a Dremel or small grinder.

 

FWIW, the OEM FSTB on my Z is pretty close in diameter and build. It's also threaded on the ends so it can be adjusted, although Nissan stresses that it's been "tuned" for the "best handling" straight from the factory.

 

I bought the cheapo $20 A-Spec one off Ebay and it was a perfect fit. The handling improvements were very noticeable too. My neighbor also picked one up after seeing mine and he said he could feel the difference too. seems like everyone who's had one has good things to say about them.

 

I have the same one, same thing as a stillen one LOL

 

any feedback on the bar?
assuming you have it by now.

 

I have had one of these (different seller, same bar) for over a year and it does make a drastic difference. I took it off recently for my spacer install and it was night and day until I got around to putting it back on.

The bar itself is very sturdy. The black mounting brackets are however pretty cheaply made and warped when I torqued the bar. The driver side is a little tricky to get to fit on the studs around the intake bracket. If you put the driverside on first, you shouldn't have to grind the brackets. Also, the black paint has started to chip. I will be replacing soon with a stillen/otto knockoff.

 

I put the bar on, no grinding. Definitely tighter feeling on sudden steering input. Lessened my loose steering feel slightly.

 

i tired ordering one but its no longer for sale lol i guess i missed out

 

Just bought a Stillen bar off craigslist for $50, it was for an Altima but fit perfect. Didn't even have to shave down the intake as Stillen suggests. It seems to keep the front end planted in high speed turns but that's about it. Also gives me something to lean on while im working on the engine

 

bought the same one a couple months....i noticed a slight difference i think its more for looks.
I had to bend it up a little more because it was touching the intake manifold. Just becarfule not to bedn too much or else it will compress against the hood when you close it.

 

On a related note:

Solid polyurethane motor mount bushings have the side benefit of allowing your engine to sit a little lower at idle position, making FSTB contact with the IM a non-issue, even with spacers installed.

By no means is that the reason for using solid poly bushings, but it's nice how everything comes together.

 

i have an identical one from ebay. No major fitment issues. The plates definately did bend a bit after being torqued down due to not lining up with the notches on the body.
I give the FSTB a Handling Performance - 3 out of 10 Nothing crazy but slightly noticable.
If you guys think a FSTB improves your handling check out a LTB Stage II thats more like a 9 out of 10. Night and Day. Different Car.

 

While I won't argue against you regarding what an "LTB" can do for you, are they $20? Only reason I got this FSTB was to see if it made my steering wheel/feel less "happy".

 

i found one on ebay and someone is bidding agenst me .. lol i know its someone on here. IF YOUR READING THIS .. I CALL DIBS

 

just checked it no more not even in the sellers store

 

isnt there a thread for this already??? its the same as every other FSTB, fits the same and you feel no difference... just buy it if u like it /Thread

 

First off there is no such thing as dibs on eBay. Second, stop yelling

 

Btw.. i jus remembered.. when i bought my i30 there is no strut bar.. is that normal? lol

 

^ yea, stock cars dont have strut bars -_-

 

I've had one of those on the I35 for a few years now and have been happy with it in the long term.

Secret to getting them even tighter is to put the brackets on, then raise the front wheels off the ground from the engine crossmember, then tighten it outwards real tight.

 

gotta check that out!

 

i doubt it will last for long. you pay for quality. but i guess that if most of you guys are happy with it. that's what matters.