I drive a 2000 GLE auto with no suspension mods (just S-03 tires), and though the high-end/freeway handling is sweet, I am terribly dissatisfied with low-end/street cornering abilities of my car. When I hit sharp turns at high speeds, the understeer and body roll is scary. My suspension desperately needs to be tightened up or something. I eventually want to get the whole nine yards (i.e. fstb, rsb, struts, shocks, springs, etc…), but I am on sort of a shoestring budget at the moment.

So, what should I do??? What’s the best bang for my buck? I hear that the fstb and the rsb are nice, but don’t do sh*t in comparison to what new struts and springs will do. Is this true?

Also, I’m thinking the courtesy fstb is a cheap, quick fix to my problem. How big of a difference should I expect to feel? Will this help prevent the horrid understeer I constantly experience (f*cking fwd!!!)?

Any input is appreciated,
Thanks
Daniel

 

If you're on a budget (like me), I would think that most of the responses you'll get are to get the FSTB and RSB first.

For the FSTB, probably go with the Courtesy unless you want to trust the lower-priced ones you can get on eBay. Then go with either the Addco RSB or the Stillen if you can spend a bit more.

Oh, and lets not forget a good torque wrench and whatever other do-dads you might need, if you don't already have 'em.

 

courtesy FSTB will definitely help. just don't make turns in residential streets at 40mph.. u people are animals!

 

Dan4614,


The budget minded try to accomplish more with spending less
the most bang for your buck as far as noticable difference would be a RSB and Addco makes a decent one, though mounting is critical

http://www.cattmanperformance.com/specials.shtml $119 isn't a bad price either

a FSTB is another less expensive mod

http://www.courtesyparts.com/cgi-bin...t_Code=A33-STB

$79 a real decent price

I have both these pieces and paid alot more, as far as a difference
My wife was even impressed and she doesn't say nuch about the car other than "where's the keys?"

Dave

 

hmmmmm...I think I just might have to order the courtesy fstb. **** stillen, and no I would never get those $40 things off e-bay.

 

Mabey I will just get both. (by the way we posted at the same time so my response under yours was only for the first two). I didn't realized how cheap I can get a rsb for. How much did you pay for intall of the rsb or did you do it yourself? I can handle the fstb, but I don't think I'm going to be able to do the rsb myself.

 

Dan4614,

Both are relatively easy installs and you could do them yourself
the only piece of special equipment you'd need is a torque wrench
so you don't over tighten the fasteners on the FSTB.

As far as the RSW the positioning of the passenger side mount is critical just so you don't have an annoying "thunk" each time you hit a big bump...I lived with it for 6 months prior to finding the sweet spot.

I'd think you'd really be impressed with your car's improved handling afterwards


Dave

 

I have a service shop about a block away that hooks me up, so I'm sure they will let me use their torque wrench. I think I'm going to order the courtesy fstb right away and look at some how-to/instructions before getting the rsb. I've heard of the "thunk" before. How did you finally find the sweet spot--trial and error?

Thanks for all the info. I hope it does make a nice noticable difference.

Will I have a whole lot less understeer? What about oversteer, will it be easier to do? I've been having an impossible time getting decent oversteer in my car.

 

Dan4614,

There are others on the forum that are more technically versed in the aspects of what these mods do to the car's handling characteristics

Let me just say that the car lays flatter in the corners and feels like it's on a rail, you lose some of the sense of speed through the corners as the "leaning" feeling is gone and find yourself grinning sweeping through curves.


Dave