for those of you already have Stillen front strut brace/tower bar, do you think
it's worth the money? do you actually feel the difference like less body flexing?

also, for altima 3.5, stillen strut brace makes slight contact with engine as
the engine rocks back and forth. does maxima have this problem also?

 

many have already noted that they noticed hardly anything. When I finally get the RSB (if ever) I want the FSTB just to help neutralize the oversteer from the RSB.

w/o the rsb, i would noway install it. i experienced understeer the other day... trust me you don't want more of that. I'll take oversteer anyday.

If I'm right, you can turn to the slide and drive out of oversteer? w/ the understeer, my only option was to let off the gas.

 

Get a RSB. It is really effective, I assure you. I have the prototype for the 05 Max and its very impressive. The production model is 2 mm bigger. When I get that and springs, Ill install the FSTB.

 

I was wondering, how does the front strut tower brace neutralize the oversteer caused by the rear sway bar? I though the strut tower braces only made the car more rigid. What am I missing?

Yup, that's right. Oversteer and I became good friends back when I had a Camaro. Damn, I miss that car.

 

this is from limited info I have read about the FSTB. If it causes understeer (tightening the front) where the RSB causes oversteer, there should be less oversteer and you have your tighter cornering.

one caution though with our weak struts. along with if you add lowering springs, adding a FSTB can possibly give your dealer a reason to deny warranty work once they fail.

of course that can give you a reason to buy the koni adj. inserts.

 

I already have stillen rear sway bar, and I ordered stillen front strut bar.
i have a question.

do i have to make any modification to install stillen fstb?
I heard altima needs modifications to install it due to its slight contact
with engine as the engine rocks back and forth.
do we have similar problem like altima has?
any advise before installing stillen fstb?

thanks guys

 

How long did they say it would take to receive ur bar. I went to Stillen to pick up an intake and they said they didnt have any in stock.

 

I ordered online, so I don't know....hmm i might have to call them tomorrow.

thanks for the info Deus!

 

I just called Stillen, and they said it's out of stock and it's gonna take couple of weeks to get some more.

 

They told me they had to have them built. You'd think they'd have some in stock, sheesh.

 

i cancelled my order...didn't wanna pay first and wait for couple of weeks.

 

i agree, i just said id try calling later

 

I have the strut tower brace and it did rub. I just used a dremel tool to grind a little groove to make clearance. No big deal. Works great. Corners better. Thanks.

 

I bought my strut brace today. Ill let u all know how it affects the handling.

 

you can also put some washers under the strut brace mounts to prop it up abit so it won't hit....

 

Great idea. How do u install it under the plastic covers that cover the upper strut attachment area? Is it cut? If so, how did u do it?

 

The FSTB rubbing problem is fairly common. The one on my Sentra rubs (only in reverse), and the one in my Maxima rubs (only in reverse). The problem is slight, and it only happens when I'm in reverse, so I'm not too worried about it.

The gains from an FSTB are NOT dramatic, but since FSTBs are so cheap, I consider it a worthwhile mod. Just keep in mind that our cars already understeer, so you should be stiffening the rear along with the front. Putting on an FSTB alone isn't going to make you suddenly start understeering all over the place, but it will alter the feeling of your car as you approach the limit, so be careful until you get used to it.

I don't know what parts are available for the 6 gen, but you might want to look for something cheaper than the Stillen bar. The FSTB is NOT a sophisticated piece of equipment. I firmly believe that you get what you pay for (usually), but in the case of a front strut tower brace, you don't have to spend a lot.

 

how do u install it under the plastic covers

 

How could they make a FSTB that hits the engine? Are they idiots? Dont they do extensive testing of their products? QC? R&D? C'mon..

 

it's b/c we got included to availability after it was designed for the Alti. it's a lot cheaper=profitable for them to produce one bar for only a minor difference in 2 similar cars.

i think some "trimmed" the covers, others just let them "bend" over the bar.

so the rubbing is only on the engine, under the bar? not the hood?
Tek-Niq: do you have your bar yet, with the washers as you suggested? curious if that would cause it to rub the hood.

 

What plastic covers? The six nuts you need to remove in order to install the fstb are exposed when you open the hood.

I don't know why they make them that way, but it's common. It happens on both of my cars, but ONLY IN REVERSE. I guess that when they designed the bars, they test-fitted them but neglected to remember that the engine shifts slightly when you go into reverse. It's not like the fstb goes banging into the engine every time I hit reverse. It just comes lightly into contact with the top of the intake manifold and causes a vibration/buzzing.

 

spiro, we (6th Gen) have plastic covers over out struts and sides.

 

The fstb comes pretty close to the hood already. If I raise it with washers to stop it from coming into contact with the intake manifold in reverse, then it might come into contact with the hood. Since the rubbing problem isn't really that bad, I don't think I'll worry about raising the bar.

 

You know what? I totally forgot that I was in the 6th gen forum. Lol. I usually post in the 5th gen forum. Sorry, guys. I forgot that the new Nissans (Maxima, 350Z, etc.) have those plastic doodads.

Also, I've never seen an fstb installed on a 6th gen, so I don't know how badly your bars rub the engine or how close your bars come to the hood. I just know that on the 5th gen, it's already close to the hood, so raising it to avoid rubbing against the engine isn't really worth it.

 

I figured as much. It's cool though. thanks for chiming in and helping.

 

So, what are you all doing about the plastic covers??? Remove them completely? Cut them? If so, how do u cut them and to what shape? WHy didnt Stealen include a template to cut the plastic covers?

 

i think this may be the best solution... but who else wants to try it before i do?

Duess, I'll dremel my covers or remove them.

 

Just my $.02 as a lowly 5th gen owner:

Since the vast majority of cars don't even have those plastic covers in the first place (older Maximas included), would it hurt to just remove them and forget about them?

 

Dues, they are easy to cut. No need for a template. Then paint black....oh wait, they already are.

 

Hopefully you can see in this pic...easy to figure out where to cut. Plastic is very thin.

 

Jayzmax: Do you have any closer pics of the plastic covers? I figure ill use my dremel to cut. I want to keep the factory look. Then Ill paint the bar black

 

Dues, this one might be a little closer.

Really, its no big job, and is very easy. I didnt even cut mine perfectly (unlike my custom headlights) and you cant even really tell.

 

Is the other side the same?

 

man just trim it how u like. be artistic. u can do a straight chop, or curve around just enough of clearance, or do a nice design.

once u pop it open, I'm sure you'll figure something out. I may just remove the strut covers.

 

Nissan should have just included one with the car if it has benifits, if not...i guess it dosent matter.

 

My bar doesn't hit the engine. It hit the hood. I had to slightly grind the top of the bar to stop it from hitting.

Oh and I like the FSTB. I have both the FSTB and the RSB great combo.

 

I just installed the bar this morning. Very simple. The driver side plastic cover was the only cover needing trimming. I just took my dremel and cut a small piece off and it fit great. Its barely noticable. I took pics and Ill post them later. Lets see how she drives!!

 

good job. also comment on if u notice any rubbing.

 

Check my album on my signature for new pics of the car with grill, Stillen lip in place but not painted, and strut brace pics.

 

u coulda atleast posted your sig with that post gotta be difficult. you just want us to visit your profile....