Just got a 2001 SE 5 speed and loving life. It feels to me to be a little more loose than the 96 SE I had a few years ago. Not driving a Max for a few years maybe I just need to get used to it. Will the rear sway bar make a huge difference? or should I start with a FSTB to tighten up the front? The car is clean and does not show that it was in any accidents, so what do you think?

Thanks in advance!

 

Why not just get both at once?

The FSTB can be had through eBay for about $50.00 or less. The rear anti-sway bar can run you as little as about $110.00. So for less than $200, you've got two great suspension upgrades.

If you decide on only one at the time, go with the RSB. That is an absolute must.

Peace.

 

I'd go with the RSB first, that seems to have the most noticeable improvement.

But like 01SE02SER said, it's not that expensive getting both at once.

 

here are comments from a fellow .org member that might be of value...

"I realized something yesterday, and thought I'd send it along since you originally commented on it (i.e. this ins't news, I just hadn't thought it out this way). With an RSB and FSTB, Max handling becomes pretty decent...on smooth, level roads only. On roads that have dips in them, the inadequacies are glaring.

This became clear when driving my wife's Millenia and then my Max over the same fast cloverleaf (6-10 N onto 59). This cloverleaf has two or three humps and dips in it, and the Millenia cruised through them unruffled - no feeling that the car changed its path, or the suspension was working unduly. In my car, the suspension lurches, have to watch the course and correct it, and it's mildly annoying."

 

John, i'll have to agree with that quote. The RSB does make the Max handle a lot better - but on rougher roads the back-end jumps around and makes the car a bit harder to control.

Even our RSX with a significantly rougher ride handles better on rough roads.

 

We both know who we can thank for the observations!

 

When you put a RSB on the car, the rear end is tight, so it doesn't flex one bit. When you go over a bump, if the right side is higher than the left, since the rear is tight, it doesn't want to flex to accomodate for the bump; causing the unstability. On the other hand, with no RSB, the back end would flex enough to have the right side higher than the left without having any issues.
I have maxspeeds, FSTB, and 235/45s pirelli P7000 on my stock 17s. No RSB and i tell you, the rear doesn't lurch at all. I actually was pushing the car very hard through some corners yesterday (used to be very very scary) and it was very stable and predictable. My previous car was a celica GT-S, which handled great, so i can judge the differences.
From all i read about the RSB, i actually wouldn't go with it if it sacrifices stability through unsmooth roads.

 

sorcereur, once i get my kyb+maxspeeds on i'm actually planning to remove the RSB - hopefully that helps the stability of the Max.

 

I was just talking to lumbee1 and he says that the RSB is very stable, and he'd take that over the FSTB anyday. So i'm getting conflicting info. I'm thinking of purchasing a RSB but if it makes the max unstable on uneven, unsmooth roads i won't. It's not a track so obviously most roads are going to be unsmoot.
So what's the verdict?

 

I have some sweeping 50+ mile per hour bends/curves on the ride home that have 'peaks' and 'dips' and the rear end dances a bit already...it is because of this that I have decided not to install one and possibly make the situation worse. Guess it is a personal call.

 

I heard that Stillen's RSB is adjustable. Would its softest adjustment be sufficient for bumpy roads? (I travel on less-than-perfect roads frequently...)

 

Progress, Stillen and Addco are all adjustable. Brackets all the way out for tighter response, all the way in for the opposite.

 

gotcha, so "all the way in" has more flex?

 

I am a bit confused. If my back end is dancing on the roads now (Philly roads suck!) then I might be best off leaving the back well enough alone. I know the FSTB is a must from having it on my 96 max. I have to start out slow with the mods. Getting the car hit the bank pretty hard.

 

...I have had the RSB for over a year now and here are my observations:

1) I also have lowering springs (H&R) which I had before the RSB so my results may be different from someone who is running stock springs.

2) The RSB has more positive impact on handling - making the rear end of the car feel more stable and flat - than negative. The only reason not to do a RSB is if you literally drive on nothing but broken pavement. On the highway (lane changes) and curvy roads (cornering) it is a great handling mod, probably $ for $ the best improvement I have made to my car.

3) I also have the FSTB and put it on after springs AND RSB were already on, and it has made the least difference. Made the steering feel a bit crisper and tighter though. Just enough to notice.

In my humble opinion, the order to do suspension mods if you have the money is

1) Springs
2) Struts/shocks (preferable to do at same time as #1)
3) RSB
4) FSTB
5) RSTB (most have said on a MAX this is mostly for looks.)

Good luck with your decision!

 

With my 2k GXE I installed the FSTB only. It made cutting a straight line a lot easier. When I got my 2k2, I installed the RSB first. It was a lot more noticeable and improved the ride much more than the FSTB. I installed the FSTB later which made the car "darty". It took several weeks to get used to this setup. After I installed the Maxspeeds, ride quality diminished a little bit. Hard long curves make the car dive in the corner more than before.

IMO get the RSB first; it has got to be the best bang for the buck suspension mod out there. My springs improved the looks and made the car sporty in straight line performance through uneven roads, but cornering has been affected negatively.

I have not found a single flaw with the RSB. The rear end is tighter and more flat through corners. Even on bad/choppy roads with dips, humps, bumps, etc. The ride quality was improved. For reference there is an off-camber turn at the top of a exit ramp with a nasty bump in it. Before the RSB the car would lift up and lurch sideways; not a big confidence builder. After the RSB, the car still jumps out (completely unavoidable by the bump), but not nearly as bad and the car stays in control the entire time.

 

Btw, do you think the diving could be caused by the softer struts? Do you think this could be fixed by using aftermarket ones?

 

See sig for suspension mods. I have very little complaints with this suspension.