I've had my ebay FSTB on my car for about a year, and it made a huge difference in stiffening up the front end when riding on stock susension. I've had to use washers underneath the FSTB mounts to clear the engine comfortably, and when installing (to torque spec) the threading on either the mount or the nut stripped. Now, I've had to cut those off to install my new suspension
SO: for those who are lowered, do you feel a difference with the FSTB on, or is it negligable.
I don't need anyone telling me to try it myself, because the whole reason I'm asking is that I don't want my brand new mounting brackets and nuts falling victim to stripped thread, so I'm asking this now. VOte/Post, whatever.
THanks.

 

Generally, lowered cars should feel a way more difference than a car with stock suspension, I have an Ebay one and it does nothing but look good in my engine bay.

 

im sur there is a difference. its such a small diff that u wud barely even notice it.

 

i beg to differ.. when i put my stillen fstb on i notice a difference in handling.. it made it a little tighter in the turns.. you will never get full body roll/flex out of the car until you do the support bars underneath the car (dont know the actual name for this).. but about the effects after lowered suspension i wouldnt know.. i had the fstb on before i lowered soo.. it would only make sense that it would help out tho.. since an aftermarket suspension will be stiffer and put more pressure on the body.. also i would re-check the torque specs for the bolts to make sure you are not over tightening.. also does your fstb have an adjustment setting (to adjust the length of the bar) like mine does.. i had to adjust mine for a tighter fit..

 

Im going to have to agree with 97Maximus. I had the bar off for about a week and i noticed how bad the car handled again without the FSTB on. Im lowered on H&Rs/Blues but once i put that back on i felt like i had control of my car again.

 

As soon as I installed it the front end was more responsive and it felt more rigid. My main ?? Does a rear strut bar even do anything?

 

i'm lowered on s-tech w/ FSTB, FSB, RSTB, and RSB. i donno man... i had these for such a long time and they are kinda just expected.

 

whats with the gayion, dude? j/k

Yea, same setup minus FSB, RSTB, RSB... and the difference is noticeable with and without the bar.

 

Well i have the RSB and the RSTB but i am under the impression that the RSTB doesnt do anything because of the sheetmetal behind the rear seats.

 

I dont feel **** with or without..

 

What part of "stiffer chassis makes for better handling" don't you understand?
Lowered or not stiffness of the body is essential for maximum handling.

So to answer your question, yes, the FSTB will make a difference in stiffness lowered or not. Whether or not you ever feel a difference depends on how you drive.

 

Agreed.

 

I would have to agree that I felt a difference. I dont have it on my 4th gen. I have one on my 88 maxima and night and day difference. Steering is better and quicker with response. I bought an ebay FSTB for my 88 and it didnt do crap but my old one I had had on there showed an improvement. Everyone says to get the EBAY FSTB's, yeah they may be cheap but you get what you pay for. I would atleast find one that wasnt expensive but not an ebay one. More name brand like from Paradox. Maybe stillen, or Cattman even though though the prices are high for them the metal they are made out of is better IMO. I was able to bend my EBAY FSTB in the middle after it was installed whereas my old one wouldnt bend for ****.

 

I'm so glad that one of your 25 posts on this website went to my thread, let me thank you dearly for shedding your undying wisdom.

I remember reading on THIS website the debate between effective or not.

 

I have bought a FSTB from ebay and I had it installed after the car was lowered 4"... I can tell you, there is a difference...

Like mostly mentionned, the difference is felt when taking corners ( be it either fast cornering or regular turn)..

The car will feel "tighter" as you are going thru the turn. Basically, picture as if the car's weight stays more centered during the turn instead of wanting to slide out...

for the cost ( $30-$40) I say it's worth the investement.

my 2 cents

 

I have a FSTB, the questions was to put it on the car or not, but I've alraedy re-installed it. Thanks for the opinions though

 

I'm not looking for thanks. I responded to a surprizingly naive question from a guy with 1800+ posts. I wanted to convey to you that it would be effective. Make that 26 posts.

 

Hey sry BigLou for stealing this thread for a second!

I just wanted a consensus that ebay fstb is an ok investment?

 

It's fine, and IMO, it is a well spent $20. I had fitment issues, and had to use washers underneath the mounts in order to make it clear the engine, which in turn, made me strip the tread of the mounting nuts.

 

As I said, there have been posts on this website questioning the effectiveness of a FSTB when lowered. Posts like s0ber's are the ones that made me wonder, since he blatantly states it's ineffective. The FSTB's on my car now, and will be for quite a while until I have to redo my suspension again, since one of the three mounting nuts on the side which I originally DIDN'T have to cut is now stripped on the mount.

 

I hear that a lot. How exactly do you strip the tread? JW for when I do this...

 

I'm not sure how NOT to strip the tread, since I WAS using a torque wrench set to 30 ft-lbs. Using a brand new mounting bracket, and new nuts, I didn't strip any thread on one side, but replacing those things for just a FSTB would be outrageous.

 

Where'd you get new nuts?

 

I had to go to a Nissan dealership. They cost about $2 per nut. You HAVE to buy 5 at a time though, it's kind of retarded. Part number: 01225-00231

 

Thanks a lot BigLou.

Hey by the way, where'd you get your torque wrench?

 

Advance Auto parts, 3/8 in drive for 20 bucks or so.

 

awesome thanks a lot.

 

I still feel it...