Can someone tell me the difference between tower bar and a sway bar. From my limited understanding they both prevent body roll, but in what way and is one better then the other. Or am I wrong and the purpose of the two serves it's on function.

 

cheapest and easiest to install would be the tower bar. It goes in the engine bay and attaches to the top of each strut tower. Takes about 10 minutes to install with basic hand tools

Sway bar will be quite a bit more expensive and will take considerable more time to install. I would probably say that the sway bar would result in a bigger increase in handling than the strut bar but you could always do both...

in short a strut tower bar adds a new part you never had while the sway bar improves upon a part that you already have

 

Upgrade sway bar and get tower bar for huge difference.

 

the rear sway bar (RSB) makes a much bigger difference than the front strut tower bar (FSTB).. you can get a fstb on ebay for as cheap as $40, and cattman is selling a progress rsb for $129 in the group deal section.. form what i've heard the rsb takes about 30 minutes to install, but the difference is very noticeable.. as far as the fstb.. i honestly can't feel the difference, and i've had them on 2 maximas.. some people can feel it and other people can't.. but either way, the fstb does not make a huge difference in handling.. the rsb, however, does make a big difference, and that's why it costs more

 

i like the new sig man.. your headlights look hot

 

Just wait, i plan on getting new ones, or retro fitting these with some projector lenses because of the HID pattern, it sucks.

I got it from here, http://forums.maxima.org/photoshop-a...thank-you.html

Credit goes to gxe2se who made it for me, oh i did the ae conversion myself

 

since the information in this thread so far is less than informative, let me clarify:

- rear sway bar (RSB): reduces body roll during turns. Will increase oversteer (how much depends on the rest of your setup). An RSB makes a SIGNIFICANT difference in the handling qualities of the car, though it doesn't affect ride very much.
- FSTB (front strut tower brace): This is not a "suspension" stiffener per se. It is there to stiffen the chassis and reduce flex when the suspension is under load. FSTBs are not a big upgrade, though some effect can be felt under hard cornering. They go about $50 on ebay or elsewhere, and that's about all they're worth, frankly. I will add that alot of people get FSTBs because they look "kewl" in the engine bay (whereas the RSB is basically unseen).
- RSTB (rear strut tower brace). Very few maximas here use them, because they don't have much effect in a sedan (more useful for hatchbacks). Also they're hard to find anyplce except stillen, where they are way overpriced. I have one, but only because I found it used cheap and already had everything else. The effect is minimal.

In short: FSTB and RSTB are mostly for looks, and have a small effect (and small price)
RSB: will have a much more noticeable effect on handling, though they cost alot more.

Get an RSB.


(btw, I currently have RSB, FSTB, and RSTB so I'm telling you from firsthand experience rather than conjecture).

 

Hell just do both of them...you'll love it!

 

Thanks for the info.

 

FSTB+RSB+SPRING/STRUT combo or coilovers = fall in love with the car AGAIN!

trust me, i did

 

all of those things combined make less of a difference than stock setup + LTB + SFCs....

 

If you are debating on which one to buy, almost anyone here will tell you go with a RSB over a FSTB any day. If that wasn't already obvious to you from irish's explanation.

 

are the energy suspension bushings neccessary for it to work properly.

 

No but they will make the response quicker. Rubber bushing compress more before the anti-roll bar starts to work. Urethane bushings compress very little so the anti-roll bar effects are almost immediate.

Worthwhile upgrade even with the stock anti-roll bars.

 

I know Cattmen had been mentioned and I heard of Stillen, but what rsb do you recommend?

 

Why not go with Cattman's deal ? Its half the price of Stillen .

http://forums.maxima.org/group-deals...mber-sale.html

This guy just got one.

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...-progress.html

 

yeah i ordered my rsb from brian yesturday, cant wait for it, but i just got the ebay front tower bar too. get the one from cattman

 

hey man where did u get those side marker LED's?

 

me??

 

I had just the FSTB until recently. My driver side windshield fluid shooter was not working and I think the FSTB was pinching the line under the hood. So with winter coming, i took it off so I could wash my windshield when they start throwing the road salt around.

When I took the FSTB off, I was actually pleasantly surprised that I liked the way the car handled better without. I think it actually slightly increased the understeer problem that maxima's have. This was a very slight difference, but i would say it was notable. But if you decide to go with one, I would avoid the racingline. I had a few fitment problems with mine.

Then I installed the progress RSB this past weekend and it definitely makes a difference. Makes the rear noticeably tighter and more controlled. Reduces body roll and makes just about all turns smoother.

My choice agrees with everyone else here. Spend the extra few bucks for the RSB.