whats the best...if i just want to do 1...maybe 2 of them, what should i do first? i have eibachs and will get tokico shocks soon...which would be the best for handling...i've heard almost everyone gets the FSTB first but i've heard the RSB (lower) adds a lot more and you can feel it a lot...i've heard (yes, i know i've heard a lot) that the FSTB doesn't add that much and is just barely noticable as far as handling is concerned...so what should i go with first? i will probably add all 3 on eventually but only 1 for now

 

I have all three (Stillen). I recommend the RSB, FSTB, and the RSTB -- in that order. On my car, the RSTB didn't make much difference...

 

Never drove my Max with just the RSB on b/c I got the FSTB first but I can say that the RSB does much more to help cornering. The FSTB just made the car feel more solid, especially while changing lanes on the highway. Now with the RSB & FSTB the car feels even more planted while changing lanes and almost miraculous on offramps. I think the RSB does more but I just got it so the fun may wear off once I'm really used to it, but I don't remember thinking the FSTB made this much of a difference when I got it.

 

In this order... RSB, FSTB, and RSTB (if you have money to spare, or else use it for another mod).

 

Can someone point me to where to get the RSB (Stillen, I assume) and how to install it? Thanks, Yuan

2001 Maxima 5-spd GXE, super black, carbon fiber shift ****, Courtesy FSTB, and Kolcraft rear car seat (not for racing).

 

Yuan, you can put the description of your car into your sig so you don't have to type it up each time. You can order one from Got Rice? or call Stillen directly. I'm sure you can go to http://www.stillen.com and find their number on the site. If you do call, dial extension 169 for Hamilton.

Installation instructions can be found on Paul2kGXE's site.

 

Thanks for the info. Yuan

 

E-mail Phuong (Got Rice) at gr_racing@yahoo.com

He's super helpful and a fellow Maxima owner, not to mention he'll get you a better price than ordering directly from Stillen.

 

just installed my RSB today and I can't beleive the difference that it makes. I love it. It is by far the best suspention upgrade for the money. you'll be more than pleased with it. it's a new animal.

 

I started with the FSTB because I was concerned about maintaining chassis integrity - all cars loosen up with age - and the front strut towers are a sore point on most cars. The difference was really subtle but surprising - first I noticed that the weird corckscrew motion from the rear in bumpy corners was less, then that the incredibly slow steering was a little sharper. The RSTB will make the most noticeable difference - an any car - but I'm waiting for an alternative to the absurdly priced Stillen. I can't see how the RSTB could make much difference with a solid axle and no struts in the rear - the cornering loads are fed into the chassis far away from the tops of the shock rowers.

Dave

 

You're talking about RSB right? Here is what the MaxFAQ says:
The RSB is the Rear Sway Bar, also know as an Anti Roll bar.The RSB servers to tie up the rear suspension as to limit it's travel relative to each sides. When the two sides' travels are limited, that mean the body of the car will not roll/lean as much. One thing to note is that with the rear suspension travel decreased, the back end tends to have less traction at the limits. Often this will lead to oversteer where as in stock for the Maxima will understeer.

 

My typing is pretty bad. I agree that the RSB (not RSTB) will make the most noticeable difference. The MaxFAQ explanation is not quite correct - travel is not limited but resisted in roll mode only by a sway bar. The change toward oversteer is more complex than just the rear, involves cross weight changes as well.
I did however, mean that I don't believe the rear strut brace (RSTB)can have much effect since the rear suspension is not strut so the spring towers are not the right place to stiffen.

Dave