Just got the pre-owned GTSpec FSTB I bought from a member of this forum (thanks WPPJR30!) and installed it this morning. My only other suspension mods are an Eibach sway bar set. The front sway is set to full stiff, and when I switched to it from the OEM S-sway the steering response did go up, but not as much as expected. Figured a FSTB setup would help with that by reducing the added chassis flex stiffer sways will inherently cause.

It helped for sure with that, but more noticeably it reduced cowl shake considerably, and made the whole front end including the steering feel more solid. There is less resonance felt through the floorboards and steering column as I drive.

Overall a very nice inexpensive mod, but in no way would I put myself in the camp that says "it's the best mod for the buck." It's very good, but shines most with setups running stiffer sways or spring rates IMO. It shouldn't be a first suspension mod if you are seeking actual performance gains over mere appearances.

Anyhoot, on to the pics (the previous owner painted the brackets RED which I prefer miles over the sickly GTSpec blue - just not my thing).

 

You can always change the color like i did. I am going change the color again. You should upgrade the sway bars.

 

Huh? What are you taking about? Did you not read my post completely?

 

Good stuff, Ash, and nice write-up/analysis.

 

I was doing 2 things at once. Sorry. I do think you should change the color to something that flow with the color of the car if your going to show up your engine bay

 

Ah, got it.

And nah, i like red. And i don't really care about showing off- I'm more into subtlety. Once i paint the bar black it will look more how i like it.


And thanks again, JR!

 

That should be different. Hope you will post up the pix when you do that.

 

did you have the car lifter off the ground before the install? if not thats why you havent noticed it much. i installed these on a friends car and it worked wonders. looks great by the way!

 

I did not, because that adversely affects alignment, unless you intend to realign after. You want to install it in static state on flat ground. Lifting the car changes the geometry of the towers. Again, if you realign after it would be fine, but that was not my intent.

Rest assured, it is functioning and there is no play.

 

I have not changed from stock sways, nor do I have the strut brace. What could I expect from adding those 2 things with the KW V3 already on there?

 

You'd get more abrupt turn in, further ability to tune the balance if you get adjustable sways, and more ride harshness over potholes and rough roads. Sways are responsible for that.

For the street, if you already have good coils properly tuned, just do the fstb. For track, both.

 

Nice pick-up on a used part, Ash! Although I can't believe you left the brackets red like that , particularly with the way you painted your long-tube intake all stealth-like. WTF, man? You know I mean this in the best possible way, but that looks ridiculous.

I've been planning on a b-day self-present for the Cusco FSTB, because of a common opinion that the Cusco has better fitment and a lower price. But if I ran across a decent used GT-Spec, I'd probably do the same as you, because honestly I think the GT-Spec is the more attractive design of the two.

You need to powder-coat that puppy, brackets and all. And get some titanium strut nuts to finish it off.

 

Never been to the track. I'd really love to go and test the limits of the car (and my own), but I have this nagging fear that something would go wrong and I'd crash my beautiful car.

Then the insurance company would tell me to **** off because I was tracking it when it happened. If I was A) independently wealthy or B) had bigger nads... I'd do it.

 

I think I like how much the color is bothering you guys Like I said, I'm going to paint the bar black. I'm actually even considering using the black chrome rattle can kit on it. Haven't decided yet. As I said, I don't care much for making my car a show car- it's more about how I like it. If I find the red doesn't work after I paint the bar, I'll change it. But then again, if it pisses enough people off... I might just keep it to bring more balance to the universe (I'm not a fan of the function following form movement).

But either way, I appreciate the opinions, because they really do make the world go round!

 

Get track day insurance like I did! you can even buy it in bulk if you plan to do multiple days in the season. That way you don't have to worry about your "street" insurer.

Yes, it's possible to crash but that's true on the street too. Pick a proper track with runoff and frankly, while you might be more likely to have an off, the consequences are often not as bad as they could be on the street due to curbs, other cars, pedestrians, etc.

And remember, an HPDE is *not* racing. There are passing rules that aid in safety at the beginner level. I had a car spin out in front of me and not once did I feel as unsafe as I do on my damned DC Metro commute in the mornings!