Hotchkis STB worthwhile?

[2wice]

ok so i have a 2002 firebird, and im going to buy a hotchkis front strut tower brace from my friend with a 99 camaro. its a good price (120 + a snack at taco bell), and when i asked him he said it was a damn good improvement in the handling/body roll department. i trust the guy, we've met and talk a lot, but since he's selling me the part...i kind of wanted a second opinion from you guys to see if this is worth my time. i have the stock suspension other than this part, and am sick of the body roll of the car. will this STB make a good improvement?? (sorry tony :cool: )
he thinks its a 13mm bar, but not sure...

[anotherws6]

I have the sub frame connects & anti-sway bars front & back. Recently I changed the shocks in my car & took off my stb recently being a little curious myself, I left off the stb. & yes it does make a big difference, but only in really hard (un real-world) cornering. Keep in mind the anti-sways & sub frame connects help alot in this department, so I don't have an opinion with just a stb w/o the other goodies. Overall I say get it. hope that helps.

[Shadow]

I'd do it in a minute:D Thats my next mod. Go for it:D

[tranzam01]

IMO its just for looks.

[02blackws679ta]

all they are pretty much good for on an f-bod is as something to grab on to while cleaning or working on the engine, or engine bay

[262 77]

Originally posted by tranzam01
IMO its just for looks.

Originally posted by 02blackws679ta
all they are pretty much good for on an f-bod is as something to grab on to while cleaning or working on the engine, or engine bay

:werd: x 2 :D

I don't know, I didn't feel any difference. I even took it off and drove the car for while and put it back on, didn't notice any difference. But sure does look good in the engine bay. ;)

[gdu]

do it, it def. helps. But a new front sway (32mm or so) and SFCs will make a bigger difference.

[1BadMoFo]

I say do it for the looks alone if it's a good deal.



http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/12/web/516000-516999/516593_8.jpg http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/12/web/516000-516999/516593_7.jpg

[skytower31]

To kill your body roll, you need some beefy anti-sway bars front and back. The ones that come with my 1LE suspension on my Hawk were 32mm up front and 21mm out back and I have felt NO body roll. Compared to my g/f's '03 Maxima with no rear anti-sway bar, I can totally feel what these bars actually do. STB will help regarding tightness of the front end, but not really body roll. It can also help quell come dash rattles, etc and looks good :cool:. I would definately start saving up for some sway bars if you really dislike body roll though :D.

[SilverTransAm]

i remember on the old bar, some guy said something about something falling on his hood, and making a big dent. the stb saved something important from getting hurt.

and it's great to hold onto when you're cleaning under there

[blue02formula]

I like mine.

[FireRoc]

The STB will make your car more responsive to initial turn-in when cornering hard. It essentially ties the two inner fenders together so that they do not deflect under cornering loads. No deflection means the car will change direction more quickly.....hence more responsive at turn-in.

As others have stated, a STB will have no effect on body roll. That can only be changed with springs and/or anti-roll bars.

[Miriah]

I agree with the "it's pretty much for looks" if you plan on doing alot of work under the hood then it's a PITA to have because you have to take it off and put it on and sometimes the bolts are hard to get to. :cool:

I got mine as a gift from a friend. It wouldn't fit under his hood w/the blower so he let me have it. Other wise I don't think I would have spent $$ to get one.