mrace240sx

I finally got around to doing some work on my car tonight. I had to fix a stripped bolt on my head with a heli-coil, got that done. I also installed  my PDM racing strut tower bar, and my OBX short-shifter.

The bar looks great, I really didnt feel too much difference driving. Went and did some hellatious turning down a winding road at about 80mps, I stayed glued to the road, but didnt seem like any more than usual. Even though I cant feel it, I know it is preventing flex in areas where I dont want flex, and that is good.

I was absolutely amazed with the OBX, the installation went great, and the throw is basically a click now. I love it. Now I have heard that they break, so I guess down the road I may have to lessen my opinion of it, but from what I can tell it was pressure fitted, I just dont see how it can come apart, we pulled and twisted the #### out of it to see if we could break it (I figured I may as well try to break it BEFORE I install it and save myself the trouble) We were unable to detach the two pieces despite our efforts. Worst case scenario my buddy said if it comes apart we can drill it and put a pin in it to keep it from breaking apart again.
For now though, I love it. Clicking through the gears instead of *throwing* through them makes the whole experience so much better. The OBX is also alot tighter than the OEM shifter was, very little play in it at all, it feels solid.
I did some pretty heavy racing after the work, and everything stayed together, so in my oppinion even though its only been a few hours, they were tried and tested <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

cheers

LanceS13

You said you didn't feel a difference with the stb. &nbsp;Did you preload it? &nbsp;I noticed some improvement with the way the car felt mid-turn with mine...but I did front and rear, so that might be why. &nbsp;I'm still debating on the OBX shifter. &nbsp;Let us know if it screws up. &nbsp;From the way you describe it, it sounds like a pretty good initial improvement.

Mr. C's Short Shifter is supposly real good..should be for $349.99 :o

I might get it, but I wanna find Mr. C's SUPER Short Shifter...When that is installed all you can see is the shift knob, so switching gears is online like 1 and 1/2 inch away. :shocked:

-whacked
(there is a Grey 240SX in Import Tuner (forgot which month, go look at www.importtuner.com for a pic) with the super short shifter installed, looks l33t)

HondakillaS14

I ordered my shifter yesterday afternoon and should get it today....I've already installed one on a friends' car and was well pleased with the throw and the overall quality of the product. I'll keep it until I hear some reviews on the B&amp;M shifter....:)

You know, I think I'm gonna go buy one for myself today as well. They're only like $65 in a local performance shop, and I think it's worth it to test one out. I waste $65 on a shirt usually, I think I can spend it for a short-shifter.
P.S. Does the appearance change at all? Height still looks stock? Thanks!

drifterx

i have the OBX SS.. it is pretty good but i dont think it is short enough, however it is 50% faster....
mine came apart after a week, however it is fine now...
get some strong ass adhesive and glue it, then make sure when u put the boot around it, use a zip tie, the zip tie is my custom mod, hahah what it did for me was keep the SS from rotating (i noticed this because when my SS was rotating, then i threw on a zip tie and it help hold it from spinning) the rubber from the boot would hold it from spinning so it will help the adhesive....
just my .02

drifterx

ohhh yeah once i put in my tower bars, #### i felt it... also when i go on the highway, the chassis feels more stable so the cars feels the same as 65 mph when i am actually going 80mph (just an example)

I have the Apexi carbon fiber STB &amp; it does wonders even at 10mph turns &nbsp;
As for the SS, I was amazed by the OBX over stock but I'm gonna have to weld it to minimize the throw further. &nbsp;It's excellent for the price - a little DOY work &amp; it'll beat all others (price to performance ratio).
The Super Street article refers to Non Fujita's interior - really subtle but elegant.

mrace240sx

Hmm, I probably wont drive my 240 till this weekend, but Ill see if I can feel any difference, try a few slow turns etc etc. I put the tower brace on loose, tightened down the six bolts, then threw a rag over the nuts and used a larger size wrench to crank it down so as not to damage anything. It really didnt come with any directions on how to install it so I just did it the way I thought is should be. Is it possible to over-tighten it? Or should I really torque on it? Maybe I just dont have it on right. Any tips on installation would be helpful.

Its the bar that they show on PDM's site if anyone wants to see it.

LanceS13

Take the circular ends off and install them separately. &nbsp;Jack up the front of the car and install the bar. &nbsp;Tighten it up pretty good...use the lock nuts to secure it. &nbsp;Lower the car.

mrace240sx

Great idea Lance, thanks for the info!
Im gonna do that this weekend.

LanceS13

no problem...;)

You may already know this, but I'll just throw it out there anyway....
this is what the chassiss (looking at it from the front) looks like w/o stb's and sitting on the ground (exaggerated)
/_______\
When you jack it up, it takes stress (upward force of the ground) off the corners of the chassis so it looks like this:
l________l
Now you intall the bar...
l-------------l
and it's bracing the chassis to the full potential. This is called pre-loading. If you don't pre-load it, it looks like this...
/-------------\
...and the bar isn't really doing its job.

(Edited by LanceS13 at 9:19 pm on Sep. 27, 2001)

Archangel

thanks for the reviews mrace240sx.
you might want to post them in the review section for easy access to everyone.

And lance, thanks for the info. stb seem like an easy self install mod, but only if you do it right.

mrace240sx

Actually Lance, I didnt think of it, but now that you've said it it makes perfect sense.
To put it on while there is already stress on the chassi would limit the bars use.
Im gonna change it tommorow.

Archangel, Im not sure how to post reviews in that section, maybe West will pop in and inform me. I would also like to put up a review of intake.