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RSTB re-visited


Myotis1134

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Ok, I talked to Eric at Held Motorsports, who told me that they aren't making RSTBs for the Gen I Lumina at this time, due to their not having a Gen I W-body to get specs off of for the fabrication. Anyone else smell BS? Anyways, I am really, really, seriously looking for one for my poor car, who's rear strut towers are really stressed out, due to there not being a brace installed.

 

Anyways I apologize for my inebriated writing, it seemed the thing to do.

 

Anyone know either where to get a RSTB for a Gen I '91 Lumina Euro, or... how to get hold of aweb80 to see if he has any of his apparently awesome RSTBs left? I think I pm'ed him a while ago, to no avail. In an earlier post I kind of ragged on modding a RSTB meant for a different vehicle, but I'm getting to the point where I don't really care. I just need to be able to take corners a LOT faster with a clear conscience.

 

Gotta stop watching the Fast and Furious vids.

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What makes you say that your rear strut towers are really stressed out to the point where they need a RSTB?

 

They were designed to not need a STB, so if they are in poor enough shape that you think they need one, you should probably start shopping for a new car.

 

 

If your towers are fine, and piece of mind while cornering is what your after, then you are going to have to do more than just a STB.

You want a cornering wizard, start looking at different lowering methods to lower your center of gravity. Coil overs are the route I have taken, others have had good luck with Birchmount monoleaf. And don't forget about the struts, sway bars, poly bushings, lateral links, trailing arms and tires, they all play their role in cornering stability.

 

FYI, When I ordered my coil overs from Held I dealt with Lee and he said that a RSTB for my car would be $125 (I still have the e-mail). So at one point they DID make them, so why they can no longer make them is beyond me. By the sounds of things this new guy that is running the business, Erik, has no clue what he is doing. His communication is absolutely terrible, and he has jacked up prices (I have had a few people price them out to compare to what I paid) His rear coil overs are good, but his front design for the coil overs is... out dated, I guess you could call it. Mark aka "DOHC v6" has come up with a far superior design for the front and rear coil over systems IMO.

 

Jamie

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Im probably one of the very few running RSM STB's :lol: I have had to problem with Held so I cannot take bad about them. They probably dont make them anymore due to such a low demand...

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You should talk to AWeb. I have had one of his RSTB's on my cutty for a few years and it was an excellent addition. I thought he made a few for luminas with a revised design. Talk to him to be sure.

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I'm a lot more sober now then I was the other day, so I'd better say this first. When I talked to Eric at Held, he was very helpful and professional over the phone. He told me that they are looking to sell RSTB's for Gen I w-bodies in the future, and are only waiting to get hold of an actual Gen I vehicle so they can get the specs for production.

 

As to the status of my strut towers, they could use a little bracing, as I understand that they weren't designed to support the weight of the vehicle full-time. I'm not worried about them falling apart or cracking off either. GTP_MuNkY has the gist of it- I'm looking for peace of mind here, and I would like to reduce the amount of stress the towers are subjected to until I am in a position to really beef them up.

 

BTW, thanks GTP_MuNkY for the check-list. I'll be doing all of those things as I am able (except for maybe the lowering of the vehicle- it snows a LOT here, and I need clearance), but right now I have to concentrate on getting that RSTB; as it is step-2 after replacing my cracking monoleaf with coil-overs.

 

Everyone is telling me to talk to AWEB, but I would appreciate a little clarification on how to go about that. Is it cool for me to just pm him? Or should I actually post something, asking about the availability of any extra RSTB's he might have?

 

Thanks for your help guys.

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Aweb80, just Pm him, his name is Adam and hes one of the coolest guys on the forum

 

x2

 

 

The idea behind the rear strut towers not being strong enough to hold the weight of the car is crap IMO. The front strut towers hold the weight of an LQ1 car just fine and the sheet metal is the same general shape and thickness. Not to mention that sooo many people have run rear coil overs long before there was ever a rear strut tower bar available and there have been no reports of problems.

 

As for Held wanting to make 1st gen parts, that confuses me... they made them before, why don't they make them now? I have only had one e-mail correspondence with Erik, and it was for a replacement part, and it was cheaper for me to go to Jeggs or Summit to buy the part so I did. However I have had a few friends try contacting him and just get frustrated with him and give up on it. Back when Lee was running the show he would often times get back to me within an hour. But it is good to hear that he helps some people out.

 

Jamie

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got his PM

 

and I've been running CO's in the rear for 26k miles....all HARD driven w/ no problems.

 

I need to start a group buy again.....interest has been circling back around

*Jumping up and down waving* Me! Me! Me!

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The idea behind the rear strut towers not being strong enough to hold the weight of the car is crap IMO. The front strut towers hold the weight of an LQ1 car just fine and the sheet metal is the same general shape and thickness. Not to mention that sooo many people have run rear coil overs long before there was ever a rear strut tower bar available and there have been no reports of problems.

I've heard that there are stories of the rear towers giving way. I'd prefer to ditch the leaf-spring and go with coilovers in the future. Can I trust the standard metal to hold up, or should I go ahead and reinforce it just to be sure? I can be paranoid about stuff that'll damage my car. :lol:

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refer to my last post

I highly doubt it, but there wouldn't be many differences between sedans and coupes in that area, would there? If they're the same then I think I can trust them based on your information.

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