Custom STB

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 7:39 am

Hey, I justed wanted to show off my new STB that I built. I used the plates that are already on the towers and an $8 piece of square piping from Home Depot. It works great and is as stable as the TRD one.

Attached files

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 7:42 am

Here's another pic.

Attached files

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 7:43 am

And one more.

Attached files

Geo · Post by **Geo** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:26 am

That's really awesome! :DHow's the difference in handling feel, just curious.

MadBill · Post by **MadBill** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:50 am

Very nicely "Devloped" design; simple and strong!

dmitri · Post by **dmitri** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 9:04 am

hmm i like adjustable so that way i know its on there snug...its pointless to have it on there but not fit correctly.

cohocarl · Post by **cohocarl** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 9:23 am

Looks like you did a good job. I don't think a $150 TRD bar would be any better.

MadBill · Post by **MadBill** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 9:25 am

I'm not sure it matters that much, dmitri, as long as the bar is stiff and strong and bolted down firmly. Can anyone quote installation instructions? Unless they specify pre-loading the towers (inwards, as dicussed on a previous thread), it would seem the adjustment is either for cosmetic effect and/or to make up for manufacturing tolerances.

goodvibe · Post by **goodvibe** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 9:46 pm

Great bar devlop, Adjustability isn't needed. If you can get it on, it will work and this bar is super rigid. My cheap bar works fine but this one rules. I bet you get requests.

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 9:52 pm

That looks great! Good job.

GT-X · Post by **GT-X** » Fri Aug 29, 2003 5:37 am

For those of you who are wondering about the feel. Devlop was kick @$$ enough to give me that beautiful peice of art as my very own. as far as the ride we put it on last night which took 2min. so I've only had a few very quick pass at the freeway on ramps. but It really tighened up the front end of the car. and took care of a ton of under steer. the rear of the car actually felt like it was about to kick out, which to me is a much better feeling than plowing into a coner. Works great painted Red (lava) with factory paint way kick @$$thanks DEvLop

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Fri Aug 29, 2003 7:26 am

quote:hmm i like adjustable so that way i know its on there snug...its pointless to have it on there but not fit correctly.The way I see it is that if it is attached properly and is solid (has no weak points to flex at) then it will hold the towers in position with each other which is what you want. Plus, I'm pretty sure that it fits correctly, I didn't just whip this together for looks.Thanks for the compliments everyone.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:23 pm

nice job! how'd you attach the arms to the bar? weld?

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Fri Aug 29, 2003 10:39 pm

Yeah, I mig welded the whole thing. It's pretty solid.

shibaman · Post by **shibaman** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:27 pm

If you decide to build some I would be interested in one.

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:58 am

That's exactly it. I need those to build more. At the dealership I work at, I can get them for a small amount of $70 a piece which is f*#king rediculous. Once I come up with another solution, I think I will build and sell these.

MadBill · Post by **MadBill** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 9:42 am

Any machine shop could churn them out for $20, less if you stepped up to say 10 or more pairs. Alternatively, buyers could send in their own plates, temporaily sustituting a handful of washers and pledging not to go off-roading in the interim...

satur9 · Post by **satur9** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 9:53 am

how long would it take you to do it.(no paint)and how far is brighton in michigan. i might take a drive and save on trd's brace(you could engrave vibe on them)or mabey overnight the stock braces.

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 10:12 am

quote:Any machine shop could churn them out for $20, less if you stepped up to say 10 or more pairs. Alternatively, buyers could send in their own plates, temporaily sustituting a handful of washers and pledging not to go off-roading in the interim... The plates aren't flat though, which really sucks because I would just do that.Satur9, where do you live?

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 2:23 am

Ok, here's the deal. I've decided to make more. I will make as many as needed provided I have the plates to do it. I posted in the classifieds for the plates. So if anyone has any or knows someone who does, contact me and we can get the ball rollin. I'm thinkin I will sell these for around $70 and they will come in red or sealed if you have a means of getting it painted, which ever you chose. I would prefer to get a bunch done at once because of welding and painting purposes.

satur9 · Post by **satur9** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 6:14 am

cleveland, if it can be done in a day i might make the drive otherwise i'll mail them . 100 bucks extra for trd or four hour drive hmmm.

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 6:34 am

I'm gonna be at the MI meet in a couple of weeks in Dundee which is on US23 just a little north of the border. If you feel like driving them up, you could do it then and save a little time off the trip. I won't be able to get it done that day, so if you choose to drive without those plates, its up to you. I wouldn't recommend it though because Toyota put those there for a reason. Like I said before, I would like to get a bunch of plates together and build a lot of STBs at once. It would make things easier.

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 6:36 am

I want to get a count of people who are interested. I want to know what I'm up against. It will be a few weeks until this really gets underway because I need to get a collection of the plates, but as soon as that happens, I will get crackin on them.

satur9 · Post by **satur9** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 8:22 am

somebody correct me if im wrong. but im thinking the reason those plates are there is to keep the strut bolts aligned ive seen cars without plates but these have had a "centering ring"? around the shaft in the strut tower. i would want to drive with out them. but if anyone else has plates to get the ball rolling i'll pay for shipping to devlop and give the sender ten bucks!

MadBill · Post by **MadBill** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 9:05 am

Yes, the plate is there to reinforce the metal in the mounting area to withstand the shock absorber rebound (extension) forces. I once did a rear shock conversion where I bolted the top end into the floor pan. I used an angle iron across the underside of the floor to reinforce it, but nothing on top. In short order, the shock ripped itself right out! I added another angle iron on top and had no further problems.Just don't drop into too many potholes while the plates are removed and everyone should be fine.

shibaman · Post by **shibaman** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 8:53 pm

Count me in! I will want one in red- Salsa? Let me know when you have some and email me please. Thanks Doug

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 10:03 am

Is this it for people who are interested?

GT-X · Post by **GT-X** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 1:21 am

I want one!!!!oh wait I've already got one of your STB. Devlop give me a shout if you need any help. I'm good at telling people what to do and how...and I'm really good at drinking other peoples beer...

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 1:43 am

Oh GT-X, your so f#$%ing funny. That would be great though if you could order people to give me their plates.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 2:46 pm

i would definitely be interested! i would like it painted red like my TRD CAI too. I think your red would be pretty close to it. let me know when you need these.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 5:18 am

hey, did you still want those plates??? i took mine off when i installed the TRD stb. let me know and i'll try and remember to bring them w/ me to the MI meet. bringing some other items too for mike...

russ257 · Post by **russ257** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 5:36 am

you could buy a few sets and then require people to put a deposit and then send you their brackets once you have sent them their bar, jind of like an alternator core charge or something

SkateForLife86 · Post by **SkateForLife86** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 9:44 am

i would like to get one of these as well, too. i can send my plates right now if you're making them now.

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 2:06 am

Wow, I see there is interest again. I have three sets of plates right now and hopefully this weekend I will be able to start making some more stbs. I will keep everyone informed on how they are coming. Now that the weather is letting up, I can build them again in my buddy's garage. Quote, originally posted by SkateForLife86 Â»i would like to get one of these as well, too. i can send my plates right now if you're making them now.I will hold one for you when they are done if you are stil interested.

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 2:07 am

Quote, originally posted by trdvibe Â»hey, did you still want those plates??? i took mine off when i installed the TRD stb. let me know and i'll try and remember to bring them w/ me to the MI meet. bringing some other items too for mike... Go ahead and bring those. That would be appreciated.

lumpcus · Post by **lumpcus** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 11:53 pm

If you have 3 sets then make 1 for me. Unpainted. Then once i install it i'll send you the plates..

SkateForLife86 · Post by **SkateForLife86** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 7:05 am

yea i can send you my plates whenever you are ready.

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 4:10 am

Too many things came up this weekend, so I didnt have much time to work on the braces. I will be working on them during the week, so they should be done soon.

Faultline · Post by **Faultline** » Thu Apr 08, 2004 2:40 pm

I haven't figured out what I am going to do , but my turbo sits right there it the back against the fire wall. If i don't have clearance issues, I have heat issues. The paint would be in trouble ...But I have to say, I think yours looks great! and I would want one just because it is a Genvibe original

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Fri Apr 09, 2004 7:53 am

Thanks for the compliment. How is the paint on your firewall? I can't imagine it is that far from your turbo.

Faultline · Post by **Faultline** » Fri Apr 09, 2004 2:25 pm

Quote, originally posted by Devlop Â»Thanks for the compliment. How is the paint on your firewall? I can't imagine it is that far from your turbo.I have heat shield material along the fire wall to protect all the stuff attached to the fire wall. I would show some pics on how high my turbo is , but all the pics on my hard drive are gone , and i just need to take some new ones...there might be some old threads over in F/I that show my engine bay... http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...3.JPG http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...1.JPG

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 8:58 am

Lumpcus and Skateforlife86, you have pms'.

shibaman · Post by **shibaman** » Sat May 01, 2004 9:44 am

I installed Develop's STB and can feel the differance. The steering is tighter and feels better around corners. The interesting thing is how it has taken away much of the normal jittery shaking on bumpy roads. Improved ride quality and handling- good deal! I wonder if it makes that much of a differance because of my stiff suspension and the extra flex from having a sunroof? I think so. Thanks Jeff

Devlop · Post by **Devlop** » Tue May 04, 2004 10:02 am

Glad you like it.