GM STB vs RSM STB

[radman3120]

I'm looking around for strut tower braces and I am wondering how much I should pay for an OEM Front STB. I've heard that RSMs are ok ("one of the only parts to buy from rsm") but are more flimsy? They run for $100. Which part is better? I've heard that you have to drill holes in the OEM STB to fit on a 93 Z34 but that this makes it easier to remove to service spark plugs and stuff anyway while the RSM is more of a pain to get off and put back on.

Let me know your opinions, if what I've heard is correct or not, and how much u think I should pay - Thanks

[AWeb80]

RE: GM STB vs RSM STB

I've got the GM STB

and I make my own Rear STB's if you are interested.

Info here for RSTB

[SappySE107]

RE: GM STB vs RSM STB

RSM is not a choice to me. Hard to respect a company that doesn't respect its customers.

[radman3120]

Well, looks like I'm voting for the GM one too. I wanted to get the Cutlass Convertible one to bolt right on but its on ebay now for $76 plus $25 shipping with an 1 hr 45 mins left. I'm just gonna let that go and buy the one from GM (part #1245614 for the '97+ (they told me '99+) Regal thats only $34.10 plus tax. Thanks for the input.

AWeb80 does your rear STB fit on the Z34s?

[SappySE107]

That bar used to be like 12 bucks! gmpartsdirect.com

[bszopi]

The PN given is currently $19.44 on GMPartsDirect.

[SappySE107]

Well, that is better than being discontinued, which I recall hearing over a year ago

[bszopi]

Well, as stated above, GMPD lists it as being for 99+ W-bodies, so I don't know if it would work for a 93 or not.

[radman3120]

Well, as stated above, GMPD lists it as being for 99+ W-bodies, so I don't know if it would work for a 93 or not.

That is the number that everyone is saying you just have to drill out the mounting brackets for: http://www.60degreev6.com/index.php?...ewtopic&t=6972

ok so I went to GMPartsDirect.Com and looked up that part # (1245614. It said at the bottom that there was a listing for two bars (1249864, so I looked that up thinking it would be front and rear. It read "The kit includes two strut tower braces, hardware, and installation instructions." So does that mean front and rear braces (if so will the rear fit on a '93 Z34?) or that there is some sort of two bar front setup because the 2 bar one is 6 cents more than the one bar one and the GM list price is cheaper ($27.88 as opposed to $$34.10).

[AWeb80]

the GM bar will work on the front, but not the rear towers......our towers are wider than the 97+ w-bodies...

[Manitcor]

yeah fronts should work no problem, they PN has changed and the compatibiloty list has changed a couple times over the years but the part never has.

Rears are a different story as previously stated. It wont work at all on Gen 1 w's and on Gen1.5 you need to make mouting brakets or weld the bar in.

[blackbombshell95]

i'm sorry to say, but i've had BOTH bars on my car. And i threw away the buick bar don't shoot me anybody. But i didn't feel a thing with that bar compared to the rsm bar.

[SappySE107]

I felt a good difference with the buick F bar. I welded mine in place though along with the bolts.

[pwmin]

you can use the gm (buick) stb in the rear, but you need to either make your own bracket or get one form adam

[Scott205]

Could it be that
# 12498648
DESCRIPTION: STRUT TOWER BRACE KIT
(The kit includes two strut tower braces, hardware, and installation instructions)
is the braces for each side

and
# 12456148
DESCRIPTION: STRUT BAR KIT(ONE BAR KIT ONLY)
The kit includes ONE strut tower braces, hardware. (THE HIGH PERFORMANCE CATALOG IS INCORRECT)
and this is the bar??