Sway Bar Choice???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 5
From: Germantown, TN
Sway Bar Choice???
I am seriously considering ordering a sway bar kit. Here are a few options that I am looking at. I wanted some feedback... 
1.GM T-1 sway bar kit about $700.00
2.Hotchkis kit (tubular) about $600.00
3.BMR Kit about $500.00
4.Z06 kit about ???(who sells this kit??)
These are the four kits that I am considering. My car is not a daily driver. However the car is mostly driven on the street. I only visit the track about twice a year. PLease help, I want to go with something that improves body roll but retains driveability......Thanks
1.GM T-1 sway bar kit about $700.00
2.Hotchkis kit (tubular) about $600.00
3.BMR Kit about $500.00
4.Z06 kit about ???(who sells this kit??)
These are the four kits that I am considering. My car is not a daily driver. However the car is mostly driven on the street. I only visit the track about twice a year. PLease help, I want to go with something that improves body roll but retains driveability......Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 96,209
Likes: 75
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by AFVETTE
I'd opt for the OEM Z06 bars, Fichtner and Fred Beans (both CF supporting dealer vendors) will sell the set for around $270 shipped. They are a great compliment to the C5 suspension.
Tom
Tom
.......You can't beat it for the money.....
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by mph1972
I bought the HOTCHKIS from WEST COAST CORVETTE for $525 before the 10% and I think these are one of the greatest mods to date.
Micah
Micah
Either Hotchkis or T1, the Z06 swaybars are not that much stiffer than the Z51. I did add adjustable shocks so that we could have either a smooth ride for traveling or very firm for the track.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
Originally Posted by AFVETTE
I'd opt for the OEM Z06 bars, Fichtner and Fred Beans (both CF supporting dealer vendors) will sell the set for around $270 shipped. They are a great compliment to the C5 suspension.
Tom
Tom
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
You might like to review the following:
What are the differences between the C5 Suspensions? Can I swap them?
Good luck with the mod.
What are the differences between the C5 Suspensions? Can I swap them?
Good luck with the mod.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by GrayC5
You might like to review the following:
What are the differences between the C5 Suspensions? Can I swap them?
Good luck with the mod.
What are the differences between the C5 Suspensions? Can I swap them?
Good luck with the mod.
Administrator
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
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For the money, I'd go with the Z06 set - you can get them at a very good price from either Fichtner Chevy or Fred Beans. Haven't heard any negatives from the forum members that have installed them.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,359
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From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
The Z06 bars are the best bang for the buck, especially for just driving on the street. I would step up to the bigger ones only if I was doing a lot of auto cross.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 805
Likes: 54
From: Murrieta CA
I upgraded to Hotchkis swaybars on my daily driver and it made a huge difference in handling with an almost negligible decrease in ride quality. Overall its the best mod I've made to my car to date.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
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I have Hotchkiss sways and Bilstein Sport shocks - no degradation in ride but a big improvement over the base FE1 suspension the car had. Not the cheapest solution, but I'm very pleased with it! 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
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From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
I have Hotchkiss sways and Bilstein Sport shocks - no degradation in ride but a big improvement over the base FE1 suspension the car had. Not the cheapest solution, but I'm very pleased with it!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,369
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From: Cranford, New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
I have Hotchkiss sways and Bilstein Sport shocks - no degradation in ride but a big improvement over the base FE1 suspension the car had. Not the cheapest solution, but I'm very pleased with it!
I have the same set-up...a VERY nice upgrade
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Lynnfield MA
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Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Hotchkis for sure....
AFR 205 Head W/921's, Crane Billet Lifters, ARP Head & Rod Bolts, Comp Custom Ground (232/232 @ 0.50 .595) (Vette Doctors Custom Tune) ATI Underdrive Pulley, RollMaster DR Chain, SVO 30#, FLP Headers, Halltech Tric with Cobra Bridge, Hotchkis Sway Bars & Metal End Links, B&M Ripper with, Corsa Pro Series Indy Exhaust, Baer Cross-Drilled & Slotted Rotors, Hawk Pads, SS Brake Lines, Ported MAF Ends, 172 Deg Stat, Taylor Spiro-Pro Wires
AFR 205 Head W/921's, Crane Billet Lifters, ARP Head & Rod Bolts, Comp Custom Ground (232/232 @ 0.50 .595) (Vette Doctors Custom Tune) ATI Underdrive Pulley, RollMaster DR Chain, SVO 30#, FLP Headers, Halltech Tric with Cobra Bridge, Hotchkis Sway Bars & Metal End Links, B&M Ripper with, Corsa Pro Series Indy Exhaust, Baer Cross-Drilled & Slotted Rotors, Hawk Pads, SS Brake Lines, Ported MAF Ends, 172 Deg Stat, Taylor Spiro-Pro Wires
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Even on the flat roads of FL the T1 setup may not be streetable and you really wont be able to get the full benefit of the T1's on the street. If you came out with us guys to Homestead, Moroso and Sebring roadcourses say 10 times a year you will be able to benefit from the T1's but again, they arent very streetable. I'd Go with Hotchkiss
Last edited by GR8-LIFE; Aug 7, 2005 at 06:38 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by GrayC5
You might like to review the following:
What are the differences between the C5 Suspensions? Can I swap them?
Good luck with the mod.
What are the differences between the C5 Suspensions? Can I swap them?
Good luck with the mod.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by eRiCdWoNg
Interesting. Did you change the springs too?