Hotchkis(sp?) sway bars
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: NAPLES FLORIDA
Hotchkis(sp?) sway bars
For the money it costs to get them, is it a good buy and how much of a feel can I expect on my 97 from them???Also I notice some have coupled them with the Bilstein(sp?)shocks..is that necessary?? thanks :cheers:
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
Re: Hotchkis(sp?) sway bars (primetime)
I was considering the Hotchkins, but they are just too expensive to justify. I bought the whole ZO6 sway bar set up from Fitchner Chevrolet for $264 shipped. The ZO6 sway bars are a tiny bit smaller than the Hotchkins. I really enjoy the new handling capabilities. It doesn't even ride that much harsher! I would go with the ZO6 set up.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island NY
Re: Hotchkis(sp?) sway bars (GmasterB)
Well worth the money in my opinion, especially if your car is equipped with the "base" FE1 suspension. I left the springs alone and went with the Hotchkis Bars, links and the Bilstein Sport shocks and the car handles 1000 times better. I love the combo so much that I even installed Hotchkis decals on my 2 front fenders! :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 927
Likes: 62
From: Lake Elmo, MN, USA MN
Re: Hotchkis(sp?) sway bars (GmasterB)
Check out the end rods on the Z06 sway bars.... The end rods on the Hotchkis are extremely
heavy duty. The standard rod ends on my '00 were made of plastic.
I have the Bilstein shocks also and I did notice the handling was better on the curves but the
ride is harsher on the road.
Good luck
heavy duty. The standard rod ends on my '00 were made of plastic.
I have the Bilstein shocks also and I did notice the handling was better on the curves but the
ride is harsher on the road.
Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 102
From: Buffalo Grove IL
St. Jude Donor '11
Re: Hotchkis(sp?) sway bars (primetime)
I just did the bar and Bilsteins. The handling is like it's on rails. The ride is somewhat harsher but not bad at all. Not that the C5 has much body roll to start with, but now I have NONE! Awhile back LAPD had a group purchase and I got in on it. Call them and see if you could stir up another one.......
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Overland Park KS
Re: Hotchkis(sp?) sway bars (vettvert)
Well worth the money in my opinion, especially if your car is equipped with the "base" FE1 suspension. I left the springs alone and went with the Hotchkis Bars, links and the Bilstein Sport shocks and the car handles 1000 times better. I love the combo so much that I even installed Hotchkis decals on my 2 front fenders! :cheers:
I also have the base suspension, and just installed the Hotchkis sway bars and Bilstein Sports bought from a CF member that bought them from the LAPD promo and bought a Z06 before he could do the install. I was ready to buy Z-51 or Z06 springs also, but I talked to Shawn at LAPD and he suggested I not spend $1,000 on springs, to first see what I thought of my new combination. I LOVE IT. SHAWN IS DA MAN!!!!! The car handles like it's on rails and if anything, I think it rides better!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,071
Likes: 297
From: Savannah GA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Hotchkis(sp?) sway bars (golfnwatchesnc5s)
I went to hotchkis bars over Z51(very close to Z06) bars. I noticed a huge improvement in body roll. Of course huge to me may be medium to you so take it for what it's worth.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Annandale NJ
Re: Hotchkis(sp?) sway bars (primetime)
It's hard to justify the price differential for the Hotchkis bars vs. the Z06 bar kit from Fichtner's IMHO. Do a search and you'll find some opinions that the Hotchkis bars + Bilstein sport shocks are too harsh for daily driving. People have also complained about noise from the Hotchkis links, which supposedly have been addressed in newer versions. I haven't seen anyone disappointed with the Z06 setup. I went with the Z06 bars and Bilstein HD's (not sport) and am very pleased with the result - greatly improved handling but not unpleasant to live with as a daily driver. It all depends how you plan to use it - for all-out autocross, etc., you may want the Hotchkis+Bilstein sports but if not, a less extreme (and less costly) alternative might be better for you. :cheers:
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