I AM TRYING TO IMPROVE CORNERING FOR AUTO CROSS.HAVE 98 COUPE WITH ADJ. SUSPENSION [ FACTORY] LOOKING AT SWAY BARS I SEE A FEW DIFFERENT OPTIONS. 1. Z06 BARS 2. TI SWAY KIT 3. HOTCHKIS SETUP. BIG PRICE DIFFERENCE. WILL Z06 BARS BE WORTH THE EFFORT OR DOES ONE REALLY NEED TO GO THE BIG BUCK ROUTE? VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON THE STREET. ANY INPUT , AGAIN IS APPRECIATED. KEITH :)

 

There is an excelent deal on a complete Z06 ANIT-sway bars, bushings and end links right now from GM parts direct. This should be an excellent way to improve your handling of autocrossing. :D

Jim Helm

 

You need to match your sway bars to your tires and suspension. For example I have the F45 suspension and am lowered to the max on stock bolts without cutting then bushings (see sig) I set the suspension for the track and lowering does stiffen it up a good deal. Also running Hoosiers all around on 17" rims. For me the choice was the Hotchkiss bars they are quite stiff, but on a warm day and the tires heated you will need them. Now on the street I ahve to be a little careful as the street tires will not stick enough to get the weight transfer right so I tend to corner like a go-kart it stays perfectly flat, but I don't get the flex to stick the tires. Don't get me wrong, on the street I also crank out the negative camber to a half a degree (I run 2+ degrees with the Hoosiers) to get the maximum contact patch.

I believe in the fact that the suuspension has to do some work so tying it up tight in not the total answer.

So if track with racing tires is your choice go Hotchkiss, If you are looking for the best trade off between track and street go Z06 kit. I sort of worked my way up and went from stock F45 to Z06 then to Hotchkiss. So I have had them all. The Hotchkiss is definately the stiffer of the bunch, but you need the tires to really make them work. Also as you set up for the track you will find things like those bumps that go across the road will cause the back end to chatter out in a turn and potholes will be more harsh. Not much you can do. On the street you will want to run a softer tire, so say good by to the Run Craps! Actually because for the most part I drive on some pretty good highway and do some long road trips I put up with the EMTs.

Jer

 

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!! I GOT A SET OF 305 / 35 18 HOOSIERS. SET THE ALIGN TO -1.5 CAMBER +6.8 CASTER + 1/16 TOE FRONT ... REAR -.80..CAMBER [ ALL I COULD GET] +1/16 TOE ... HAVENT LOWERED CAR BECAUSE OF STREET USE AND CLEARANCE PROBLEMS.. SPEED HUMPS... HAVE FALKENS FOR THE STREET.. WITH THIS ALIGN THE CAR IS GREAT ON THE STREET!! I KNOW MY TIRE WEAR WILL BE STINKO!!!..ALSO LIKE THE ADJ SUSPENSION. GONNA GET THOSE Z06"S ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.!!! .. :steering:

 

Sorry for the dumb question but what (company) are Hoosiers?

 

HOOSIER MANUFACTURE RACING TIRES

 

:iagree:

 

I hear ya! remember it's just a family thing! I can't say to much with my mods as it puts me in their HP range, and it is sort of unfair but hey, I like rag tops and GM does not make a Zo6 ragtop so I gotta do sumpten :reddevil

It is always interesting to see the look when the little A4 rag top stinks them on the road course! But then I always root for them when I am not out there!

One of my racing partners slipped a stock LS6 in his 98 targa top and that gets them going! He is quick and straight line he can get me (he has more mods) But on the road course we are pretty dead even, and my experience in open wheel racing tends to get him.

Jer