Question: Hotchkis Swaybar
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
Question: Hotchkis Swaybar
Would there be any handling improvements installing Hotchkis swaybar kit on a stock-bolt lowered 04?? I've noticed some of the kits offered by retailors out there indicate they are for years 97 - 02. Were the swaybars on the 03 and 04 vette upgraded? Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,222
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
any swaybar from 97-04 will fit. There was an update on the Z51 bars in 99 or 2000 (just a larger rear bar), but that's all. The retailors just need to update their information.
as for the improvements
as for the improvements
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 3
From: Ventura, CA Fight On Forever
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05
Personally, I don't feel a harsher ride with Hotchkis. The bars stiffen the suspension in cornering, but I would not consider that a harsher ride. JMO but in forward motion, the sways are all about the same. Springs, Shocks and Tires are a different matter, in forward mortion. Lowering the car will also make the ride harsher if the movement in the shocks is limited by compression from lowring. Best,
mtv
mtv
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Originally Posted by MTV
Personally, I don't feel a harsher ride with Hotchkis. The bars stiffen the suspension in cornering, but I would not consider that a harsher ride. JMO but in forward motion, the sways are all about the same. Springs, Shocks and Tires are a different matter, in forward mortion. Lowering the car will also make the ride harsher if the movement in the shocks is limited by compression from lowring. Best,
mtv
mtv
The Hotchkis setup is the shiznit. I absolutely love it. When I first drove the vette, it felt "squishy" and unsettled around corners/curves compared to my '90 300ZX which I dd for 13 years. After I added the Hotchkis bars, the handling felt much more solid and confidence-inspiring. I no longer cringe around high-speed bends.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
I didn't notice any harshness with the Hotchkiss F/R sway bars. Mine is lowered an inch on stock bolts and I just put on Bilstein shocks. Seems to me tires/springs would do more to the ride.
All I can say is
as to how this thing handles now. It's like driving a go cart extremely fast. Some of the best mods I've done. 
All I can say is
as to how this thing handles now. It's like driving a go cart extremely fast. Some of the best mods I've done.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
Yeah, I didn't notice any increased harshness going to Hotchkiss either, and mine is also lowered about 3/4 inch. In fact, and especially since I just converted to Z06 (Z16) wheels and F1 SC tires, my car rides softer than I would really prefer. I guess some Z06 springs are next! 
As for increased harshness, maybe if it is lowered substantially, and if you use the Hotchkiss end links without adjusting out any preload. That might cause increased harshness. Just a thought.
As for increased harshness, maybe if it is lowered substantially, and if you use the Hotchkiss end links without adjusting out any preload. That might cause increased harshness. Just a thought.
