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From: Sunny Earthquake Country, USA On the Left Coast (which is becoming more Right!)
Originally Posted by Tony Mamo
Have any of you guys ever driven with the Hotchkiss and then upgraded to the T1 bars after?? I would be curious to get some input from those individuals who had experienced both, from a ride quality standpoint as well as a handling standpoint. I currently run the Hotchkiss and think they handle pretty well, but would consider the stiffer T1's if it didn't come with a significant reduction in "ride quality" from my current set-up. Also, Ive heard that unless your on a smooth road, the stiffer T1's can actually hurt cornering ability as the wheels are less independant from one another...
Any thoughts?
I love my T1's, but if you talk to suspension engineers, they'll tell you that the more independent the suspension is (less or no sway bars) the better-however our cars do not have the technology (independent computer/actuator controlled jounce/rebound control) due to costs and the car configuration (they are people and stuff movers) that would allow the technologies for a perfect flat cornering car (but we are getting closer!).
As long as we are on the subject, the very stiff bars also act as an undamped torsion spring when one wheel hits a bump while the other doesnt. You can feel a cycle or two of this twisting low frequency vibration as the shocks don't dampen it well, but you get used to it after a while and it doesn't throw you out of control, but is a little disconserting sometimes.
So if you're driving the Baja take off your T1's, if your on a smooth track-wear your T1's, and for every thing in the middle-it's a compromise as are most things on our people mover *** racer Corvettes!
I tried different bars (as I thought the T1's were too stiff) but whenever I had on a "lesser" bar my car felt insecure at higher speeds than when I had the T1's on!
And finally to reiterate-I love my T1's and feel insecure without them.
Roy
Last edited by 7.0sc SuperVette; Nov 21, 2004 at 03:49 PM.
From: Sunny Earthquake Country, USA On the Left Coast (which is becoming more Right!)
End link rattle...
Originally Posted by jabbott
Zip Products has them with our own end links. I just created part numbers for them two weeks ago. We just installed them on a 2000 and the car rides great. The only issue is the solid endlinks. You can hear them when the window is down and you are going slow, they have a little rattle to them. Other than that is is a wonderful package.
Dick Guldstrand in Burbank CA. replaced my rattling end links with a set of tighter tolerance end links and the rattle is still gone after 25K miles.
Roy
If you want you can run the OEM aluminum end links with the T1 bars to avoid the rattles. I have them on mine and they work fine. DON'T use the plastic ones, they'll break (I know, I tried ).
Dick Guldstrand in Burbank CA. replaced my rattling end links with a set of tighter tolerance end links and the rattle is still gone after 25K miles.
Roy
You can also use the OEM aluminum endlinks. They work fine and you don't have to fiddle with em. Don't use the plastic endlinks they'll break (I know, I tried ).
Endlinks can be very expensive and they are rated as to there radial stregnth. The "tighter" endlink is probably around a 6600 rated and they are close to $20 ea. In other words just for the endlinks that are way over rated of a sway bar they would cost over $160 without anything else. Teflon lined still leaves something to wear unless you are talking teflon seals which would help the rattle some. The stock OE units still have joints that wear out and do not work as well as the rod ends.
I debated on getting the T-1's but the tuners I spoke to said they are way too harsh for the street. I live in Michigan and the roads here suck so it probley was a good decision going with the Hotchkis.
From: Stealth So Cal GOCC ...comming to invade your neighborhood soon
I've had my T-1's on for over 2 years and love them. I coupled them with an '04 Z system and Hotchkis endlinks in front/factory aluminum non-adjustable endlinks in the rear. No ratles and extremely flat cornering with a streetable ride. If you do have rough roads in your area they might be a bit harsh though.
I debated on getting the T-1's but the tuners I spoke to said they are way too harsh for the street. roads here suck so it probley was a good decision going with the Hotchkis.
Hears a little food for thought.... Hotckis (sp?) makes the T1 bars for GM. I had an extremely reputable tuner tell me that last week when I asked him the same question. He said he just got done visiting Hotsckis and that's why Mr H told him.