T-1 vs. Hotchkis
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood Colorado
T-1 vs. Hotchkis
I know this may have been covered before, but I tried a serch and couldn't find anything on it. which is better for handling on my 02 Z06. GM T-1 swaybars or the Hotchkis swaybars? Stock springs and shocks. What else would you suspension guys recomend I do to this cars suspension, short of a full coil over setup?
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,641
Likes: 7
From: Beautiful CO
St. jude Donor '14
Originally Posted by 007Duc
I know this may have been covered before, but I tried a serch and couldn't find anything on it. which is better for handling on my 02 Z06. GM T-1 swaybars or the Hotchkis swaybars? Stock springs and shocks. What else would you suspension guys recomend I do to this cars suspension, short of a full coil over setup?
For the price difference, I don't think you can beat the GM T-1 swaybars. What type of driving do you do mostly?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 2
From: Rogersville TN
GM T1 sway bars
Would someone please expand on the T1 bars. Does GM parts on line have them and listed under what? Is there another source? I would like to go to a heavier front bar on my Z51 99 Coupe.
Thanks, Curt
Thanks, Curt
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 998
Likes: 25
From: Lafayette Indiana
I have the T1's really enjoy them. I have had them long enough that they just seem normal. When I first put them on though the steering responce was hugely increased and the car stayed planted around corners much much better.
I ordered mine though my local chevy dealorship. I believe I paid $460 for both front and rear bars plus new bushings. Excellent improvement over stock for that much money.
I ordered mine though my local chevy dealorship. I believe I paid $460 for both front and rear bars plus new bushings. Excellent improvement over stock for that much money.
Last edited by ClarksZ06; Nov 20, 2004 at 05:24 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood Colorado
Are you guys running polyurithane bushings, rubber bushings, or I've even heard teflon lined rubber bushings? Oh and what part #s do I ask for from chevy? $440 is cheaper than any of the online tuners usually around $699.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood Colorado
Alright, this goes out to anyone. I need the part #s for the T1 sway bars and teflon lined bushings front and rear. Or at least whear I might find them. Thanks for all the help! I've made my desion to go with the T1s will my 02 Z06 shocks be alright for the time being untill I can afford something else, I'm probably going to have to get a clutch here pretty soon and have to watch the $$$
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 0
From: Shorewood ,IL Mesa,AZ
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
I put T1's on my car about 3 years ago and would never change them!!!! Actually going with coilover and poly bushings this winter for the ultimate ste-up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,974
Likes: 5
From: CenTex Texas
Originally Posted by 007Duc
Are you guys running polyurithane bushings, rubber bushings, or I've even heard teflon lined rubber bushings? Oh and what part #s do I ask for from chevy? $440 is cheaper than any of the online tuners usually around $699.
The $699 i bet is for the bars, bushings, and endlinks.......where as the $440 i bet is just for the bars and bushings. The heim-joint adjustable endlinks cost ~$50 each.
Part numbers:
T1 Front Bar = 12480065
T1 Rear Bar = 12480066
T1 End Link = 12480067 (you will need 4 of these)
T1 Front Bushing = 12480068
T1 Rear Bushing = 12480069
FYI: I bought mine from PaceParts.com for $686.42 SHIPPED to my door (w/no TAX).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 797
Likes: 1
From: Sunny Earthquake Country, USA On the Left Coast (which is becoming more Right!)
Sway bars...
As others have said above, your car will corner flatter (better) with T1's.
The down side is a harsher ride. Just change the bars 1st without changing springs/shocks as stiff bars transfer force to the other wheels (your suspension is less independent) and give you the effect of stiffer springs and shocks.
You will probably like the way it corners, if it's not enough-you can do more!
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!
Roy
The down side is a harsher ride. Just change the bars 1st without changing springs/shocks as stiff bars transfer force to the other wheels (your suspension is less independent) and give you the effect of stiffer springs and shocks.
You will probably like the way it corners, if it's not enough-you can do more!
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!
Roy
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: CA
I have the T1s on a 01 vert with F45 susp. The ride is not as harsh as you might think with such beefier bars. My car is a daily driver and I travel over various road surfaces. You'll just need to be careful going over bumps (as if you're not already 
). The car corners very flat and stable. I highly recomend them. Got mine from LAPD. You can also get them at GMparts Direct.
BTW, the kit comes with bushings and endlinks. Adjust the endlinks all the way in for clearance and to avoid rattles.
). The car corners very flat and stable. I highly recomend them. Got mine from LAPD. You can also get them at GMparts Direct.BTW, the kit comes with bushings and endlinks. Adjust the endlinks all the way in for clearance and to avoid rattles.
Last edited by DirtyRed; Nov 20, 2004 at 11:17 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,156
Likes: 150
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
Extremely happy with the Hotchkis setup which comes with the polyurethane bushings and heim links. Coupled with Bilstein sport shocks and base FE1 springs the ride is much improved yet not too harsh for city driving!! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 797
Likes: 1
From: Sunny Earthquake Country, USA On the Left Coast (which is becoming more Right!)
F45 suspension...
Originally Posted by DirtyRed
I have the T1s on a 01 vert with F45 susp. The ride is not as harsh as you might think with such beefier bars. My car is a daily driver and I travel over various road surfaces. You'll just need to be careful going over bumps (as if you're not already ). The car corners very flat and stable. I highly recomend them. Got mine from LAPD. You can also get them at GMparts Direct.
BTW, the kit comes with bushings and endlinks. Adjust the endlinks all the way in for clearance and to avoid rattles.
). The car corners very flat and stable. I highly recomend them. Got mine from LAPD. You can also get them at GMparts Direct.BTW, the kit comes with bushings and endlinks. Adjust the endlinks all the way in for clearance and to avoid rattles.
Roy
Platinum Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,665
Likes: 340
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.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 7
From: Valencia CA
Considering the upgrade...
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?
Any thoughts?