C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Sway bar questions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 26, 2009 | 04:20 PM
  #1  
Homer3D's Avatar
Homer3D
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 150
From: Woodland CA
Default Sway bar questions

I used the search but really couldn't find the answer.

I have a 2005 C6 w/ Z51 and I am looking at 2 sway bars:

C6 Hotchkis Corvette Sway Bars @ $430
Pfadt C6 Street Sway Bars @ $850

I don't reallly know the difference between the 2. I know the Pfadt is adjustable, but other than that is there anything else about the Pfadt that makes is so much better to be almost double the price?

I also found that people are saying the Z51 sway bars with the Pfadt C6 Z51 Poly Sway Bar Bushings ($30) is a great upgrade. Anyone do this? Does replacing just the bushings for $30 make a dramatic improvement in the handling? I have a future upgrade to Pfadt C6 Adjustable Inverted Sport Shocks coming as well.

What are your thoughts?
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2009 | 04:29 PM
  #2  
Silverspeed's Avatar
Silverspeed
Team Owner
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 22,136
Likes: 23
From: In the woods looking for my thrown putter.
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Default

Originally Posted by Homer3D
C6 Hotchkis Corvette Sway Bars @ $430
Pfadt C6 Street Sway Bars @ $850
Not really on-topic but where are you getting the Hotchkis bars for 430?
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2009 | 04:36 PM
  #3  
Homer3D's Avatar
Homer3D
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 150
From: Woodland CA
Default

Originally Posted by Silverspeed
Not really on-topic but where are you getting the Hotchkis bars for 430?
Just about anywhere.

http://www.corvettegarage.com/produc...-corvette.html
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-1...sway-bars.aspx
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2009 | 04:42 PM
  #4  
miami08VETTE's Avatar
miami08VETTE
Melting Slicks
Supporting Gold
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 668
From: North Fulton Georgia
Default

got my Hotchkis sways from LAPD, a forum vendor, for under $400. They are excellent sways, very effective and don't cost an arm and a leg. I have used them on 2 previous cars and have always been happy with them. The rears are adjustable by the way, the front is not.

I have a Z51 equipped coupe and these made a marked impact on flatter cornering and a much more planted feel in high speed curves.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2009 | 04:13 PM
  #5  
Aaron Pfadt's Avatar
Aaron Pfadt
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 954
Likes: 1
From: Salt Lake City UT
St. Jude Donor '08
Autocross & Roadrace Forum Sponsor
Default

Originally Posted by Homer3D
I used the search but really couldn't find the answer.

I have a 2005 C6 w/ Z51 and I am looking at 2 sway bars:

C6 Hotchkis Corvette Sway Bars @ $430
Pfadt C6 Street Sway Bars @ $850

I don't reallly know the difference between the 2. I know the Pfadt is adjustable, but other than that is there anything else about the Pfadt that makes is so much better to be almost double the price?

What are your thoughts?
Homer,

The main functional difference between the two sets is that our 'Street' bar setup has a lot more rate than the Hotchkis setup. The Hotchkis setup is in the ballpark of the Z51 setup in terms of rate. Our Pfadt Street kit spans from about 50% stiffer to 100% stiffer than the Z51 package (depending on where you have them adjusted). This is important because as GM has updated the Corvette they have followed a trend of continually increase sway bar rate. Basically the increase in roll stiffness adds performance without sacrificing ride quality. This is why our Street package has such a firm rate.

Our bars are also adjustable in both the front and rear which gives you more ability to tune to different tire combos and suspension setups. The other main difference is weight. With the hollow tube and 7075 aluminum arms our bars weigh less than a bent steel bar.

Hope this helps. Give a call if you have any questions on our package.

-Aaron



Reply
Old Jan 29, 2009 | 11:59 AM
  #6  
Homer3D's Avatar
Homer3D
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 150
From: Woodland CA
Default

Thanks for the info. I guess at this point it really just come down to price vs performance. I am basically a street guy with occasional autox-ing. So I am just looking for the best bang for the buck.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Sway bar questions





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:46 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE