Which Sway Bars?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Which Sway Bars?
Hey guys I have two quick questions about sway bars? I have a stock
C6 with non- Z51 suspension. I was wondering which would give me better handling the Z06 sway bars or the Hotchkins sway bars.
How difficult are they to install?
C6 with non- Z51 suspension. I was wondering which would give me better handling the Z06 sway bars or the Hotchkins sway bars.
How difficult are they to install?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 0
From: chazy ny
the sway bars are easy to install, they would take about 1 hour with common shop tools and a way to lift the car. It is easier if you remove the tires. I am not sure about the Hotchkins bars but the z06 bars are great.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 615
Likes: 2
From: Mill Creek WA
Go with the Z51 bars (the Z06 bars will induce oversteer), or, even better, get the Pfadt Street adjustable bars (their Pfatty competition bars are way too stiff). I've got my Phadt Street bars set on their middle position F/R. A huge improvement over the Z51 bars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 667
From: North Fulton Georgia
I have used Hotchkis on my last 2 cars and now on my 08 coupe. They are a quality product that delivers perfomance without costing an arm and a leg. For the vette they are adjustable but only at the rear. Can't go wrong with Hotchkis, especially for a street setup.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 3
From: Buena Park CA
If you are never going to upgrade your tires/wheels to something wider later on, then stick with the Z51's. I also have a base C6 and I replaced the stock ones with the Z06's. It's true, there is oversteer if you are not used to driving this technological beast. However, I plan on major HP upgrades and wide tires later, so I didn't care....I kind of take it easy on turns until the other upgrades come in.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 373
Likes: 2
From: White Plains NY
best bang for the buck, z51 bars and pfadt ploy bushings they are cheap enough as a starting point if you want to go weekend tracking later its no big deal to upgrade to something better you didn't waste a lot of money on them and you can always resell them to some one like you who is just starting out.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 615
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles Ca.
best bang for the buck, z51 bars and pfadt ploy bushings they are cheap enough as a starting point if you want to go weekend tracking later its no big deal to upgrade to something better you didn't waste a lot of money on them and you can always resell them to some one like you who is just starting out.
And if you want a little more install the Koni FSDs.
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: nj
On a base C6 suspension, would the Bilstein Heavy Duty or Sport work better when upgrading to the Z51 front and rear sway bars. The Konis look interesting, but the cost is higher and from what I have been reading, it lowers the car.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 373
Likes: 2
From: White Plains NY
I'm no expert but I can tell you this, sway bars do not do the same job as shocks. to put it simply sway bars limit the pitch or side to side roll of the car and shocks dampen the car over bumps the shocks also stop the car from going down the street like a pogo stick and No shock lowers the car no matter what make it is.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 174
From: Melbourne FL
St. Jude Donor '09 & '11
I went with the Z51 sway bars and Koni FSD shocks on my 05 base coupe and am very pleased with the results. Still has a nice ride but corners flatter and stays down well on rough pavement.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 163
Likes: 4
From: Santa Barbara California
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,373
Likes: 6
From: Chatsworth California
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
I'm thinking about using the Hotchkis sways because of the ability to adjust the stiffness (in the rear) and the light weight. The Z51 sways are probably great, but the ability to compensate for a larger, more aggressive rear tire is worth the extra money to me. This is especially true if you are running a fairly normal sized rear tire on the street and have a larger/stickier rear tire on the track. The front Hotchkis are 20% stiffer than the Z51 and the rear are 15% or 45% or 80% stiffer depending on the setting.
San
San
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09