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Hotchkis Sway bars

Discussion in 'Suspension & Brakes' started by Constantine, May 15, 2009.

  1. Offline

    Constantine New Member

    Member Since:
    May 15, 2009
    I just ordered the Hotchkis stage 1 TVS system, and I am having it installed on monday. I was wondering since the front mount sway bar comes with two settings, and the rear comes with three, how should i set it. I would like it to have a noticible difference in stiffness. being as it that i drive on the street would putting both bars to their max setting be to much?

    Front Bar - 15/16" (24mm) - 2 position adjustable
    Rear Bar - 1 1/16" (27mm) - 3 position adjustable
    % Stiffer Than Stock
    Front Bar - 40% / 68%
    Rear Bar - 273% / 304% / 338%
    Constantine, May 15, 2009
    #1
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    Redneck4csa Premium Member

    Member Since:
    Oct 2, 2008
    Location:
    07 Scion tC
    I don't know the answer to your question, but I will warn you about your kit. Alot of people have bought the Stage 1 and put the front sway bar on, only to find out that the stock sway bar performed better.
    Redneck4csa, May 15, 2009
    #2
  3. Offline

    Constantine New Member

    Member Since:
    May 15, 2009
    hmmm thanks, ill do a bit more research and see if the mounting the front sway bar is worth it. Its sitting in a box in my room, so it feels like if i do not install it i wasted my money on it.
    Constantine, May 16, 2009
    #3
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    Mengsta <font color="#fb7014"><b>Club-tC Supporting Vendor

    Member Since:
    Feb 13, 2007
    Location:
    07 Tc
    I've had alot of customers claim that stiffer front sway bars increased understeer and that it felt too stiff for them. If you are going to install the front sways, you should definitely set it to the more mild setting. The rear sway bar is where you will feel a big difference whether you race or just drive to work. I would say the first position is more ideal as the hotchkis are already a pretty thick set.

    -Tony
    Mengsta, May 18, 2009
    #4
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    SquallLHeart New Member

    Member Since:
    Feb 4, 2007
    Location:
    '06 Scion tC
    i prefer to not waste the time or effort to install the front sway bar... it's not needed and at least for driving preferences, it handles better without it.
    that's why i typically just suggest to find a good rear sway bar alone and install that (vs buying the hotchki's, spending the money for 2 sway bars, and not installing the front one)

    been running on just the rear hotchki's bar on my car for almost 5 yrs.
    at the time it was really the only sway bar offered besides the TRD one.

    with the more options now available, i recommend people towards the Progress rear sway.
    (you should've done your the research prior to just up and ordering things...)

    and if you really do decide to install the front sway bar anyway, set it to the softest, and then set the rear to its stiffest.
    SquallLHeart, May 18, 2009
    #5
  6. Offline

    Constantine New Member

    Member Since:
    May 15, 2009
    How does one sway bar differ from another? (in terms of quality)...Is it the stiffness or weight that makes one "better"? And thanks, if I do decide to install the front sway bar I will set it on its softest setting.
    Constantine, May 18, 2009
    #6
  7. Offline

    Nathanr.6168 New Member

    Member Since:
    Jan 27, 2009
    Location:
    2009 Scion Tc
    The stiffness of the bar makes the car more solid through turns, stiffer bar = better handling
    Nathanr.6168, May 18, 2009
    #7
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    Mengsta <font color="#fb7014"><b>Club-tC Supporting Vendor

    Member Since:
    Feb 13, 2007
    Location:
    07 Tc
    Hmm in terms of quality, In my past experience of talking to manufacturers, they will all say their Sh*t is the best lol. Hotchkis, Progress, Suspension Techniques, and all the other big name brands dont really bring me complaints.

    So one of the simple ways to tell the difference between brands would be the thickness of sway. I can check later, but I think progress is 22m, while hotchkis is like 27mm for the rear. Progress is a hot seller because its just a rear bar for a really good price, the quality is great, And best of all it comes with aftermarket end links! Another difference between the brands is whether the bar is hollow or solid. Of course a solid bar would be better in reducing chassis flex. Im sure most of the bars are solid, I havn't came across hollow bars in awhile besides in OEM bars.

    -Tony
    Mengsta, May 18, 2009
    #8
  9. Offline

    Redneck4csa Premium Member

    Member Since:
    Oct 2, 2008
    Location:
    07 Scion tC
    Progress sway bars are hollow and Hotchkis sway bars are solid, I believe. Another factor to look into is weight. Hollow bars will weight less than solid bars.
    Redneck4csa, May 18, 2009
    #9
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    Mengsta <font color="#fb7014"><b>Club-tC Supporting Vendor

    Member Since:
    Feb 13, 2007
    Location:
    07 Tc
    Thanks for letting me know.

    -Tony
    Mengsta, May 19, 2009
    #10
  11. Offline

    SquallLHeart New Member

    Member Since:
    Feb 4, 2007
    Location:
    '06 Scion tC
    you got that mixed up..

    hotchki's are hollow... that's why they can make their bars thicker without adding weight... along with the fact that they are probably the only company that makes hollow bars..

    side by side, the progress and the hotchki's weigh about the same.. it's just the hotchki's is thicker..
    and actually might weigh a little more.
    SquallLHeart, May 19, 2009
    #11
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    Redneck4csa Premium Member

    Member Since:
    Oct 2, 2008
    Location:
    07 Scion tC
    Sorry. I believed that the Progress was hollow. Thanks for the clarification though.
    Redneck4csa, May 19, 2009
    #12
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    Mengsta <font color="#fb7014"><b>Club-tC Supporting Vendor

    Member Since:
    Feb 13, 2007
    Location:
    07 Tc
    Oh okay, so progress is solid, that makes more sense.

    Thanks for the correction.
    Mengsta, May 20, 2009
    #13
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    • Staff / Moderator

    navylife59 Super Moderator

    Member Since:
    Mar 22, 2006
    Location:
    2005 Scion Tc
    Yeah, the Hotchkis rear swaybar barely accepted the OEM endlinks as it was so thick at the ends. I have the Dezod endlinks (modified of course) on the race (tightest setting) so that I have full control over adjustment. My fiancee says that I lke to be in control too much; a control freak. :)

    Everyone is right on the money with the front sway and the understeer. FWD are inherently understeer prone already. Only with proper downforce, rear adjustments, sticky tires (race compound), and a LSD would you gain anything from a front swaybar install. Mine is still sitting under my bed.
    navylife59, May 21, 2009
    #14

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