Front Sway Bar Only - Hotchkis VS Whiteline

jmBoino · 04-05-2021, 09:33 AM

Hey all, looking to upgrade my suspension and the forums state that sways after coils are next up. I plan to run the OEM rear sway bar and replace the front. I do spirited street driving and plan to track in the coming months. The general consensus on the forums say to keep OEM rear sway bar, but go for Hotchkis / Whiteline in the front. Which is better for my application and why?

There's a sweet deal on the Whiteline right now for those wondering:
https://rcagarage.com/shop/suspensio...ay-bar-bnf41z/

Spooler · 04-05-2021, 10:30 AM

Hotochkis hands down.

JARblue · 04-05-2021, 10:47 AM

What makes that deal so sweet? The overpriced $280 MSRP?

Hotchkis > Whiteline. I paid less than $200 for my front Hotchkis bar brand new.

Evildky · 04-05-2021, 11:50 AM

I got the Hotchkis as it seemed to be the most popular wiht the 370 autocross/track crowd. Generally stiffer = better, not sure what the spring rates are on either bar off hand.

Rusty · 04-05-2021, 04:22 PM

There is a reason why most of the rat tracks use a Hotchkis. Because it works.

OptionZero · 04-05-2021, 04:38 PM

Seems like you should get the biggest bar possible and then tweak your alignment/spring rate/damper settings to your personal style

Eagle · 04-05-2021, 11:48 PM

Hotchkis is the better track proven bar. Don't let synolimit fool you

Rusty · 04-05-2021, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle

Hotchkis is the better track proven bar. Don't let synolimit fool you

LMAO

Wonder if he is still a live? Turn a leased car into a track car.

Wonder what he did when the lease was up?

Quicksilvers · 04-06-2021, 08:17 AM

Both either the Hotchkis and Whiteline sway bars would work just fine for the street. If you are planning on track duty with your Z I would recommend the Hotchkis front sway bar and keeping the Genuine Nissan OEM rear sway bar. Be sure to upgrade your endlinks though OP.

Jhill · 04-06-2021, 05:50 PM

Everyone swears by the Hotchkiss so that’s probably the way you should go. It’s odd though or I guess maybe I am as I just did a track day last month and I tried dialing in some different setups with mine (Stillen) and tried full stiff front and full soft rear and figured if I liked it and wanted more of it then I’d buy the Hotchkiss setup. Kind of glad I tested because I think I just saved myself some money. The Stillen front isn’t rated nearly as stiff as the Hotchkiss and yet the front end just became totally nervous and light like I couldn’t trust the grip and it wanted to push at the same time. Set the front to middle and it was a totally different car the next session and would lean (obviously) and grip. Then tried the rear in the middle and that works too, better on some turns but maybe a little nervous rear on some others. So seems I’ve found my setup but I’m surprised no one thinks the Hotchkiss understeers. I’m still slow and only in group b so maybe it’s just me but I couldn’t find myself going into the turns as hard with the way the steering and balance felt.

jmBoino · 04-06-2021, 07:55 PM

Seems like I will be going with the Hotchkis. By the way JARblue the deal is $180 from $ 280. I just want something that will allow me to tackle things with more confidence and to compensate for my 54/46 weight distribution.

Also, why upgrade the end links if the bar makes the most bit of difference?

Thanks guys

Rusty · 04-06-2021, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmBoino

Seems like I will be going with the Hotchkis. By the way JARblue the deal is $180 from $ 280. I just want something that will allow me to tackle things with more confidence and to compensate for my 54/46 weight distribution.

Also, why upgrade the end links if the bar makes the most bit of difference?

Thanks guys

The end links is so that you can adjust the preload out of the bar. Or if you are going to get it corner balanced.

Rusty · 04-06-2021, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhill

Everyone swears by the Hotchkiss so that’s probably the way you should go. It’s odd though or I guess maybe I am as I just did a track day last month and I tried dialing in some different setups with mine (Stillen) and tried full stiff front and full soft rear and figured if I liked it and wanted more of it then I’d buy the Hotchkiss setup. Kind of glad I tested because I think I just saved myself some money. The Stillen front isn’t rated nearly as stiff as the Hotchkiss and yet the front end just became totally nervous and light like I couldn’t trust the grip and it wanted to push at the same time. Set the front to middle and it was a totally different car the next session and would lean (obviously) and grip. Then tried the rear in the middle and that works too, better on some turns but maybe a little nervous rear on some others. So seems I’ve found my setup but I’m surprised no one thinks the Hotchkiss understeers. I’m still slow and only in group b so maybe it’s just me but I couldn’t find myself going into the turns as hard with the way the steering and balance felt.

Mine will understeer on a hard down hill hairpin.

Jhill · 04-06-2021, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

Mine will understeer on a hard down hill hairpin.

That’s exactly where the rear in mid position on mine showed the biggest improvement. Andretti hairpin the rear helps push the car around, the front full stiff was just too uncomfortable on the hairpin or turn 3 that flat or even off camber and turn 11 that’s tight right before the straight car just felt like it ignored anything I told it. It was really surprising how much influence just one adjustment made.

Maestro666 · 04-14-2021, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhill

Everyone swears by the Hotchkiss so that’s probably the way you should go. It’s odd though or I guess maybe I am as I just did a track day last month and I tried dialing in some different setups with mine (Stillen) and tried full stiff front and full soft rear and figured if I liked it and wanted more of it then I’d buy the Hotchkiss setup. Kind of glad I tested because I think I just saved myself some money. The Stillen front isn’t rated nearly as stiff as the Hotchkiss and yet the front end just became totally nervous and light like I couldn’t trust the grip and it wanted to push at the same time. Set the front to middle and it was a totally different car the next session and would lean (obviously) and grip. Then tried the rear in the middle and that works too, better on some turns but maybe a little nervous rear on some others. So seems I’ve found my setup but I’m surprised no one thinks the Hotchkiss understeers. I’m still slow and only in group b so maybe it’s just me but I couldn’t find myself going into the turns as hard with the way the steering and balance felt.

If I run my Whiteline bar on the stiffest setting with my mps4s on the front I get all sorts of front end nervousness braking into corners. The stock bar is better. With the Nankang semi's on it's a completely different story. Front end fully stiff all the way or else the lean just throws me right off.

View Poll Results: Hotchkis / Whiteline Front Sway Bar?
Hotchkis	20	74.07%
Whiteline	7	25.93%
Voters: 27. You may not vote on this poll

04-05-2021, 09:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
jmBoino Base Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: New York Posts: 22 Drives: 2015 370Z Sport MT Rep Power: 7	Front Sway Bar Only - Hotchkis VS Whiteline Hey all, looking to upgrade my suspension and the forums state that sways after coils are next up. I plan to run the OEM rear sway bar and replace the front. I do spirited street driving and plan to track in the coming months. The general consensus on the forums say to keep OEM rear sway bar, but go for Hotchkis / Whiteline in the front. Which is better for my application and why? There's a sweet deal on the Whiteline right now for those wondering: https://rcagarage.com/shop/suspensio...ay-bar-bnf41z/

04-05-2021, 10:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 13,797 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684392	Hotochkis hands down. Eagle, JARblue and cv129 like this.

04-05-2021, 10:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 43 Posts: 36,450 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684440	What makes that deal so sweet? The overpriced $280 MSRP? Hotchkis > Whiteline. I paid less than $200 for my front Hotchkis bar brand new. Eagle and cv129 like this. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

04-05-2021, 11:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
Evildky Base Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 89 Drives: 13 Nismo STU/T3 Rep Power: 10187	I got the Hotchkis as it seemed to be the most popular wiht the 370 autocross/track crowd. Generally stiffer = better, not sure what the spring rates are on either bar off hand. sx moneypit likes this.

04-05-2021, 04:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 68 Posts: 35,180 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684437	There is a reason why most of the rat tracks use a Hotchkis. Because it works. Eagle, cv129 and nasm like this. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

04-05-2021, 04:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
OptionZero A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,225 Drives: 15 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 214100	Seems like you should get the biggest bar possible and then tweak your alignment/spring rate/damper settings to your personal style Eagle and cv129 like this. __________________ OptionZero Build Thread

04-05-2021, 11:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Eagle Track Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South Orange County, CA Posts: 885 Drives: 2011 370z Red 6MT Rep Power: 10656	Hotchkis is the better track proven bar. Don't let synolimit fool you JARblue, cv129, Rusty and 2 others like this. __________________ nismo\| EVO-R High Wing \| *Stillen* Gen 3 CAI \| SEIBON TS Hood \| Z1 34 Row Oil Cooler \| VMR 810 Wheels \| Endless MX72 Pads \|*Sabelt* GT-140 Seat \|Fly1Motorsports RS1 Fenders \| Hotchkis Front Sway Bar \| Berk HFC \|

04-06-2021, 08:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
Quicksilvers A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2017 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,039 Drives: 2017 370z Rep Power: 25463	Both either the Hotchkis and Whiteline sway bars would work just fine for the street. If you are planning on track duty with your Z I would recommend the Hotchkis front sway bar and keeping the Genuine Nissan OEM rear sway bar. Be sure to upgrade your endlinks though OP. __________________ Mr. Clean

04-06-2021, 05:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jhill Track Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: San jose Posts: 854 Drives: 2013 370z sport Rep Power: 3384	Everyone swears by the Hotchkiss so that’s probably the way you should go. It’s odd though or I guess maybe I am as I just did a track day last month and I tried dialing in some different setups with mine (Stillen) and tried full stiff front and full soft rear and figured if I liked it and wanted more of it then I’d buy the Hotchkiss setup. Kind of glad I tested because I think I just saved myself some money. The Stillen front isn’t rated nearly as stiff as the Hotchkiss and yet the front end just became totally nervous and light like I couldn’t trust the grip and it wanted to push at the same time. Set the front to middle and it was a totally different car the next session and would lean (obviously) and grip. Then tried the rear in the middle and that works too, better on some turns but maybe a little nervous rear on some others. So seems I’ve found my setup but I’m surprised no one thinks the Hotchkiss understeers. I’m still slow and only in group b so maybe it’s just me but I couldn’t find myself going into the turns as hard with the way the steering and balance felt.

04-06-2021, 07:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
jmBoino Base Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: New York Posts: 22 Drives: 2015 370Z Sport MT Rep Power: 7	Seems like I will be going with the Hotchkis. By the way JARblue the deal is $180 from $ 280. I just want something that will allow me to tackle things with more confidence and to compensate for my 54/46 weight distribution. Also, why upgrade the end links if the bar makes the most bit of difference? Thanks guys

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