I’m getting ready to pull the trigger on some sway bars?
 

Hi,
I’m getting ready to pull the trigger on some sway bars, I ‘m really considering Hotchkis! :tup:

My only concern is, are the Hotchkis too stiff for DD? :eek:

Are the current rear bars from Hotchkis 27mm or 28.5mm?

Eibach sway bar uses Lbs. and everyone else use % to state difference between their sway bars and OEM?

What’s wrong with the Stillen sway bars?

Whites sway's look great but I’m not a fan of swapping out OEM sway bar links? :shakes head:

Why are the Tanabe and Nismo, with only one hole, and the Cusco I believe has one adjustment in the front, so expensive compared to others, are they worth the extra money? :stirthepot:

Thanks ,

Alex

If you think Hotchkis is too stiff stay away from cusco

I got Eibach and here are specs in % over OEM.

OEM front : 26.5mm - 416 lbs/in
rear: 24.3mm - 374 lbs/in

Eibach
32mm OD front : 1st hole - ~176% (730 lbs/in)
2nd hole - ~217% (900 lbs/in)

29mm OD rear : 1st hole - ~167% (625 lbs/in)
2nd hole - ~198% (741 lbs/in)
3rd hole - ~230% (860 lbs/in)

Let me rephrase ,do the folks that have Hotchkis sway bars, think they are too stiff for DD, I want to find out if they are overly stiff for DD or not from users that have them in their cars , before I buy.

Thanks!

Alex

I have them and they are fine for a DD. Can't really tell when driving normal.

I got these specs from hotchkis. So shhh.

Front Sway Bar
35mm (Ø1-3/8") Hollow
Hole 1 = 205% Stiffer than Stock 370Z

Rear Sway Bar
27mm (Ø1.063") Hollow
Hole 1 = 40% Stiffer than Stock 370Z
Hole 2 = 75% Stiffer than Stock 370Z
Hole 3 = 120% Stiffer than Stock 370Z

The newest rear sway is a bit longer than the previous one up to 27 from 25.4.
If you go with the softest setting on the rear, it should be ok for DD. I don't use my Z as a DD so I don't really know for sure.

I have heard that stillen sway is a bit more softer and better for streets that the hotchkis. Everyone is different, what you think is stiff wont be stiff for another person. You have to try it out for yourself. Like tjlazer said it's fine for DD.

Good luck with your choice.

Zero , Ncheung85 ,TJlazer thanks guys !:tiphat:

I ‘m just wondering why such a huge difference from OEM front bar numbers?

Stillen front sway bar hole is 720 lbs. and is only rated at 28.6% stiffer.

Eibach front 1st hole is 730 lbs. just 10 lbs. difference and its rated at a whopping 176 % stiffer? :eek:

Hotchkis front, 1st hole is rated even larger by 29% for a total of 205%?

I also found interesting the #2 holes are almost equal in lbs. but really off in actual % numbers.

For example:

Stillen rear bar #2 , 920 lbs. 70% stiffer.

Hotchiks rear bar #2, ? lbs. 75% stiffer.

Eibach rear bar # 3 is only 860 lbs. 60 lbs. less then Stillen and is rated at 230 %, 160% higher then Stillen? :confused:

I’m I reading this wrong?

Thanks,

Alex

I also replied your other post. Here is a conversion to percentage on Eibach.

OEM front : 26.5mm - 416 lbs/in
rear: 24.3mm - 374 lbs/in

Eibach
32mm OD front : 1st hole - ~176% (730 lbs/in) >>> ~76% stiffer than OE
2nd hole - ~217% (900 lbs/in) >>>>> 117 stiffer than OE

29mm OD rear : 1st hole - ~167% (625 lbs/in) >>>> 67% stiffer than OE
2nd hole - ~198% (741 lbs/in) >>>> 98% stiffer than OE
3rd hole - ~230% (860 lbs/in) >>>> 130% stiffer than OE

Does it make sense?

Whoa,.... you can analyze the numbers endlessly. I've had Hotchkis on for 15,000 mi. now, for DD,on the softest setting, and luv 'em!
Recently added BC BR's for stance and a bit more grab, and am a happy camper.

Zero,
Not saying there’s anything wrong with your individual numbers per-say ,I’m just saying the numbers are not making sense collectively!

I got what you’re saying, what I’m saying is the numbers don’t compute, when I compare how the similar lbs. numbers produce such wildly different percentages numbers across the board by different manufactures!

For example:
I‘ll but it this way if the 2nd hole - 920 lbs. @ 1” travel 70 .4% stiffer than OE.

Than how can a 3rd hole - 860 lbs. @ 1” travel be 130% stiffer than OE?

One is saying 920 lbs. = 70.4% and the other is saying 860 lbs. = 130%, I don’t understand how in this type of equation a lower lbs. can yield a higher percentage number!!!

Or maybe I’m just looking at it the wrong way.:confused:

Anyways don’t lose any sleep over it, :tup: I my just have my "of" lbs. and "then" % mixed up! “lol”:bowrofl:

No matter the numbers, Eibach are starting to appeal to me, please let me know how you like them and how they are performing for you!

Thanks,
Alex

I have Hotchkis sways with the rear on the middle setting and no, they are not too stiff for daily driving, even in combination with coilovers.

Thanks, good to know as Hotchkis were my first pick . :tup:

I noticed on the Hotchkis website that "Effective 8-17 the size of this rear bar has been changed from 27mm to 28.5mm."

Just wondering if most dealers have the new rear bars yet, at the same price ?

Hotchkis website is asking $412.95 for the newer set of sway bars. :eek:

Side note:

The Pocono mountains enjoy a lot of scenic winding roads that would be great to drive around on with good sways and suspension this fall. :driving:
Can't wait to try them out!

Thanks,

Alex

I have the Hotchkis and with the stock suspension the front sway bar was too stiff and introduces massive low speed understeer with aggressive driving. So unless you are willing to increase front camber to -2.5 stay away from the hotchkis.

It works well with my setup now, but I have BC ER coilovers and -3.5 degrees of front camber.

I don’t plan on tracking, but I do live near the Pocono Raceway, I my get a wild hair! :eek:

I was also planning on installing KW Variant 3 coilovers , next spring .but I don’ want to be forced into it! :shakes head:

Was this what you intended for your set up from the start and has it all worked out, or do you think you would have pursued differently route, if so how?

Thanks I appreciate your thoughts on this, :tiphat:

Alex

If I was going with an all street setup I would probably get the Stillen sways, they are a better compromise for the street.

:iagree:
You may be correct, Hotchkis just may be too stiff for a DD driver :driving: like myself. I really don’t want to alter the stock suspension geometry of the car much , I also have concerns about the fact that it just has that, only one hole on the front bar!

Hotchkis users please chime in about your experiences with the Hotchkis bars?

I’m really seriously considering the Stillen sway bars even though I really like the Eibach bars.

Here’s why, when I look at the numbers heres what I’m coming up with!

Eibach are great looking bars and look well made with all the adjustment holes you would want or need for DD or track IMO. :tup:

That being said, I don’t track, I would be using the first hole on the front bar and the second hole on the Eibach rear bar, which are the equivalent of the first holes on both the front and rear Stillen sway bars. For a lot less less ...:stirthepot:

Thanks,

Alex

Hey, just like my women, 3 holes, no waiting!!

:tup:

I have the hotchkis and absolutely no complaints. Rear is on stiffest setting and while it is a little bit more tail happy than stock it feels no different on the street and just better in the turns. On the track with hoosiers it's amazing...and I am able to carry a ton more speed through the turns (dropped lap times by about 3-4 seconds). I personally don't know why you wouldn't get the stiffest sway bars you can find regardless of track or street...

Hey, I don’t have an issue with stiffness as long as it doesn’t create any issues with either over steering or introduces massive low speed under-steer with aggressive driving.

Ideal sway bars for me would be, bars that are stiffer than stock , that allow faster turns with less sway, for DD and occasional spirited driving with stock suspension, while maintaining the stock settings as close as possible .

Based on your ideal sways, Eibach might be a good choice. The price is right and have more settings.

On the street above 40 mph (i.e. highway onramps) they were great but trying to get it to turn in to a 90 degree left turn at 30 mph was brutal. Maybe normal people don't do that. I will agree that on track they were great as well.

Hi Guys ,

I've added rep points to Zero and ChrisSlicks
for your helpful comments and unbiased opinions.:tup:

Not sure whats up haven't seen any changes in your rep totals ? :confused:

Thanks ,

Alex

Why not add whiteline sway bars into the line up? From
My understanding they are Somewere between stillen and hotchkiss an are front and rear adjustable. I've been thinking about these personally

I have looked at Whiteline ,my main concerns with White sway bars are end links , weight and cost!
Besides the color gray just doesn’t appeal to me somehow!

My only gripe with the Hotchkis sways, is one hole on the front bar , and it may be overbuilt for track which makes it not that great DD driving.
That being said, I think Hotchkis are well made , has better greasable bushings, and brackets , looks better and cost less. :tup:

Thanks,

Alex