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Opinions welcome on mods...

I'm thinking of the following: Hotchkis Sway Bars to improve the feel through high speed cornering... Stillen Intakes to add some HP... Questions: Do i need to also install springs

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Old 08-04-2011, 01:14 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Question Opinions welcome on mods...

I'm thinking of the following:

Hotchkis Sway Bars to improve the feel through high speed cornering...
Stillen Intakes to add some HP...

Questions:

Do i need to also install springs when i install the sway bars?
does the manufacturer matter with either of these choices?

thanks in advance.
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Old 08-04-2011, 03:39 PM   #2 (permalink)
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I am also looking at the Hotchkis Sways.

You do not need to install springs with the sways. Nope, but if you are looking for springs get the swifts.
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Old 08-04-2011, 04:01 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Hotchkis sways are too stiff up front unless you are looking to run crazy camber. Look at eibach or stillen if you don't want to.

Swift springs are the way to go.
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Old 08-04-2011, 05:36 PM   #4 (permalink)
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I put Stillen front and rear sways on mine fairly soon after purchasing my Z back in 09. Noticed immediately flatter stance in the turns. Just recently put the Swift Sport Springs on and after driving down to ZCON and back in Savannah I'm even more pleased with those springs!
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Old 08-04-2011, 05:49 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Red__Zed View Post
Hotchkis sways are too stiff up front unless you are looking to run crazy camber. Look at eibach or stillen if you don't want to.

Swift springs are the way to go.
Red always says that the Hotchkis are too stiff. I think that he is off base there. The Roadster is heavier and has more body roll...

I am going with the Hotchkis.
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Old 08-04-2011, 07:11 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Red__Zed View Post
Swift springs are the way to go.
+1 on the SWIFT springs. Regarding the Stillen intake G3, it has good gains but you'll lose power in the lower RPM and when installing make sure to clear the intake tubes from the AC lines. I personally believe that the stock intake does great if you simply get the K&N filters + HPS tubes.
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Old 08-04-2011, 07:13 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kirkster View Post
Red always says that the Hotchkis are too stiff. I think that he is off base there. The Roadster is heavier and has more body roll...

I am going with the Hotchkis.
Look at the front/rear stiffness. The Z understeers badly from the factory, it will get worth by increasing that ratio.
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Old 08-04-2011, 08:04 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Red__Zed View Post
Look at the front/rear stiffness. The Z understeers badly from the factory, it will get worth by increasing that ratio.
Mine does not understeer, but mine has 2° neg up front...
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Old 08-04-2011, 08:07 PM   #9 (permalink)
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My 2cents... Swifts are still the best bang for the buck in the handling department. I was one of the ones that had to do a rear camber kit. Some are not.

Butt dyno indicates I didn't loose anything on the bottom end although a real dyno may disagree. Definately does not fall on it's face at higher rpm as it did stock. Coming in from a turbo car, this was very evident. I am sure an exhaust will help too.

That is not to say drop-ins and tubes aren't a better bang for your buck but I also wanted the visual upgrade under the hood.
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Old 08-04-2011, 08:12 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kirkster View Post
Mine does not understeer, but mine has 2° neg up front...
If your car doesn't understeer, why would you want to dial in more?


I know Chris dialed in like 2.5* of camber with the Hotchkis bars, and I'm not sure it totally evened out.
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Old 08-04-2011, 08:24 PM   #11 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Red__Zed View Post
If your car doesn't understeer, why would you want to dial in more?


I know Chris dialed in like 2.5* of camber with the Hotchkis bars, and I'm not sure it totally evened out.
With my power levels it is very heavy on the oversteer. Not that I don't mind a bit of counter steering.
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Old 08-04-2011, 08:42 PM   #12 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kirkster View Post
With my power levels it is very heavy on the oversteer. Not that I don't mind a bit of counter steering.
power levels don't affect natural handling bias. power on oversteer can be helpful in some situations, but it's not the same as having neutral handling.
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Old 08-04-2011, 09:15 PM   #13 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kirkster View Post
You do not need to install springs with the sways. Nope, but if you are looking for springs get the swifts.
I put on Stillen sways front and rear. I did put on Swift springs (which I love) at the same time, but that was because I wanted to lower my Z a little bit; had nothing to do with the sways.
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Old 08-05-2011, 10:22 AM   #14 (permalink)
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I have not had a chance to push mine to the edge yet with the Swifts and alignment but seems to track like it's on rails so far. No front camber adjustment yet (about -1.8 both sides). If I find I need sways, I will do it but that is yet to be seen. I probably won't make the determination until I replace the front tires and have a chance to push it a little.




Minor threadjack...


Quote:
Originally Posted by VaGntlmn View Post
I put on Stillen sways front and rear. I did put on Swift springs (which I love) at the same time, but that was because I wanted to lower my Z a little bit; had nothing to do with the sways.
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