Hotchkis vs. Competitors (Sway Bar)

[Tmwoodall]

Are F/R Hotchkis sway bars really worth ~$500 more than their competitors (CPP, ECE, etc)?

I am sure they put more into engineering and what not, but $500 more? Sure seems like the "normal" brands would be enough for a DD and occasional fun vehicle, no?

[Tom Vogel]

Quite frankly, I was wondering the same thing. Check the price on the tubular control arms. Im not saying they arent worth it... its just that they dont say WHY they are worth it... that is to say HOW are their products better? (all respect intended)

[Tmwoodall]

Originally Posted by Tom Vogel

Quite frankly, I was wondering the same thing. Check the price on the tubular control arms. Im not saying they arent worth it... its just that they dont say WHY they are worth it... that is to say HOW are their products better? (all respect intended)

That is what bugged me too. I figured they would have comparisons, stats, videos, etc.

I watched the video shown as their big showcase. While it shows some sweet trucks it is just the editor fumbling through a rundown of the day Autoxing and two of the three trucks happened to have Hotchkis built running gear.

Pretty weak.

[PipsC10]

And I thought $400 for my muscle bar from ride tech was steep...

[oldno7]

I'll be watching this to It's difficult making decisions Seems one thing leads to another with these trucks I've pretty much decided on just going stock suspention with a 4/6 drop with 20's i think it will look ok maybe this should be put up in the suspention section

[Tx Firefighter]

I'm kind of a dinosaur, but I've never understood any aftermarket front sway bar.

Good old GM factory bars are readily available in 1 1/8 and 1 1/4 sizes at the junkyard. You can buy new urethane bushings at the local parts store made my Moog and you're all set. A swaybar is just a large piece of steel. They don't go bad or get worn out. Why pay for new when every day the junkyards out there are crushing perfectly good used ones ?

You fellas can flame me all you want. Like I said, I know I'm a dinosaur.

[Hubscrub]

[barryvanhook]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I'm kind of a dinosaur, but I've never understood any aftermarket front sway bar.

What he said.

Barry

[68Stepbed]

It depends on what you plan to do with the vehicle. If you plan to autocross or roadrace your truck, then yes, the Hotchkis bars are a little better, because they ar designed more for that. They do have adjustable end links, which, in return makes them "tuneable". Most aftermarket companies simply just make a "stock style" bar with no real benefit over a stock sway bar.

As for a daily driver, weekend boulevard cruiser, or just a truck to get out and take a spirited drive around some twisty back roads, I'm in complete agreement with TxFirefighter. A stock 1 1/4" sway bar with poly bushings is a great upgrade and cheaper than aftermarket and will suffice as good for just about anyone.

As for Hotchkis' tubular CA's, they have been designed with better caster/camber adjustments, which again, is better for autocrossing and road course action. This is the one thing I see that is better designed than the other companies selling tubular CA's.

As for the prices, Hothckis really has no competition as far as the products they're making. You can expect their prices to be higher as long as no one can challenge what they sell. I know that No Limit is making some new products, so hopefully soon we will have a competitive aftermarket support for our fine trucks.

All that being said, a good 4/6 drop kit from ECE with factory sway bars will make just about any truck fun to drive and still be competitive in most autocross fields. If you don't beleive me, check out Chris Powell's autocross win at the Goodguys show last year.

[LEEVON]

I don't know, they are a very nice design and look to be in a completely different class. I'm with the others on the factory sway bars, they're around all day for $40 plus bushings...but CPP had a sale on theirs for $75 w/ free shipping last week so I got another one. At that price it's not worth cleaning up an old one and going to the store for bushings.

I think it's a special market that Hotchkis is after.

[OJ1988]

The hotchkis front bar is 1 7/16"

[Bennett68C10]

I have the Hotchkis front sway bar and it is massive at 1 7/16". I bought it because i plan to autocross my truck a little when i'm finally done with it, plus i had a coupon at summit racing when i bought it. Don't think i'll be buying one of their rear bars as I can only run the blade style due to my ECE super track bar and I can't justify at this time spending over $400 for a rear sway bar specially since I'm not close to being done with my project. I'm leaning towards running a 3rd Gen camaro rear sway bar.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I'm kind of a dinosaur, but I've never understood any aftermarket front sway bar.

Good old GM factory bars are readily available in 1 1/8 and 1 1/4 sizes at the junkyard. You can buy new urethane bushings at the local parts store made my Moog and you're all set. A swaybar is just a large piece of steel. They don't go bad or get worn out. Why pay for new when every day the junkyards out there are crushing perfectly good used ones ?

You fellas can flame me all you want. Like I said, I know I'm a dinosaur.

Yep, I concur, so I guess that makes me a dinosaur too !!

[Orangetonicclicc]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

It depends on what you plan to do with the vehicle. If you plan to autocross or roadrace your truck, then yes, the Hotchkis bars are a little better, because they ar designed more for that. They do have adjustable end links, which, in return makes them "tuneable". Most aftermarket companies simply just make a "stock style" bar with no real benefit over a stock sway bar.

As for a daily driver, weekend boulevard cruiser, or just a truck to get out and take a spirited drive around some twisty back roads, I'm in complete agreement with TxFirefighter. A stock 1 1/4" sway bar with poly bushings is a great upgrade and cheaper than aftermarket and will suffice as good for just about anyone.

As for Hotchkis' tubular CA's, they have been designed with better caster/camber adjustments, which again, is better for autocrossing and road course action. This is the one thing I see that is better designed than the other companies selling tubular CA's.

As for the prices, Hothckis really has no competition as far as the products they're making. You can expect their prices to be higher as long as no one can challenge what they sell. I know that No Limit is making some new products, so hopefully soon we will have a competitive aftermarket support for our fine trucks.

All that being said, a good 4/6 drop kit from ECE with factory sway bars will make just about any truck fun to drive and still be competitive in most autocross fields. If you don't beleive me, check out Chris Powell's autocross win at the Goodguys show last year.

I had a question about that 4/6 drop. Did you have to C-notch your frame and lose your tubs and inner fenders? Only difference is I'm wanting 22's?

[oldblue1968chevy]

Ive heard you can get by with 6" rear spring with no cnotch

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by Orangetonicclicc

I had a question about that 4/6 drop. Did you have to C-notch your frame and lose your tubs and inner fenders? Only difference is I'm wanting 22's?

Not sure on your question. I don't have a 4/6 drop. I only have a 3.5/5 drop from ECE, and I have a stepside.

Everyone I talk to with a 4/6 drop did not need a c-notch.

[big_al_71]

I have the one from CPP and it performs great definetly helped the body loose feel the truck had..along with my rear square tubing trailing arms this truck feels like it is on rails..