I was searching to see if anyone has installed the Hotchkis TVS on there 3rd gen F-body. What I'm wondering is it worth the asking price? Also what type of improvements will I see? Can I use performance bushings with them? Will Bilstein Sport shock will with this system?

I know a newbie question. Well I know more about Sport Compacts and BMWs then I know about F-body suspension tuning.

 

You will see nice improvements but you can see the same improvments by choosing another brand and spending much much less. Check out Spohn (site sponser) and BMR. Both make everying you need but you will have to piece it together because they don't offer a full kit. However, you should come out much cheaper.

 

Yeah how much does that cost? A couple of grand?

 

You didn't state how much the setup costs, but your final result will be dependant on the wheel/tire combo and your shocks.

I agree with Shifty, I would look at stuff from BMR and Spohn. Both really support this board and I have bee very pleased with everything I have purchased from them, both quality and price. They also have much more firsthand info and a broader selection of parts, depending on your particular needs. You will get exactly what you need, and they come with the HP bushings installed.

You can also resource better springs and sway bars from a junkyard or board members if you know what you want. Some of the later cars came with significantly better suspension parts.

Troy
So Cal

 

Item# 80018, Retail price: $1411.95

I'm thinking on keeping the stock 16'd and mounting the Yokohama ES100s on them.

 

Try this:

Spohn:
Sub Frame Connectors $185.00
LCA 110.00
LCA Hardware 11.00
Adjustable PHB 115.00
36/24 Sway Bars from a Junk Yard...........say 50.00
Front Poly End links/Greasable Bushings 53.00
Rear Poly Endlinks/Greasable Bushings 29.99
Spohn Tie Rod Adjuster 49.50
Edelbrock Strut Tower Brace 129.00
Eibach Pro Kit 239.00
Total $971.49

And in my opinion with better parts/results

Go and add Bilstein Shocks and struts 419.00
Total 1,390.49

 

knock 30 off that list by getting coleman racing tie rod sleeves. theyre not powdercoated, but they get the job done just as well. call and talk to steve, when i made my large order, he gave me the lcarbs for free:hail:

 

bilstein sports are made for a lower drop like the eibach sportlines. the hd's are perfect valving for the pro-kit.



i wouldn't go with that kit mainly because of the parts you can get elsewhere. tubular lca's are better, same with adjustable panhard. you can also get much nicer subframes as well.

there is a convenience in having a kit put together but when it comes to these parts it isn't much work to get everything you need and worth saving the money by going elsewhere.

 

I agree that you can get much better SFC, those can only be welded in two spots. As for the LCA I have always understood that boxed LCA are much stronger for launches, they can take the loads better. But, personally I would go with tubular- one rod end and one poly end for the street. If you look closely at that picture you will see that the panhard rod is adjustable. The drawback of that design is that you have to take it off to adjust it.

 

i love my kenny brown tubular pieces. my panhard is 2 way adjustable as well so it can be done on the car....much nicer. all made of chromoly and cheaper then then all the items above. can't complain.

 

What this car is going to be is the nice day car and I want it to handle with an e36 M3 on mountain roads. It will also be for cruising and might see some 1/4 mile runs.

What do you think about replacing the front steering conponents with the Moog Front End Rebuild Kit from Sophn?

 

i'd buy them from your local hardware store and save the money. moog is pretty popular, good brand. why go through a third middle man to get them?

 

I can get them through work actually. I was just wondering what everyones' opinions are on them?

 

i see, well this is why i recommended what i did. you said from spohn.

 

I actually have that setup on my car. bought it befor spohn was around. I forget I think it was HOT ROD that did a 2 part mag test ZIG ZAG 1 and ZIG ZAG2 when that kit came out and had a G machine shoot out. The 91/92Z i cant recall took 2nd Place with like .96G's and the Viper was 1st at like 1.06. My #'s might be off but not by much. I have both issues still. I'll dig em out.

anyways.... Ya you can prob get stuff cheaper. but theres nothing wrong with the HK stuff, I have No complaints about it. I dont see any diff SFC or LCS's making that huge a diff. esp when I already have a cage in the car.

 

I'm sure it's a good kit but Hotchkis is WAAAYYY overpriced...period. Granted, I'll be looking into their stuff for my '70's suspension (IE the Hotchkis F71 Camaro) but I'll also be looking elsewhere for the same products.

You can do better as seen in the list posted above.


Ed