Installed my hotchkis sway bars and what a huge difference
09-04-2011, 12:04 PM
#1
Installed my hotchkis sway bars and what a huge difference
I know this subject is beat to death, but I'm excited so I wanted to share my experience.
I didn't do the install myself. A local performance shop did it for $95. If the shop knows what they are doing, you shouldn't pay more than $100. Ever! It took them less than an hour to install and give it a quick test drive and check bolts again.
I pull the car out of the shop and I immediately notice improvement in steering response. I got on the road and gave it a quick jerk, left and right and there is minimal body roll.
I approach a right turn where I'd usually slow down to around 30-35 mph (25 mph suggested sign) and said screw it, lets test the sways. Took the corner at 50 mph. Tires made some noise, but it felt as if I could push the car more. Stock tires but I'm AWD. Here comes the left turn, same type of corner, I hit the gas, and come out of turn 2 doing 60 mph... car still feels it could handle more.
So then I took my G and the wife to a set of twisties where I test drove a Volkswagen R32 a couple years back doing 100 mph. How did the G compare? I did 80 mph this time, maybe I'm getting older. Did it feel I could push it more? Yes. But than so did the R32. Wife's response? "Wow".
I can only imagine what kind of press coverage the car would receive if it had better sway bars from the factory.
Oh and ride quality, I hardly feel any difference.
Bottom line is, it sure isn't an R32, nor an Evo... or an M3. But on the street, it doesn't matter. Now I want coils
I didn't do the install myself. A local performance shop did it for $95. If the shop knows what they are doing, you shouldn't pay more than $100. Ever! It took them less than an hour to install and give it a quick test drive and check bolts again.
I pull the car out of the shop and I immediately notice improvement in steering response. I got on the road and gave it a quick jerk, left and right and there is minimal body roll.
I approach a right turn where I'd usually slow down to around 30-35 mph (25 mph suggested sign) and said screw it, lets test the sways. Took the corner at 50 mph. Tires made some noise, but it felt as if I could push the car more. Stock tires but I'm AWD. Here comes the left turn, same type of corner, I hit the gas, and come out of turn 2 doing 60 mph... car still feels it could handle more.
So then I took my G and the wife to a set of twisties where I test drove a Volkswagen R32 a couple years back doing 100 mph. How did the G compare? I did 80 mph this time, maybe I'm getting older. Did it feel I could push it more? Yes. But than so did the R32. Wife's response? "Wow".
I can only imagine what kind of press coverage the car would receive if it had better sway bars from the factory.
Oh and ride quality, I hardly feel any difference.
Bottom line is, it sure isn't an R32, nor an Evo... or an M3. But on the street, it doesn't matter. Now I want coils
you will not be disappointing. Although your ride quality will suffer some every time you take an offramp you will smile 
09-05-2011, 11:44 PM
#3
Registered Member
may i ask where u r located at and what kind of shop (small, or big franchise chain) did you go to?
i recently installed springs and sway bars myself but had big problems finding non-gouging shops (I am in Atlanta)
i recently installed springs and sway bars myself but had big problems finding non-gouging shops (I am in Atlanta)
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09-06-2011, 09:00 AM
#8
A guy at work got his installed at a local shop in Chicago and got charged $100 exactly.
A tire/suspension shop could do it too, but doubt they exactly know what they are doing... therefore will charge you more.
09-06-2011, 11:14 PM
#12
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So then I took my G and the wife to a set of twisties where I test drove a Volkswagen R32 a couple years back doing 100 mph. How did the G compare? I did 80 mph this time, maybe I'm getting older. Did it feel I could push it more? Yes. But than so did the R32. Wife's response? "Wow".
09-06-2011, 11:26 PM
#13
I know just how you feel ilian11, I felt an immediate change for the better when my Hotchkis sways were installed on my xS sedan. I want to try the
BC coilovers next but am afraid that they may not hold up for long. I'm getting tired of seeing my car as high as it sits now.
BC coilovers next but am afraid that they may not hold up for long. I'm getting tired of seeing my car as high as it sits now.
09-07-2011, 04:08 AM
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