User impressions of Hotchkis TVS (Coils and Sway Bars)

[sorbs]

Well, I bought in on the group purchase for the Hotchkis TVS stage 1. This forum is costing me (in a good way, thank you ). Cheaper than new tires!

Anyway, I'm wondering who else have done this mod and would like to get their impressions. I know HEMEE loves it and I am looking forward to eliminating the roll around corners.

Let me know what I'm in for and how much you paid to have it installed.

Thanks!

Sorbs

[sorbs]

Originally Posted by sorbs

Well, I bought in on the group purchase for the Hotchkis TVS stage 1. This forum is costing me (in a good way, thank you ). Cheaper than new tires!

Anyway, I'm wondering who else have done this mod and would like to get their impressions. I know HEMEE loves it and I am looking forward to eliminating the roll around corners.

Let me know what I'm in for and how much you paid to have it installed.

Thanks!

Sorbs

Since I didn't hear from anyone on this I might as well let myself know what my impressions are after installation.

Now I'm still on the OEM Contis...and they aren't bad. Yep, they hold the road in the rain (pouring today) and feel tight in the twistys.

Body roll is minimal now where before it felt like in tight corners getting rolled off three foot swells. Did I mention it was raining and I'm still using the stock Contis?

Now I live on a very winding road. Lots of S turns and hairpins on Salmon Falls which is east of Sacramento. If you ride street bikes it is a pretty famous trek. Anyway, since I bought my C the one complaint has been my tires...I stand corrected. Suspension first, tires second. Now that the suspension is fixed my tires aren't so bad. Believe me, I'm putting 20" wheels on with decent rubber but now I'm not in such a hurry.

Now the best part. Coming back from Big O, where the parts were installed, I picked up a tail. A 1999 silver M3 coupe. In the past I wouldn't have been able to keep him off my bumper. Today? Let's just say he couldn't get near me and on the straights he was toast. Did I mention it was raining?

Ride is not stiff. Not a lot different than stock. Cornering and steering wheel control is improved tremendously. Off the scale. The ESP rarely kicks in, even on wet roads.

This is a must have mod. This is the TVS stage 1 I received off the group buy from Tbryne (thank you!) and installation was $350 with an alignment. Total outlay is cheaper than new tires on stock rims.

[HEMEEE]

Yay sorbs, I feel the love!
Looks great too, so let's see some pics!!

[sorbs]

Originally Posted by HEMEEE

Yay sorbs, I feel the love!
Looks great too, so let's see some pics!!

It is pretty dark out here but I have a couple..tomorrow I will have b4 and after shots...as you know Linda this is awesome! no flames, I know it is dirty.

[Northern Rider]

Thanks for the great write-up, sorbs. Gobbled an M3 on the twisties! Good perspective on the TVS 1 suspension mod.

I can add a little insight to the tire aspect. My suspension is still stock. I did a day of track lapping last June on the Continentals. Despite the OEM tires, the body roll and the lack of steering precision, the car still got around quickly - mainly on good weight distribution, smooth transitions, good brakes and gobs of torque.

I went back to the same track in October - this time with 255/55/18 BFG KDW2's - a max performance summer tire. My times were improved significantly and the steering felt more precise.

The Hotchkiss sway bars seem to be a "must do" for those wanting better handling out of an already decent package.

[sorbs]

Originally Posted by Northern Rider

Thanks for the great write-up, sorbs. Gobbled an M3 on the twisties! Good perspective on the TVS 1 suspension mod.

I can add a little insight to the tire aspect. My suspension is still stock. I did a day of track lapping last June on the Continentals. Despite the OEM tires, the body roll and the lack of steering precision, the car still got around quickly - mainly on good weight distribution, smooth transitions, good brakes and gobs of torque.

I went back to the same track in October - this time with 255/55/18 BFG KDW2's - a max performance summer tire. My times were improved significantly and the steering felt more precise.

The Hotchkiss sway bars seem to be a "must do" for those wanting better handling out of an already decent package.

Nice track day at Mount Tremblant! Very nice write up.

I'm going to burn these Contis and look into the BFGs. Meister also made recommendation for replacement rubber.

[HEMEEE]

Originally Posted by sorbs

It is pretty dark out here but I have a couple..tomorrow I will have b4 and after shots...as you know Linda this is awesome! no flames, I know it is dirty.

Looks good so far sorbs, I'll be looking for the B4 and afters... but for the record, I like your dirty pics!

[fatchance]

I've always said this is a great set up for those who want to clean it up. Thanks for the write up. We've got a couple of lxforum members getting ready to do this install. I will PM and link your write up to them.

[HEMEEE]

Uh-oh, company's comin'!! Does that mean I have to clean up my dirty pics comment?

[Tmagnum]

Here's company!!! Hehehe

Thanks for the right up sorbs it's really very refreshing to know that I made the right decision.

I and another Magnum friend, OzzieGuy, both bought our TVS kits at the recent Hotchkis Open House and as Vinny would say; "We gotta deal we couldn't refuse". I haven't got the system installed yet as the shop that Hotchkis referred us to is waiting for a tech to come out and re-calibrate their allignment bay.

After reading your post I can't wait. Hopefully sometime next week. I'll post an update after the install.