Hotchkis Performance Springs & Sway Bars: R & D Project

[HEMEEE]

Springs & Sway Bars

As some of you know, Hotchkis Performance, in Santa Fe Springs, CA, took my car for an R&D project for a lowering kit last week...
I promised to report back so here goes:

I arrived to drop the car off with Wes Nielsen, R&D Manager, last Monday evening. Wes had gone on an errand so Aaron, the Tech that would do the work on my car, came out to introduce himself, answer questions and show us around a bit. There was a Caddy CTS-V on the lift being treated to an upgrade of some sort and about to be moved out to make room for my baby. After the tour it was back to the lobby to wait for Wes, which allowed me a few minutes to look around at the tons of photos, awards, trophies and magazine features displayed around the room. Wes arrived soon after, answered some final questions and took the keys. See ya Wednesday!

Arrived to pick 'er up Wednesday evening and found her sitting proudly and prominently in the front parking lot. Hubbeee and I both just said 'WOW' at the same time! She looked great, even with stock wheels... a definite difference at first glance. We got out of the truck and walked around her for a closer look then went inside to meet with Wes again. He updated me on the outcome and their first impressions, the drop on the Magnum was 1.25" but, as you'll see later, mine is less... so far. Finally, Wes handed over the keys, along with a CD of pics and technical 'before & after' data, just as I had requested... very nice! The data they provided includes pre-project weights, both total car and 4 corners, and all 4 wheel hub-to-fender edge measurements... it was surprising to see that each corner had a different measurement in her "before" state.

The 70 mile drive home in rush hour traffic provided a good opportunity for determining any change in handling, with stretches of bumper-to-bumper as well as wide open lanes, rough road and smooth. The feel is confident and solid; that slightly floaty feel that I had noted is gone, there is no rear wheel hop or sideways shift over bumps and freeway joints, and no body roll in tight curves. MEEE like so far

We had a street rod show in the mountains in Big Bear over the weekend, almost 150 miles one way, and Hubbeee suggested we take my C instead of his '47 to give me the chance to drive it through the deep winding canyons. What a nice man to sacrifice for me... and what a fun drive!! It handled beautifully and I was very impressed. He drove the trip home and, although he doesn't drive it very often, his assessment was that it handles every bit as good as stock with no noticeable degradation in ride quality or handling.

I have my opinion about the look, over and above performance, but would like to hear what you all have to say without my opinion having been stated.
So offer up your feedback please, including your interest in this set-up!
Wes will be watching the thread, in case there are questions I can't answer, as well as to gauge interest for production sets. Let us know...


*Before*


*After*

[Northern Rider]

HEMEEE, that drop looks just about perfect with the aspects being maintained all round. I've heard good feedback on the sway bars installed on the Magnum.

Questions: Are the sway bars the same for the Magnum and the 300C?

What is the ground clearance now?

[LWOOD]

Looks very very good. Did they put on softer rate springs and a larger anti-sway bar? Hotchkis makes good stuff. I'm sure you will be very happy. Keep us posted!

[fatchance]

Linda,

That is absolutely perfect. That's a great write up thanks for the up date. That is a beatiful photo of the after.

[HEMEEE]

NR: In order for me to give an accurate comparison of ground clearance to stock I'd need to know from where the original measurement was taken... anyone have that info? I can take a measurement for you later from the lowest point, however I can tell you I have been through several lots with speed bumps and purposely did not drive any differently as a test and only slightly made contact with one unusually tall one. I also don't make contact with my driveway like I do in my Corvette. And Yes, these sway bars are the same as used on the Magnum

LWOOD: I don't know, but I'll find out for you, I will say that the ride feels consistent with stock, it is not noticeably harsher nor softer.

fatchance: Thank you, both photos taken in front of my house... amazing what a little rain can do to change the scenery! Wanna trade wheels now????

[5point7]

Linda, it looks great! Hotchkis is good stuff.
I read the whole post before looking at the pics - it's a bit lower than I thought it would be while I was reading.
Yes, it looks great, but too low for me and the roads around here, something right in between would work. I'd like to see .5 to .75 drop?

**My stang is 1.25 - and it's too much of a drop for a daily driver. It hates speed bumps and I have to be VERY careful where ever I drive it - but the GC on it is lower than the C to begin with...

[HEMEEE]

Originally Posted by 5point7

Linda, it looks great! Hotchkis is good stuff.
I read the whole post before looking at the pics - it's a bit lower than I thought it would be while I was reading.
Yes, it looks great, but too low for me and the roads around here, something right in between would work. I'd like to see .5 to .75 drop?

**My stang is 1.25 - and it's too much of a drop for a daily driver. It hates speed bumps and I have to be VERY careful where ever I drive it - but the GC on it is lower than the C to begin with...

Bob, the drop on the Magnum was 1.25" but ended up being less on my C; approx. 1" front and 3/4" rear.
I drove some very rough snow-damaged roads in the mountains last weekend with no problems at all.

[HEMEEE]

I was able to convert the spec sheets Hotchkis provided so that I could post them, See original post above. Sorry for the poor quality but thought some of you might be interested to see them...

Especially interesting is the differences in ride height measurements for all 4 corners!

[5point7]

Wow, thanks for posting Linda, it just looks lower than 1 inch!
My interest increasing!

[HEMEEE]

Here are a couple of shots taken by Hotchkis Performance the day it was finished...