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 :biggrin:
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*
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*After*
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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 :biggrin:
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*
any of the right-pull that i've read a little about with the eibach?
