[TucsonSTi]

I currently have the hotchkis competition set on my car and now have the opportunity to swap out the front (25.4mm hollow) with the Whiteline 27mm.
I do like the fact that I can re-grease the hotchkis without taking it apart.

Is there any benefit to a swap?

I understand that people have brand loyalty, PLEASE don't suggest that I switch to the whiteline just because it's whiteline.

[La Mer]

what springs do you have?

[TucsonSTi]

Eibach

[La Mer]

if the rates are similar to prodrives (softer compared to pinks/rce) I think you would see a huge difference going to the solid 27mm bar.

[stretch]

On a mostly stock car, yes, you'll get better turn-in and overall more grip.

On a car with stiff coilovers and sufficient camber, though, I'd stick with what you have. You may end up only causing understeer.

The better question is: do you like how it handles already?

Edit: I see you have soft springs and you're definately riding on your bump stops. I'd recommend the bigger bar.

[TucsonSTi]

The car left stock status long ago....

Eibach springs
Whiteline ALK
Fender braces
Cusco adj. camber plates
front and rear strut braces

As far as handling, the car stays very flat and I am happy with that. I am planning on upgrading the struts (Still stock) to the Ohlins, and swapping the camber plates to the RCE.

Thanks for all the quick replies!

[TucsonSTi]

Originally Posted by La Mer

if the rates are similar to prodrives (softer compared to pinks/rce) I think you would see a huge difference going to the solid 27mm bar.

The rates are a bit softer than the prodrives

[TucsonSTi]

Originally Posted by stretch

On a mostly stock car, yes, you'll get better turn-in and overall more grip.

On a car with stiff coilovers and sufficient camber, though, I'd stick with what you have. You may end up only causing understeer.

The better question is: do you like how it handles already?

Edit: I see you have soft springs and you're definately riding on your bump stops. I'd recommend the bigger bar.

Soooo....opening a can of worms.....I am not all that excited about how the car rides....ie, softer lower springs on stock struts....a bit jarring on AZ roads. Would the ride quality greatly improve by adding struts, or would I be just applying a band aid? Am I better off spending the extra $$$ and skipping the Ohlins struts and jumping into a set of either Tarmac 2's or Ohlins sportlines, or something like that?

[stretch]

You should really ditch the springs; you're riding on your bump stops. That's probably the largest reason why the ride sucks. I'm not sure Ohlins add much suspension travel so they may not be the answer.

Coilovers are obviously designed for lowering and would work better if you must stay lowered. If you don't care about being low, going with Ground Control springs (set to near-factory height) or Prodrive springs will work just fine on stock or Ohlins struts.

[TucsonSTi]

Thanks...I read some of your other posts regarding the strut travel and bump stops.....makes perfect sense.

Ride height, although looks cool, is not what I am aiming for. I use this as a daily driver, I put 25K miles on it per year, I autocross semi regularly and hit the track a few times a year. I don't mind spending the money if it is a workable and sensible solution. I only went with the Eibachs because I got a deal on them I couldn't pass up.

Anyway, I have gotten way off the original subject. I know that I will be upgrading the suspension in the near future, so given that with a better controlled spring / strut setup, I should be fine with the hotckis sway bar.

[La Mer]

although preliminary, take a look at the "new rce springs" (black) thread. rates similar to the current rce springs (yellow), but you won't get as big of a drop as the yellow rce's. .

[GoodTimes]

Maybe this is OT but whats the difference between hollow sways and solid sways?

Thanks.

Matt C.

[Glycerin]

id like to know the answer to that as well

[La Mer]

Originally Posted by GoodTimes

Maybe this is OT but whats the difference between hollow sways and solid sways?

Thanks.

Matt C.

a solid bar, which is a true solid round bar of metal vs a hollow bar, which essentially is a tube. think about it.

[Splash]

In addition, and this is approximate, a 25mm hollow bar is about as stiff as a 22-23mm solid bar.

There is some real physics math behind it, but I think this is accurate enough for our purposes.