Suspension Review: Hotchkis Sport Springs
 

Product: Hotchkis Sport Suspension Sport Springs
Front: 1.0" (rate: 3.3kg/mm)
Rear: 1.0" (rate: 4.7kg/mm)
Part No: 19445
MSRP: $220.95

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/6...ubarubrzsp.jpg

Driving Impressions:
Been test driving Hotchkis Sport Springs for over 1000 miles with awesome results. The ride quality is excellent. Harshness is slightly increased due to spring rate increase, but it is hardly noticeable. I do not feel the need to avoid bumps in the road or slow down for railroad tracks. I have confidence knowing that I have plenty of suspension travel.

From driving in stock suspension configuration, I've noticed that the FR-S is fairly highly sprung to begin with given it's light weight and low center of gravity. Coupled with limited grip stock primacy tires made for easy oversteer when provoked. With the Hotchkis springs, the car feels more neutral and stable at higher cornering speeds.

Steering response has improved noticeably. You are able to change directions faster for quick transitions. I've been on the track and autocrossed with the springs and I am very happy with the results. You will start to feel the limit of the tires much quicker, which brings the need for stickier tires for competition. However, the stock tires are fine on the road with these springs. The spring rates feel great with the OE damping, so stock shocks work well with the Hotchkis springs. :thumbsup:

I've driven a stock BRZ and really liked how stable it felt compared to the FR-S. With the Hotchkis springs, my FR-S feels closer to the BRZ as far as balance goes.

Here is some of the suspension behavior I noticed with the Hotchkis Coils:
- Steady state cornering shows neutral handling.
- Steady state cornering leading into decreasing turning radius (sudden increase in steering input while in a corner with same amount of throttle input) shows slight understeer.
- Steady state cornering leading into off throttle deceleration shows neutral handling
- Steady state cornering leading into braking deceleration shows neutral handling
- Sudden steering input while mashing on the throttle shows controllable power oversteer.
- Sudden steering input with sudden off-throttle shows slight oversteer

Before:
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/8948/img2834yt.jpg

After:
http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/846/img7474e.jpg

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/9760/img7480m.jpg

Hotchkis makes some very nice products.

Car looks good :thumbup:

Hotchkis is awesome! (plus I know people who work there lol), too bad I'm helping ground control develop their sleeve kit, otherwise I'd be all over these!

Great topic, thank you! I linked this from the Suspension Options List.

Great review. Short, succinct, to the point.

so are these available for shipping now?

Who did your turn signals? Any wrinkles in them? Sorry to go off topic... Looks good.

Production coils come in Thursday the 6th.:party0030:

Thanks Memphis. They are painted, not film. Candy yellow paint followed up with PPG clear coat.

Hotchkis coils are now shipping.:thumbup:

i know. i got my confirmation....:)

Do you have measurements before and after the drop?

(Before) Stock:
Front: 14-9/16" (14.563")
Rear: 14-3/4" (14.750")

(After) Hotchkis:
Front: 13-5/8" (13.625")
Rear: 13-3/4" (13.750")

:thumbsup:

curious how a brz owner may feel about these