Any have the Hotchkis Front Strut Brace installed?

[hapa_kcm]

I have the Hotchkis one and love it. IMHO I like the the look of the Hotchkis one over the AEM because the Hotchkis one uses oval tubing instead of round tubing like the AEM. Technically speaking, the round tube would provide less deflection if the widest part of the elipse equallys the diameter. Now if they weigh the same, the oval tubing would actually deflect less. I personally do not know the actually dimensions of the tubing of either (don't know wall thickness of the Hotchkis one), so I cannot say what theoretically will deflect less. On the side note, I actually know both people that did design both of them (used to work with both of them actually). I will try to contact the guy with the AEM one and ask him if he know an ETA

[hapa_kcm]

I'm a little slow on the response with the AEM brace. So they do plan on releasing it soon (a lot of stuff at sema is feelers), but there will be a very intriguing improvement to it's strut brace over what has been publicly seen. They expect to add a master cylinder brace to it too!!!!! Pretty crazy. If I get some pics of it, will definitely post it up

[OICU812]

Originally Posted by hapa_kcm

I'm a little slow on the response with the AEM brace. So they do plan on releasing it soon (a lot of stuff at sema is feelers), but there will be a very intriguing improvement to it's strut brace over what has been publicly seen. They expect to add a master cylinder brace to it too!!!!! Pretty crazy. If I get some pics of it, will definitely post it up

Really? Waiting on these!!!

[hapa_kcm]

Originally Posted by OICU812

Really? Waiting on these!!!

Might get a pic of it tomorrow, or atl east within the next week. I'll keep you posted

[OICU812]

That damned AC line is in the worst spot, over time has anyone seen some of the hose externally rub away? Wish it was as easy as an unbolt and over, but with the Hotchkis design is there enough slack to go over and under the bar anyhow??

[SmsAlSuwaidi]

Young Tea ( i hope i have his name correct) has the AEM front strut installed, I've seen it a couple of time in the DJ jamboree irvine meet. It looks pretty sweet, but i bet Hotchkis would preform similar. He did state that it had some stop or a part that holds the brake fluid tank in place ( something to do with hard track driving, I'm no suspension guy but thats what he stated+ he's also sponsored by them so thats why)

[mike_ekim1024]

Originally Posted by NickFRS

sweet deal sounds good. For the price of all the strut bars out there it looks like it's the best for my buck!

I also got the Hotchkis front strut brace.. I like the way it looks and how integrates all 3 braces. I actually took the sticker off to give it a stock look.

[OICU812]

Has anyone attempted to take the H bar on install and rotate it in manor when installing to have the AC hose over top of the front bar, versus underneath? Is there enough slack to do so on that line with this bar?

[DriftEm]

Originally Posted by OICU812

Has anyone attempted to take the H bar on install and rotate it in manor when installing to have the AC hose over top of the front bar, versus underneath? Is there enough slack to do so on that line with this bar?

I tried but the AC hose doesn't have enough slack, if you want the hose on top, you need to remove it to re-route.

[hapa_kcm]

@OICU812

Here you go

[OICU812]

Hotchkis bar..


So I got this, easy enough to place in. Without even driving yet went to take off due to my master cylinder brace came in. Long story short what's the trick to removing? Pulled every which way like a mad gorilla and seems the two points where it bolts to the strut studs is literally wedged onto those bolts??

I installed the master cylinder brace obviously without removing the hotchkis strut tower brace but... I can see more cursing the day I actually need to remove this brace...

That AEM with incorporated brace looks "simpler" Ahhh well seems my patience is my enemy sometimes ...

[DriftEm]

Originally Posted by OICU812

Hotchkis bar..


So I got this, easy enough to place in. Without even driving yet went to take off due to my master cylinder brace came in. Long story short what's the trick to removing? Pulled every which way like a mad gorilla and seems the two points where it bolts to the strut studs is literally wedged onto those bolts??

I installed the master cylinder brace obviously without removing the hotchkis strut tower brace but... I can see more cursing the day I actually need to remove this brace...

That AEM with incorporated brace looks "simpler" Ahhh well seems my patience is my enemy sometimes ...

I took off mine with no issue, I mean I needed to wiggle it a little but it was easy.

[OICU812]

Originally Posted by DriftEm

I took off mine with no issue, I mean I needed to wiggle it a little but it was easy.

Strange I was doing more then wiggling lol...

[hapa_kcm]

Originally Posted by OICU812

Hotchkis bar..


So I got this, easy enough to place in. Without even driving yet went to take off due to my master cylinder brace came in. Long story short what's the trick to removing? Pulled every which way like a mad gorilla and seems the two points where it bolts to the strut studs is literally wedged onto those bolts??

I installed the master cylinder brace obviously without removing the hotchkis strut tower brace but... I can see more cursing the day I actually need to remove this brace...

That AEM with incorporated brace looks "simpler" Ahhh well seems my patience is my enemy sometimes ...

When it is hard to install/uninstall single piece strut tower braces, try lifting one of the corners of the car to make the body twist a little bit. I had to do this with a Neuspeed brace on my EM2 Civic back in the day. Better to a have a rigid piece to brace then something that is adjustable when it can come loose