Sway Bars: Hotchkis vs Perrin?

[_F-R-S_]

Wait for whiteline

[Vracer111]

The Perrin bars are solid and rear fitment only, so I won't even consider them - even though there is nothing wrong with the bar from a design or manufacturing standpoint.

Hotchkis makes very good hollow anti rollbar sets. I had a '98 V6 Camaro track car that I put the Hotchkis Sport set anti rollbar (fairly big too at 1-7/16" front and 1" rear), stripped out with Koni Sport dampers on stock springs, spherical ball end rods for the rear suspension. All the camaro guys on forums said it was too much swaybar for stock springs and would only be good for autocrossing, being too unstable for track. Well it handled beautifully even though it was still a heavy pig at ~3200lbs, was perfectly stable and nearly perfectly balanced on track. I like a car I can control with minimal inputs, the more 'sensitive' the better, as long as it's stable and not a chore to control.

I do plan on getting the Hotchkis Sport adjustable set for the FR-S... $370 is not a bad price point either. Probably will spend extra and go with the billet brackets as well.



Specifications:

Front 1” (25.4mm) Tubular 2-Way Adjustable

500 lbs/in (170 % Stiffer than Stock)
630 lbs/in (245 % Stiffer than Stock)

Rear ¾” (19mm) 4-Way Adjustable Blade Style with End Links

320 lbs/in (200 % Stiffer than Stock)
405 lbs/in (275 % Stiffer than Stock)
520 lbs/in (385 % Stiffer than Stock)
700 lbs/in (550 % Stiffer than Stock)

Note: Looks like the rear bar fitment for the FR-S may be solid though...hmmm... not good, will need clarification.

[Coastermikey]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

I think you'll like the firm front bar feeling. Stiffer than 16 in the rear can make the car a little too...eager to rotate.

I'd also think you'll like the feeling after you replace a few of the crucial bushings in the front control arm and rear end. The car really comes alive after that. Very precise and direct.



Our future RCE swaybar set might be around there.

- Andrew

Your future swaybar set is legit just sayyin

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by Supermassive

RCE, so the Whiteline 18mm rear bar on the softest setting is in your opinion too firm for the rear? I only ask because I ordered a Whiteline 18mm rear swaybar and end links and am now a little concerned about what you are saying. I also run KW V3s so that is why I am hoping that I made a good choice, I prefer a rear end that gives more wheel feedback and wont let go unless I really want it to. Drifting is not my forte, I prefer track days at race circuits where my car can predictably hold a racing line. I guess the big issue is that there hasnt been much in the way of experimentation with various swaybar thicknesses posted or blogged about to give me a good idea of where to start, so I just bought 18mm because it was in the middle of the pack as far as offered diameters.

If you're not running a big front then yes I would say that is too big for the rear. Especially with the standard 340/400 kw v3 springs. The rear end is going to be a little too active IMO.

- Andrew

[gmookher]

Looking to see some 22mm/16mm adjustable solids, for track use with R tires for max grip...if you plan on a front rate in the mid 400's, figure 440lbs front as a departure point, I will tune down the rear accordingly, presently considering a 430 rear as a departure point. Rear holes on sway should be close together and triple adjust if possible for fine tuning. Front can be spaced with the preference for a longish arm 'far hole'.

Curious what RCE thoughts are, and likelyhood of you REALLY makeing a sway set for the trackster. 20/16's are already available and fine for the DD or DOT trackster at lower rates.
I dont want a hollow bar to try and save 1lb, over a solid one. not I.