Hotchkis front sway bar - 4 way adjustable?
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (26)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 0
From: brrr... its cold!
When reading around everything describes the hotchkis sways as having 3 different stiffness settings front and rear (yes 5 if you mismatch holes), meaning 3 different holes for each bar. Well I put in my sways last night and the rear does have 3 setting holes, but the front has 4. Is this a new revision of the bar? Even the installation pictures shows the front with 3 holes, but mine indeed has 4. Is anybodys elses like this? Or is my bar a freak?
I believe the 4th hole is for the G35 Sedan only (yes it's their new design). They just integrated it in their design since both the Z & G use the same sways. I have their older version & it only has 3 in the front. They also welded on some retainer rings to the new design as well to keep it from sliding.
Last edited by GTNPU Z; Jun 1, 2006 at 11:07 AM.
I believe it's actually an additional "stiffer" setting. The additional hole should be located towards the inner most part of the bar. See below...
Specs:
Front 1 3/8" (35MM) Tubular(Bar Weight 13.5lbs)
4 Position Adjustable
Rear 15/16"(24mm) Tubular(bar weight 5.5lbs)
3 Position Adjustable
Bar Rates:
350Z & 03- 05 G35 Front
Hole 1 = 1525 lbs/in (22% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 2 = 1845 lbs/in (48% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 3 = 2270 lbs/in (82% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 4 = 2855 lbs/in (129% Stiffer than stock)
06 G35 Front
Hole 1 = 1525 lbs/in (5% Softer than stock)
Hole 2 = 1845 lbs/in (15% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 3 = 2270 lbs/in (42% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 4 = 2855 lbs/in (78% Stiffer than stock)
Rear:
Hole 1 = 520 lbs/in (80% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 2 = 655 lbs/in (125% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 3 = 840 lbs/in (185% Stiffer than stock)

This was their old setup:
Front 1 3/8" (35MM) Hollow (Bar Weight 13.5lbs)
- 3 Position Adjustable
- Rate Increase over stock: +9%,+32%,+63%
Rear 15/16"(24mm) Hollow (bar weight 5.5lbs)
- 3 Position Adjustable
- Rate Increase over stock: +54%,+92%,+146%
Specs:
Front 1 3/8" (35MM) Tubular(Bar Weight 13.5lbs)
4 Position Adjustable
Rear 15/16"(24mm) Tubular(bar weight 5.5lbs)
3 Position Adjustable
Bar Rates:
350Z & 03- 05 G35 Front
Hole 1 = 1525 lbs/in (22% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 2 = 1845 lbs/in (48% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 3 = 2270 lbs/in (82% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 4 = 2855 lbs/in (129% Stiffer than stock)
06 G35 Front
Hole 1 = 1525 lbs/in (5% Softer than stock)
Hole 2 = 1845 lbs/in (15% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 3 = 2270 lbs/in (42% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 4 = 2855 lbs/in (78% Stiffer than stock)
Rear:
Hole 1 = 520 lbs/in (80% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 2 = 655 lbs/in (125% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 3 = 840 lbs/in (185% Stiffer than stock)
This was their old setup:
Front 1 3/8" (35MM) Hollow (Bar Weight 13.5lbs)
- 3 Position Adjustable
- Rate Increase over stock: +9%,+32%,+63%
Rear 15/16"(24mm) Hollow (bar weight 5.5lbs)
- 3 Position Adjustable
- Rate Increase over stock: +54%,+92%,+146%
Last edited by GTNPU Z; Jun 1, 2006 at 12:18 PM.
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (26)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 0
From: brrr... its cold!
Wow, ok thanks. What vehicle is the rear numbers for? Did they increase as well?
80% 125% 185%
vs
54% 92% 146%
The "old setup" numbers - are they for a 350z or a G35?
80% 125% 185%
vs
54% 92% 146%
The "old setup" numbers - are they for a 350z or a G35?
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (26)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 0
From: brrr... its cold!
Originally Posted by GTNPU Z
Hmm? Now that I look at the new vs. old setups more, looks like they stiffened it up quite a bit from their older version even on the rear. Maybe I should upgrade 
Trending Topics
Well, I would assume the older specs are for the 03-05 350Z & G35 (this is for the older version of course). Seems like they just made these newer versions to accomodate the new 06 G35 & perhaps the reason why it's so much stiffer.
The stiffest setting on the front with the new 4 hole design makes the car understeer like crazy. I had it setup full stiff front and med rear, and I could not even get the rear end to come around at an auto-x, it was terrible. I have it setup as 3/4 full stiff front and full stiff rear and I like that setup much better now.
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (26)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 0
From: brrr... its cold!
I installed mine 3/4 full stiff front and full stiff rear also, and I really like the way it drives so far - huge improvement over stock
I need to get more driving time in, but so far I love it!
I need to get more driving time in, but so far I love it!
Originally Posted by XBS
If anyone wants hotchkis stuff let me know, i have a hook up on them
I purchased mine from Kyle at JSC Speed. Great customer service and shipped the bars the same day.
hndumafia: Theyre in Rajiv...keep your pants on!
I set mine on hole 2 in the front and hole 2 in the rear. The car corners much flatter and the balance is much more neutral. So far this setup seems great for my stock suspension and wheels/tires.
A word of advice to those installing these...be careful not to strip the nuts on the end links!!! I stripped the rear left link nut and had to use an air gun to get the thing off...not fun.
hndumafia: Theyre in Rajiv...keep your pants on!
I set mine on hole 2 in the front and hole 2 in the rear. The car corners much flatter and the balance is much more neutral. So far this setup seems great for my stock suspension and wheels/tires.
A word of advice to those installing these...be careful not to strip the nuts on the end links!!! I stripped the rear left link nut and had to use an air gun to get the thing off...not fun.
Update: I re-adjusted the front sway to the third hole, keeping the rear in hole 2, and noticed much sharper steering response...
I haven’t had time to really flog her in this configuration, but if understeer is bad (it doesn’t feel like it would be), I will adjust the rear bar to full stiff.
Cheers
I haven’t had time to really flog her in this configuration, but if understeer is bad (it doesn’t feel like it would be), I will adjust the rear bar to full stiff.
Cheers





