So who do I go to? You track ****** of course. So I need a new set of sway bars. I'm going to be jumping into AutoX next year so I'm going to spend this winter preparing.

I've done hours of research on them already. I like the Eibach sway bars (but are they large enough), then there's the Cusco, I like em but they are costly, the whiteline's I like but are smaller than stock? Lastly there is the Hotchkis. I'm somewhat against American companies. However, I like some american parts like my Carbotech's for instance. Just need a push in the right direction.

Mind you I'm thinking for the future as well. I like Eibach's complete suspension setup. The pro kit springs, a long with the sway bars and basically full Eibach suspension setup. Vs a mixmatched setup of cusco bars, spl a arms, etc.

Please spare me on the track time is the best money spent. This I already know and have it embedded in my head.

So if anyone has these bars that can point me in the right direction it will be greatly appreciated. I've seen the thread at the top of this section but it's damn near empty. I know their is more then just 1 person with these bars.

 

Hotchkis or Motordyne is what i recomend.

 

I want to fall in love with the hotchkis. I'm just not ready yet. I really want the Eibach and hope that they fit my needs. If not then my orginal plan for the whiteline will work. Last option will be the Hotchkis.

I do need some technical understanding about these bars. I've read alot about how sway bars can affect handling. Now I do know that larger sway bars are better theoretically. So with the stock sway bars for 06 being 34mm and 21mm, respectively. How would the 32mm/20mm setup of the whiteline offer any performance increase, or the 34m/22mm of the Eibach? I saw Nismo has a set that's 36mm/22mm. Wouldn't those be more beneficial? However the adjustments play a major roll.

I want to really tighten up the front end in rolling corners. I feel there is too much body roll in corners that have quick switchbacks due to the factory sway bars.

 

Hotchkis' lightest setting is LIGHTYEARS ahead of stock and stock nismo feel imo
(having driven both). I paid $160 or so for a set, so that's prob got me leaning a
bit too.

 

Well can't find any info about the Whiteline bars but...

Hotchkis
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)
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

 

Thanks and that's the hard part. Hotchkis is the only manufacturer I found with specs easily obtainable. I found 370Z whiteline bars that had some specs. I'm still searching.

 

where are you getting your oem specs from?

also keep in mind that some are hollow, some are solid, so physical "size" doesn't tell you much.

the Hotchkis specs are relative to the 2003-2005 cars. 2006 cars use a bigger front sway (+1mm) from the factory, rear swaybar stayed the same size. Both front and rear are hollow from the factory.

the best set is the set that affords the most adjustability. Bigger is not better particularly considering you're not using or sounds like you're planning coilovers. To do large sways on simply a set of soft, progresive springs is going backwards, not forwards. The big NISMO USA swaybar set I don't think is available anymore, and was suited for very stiff springs (theirs), not any of the street oriented springs on the market

 

I run the Eibach sway bars on my 2006 Z and they work pretty good. My friend runs the hotchkis bars and I've driven his car as well. To be honest I like his better. Plus I only get two holes of adjustment on my front bar. He has more which would help for autoX. I currently autoX the car and can say that sway bars have a tremendous influence on the balance of the car. Having bars with more adjustable settings is what you are looking for.

Do yourself a favor and get aftermarket end links now. your stock ones will start to fail after the new bars are in.

 

I found specs on a couple different sites. I also read that the change was from 04.5 and on for the larger front sway bar.

I don't have coilovers however sometime this winter I will have a set. So I'm trying to purchase my parts to work with each other. So I see that a lot of bars offer different adjustments and many different sizes so I just needed more peoples input on various bars.

Another reason I'm iffy on the hotchkis bars is how well will they work with cusco coilovers? Or hks hypermax? So I might pony up and buy the cusco bars and do full cusco setup. Still researching.

 

Also I did find the Nismo sway bar set. I also found that they are hollow. I'm not really sure what to think of their construction.

 

Sway bars are sway bars, all will work, but adjustability is the key to having them set up successfully to your car and driving style.

How they stack up to the 04.5 stock front sway bar

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)

Mine have been installed with stock suspension, BC Coilovers and will still be installed with the Moton Coilovers.

 

I'm no expert, but from what I've read you should take into account spring rates to make sure the bar's range is sufficient. I'd get the Coilover manufacturer's recommendation or someone with 1st hand knowledge, ideally a National or Regional level competitive autocrosser (ie. go check the SCCA forums). Also, the bar diameter is the sole performance factor, not solid or hollow. Of course a hollow weighs less so go hollow. Since you're investing in a complete adjustible suspension, buy a copy of "How to make your car handle". It's from the 1970-80s, but is regarded as one of the best books on the subject and talks about all things handling related. Gravity and physics, and even common suspension design, haven't changed much since then so it's still timely. The tire info though is way out of date. It has great advice on tuning your setup and explaining the theory in laymen's terms.

 

Talking to Steve Mitchell (M-Works, now works for Motec) he was still using Hotchkis bars on his Time Attack Z with 20kg front and 18Kg rear springs. They have plenty of adjustable range. He also has one of the fastest Time Attack Z's if that tells you anything.

 

^That's exactly the detail, experience, and expertise I'd want to see if it were me shopping for sways. The only concern would be how autocross performance differs from the track in this example. One thing to keep in mind is the 350z has never won a National class to my knowledge (and I've researched some, but maybe many years ago). It is handicapped behind the MX5 and Solstice in CS, S2K smokes it in STR, and not a snowball's chance in BSP with the Evo. The 370Z did do okay this past year with 4th and 5th in CS though!

 

When it comes to classing, the 350Z gets no love.

The 370Z, however seems to have a better shot in C-stock. (If they don't start moving it around)

The need to consider moving the 350 and 370 to CSP.

Back on topic...I run Hotchkis sways and love them.

 

not to hijack your thread op, but quick question.

for those that have hotchkis sways what settings do you have them on? i have them on 3rd hole front and middle hole rear and im thinking of going 2nd hole front and 1st hole rear. im going to eventually try it, but just want to hear some feedback.

thanks

 

could have swore i just read another thread where op is selling the Z yet still buying parts....????????????????????makes sense

 

i think its the thread abouth the bmw 328

 

The construction of the bar (hollow vs solid) absolutely has an impact on the net result. Even among hollow bars, for example, the wall thickness and material used matters as it affects the modulus of the bar itself. Materials matters among solid bars too. Hollow, while it weighs less, is not automatically better either...if you are going to add weight to a car, the swaybar, being just about the lowest part of the car, is the ideal place to do it

 

I have the hotchkis and one of the CT solid front bars as well (only costs like 80 bucks). The CT is very heavy and non adjustable though.

Obligatory pic:


CT front bar with A6's/710's
Hotchkis front bar with 140+ and NT01's/R888's/track events.