Hotchkis TVS install
02-09-2007, 02:57 PM
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Hotchkis TVS install
Just received my Hotchkis TVS springs/sways kit from Intense. (Thanks Darren!)
I plan to have them professionally installed.
Two questions...
1) The 1st shop I called (GT Concepts in Glendale, CA) quoted me $500 for the install. Whooooaa, way too much! What have people been charged for this install? Any recommended shops in SoCal?
2) I know that the normal initial set-up is medium/medium for the adjustable sways. But the new bar has 4 holes, so I'm not sure which is considered medium. Anybody know? (This is for spirited street driving, stock wheels/tires.)
Thx guys.
I plan to have them professionally installed.
Two questions...
1) The 1st shop I called (GT Concepts in Glendale, CA) quoted me $500 for the install. Whooooaa, way too much! What have people been charged for this install? Any recommended shops in SoCal?
2) I know that the normal initial set-up is medium/medium for the adjustable sways. But the new bar has 4 holes, so I'm not sure which is considered medium. Anybody know? (This is for spirited street driving, stock wheels/tires.)
Thx guys.
02-09-2007, 03:13 PM
#2
So far as price that might be about right. You might find something a little lower. If anything you should be able to to the sways yourself. It's as easy as it get's. You should have instrutions. That will save some. There's a write up in the do it your self section.
Unless things have changed the settings on the sways are stiff in the front and softest in the rear, in which you need to start with the third hole in from the farthest end, this is for the front and the rear is the hole farthest from the bar itself. I hope you understand that. That's what Hotchkis recommends.
Unless things have changed the settings on the sways are stiff in the front and softest in the rear, in which you need to start with the third hole in from the farthest end, this is for the front and the rear is the hole farthest from the bar itself. I hope you understand that. That's what Hotchkis recommends.
Last edited by VIZAGE; 02-09-2007 at 03:21 PM.
02-09-2007, 04:33 PM
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I ordered my kit from Darren at Intense too, thanks for the product!
I am still at work but confirmed that my package was delivered by UPS (3rd day to AR, not bad for free shipping!)
I asked around and a friend of a friend is going to install this for me for less than $200. (THANKS IDWIN!)
I am interested to see what type of sways I received.. 4 holes?
I am still at work but confirmed that my package was delivered by UPS (3rd day to AR, not bad for free shipping!)
I asked around and a friend of a friend is going to install this for me for less than $200. (THANKS IDWIN!)
I am interested to see what type of sways I received.. 4 holes?
02-09-2007, 04:35 PM
#5
^I'm going to try to install the kit myself this weekend. Without power tools, it should take about 7-8 hours to install springs + sways. And the recommended intial setting is full stiff on front and full soft in the rear - it's to prevent you from kicking out your back end. I don't know how much install is but 500 is way too much IMO.
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02-10-2007, 01:25 AM
#10
I just installed my Hotchkis swaybars this past weekend (with the help of Jared from UpRev www.uprev.com in Austin). It took me about 2 or 2.5 hours using a lift, and I'm fairly slow. I haven't installed the springs yet.
The first thing to do is get some bolt penetrating spray, and spray the front swaybar bracket bolts before you try to loosen them. Wait a few minutes and then loosen them. I don't think I had to spray the rears, but it certainly wouldn't hurt.
I have a Stillen dual exhaust -- For the rear swaybar, I couldn't get it off until I just unhooked (from the 2 mid exhaust hangers) and unbolted the rear exhaust pipe where it attaches to the muffler. Then it was easy. The Hotchkis manual said this wouldn't be necessary, so with stock exhaust, you may not have to do this.
The Hotchkis installation manual was slightly out of date. In one spot it says use a 17mm wrench when actually it was a 14mm, or maybe vice versa. Then for the front swaybar, it said you'll have to bend the alignment tab on the end link, but I did NOT have to bend mine at all -- with the 4-hole front swaybar (it used to be 3 holes), the tab fit in the next hole. I know this doesn't mean much now, but you'll know what I'm talking about when you look at it.
Grease up the bushing things well using the white grease stuff they provide, it should keep you from having any noises. I haven't had any noises yet.
The first thing to do is get some bolt penetrating spray, and spray the front swaybar bracket bolts before you try to loosen them. Wait a few minutes and then loosen them. I don't think I had to spray the rears, but it certainly wouldn't hurt.
I have a Stillen dual exhaust -- For the rear swaybar, I couldn't get it off until I just unhooked (from the 2 mid exhaust hangers) and unbolted the rear exhaust pipe where it attaches to the muffler. Then it was easy. The Hotchkis manual said this wouldn't be necessary, so with stock exhaust, you may not have to do this.
The Hotchkis installation manual was slightly out of date. In one spot it says use a 17mm wrench when actually it was a 14mm, or maybe vice versa. Then for the front swaybar, it said you'll have to bend the alignment tab on the end link, but I did NOT have to bend mine at all -- with the 4-hole front swaybar (it used to be 3 holes), the tab fit in the next hole. I know this doesn't mean much now, but you'll know what I'm talking about when you look at it.
Grease up the bushing things well using the white grease stuff they provide, it should keep you from having any noises. I haven't had any noises yet.
02-10-2007, 07:50 AM
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This article was the motivation for getting BFG KDW2 tires and Hotchkis TVS. A Quaife LSD is in my future.
http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/pr...n_350z_part_2/
http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/pr...n_350z_part_2/
02-10-2007, 08:38 AM
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Just as a reality check, I called Hotchkis on Friday to ask how many hours the install should take.
Turns out they now do installations at their facility in Santa Fe Springs (just south of downtown L.A.). For the TVS kit on the 350Z, they bill for 7 hours work. They also include a wheel alignment. At $80/hour, that means $560.
So that original $500 estimate wasn't as unreasonable as I thought. I've installed sways before, and know they're pretty easy. But I underestimated how long the springs take.
Still, since I'm close to their facility, I'm seriously considering having Hotchkis do the install. Best possible guarantee of a perfect job, plus it'd be interesting to see their facility and meet the crew.
Kinda funny... Hotchkis sends the kit from L.A. to Intense in AZ, Intense ships the kit back to me in L.A., and I take the kit back to Hotchkis for the install.
For those doing the install themselves over the weekend, please post results, pix and -- most important -- driving impressions!
Turns out they now do installations at their facility in Santa Fe Springs (just south of downtown L.A.). For the TVS kit on the 350Z, they bill for 7 hours work. They also include a wheel alignment. At $80/hour, that means $560.
So that original $500 estimate wasn't as unreasonable as I thought. I've installed sways before, and know they're pretty easy. But I underestimated how long the springs take.
Still, since I'm close to their facility, I'm seriously considering having Hotchkis do the install. Best possible guarantee of a perfect job, plus it'd be interesting to see their facility and meet the crew.
Kinda funny... Hotchkis sends the kit from L.A. to Intense in AZ, Intense ships the kit back to me in L.A., and I take the kit back to Hotchkis for the install.
For those doing the install themselves over the weekend, please post results, pix and -- most important -- driving impressions!
02-10-2007, 08:44 AM
#15
Originally Posted by TheProfessional
This article was the motivation for getting BFG KDW2 tires and Hotchkis TVS. A Quaife LSD is in my future.
http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/pr...n_350z_part_2/
http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/pr...n_350z_part_2/
Wanna help me buy some BBS wheels??? 
02-10-2007, 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Robert_K
Wanna help me buy some BBS wheels???
02-10-2007, 12:31 PM
#17
Originally Posted by TheProfessional
Uh sure, what's wrong with TireRack.com?? A set of BBS RGR Diamond nn closeout right now 18x8.5 and 18x9.5 Total: $1,876.00 before tax and shipping!
18x8.5 BBS RS-GT Diamond Black w/Mach Lip: $748.00ea $1,496.00
18x9.5 BBS RS-GT Diamond Black w/Mach Lip: $782.00ea $1,564.00
Total: $3,060.00
(before tax and shipping)