Wow, great review/pics/vids! Sounds like a good day at the track. Road America is at the absolute top of my list of tracks to drive one day, and it sounds like the CAROC event is pretty well-run.

I'll have to keep this event in mind for next year. Were there any specific membership requirements in order to be eligible for this event, or was it open to anyone?

 

Great write up and images! 2:50 is a very respectable time. It is amazing to think the champ cars circle the track around 1:40... Just blows my mind!

I attended with Nord Stern which is the group I got into with a friends extra 928 VIN#. Being a PCA member has its advantages. Hope to continue it next year.

It would be great to pick a day next year at RA and have a good Z turn out. I'd be willing to go with any group that just did a run group format that allows for maximum track time.

 

Ok, I got the collars installed and I could immediately feel a difference in response compared to the feel pre-collars... but the noise was still present...

Fed up, I went to SW Infiniti and had them take a look at it - they had to run diagnostics to find where the noise was coming from, and they discovered that the front crossmember was missing a bolt (I'm guessing from when my mechanic had installed the headers three weeks ago) - it was rattling so hard that it actually blew off the locking lug nut on my front passenger wheel! They took the crossmember off completely and reinstalled it and the noise is nowhere to be found... I was so happy I made them install some splash guards while I was there! So now my car handles better than ever, and sounds perfect (which it hasn't since I installed the sway bars 3 months ago - something was always clunking/rattling) - Thanks again for the great solution, Zillinois!!!

 

You are very welcome!

Glad you found the noise problem too. I can't believe you were missing a bolt from your crossmember!!

 

The CAROC time trial is open to anyone. The two day event was $350 which is a bit pricey, but IMO its worth it. If you are not a member of the CAROC its an extra $30 dollars to become one. If you do any CAROC events prior to the RA event you don't have to pay the extra dough.

The CAROC guys have been doing this for a long time and run a pretty good show. They are laid back but still get the job done. It was by far the most fun I've had at the track.

 

Thanks for the kind words. It sounds like the Champ cars may not be coming this year. While we were up there they announced the 2005 schedule and the Champ cars were strangely missing! I really can't imagine running that track in 1:40!

I'm up for any and every RA day possible next year, sign me up!

 

Thanks for the good info so far. I have a concern that the bolts which connect the end links to the sway bar worked themselves loose after a day of hard driving and cornering.

I tightened to the recommended 40 ft-lbs originally but they are now at 50 ft-lbs. Any recommendations ??

I also noticed that the end links are quite thin compared to the sways - has anyone installed aftermarket end links?? I've seen them available for the Subi WRX & STI's

 

just tighten them down harder - I think I used like 80- or 100-ft lbs when I tightened them down with an impact wrench...

 

I just picked up a set of slightly used Hotchkis Sway Bars, and I'm about to order the collars.

Thanks zillinois for doing the research!

Thinking REAL hard about getting the Nismo/EVO links............don't need no stinkin pre-load!

And, yes, I'm replacing my Cusco bars...........to gain adjustability!

With new Truechoice Konis coming, I will need more flexibility.

 

Moved.

 

can the bolts/nuts handle all that!? i may get a tvs pkg. so maybe ill need to order these

 

another happy customer everyone should order these collars with the sways. By the way non of the should discredit hotchkis sways bars, great product but these little plumbing jems are the missing link.

 

I installed mine last weekend, along with the collars. Set to medium/medium and wow! what a difference.

 

Is there any reason why you left a gap between the mount and the collars? I figured you would put it on flush with the mount.

 

The bars aren't perfectly straight right by the mounts so it's impossiible to get them flush. Also you should have just a little play for minute movement.

 

Yes.

BTW, you can get the rears totally flush, but I left some room there too for the movements described above.

 

I spent 7$ at home depot for rubber collars.

 

Pics?

 

I have a HUGE amount of creaking from my TVS kit... do you think this movement from side to side is causing this?

I looked to see if the mechanic maybe forgot to lube the bushings, thinking that was the cause, but they are greased... I am going to have them re-do the greasing here soon.

 

do you have to get alignment done after you install the hotchkis kit with the collars...i know if you work on your suspension in any form that re-alignment is needed....so is re-alignment neccessary?