I will be upgrading my suspension to include TRD shocks and springs but when it comes to swaybars I'm torn. Id like to get the Hotchkis for the stiffness they offer, but the issues of the front bar install and problems with the bar shifting and rubbing are kinda scaring me away. Another thing is that McGeorge parts offers the TRD springs and hotchkis sways for only 350 which is hard to pass up.

On the other hand, McGeorge offers the TRD springs and TRD rear sway for about $250 which is also a great price but I know the TRD rear sway is pretty waek in comaprison to the Hotchkis but still a big improvement over the stock bar.

Another issue is that BOXMAN keeps hinting about a company coming out with excellent parts in the near future that may include swaybars that may solve the front bar issues Hotchkis has.

So do I just bite the bullet and get the Hotchkis knowing Im getting a great set of bars and deal with the install and possible rubbing problems, get the TRDs and get a good upgrade but know I could have done better if I feel its too weak, or wait until some more come out and deal with the stock sways for now.

Its hard for me to order the springs and not get a swaybar upgrade at the same with the awesome package deals mcgeorge is offering and at only a $100 pirce difference between the TRD and Hotchkis I know the Hotchkis is the better deal. I also know if I get the TRD and dont like it, Im gonna end up losing a lot more money getting the Hotchkis later even if I sell off the TRD later.

The car is a daily driver and probably wont ever be used for AutoX, but I like the corners and a tight suspension.

Id like to get opinions on what you guys think I should do considering what Ive said.

 

I got the mcgeorge sway+spring deal for $250. It was a great deal, and I love the performance. ALthough, I can't compare to hotchkis... I don't need SUPER DUPER stiff sways nor do I need any of the small issues people have had. TRD I think is a great choice.

 

Im coming form a fully upgraded 94 Z28 Camaro with tubular and poly everything and soft BFG 275/45/17s so I know I like a stiff well handling car, but people from both the TRD and Hotchkis camps have nothing but good things to say about the performance of the parts they chose. I know Im getting good stuff either way, but its still a hard decision.

 

Hey

i've been driving mountain roads since i got my lisence and i have tended to learn how to feel how well a car handles since my friends dad is also a pro expert mountain track driver and for what i've heard and felt...

hotchkis does give u a very stiff ridgid rear sway bar but it kinda over compensates with the stiffness and creates a lot of over steer... that is only if u use the rear which most driver do... if u use both front and rear then it'll only make a stiffer ride it won't give u very much better handling but more rigidity... if u want better handling i'd go with the trd rear sway and just use the stock front sway.. especially with a FWD vehicle u need a thicker rear sway which = more over steer which in turn counters the effect of the FWD understeer

which in my opinion give superior handling... so in all i'd go with the TRD

 

oh another thing...

if u really want more rigidity then get the Greddy front and rear strut bars...

especially the front, since tC's have macphersons struts which can use the rigidity

 

If I get the Hotchkis, I will definetely install front and rear, but I agree with you about the stiffness possibly being overkill. I like how the TRD bar was designed to complemet the stock front bar and Ive heard good things about the balance it gives the car. As far as strut bars, Im waiting for BOXMAN to tell us more about the company he's working with on new chassis braces.

 

The TRD setup is exceedingly well thought out. The dampers, springs, and sway all work extremely well together, and there's no guesswork in the setup.

I can't tell what exact setup Hotchkis was shooting for with their bars... abit too bit for the factory springs, still a bit of overkill for even the TRDs or any of the "mid range" 1-1.5" dropsprings... perhpas better suited to a full coilover package, which I imagine is the category of folk they were initially aiming for.

I like a stiffer spring than stock, but nothing bone-crunchingly stiff; a moderately upgraded springrate, a bit stiffer sway is all I want and need. The reduction in bodyroll is directly proportionate to the loss of compliance. Big bars on a street car can make for unpredictable handling, as all of the driving is done on unpredictable road surfaces.

If you never plan on driving the car competetively, and you don't have 39 turns on the road leading up to your house, the TRD is a better choice for "all-around" performance. It won't cut bodyroll like the Hotchkis, but it won't make the backend as stiff as a skateboard , either.

 

Thanks...Im leaning toward the TRD bar, but leaving the front bar stock makes me feel like I might be half-a$$ing it a little bit. Most stock suspension setups are crap and the stigma of stock parts make worry a little bit about the decision to not replace it.

 

PAint the front bar red if it will make you feel better. A smaller front bar + bigger rear bar = more neutral handling, which is what you want. Hotchkis goes to a considerably bigger rear bar, and therefore upsizes the front bar accordingly. The TRD rear is a good match to the OEM Toyco front bar.

 

I don't have any of those mods on but don't buy yourself extra headache. Just go trd, than you can upgrade later on if you feel that it isn't cutting it for you. If you get hotch than you know that there is be a rubbing issue and seeing how there is not permanent fix for it yet, I wouldn't buy it.

 

I already went with the TRD setup 2 months ago and am very happy with it.

 

The TRD springs and shocks are the softest set out there, close to been stock. If you like this then don’t get the Hotchkis. Most people that have installed the TRD have change to some thing stiffer. For me, I like the stiffer setup I got the tein spring but was not happy so I got the eibach spring and the Hotchkis front and back. I install them myself in the garage and it was not as hard people in the forum seem too said. My next step is to get coilover. Love to be able to adjust the shocks and Hotchkins stiffness for my stile of driving. I hope this can help but if you are getting the TRD spring and shocks, Hotchkis may be to stiff for you.

 

I agree that the TRD springs by themselves are not that stiff, but with the TRD shocks its a completely differnt story. I would not reccoment installing springs without upgraded shocks unless you are only dropping the car for looks. With the combination the ride is firm but not harsh and is more than adequate to handle anything you can throw at it on the street. Also after reading what Raamaudio has found concerning roll center, anything much lower than the TRD drop can be detrimental to handling and preformance. I have no plans to change to different shocks and spring unless I get coilovers.

I worte a review of my setup on the track here: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=93847

 

Great thread! I'm learning all the time.

 

me too

 

 

I got my hotchkis sways installed yesterday afternoon. My testing road has a previous best speed of 55mph. This was on s-tech's and my new rims/tires. After the sways I got through the same section @ 75 mph. Think what you want, but hotchkis makes a great set of bars

 

I went with the progress bar and im pretty happy, still testing it out, but i went with it cause it's more adjustable than the trd and i didn't trust the hotchkis because of the issues people have been talking about

 

I have the Hotchkis bars in my room waiting to go on, but my car has been in the shop for a month getting fixed after I got rear-ended. Im looking forward to trying them out and will post my results concerning install and performance.

 

I just took my Hotchkis sways off and they were dollar for dollar the best suspension upgrade. Yes tires are a must but they wear out. Set it on medium or soft, you won't think it is too stiff and you always have the hard setting to try. Overall excellent product if it didn't rub in the front.