CKGuY914

I am torn between these two as my next upgrade

Hotchkis Stage 1 TVS

Sport Coils
front and rear Sport Sway Bars.

Partshippers' Progress Tech kit

Lowering spring set
rear 22mm sway bar

both are about $300 and I can't decide between these >.<

I am leaning just a tad towards the Progress kit because I read that the Hotchkis rear bar is quite whimpy compared to the Progress one and if the Progress rear will neutral the ride then I don't need another front bar.

Can I get some feedback? What do you guys think?

CKGuY914

Some spring spec from stickied thread


---------------------Drop --------------Spring Rate (lbs/in)
---------------------Front ---Rear ---- -Front ---Rear
Stock ----------------------------------148 -----160
Hotchkis -----------1.375" -1.625" ---185*--- 180*
Progress Tech. -----1.8" ----1.5"-----+20%--- +20%

BlueBubble666

I just purchased the hotchkis kit. I'm waiting to put them on. I was looking for the best all around ride. i'll let you know when I get them on, and give you my opinion.

wooish

I dont have good experience from the Hotchkis springs so I personally wouldn't buy Hotchkis again

CKGuY914

Can you be more specific? Why don't you like the Hotchkis springs?

neckbonenick

I am currently riding on Progress with Progress sway. I started out with the hotchkis and in comparison its a more sporty ride. Less body roll and a little more harsh, and the drop isn't quite as even as the progress. Progress is my rec.

wooish

I have some problem with Hotchkis springs. I installed and uninstalled it a few times but it still makes noise. Recently, I took apart the front suspension and found that the first 4 or 5 rungs of springs are hitting each other therefore making the noise. I had to wrap the springs with electrical tape in order to get rid of about 80% of the noise. I'm thinking that the springs are bottoming out. Maybe it's just my set of springs that's causing problem but I would definately consider getting other brand of springs.

I can try to get warrantee from Hotchkis but I already spent so much time wrapping and installed the springs back into the car. I would prolly run the springs for another year b4 I switch to something else.

Chimmy3

neckbonenick: which one was had less body roll and was a little more harsh? i can't quite tell from your sentence

Sciond

yeah that post is a mess.....

Chimmy3

Sooo... did you make a decision CKGuy? btw if it still matters I lean more towards the Progress set-up

LilBlkBox

I can almost promise that the Progress Tech will ride better and perform better than the Hotchkis. The thing that scares me about the Hotchkis is how many dead coils they have. I would go with the Progress

CKGuY914

I went with the progress set up, pretty happy with it thus far

JSosa

Im very ahppy to see you went with the prgress kit, not to make hotchkis sound like crap but THEY ARE CRAP! I persoanlly want to through my springs in the trash can and buy some tanabe or tein. The ride quality is ok, the drop is very minimal and the springs make this constant noise when going over bumps and i think its all those dead coils. I dont know the reason behind the dead coils, but i would definately congratulate you for going with progress. The progress rear bar in amazing and i love it and wouldnt change it, except if i i go racing in that case i will strap on the whiteline automotive sway bar (much better than the hotckis, but not for everyday driving)

trdsparks

I like the Hotchkis set up myself. I know 2 people off hand that run Hotchkis spring on their xB's dougalast (Lance) and GAFFN1(Joel). Neither of their springs make noise. I have found that lowering springs make noise when 1) they are new and still settling 2) aren't installed/seated properly. This past weekend I went up to Goldsboro, NC for a show and rode with Lance (dougalast) and they didn't make a sound. Just my own personal experience.



Josh

Emfdiablo

ive heard more complaints from the hotchkis than ive heard good things, and ive heard better things about the progress. Now, my suspension is stock, but when i tackle the suspension, i will go progress.

Oni-Haya

Just my $0.02

You need to decide on the ride you want and match that with your driving style. In reagards to springs, Hotchkis are not the best. My preference are Gold-lines due to stiffness, but the harshness may bother some. The progress rear sway is best at keeping the rear flat in turns. However, if you drive aggressive you will neet the Hotchkis front sway or you could run into some problems.

The next step will be struts and shock. Just not much available for the xA.

kewlbox

I am going with the Hotchkis system have the springs and strut bar allready and before spring i should have the sway bars. Hopefully all powdercoated and put on by then.

I felt that the hotchkis would be best for a daily driver and i plan on putting 25,000 miles on my box a year so i do not want a really stiff ride.