Moparts
Hotchkis parts on E body?
Posted By: racealittle
Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/21/09 06:30 PM
Just wondering what kind of experience some of you have had with Hotchkis suspension upgrades. I've ordered the tubular upper control arms and strut bars to start For my '74 Challenger. I may go with the 1.25 front bar and their rear springs. I have a factory rear anti-sway bar.
Posted By: autoxcuda
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/21/09 06:56 PM
I've spent about a half hour nose to nose staring at the underside of thier Yellow Challenger on a lift. They had a big Mopar open house with tech session this summer. I asked a ton of questions with everyone there. They put a lot of effort into their products using the right tools with sound engineering along practical testing.
I don't have Hotchkis products on my car. I had to piece together and/or make stuff when I did my car in 1994. My stuff is not as nice as the current stuff, but it's not broke, it's what I have on the car now, and I can't afford to do otherwise.
Are you asking because you are considering other suspension upgrades for your car?
IMHO, I'd get 1.00/.99 to 1.10 T-bars next with what you have so far. Depending on your objective level and planned future parts. I think Just Suspension or something is running a special on T-bars right now. IIRC, they are 1.00" dia only??
Posted By: racealittle
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/21/09 07:23 PM
Yes, I'm considering other components. However, they did mention somewhere that they may be considering the development of coilovers for their kit.
I have 0.96 torsion bars now and would like to give that a try.
I have looked at the Unisteer rack unit. That might be a future consideration, which would eliminate the need for other Hotchkis components.
I'm just looking at upgrades that really make a difference. The car was set up for drag racing, but those days on the streets are over where I live. A balanced, good driver, that is a joy to drive is the next goal.
Posted By: autoxcuda
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/21/09 07:40 PM
Quote:
Yes, I'm considering other components. However, they did mention somewhere that they may be considering the development of coilovers for their kit.
I have 0.96 torsion bars now and would like to give that a try.
I have looked at the Unisteer rack unit. That might be a future consideration, which would eliminate the need for other Hotchkis components.
I'm just looking at upgrades that really make a difference. The car was set up for drag racing, but those days on the streets are over where I live. A balanced, good driver, that is a joy to drive is the next goal.
I think you are on the right track. Springs, sway bars, shocks, alignment, tires, fix sloppy steering. Those are the key components that make the biggest differnce. Don't bother with the unisteer. And I wouldn't bother with the coilover.
Run the .96 T-bars you have now. Maybe a rebuilt firm feel steering box would help if you don't allready have one.
Have you run any of the upgrades on the car so far??
What tires/size are you planning on running?
Posted By: racealittle
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/22/09 12:03 AM
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Yes, I'm considering other components. However, they did mention somewhere that they may be considering the development of coilovers for their kit.
I have 0.96 torsion bars now and would like to give that a try.
I have looked at the Unisteer rack unit. That might be a future consideration, which would eliminate the need for other Hotchkis components.
I'm just looking at upgrades that really make a difference. The car was set up for drag racing, but those days on the streets are over where I live. A balanced, good driver, that is a joy to drive is the next goal.
I think you are on the right track. Springs, sway bars, shocks, alignment, tires, fix sloppy steering. Those are the key components that make the biggest differnce. Don't bother with the unisteer. And I wouldn't bother with the coilover.
Run the .96 T-bars you have now. Maybe a rebuilt firm feel steering box would help if you don't allready have one.
Have you run any of the upgrades on the car so far??
What tires/size are you planning on running?
I've removed the drag shocks and extra leafs that were added to the rear XHD springs. I think that one or both of the XHD's are bent. It was a 10 second car. I've repaired the driver front frame rail and have a level one firm feel box to start. The manual steering box was removed and I have to sort out which pitman arm, etc. I need. That's why I decided to buy the upper arms and strut bars. They gave me a fairly good deal on them.
I have to do my homework on the wheel and tire combination. Hotchkis has 18" on their TA mule car.
Posted By: Hotchkis
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/23/09 04:48 PM
I think you'll be very happy with the Challenger suspension upgrades we have available. The E-Max Challenger was just featured on Autoblog, and they seemed to have a good time driving it!
Hotchkis E-max story
Great write up! I may have, missed it before but how is the 340 built in that car? What's the combo?
Posted By: Jerry
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/23/09 05:42 PM
i personally was not impressed with the write. i would have like to know more about the mods, whats all in the car, whose kits, pricing etc.
Posted By: Hotchkis
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/23/09 09:54 PM
ScottS- The 340 is a stock spec motor. At Hotchkis we have only made modifications to the suspension, wheels, tires and the driver's seat.
Our goal with the E-Max Challenger is to show people with vintage Mopars that you don't have to replace the K frame or switch to Chevrolet style coil springs in order to have a competitive handling car. Making suspension changes can make a stock car out perform a car with a souped up engine. We want to see more Mopars on the street and on the tracks.
The challenger in the autoblog story uses all the parts you can find at
Hotchkis.com
Posted By: racealittle
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/23/09 11:11 PM
Quote:
ScottS- The 340 is a stock spec motor. At Hotchkis we have only made modifications to the suspension, wheels, tires and the driver's seat.
Our goal with the E-Max Challenger is to show people with vintage Mopars that you don't have to replace the K frame or switch to Chevrolet style coil springs in order to have a competitive handling car. Making suspension changes can make a stock car out perform a car with a souped up engine. We want to see more Mopars on the street and on the tracks.
The challenger in the autoblog story uses all the parts you can find at Hotchkis.com
That's my goal, to update the performance of the overall chassis so the 5.9 300 hp magnum can be happy powering the car accross the country. It's not always a situation where more power is needed to be a great driver.
Maybe I'll make it to the next Hotchkis open house for mopars and we can add a few more parts to the ones I already bought at a seminar.
Posted By: roadrunninMark
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/23/09 11:45 PM
How about a Hotchkis V. XVMotorsports V. Alterkation shootout! I would like to see that!!!! I would assume that some systems are a lot more expensive in this "dream" of a shootout, but that all could play into the game, best bang for the buck! Can anyone put something like this together? Are there any other systems that would like to get into the fray???
Mark
Posted By: domingo
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/23/09 11:55 PM
This would be cool.
There is lots of poeple that wonder about this but we have NEVER seen a side to side comparison.
The problem is that you would need to use the same car, add and change out all of the componants from each manufacturer one after another and have the same driver test each setup on the same day on the same track to make the comparison anywhere near valid.
Posted By: racealittle
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/24/09 01:23 AM
I chose the Hotchkis UCA and strut rods because they just seem to offer what makes sense to me.
Some of the other UCA's that are available may be good pieces and cost less, and the offset bushings for a stock UCA may seem right to others.
The Hotchkis components look like they should work well together, keeping everything like they say in a geometrically corrected arc.
I don't spend money that freely, but Hotchkis worked with me some on the price of the parts and I think it was worth to spend a little more on their parts than on some of the other offerings.
I would like the whole package they offer, or the whole package that XV offers, but I think the Hotchkis UCA's and strut rods will tell they story if I should spend more in the future. I am on a budget like most car enthusiasts. If the parts I bought make a signifcant difference, I will likely step up to 17-18" wheels and tires. I also want some comfort to the ride for long road trips.
Is there a way to have it all without too much compromise?
Posted By: PHJ426
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/24/09 01:58 AM
This is interesting. I like the components that are on this car for finish and quality.
What kind of times is this Challenger posting at local autocross events as compared to...........anything that can currently handle that we can get a feel for these parts.
What is the wheel tire size combo on the E Max Chally also.
Posted By: autoxcuda
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/24/09 02:08 AM
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This is interesting. I like the components that are on this car for finish and quality.
What kind of times is this Challenger posting at local autocross events as compared to...........anything that can currently handle that we can get a feel for these parts.
What is the wheel tire size combo on the E Max Chally also.
http://www.hotchkis.net/press_release.html?ID=24
Sounds like it finished fourth? behind a : "fully race-prepped lightweight (2400 lbs) Cobra NASA racecar from Factory Five and an all-aluminum engine powered Camaro driven by a professional NASCAR driver."
"The car was faster than all 32 Street Machine of the Year competitors, and was only .080 seconds off from the second place Cobra, which tips the scales at 2,400 pounds versus the Challenger’s 3,700 pounds. Nice driving Aaron!"
Posted By: PHJ426
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/24/09 04:11 AM
Now that is impressive. Very nice Challenger there
Posted By: ThermoQuad
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/24/09 04:45 AM
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How about a Hotchkis V. XVMotorsports V. Alterkation shootout! I would like to see that!!!! I would assume that some systems are a lot more expensive in this "dream" of a shootout, but that all could play into the game, best bang for the buck! Can anyone put something like this together? Are there any other systems that would like to get into the fray???
I'd love to take my pos AAR with it's Level SubZero set up and play with the big dogs.
Just let me know when and where.
Posted By: autoxcuda
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/24/09 05:02 AM
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Quote:
How about a Hotchkis V. XVMotorsports V. Alterkation shootout! I would like to see that!!!! I would assume that some systems are a lot more expensive in this "dream" of a shootout, but that all could play into the game, best bang for the buck! Can anyone put something like this together? Are there any other systems that would like to get into the fray???
I'd love to take my pos AAR with it's Level SubZero set up and play with the big dogs.
Just let me know when and where.
Well, if you want in on it with your haughty taughty fancy 'Cuda AAR with all it's eye grabbing purple paint and flashy stickers.... 
I nominate Tim Werner with Grandma's Valiant...
Posted By: 71TA
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 10/24/09 10:33 AM
What wheels and tires are on that Challenger?
Posted By: boydsdodge
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/02/09 11:47 PM
Tires/wheels?
Posted By: Challenger_Nut
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/03/09 01:38 AM
Pretty sure they are Forgeline wheels.
Posted By: AndyF
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/03/09 03:17 AM
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How about a Hotchkis V. XVMotorsports V. Alterkation shootout! I would like to see that!!!! I would assume that some systems are a lot more expensive in this "dream" of a shootout, but that all could play into the game, best bang for the buck! Can anyone put something like this together? Are there any other systems that would like to get into the fray???
I'd love to take my pos AAR with it's Level SubZero set up and play with the big dogs.
Just let me know when and where.
Well, if you want in on it with your haughty taughty fancy 'Cuda AAR with all it's eye grabbing purple paint and flashy stickers....
I nominate Tim Werner with Grandma's Valiant...
We are planning to make the tow down to the Fling with Tim's car come spring time. With the new 427 inch engine and the pile of new parts being added it should be fun to watch.
Posted By: sparcy
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/03/09 04:28 AM
I ordered parts from magnum force they sent me the wrong stuff and would not take them back brand new in the box .they
s@#$k some day I will get payback!!!.I then went with firm feel and HOTCHKIS 1969 charger big block 500 inch auto,all parts are installed waiting for front end to be dialed in ,when I called FIRM FEEL or HOTCHKIS back after the sale they were very very helpful cant say enough about the tech support awesum.same set up as the mr angry car in bull run.cant wait to drive it after xmas
Posted By: Hotchkis
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/04/09 04:36 PM
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I ordered parts from magnum force they sent me the wrong stuff and would not take them back brand new in the box .they [Email]s@#$k[/Email] some day I will get payback!!!.I then went with firm feel and HOTCHKIS 1969 charger big block 500 inch auto,all parts are installed waiting for front end to be dialed in ,when I called FIRM FEEL or HOTCHKIS back after the sale they were very very helpful cant say enough about the tech support awesum.same set up as the mr angry car in bull run.cant wait to drive it after xmas
I'm glad we were able to able to help you. Let us know how you like your car when you do your after Christmas test drive. Send us photos!
Posted By: HemiRick
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/04/09 05:07 PM
The Hotchkis parts sure are pricey, As an example $350 for a pair of simple sub frame connectors? I think this is a bit extreme.
Posted By: Challenger_Nut
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/05/09 01:53 AM
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The Hotchkis parts sure are pricey, As an example $350 for a pair of simple sub frame connectors? I think this is a bit extreme.
Agreed nice looking products but priced high. Liked thier upper contol arms but went with another manufacturer. Paid less than half.
Posted By: autoxcuda
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/05/09 02:31 AM
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....Liked thier upper contol arms but went with another manufacturer. Paid less than half.
Different products. The Hotchkis Upper Control Arm Kits are geometry corrected and come with additional parts to do that. It's an Upper Control Arm AND the gear to move the geometry.
Posted By: racealittle
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/05/09 03:15 AM
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....Liked thier upper contol arms but went with another manufacturer. Paid less than half.
Different products. The Hotchkis Upper Control Arm Kits are geometry corrected and come with additional parts to do that. It's an Upper Control Arm AND the gear to move the geometry.
There is a 1 3/4" correction to the alignment of their UCA. That just looked right to me. If the repair bushings make a difference for those who know how to work them, the Hotchkis approach should be worth some additional cost, making the job easier, results attainable, and a little eye candy or bling to boot.
Posted By: Challenger_Nut
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/05/09 03:33 AM
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....Liked thier upper contol arms but went with another manufacturer. Paid less than half.
Different products. The Hotchkis Upper Control Arm Kits are geometry corrected and come with additional parts to do that. It's an Upper Control Arm AND the gear to move the geometry.
Someone would have to prove to me that what they fixed with thier geometry correction was a problem in the first place.
Posted By: Challenger_Nut
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/05/09 03:39 AM
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and a little eye candy or bling to boot.
You must have see through tires and rims because I sure can't see my UCA. 
Posted By: autoxcuda
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/05/09 03:51 AM
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....Liked thier upper contol arms but went with another manufacturer. Paid less than half.
Different products. The Hotchkis Upper Control Arm Kits are geometry corrected and come with additional parts to do that. It's an Upper Control Arm AND the gear to move the geometry.
Someone would have to prove to me that what they fixed with thier geometry correction was a problem in the first place.
Here you go. Here's the proof. I was to improve the bump steer....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzxPWrdPlt0&feature=related
Posted By: Challenger_Nut
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/05/09 04:16 AM
I guess I am from Missouri........ Show Me!..... That was just a fellow talking about it......
Posted By: autoxcuda
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/05/09 04:41 AM
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I guess I am from Missouri........ Show Me!..... That was just a fellow talking about it......
This is what bumpsteer is: http://www.longacreracing.com/articles/art.asp?ARTID=13
Here is how to operate a bumpsteer gauge: http://www.longacreracing.com/instructions/inst.asp?INSTID=15
When you listen to the video, he said the amounts he reduced the bumpsteer with the Hotchkis A-Arms.
That said, the stock bumpsteer does not make the car burst into flames. We are talking about fine refinements and issues that amplify themselves when the handling performance level has been raised.
The Hotchkis A-body tubular A-arms do not have the relocated pickup point. I asked them why at their open house. They said the bumpsteer measurements with the stock geometry were not as far off as the E/B-bodies. The stock bump steer did not warrant the expense of the relocated pivot point. So, they aren't making stuff up just to sell parts.
Posted By: BDS871Cuda
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/05/09 08:13 AM
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Just wondering what kind of experience some of you have had with Hotchkis suspension upgrades. I've ordered the tubular upper control arms and strut bars to start For my '74 Challenger. I may go with the 1.25 front bar and their rear springs. I have a factory rear anti-sway bar.
I run a complete Hotchkis system in the pickup.
It feels like I could run the Daytona track at
140 mph.
Posted By: racealittle
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/05/09 03:22 PM
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and a little eye candy or bling to boot.
You must have see through tires and rims because I sure can't see my UCA.
No see through eyes, but I do spend some time under the car and have several sets of rims and tires that get rotated on a whim. Think of it as belly button jewelry, or nipple rings. You know it's there, and it can peak your interest, or your the kind of person who doesn't care about that kind of thing at all. That's OK. I don't decide what everyone should or shouldn't do. Just look at all the bling people put inside an engine. I've seen see through panels on engines, and other things like that.
When I go to car shows I often don't spend enough time looking at the details someone has gone through on their ride. So when something catches my eye anywhere on a car, I start looking everywhere I can. Sometimes the details just amaze me. I'm usually just a form and function kind of guy where down and dirty is all you really need for a driver. It's time for a little bling, if it really works, that's all I really care about. The Hotchkis pieces are nicer than my ride.
Posted By: TC@HP2
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/06/09 06:02 PM
Lets not forget that Hotchkis has been winning sports car racing classes for a couple of decades and have the knowledge and know how on how to create precision suspension components. Are they pricey, yes, but they are pricey with documented results and research to back them up. A set of $300 tubular arms that only give you extra caster are a rip off, IMO, when you can get the same thing for $60 from offset bushings, or can have a set fabricated by any oval track chassis shop for $150.
BTW, you can get a price break on their stuff through Jegs.
Posted By: roadrunninMark
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/06/09 06:15 PM
TC, I am interested in a chassis shop that can fab me up a set of of adjustable UCAs for $150, can you give me some recommendations?
Thanks,
Mark
Posted By: Lefty
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/06/09 08:29 PM
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I guess I am from Missouri........ Show Me!..... That was just a fellow talking about it......
This is what bumpsteer is: http://www.longacreracing.com/articles/art.asp?ARTID=13
Here is how to operate a bumpsteer gauge: http://www.longacreracing.com/instructions/inst.asp?INSTID=15
When you listen to the video, he said the amounts he reduced the bumpsteer with the Hotchkis A-Arms.
That said, the stock bumpsteer does not make the car burst into flames. We are talking about fine refinements and issues that amplify themselves when the handling performance level has been raised.
The Hotchkis A-body tubular A-arms do not have the relocated pickup point. I asked them why at their open house. They said the bumpsteer measurements with the stock geometry were not as far off as the E/B-bodies. The stock bump steer did not warrant the expense of the relocated pivot point. So, they aren't making stuff up just to sell parts.
I have the Longacre bump steer gauge and plan to check the 66 Coronet with it. It's far from stock so I'd like to see what the curve looks like. I would also like to check a couple 100% stock 66-70 B bodies to see the curves from the factory as a baseline. Health wise this year absolutely sucks big time, so hopefully I can get to the task by Feb. Any Monterey Bay area cars with rebuilt stock suspension I can check? I'd like to also check some other Mopars with suspension mods as well. 
Posted By: TC@HP2
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/07/09 10:42 PM
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TC, I am interested in a chassis shop that can fab me up a set of of adjustable UCAs for $150, can you give me some recommendations?
Thanks,
Mark
Anyone building IMCA modifieds should be able to whip up a set. Or pick up a set off this page and do you own with any of these; http://www.speedwaymotors.com/race-chass...rames%2c+Struts Fab up a mounting block to adapt their ends to the chrysler location and your off.
Posted By: roadrunninMark
Re: Hotchkis parts on E body? - 12/10/09 06:36 PM
thanks
