Posted By: 71340vert
Is Hotchkis TVS suspension really worth the money - 07/18/13 05:58 PM
Is the Hotchkis TVS kit really worth the money or can I accomplish similar handling with other popular tubular control arms and sway bars And stiffer leaf springs And torsion bars from a variety of different companies out there. The Hotchkiss system seems very pricey for what you get And it doesn't even include shocks
Posted By: 72Swinger
Re: Is Hotchkis TVS suspension really worth the money - 07/18/13 06:40 PM
Google shop the part #, you will be suprised how much the pricing changes between vendors.
Posted By: Viol8r
Re: Is Hotchkis TVS suspension really worth the money - 07/18/13 07:05 PM
I think the Upper control arms are a bit much for the normal enthusiest. Many companies offer a caster correct arm for a fraction of the cost. The tie rod kit is a bit excessive also for the same reason, not to mention I am not a huge fan of running heims for everyday use.
To answer your question, yes there are many options out there for most people. I run a combo of Hotckis springs, Firm Feel TB/ UCA, Ridetech shocks and obviously we will have an entire QA1 front end under it soon. With the above combo of parts (minus QA1) we were 3 seconds faster then the Hotchkis B-body R&D car at the OUSCI Pahrump road course.
Posted By: TC@HP2
Re: Is Hotchkis TVS suspension really worth the money - 07/18/13 08:57 PM
As autoxcuda pointed out, there are some specific design differences in the Hotchkis products that differentiate them from most other parts out there. They are also designed to work together as a system to achieve very linear and predictable results with a minimal amount of effort. For that benefit, you pay a package price, which as others have said, can vary widely from outlet to outlet.
Are they worth it, the answer to that question may vary considerably from user to user. What is your intended application and how often is it used that way, what's your budget in $$, what's your budget in time, what is your mechanical ability, and what is your mathematical ability ( which will also be coupled with what amount of time, effort, and money are you willing to put into researching and understanding the dynamics and applications of suspension theory to under stand how to do all the "cipherin" necessary to combine the ideal mix of components to achieve similar results).
Can you duplicate their results, absolutely...and you can do it for a quarter of the cost, IF, you know why they did what they did, where to source similar components, or how to modify them to get those results, and then test them to validate the calculations.
Or you can buy their kit, install it over a weekend, and be back on the road with minimal downtime, headaches, and hassles.
Posted By: RokketRide
Re: Is Hotchkis TVS suspension really worth the money - 07/19/13 02:11 AM
I found a site that shows it for $2029 + 20 ship (A-body), and there is a 2% code that drops that by about 40 bucks. That's getting to be a pretty friendly price for what's included as a "pre-matched set".
Just add shocks and TBars.
Posted By: dangina
Re: Is Hotchkis TVS suspension really worth the money - 07/19/13 02:55 AM
If you can wait, hotchkis has a 20-25% off sale about twice a year, If I remember I think it was around thanksgiving and christmas?
Posted By: Fastback67
Re: Is Hotchkis TVS suspension really worth the money - 07/20/13 04:31 PM
Here's a couple of shots (one from video). Sorry, but it's the best I can do for you at the moment.
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Is Hotchkis TVS suspension really worth the money - 07/20/13 08:07 PM
Although the Scamp had a fairly stock drivetrain, it did have upgraded wheels and brakes that most likely played a big roll in the event.
Posted By: RylisPro
Re: Is Hotchkis TVS suspension really worth the money - 07/22/13 12:49 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SwRwY6pDdE If you watch this video it shows the Emax Chally going around cones. I just don't like the fact that the rear squats down and the front lifts up.
You can notice it in the first 60 secs of the video. I'm going to make sure that doesn't happen when I install the TVS kit on my car.
Other than that it looks good
Posted By: RylisPro
Re: Is Hotchkis TVS suspension really worth the money - 07/22/13 01:53 AM
I dont know much about suspensions and am still learning, but doesnt the weight transfer to the rear lessen front grip? Can that phenomenon be alleviated in some way? No doubt the car is fast, just seems weird to me?
Posted By: 71340vert
Re: Is Hotchkis TVS suspension really worth the money - 07/22/13 05:32 PM
In my original post, I guess I should have mentioned that this car is going to see a lot of daily driving. I just wanted to upgrade the car to a nice handling suspension. I've heard concerns about Hiem joints for daily use. Should I be concerned? The car has already been stiffened withXV Motorsport stiffening kit. Will have viper disc brakes up front and big Brembo brakes in back from SRT 8 jeep. New Hemi with Nag 1 trans. The price for the Hotchkis system from THmotorsport is a good price and will probably buy that especiallu if they will giver torsion bars in lieu of frame connectors that I already have.
Can some one make a recommendation for shocks for me? I was thinking about Bilsteins. Also looking for a front wheel that will fit a viper 14.25 diameter rotor. Hopefully something in an 18 inch that's not too pricey.
Posted By: 340duster340
Re: Is Hotchkis TVS suspension really worth the money - 07/26/13 06:29 PM
no experience with their parts personally, but there is value to be had with parts that are designed to work together and buying them all at once.
i have had various projects and more recently (post baby) have not had the time to hunt out the best deal part for part and then tinker to make it all work together.
regardless of this, before you buy anything, you should have an idea of what you want to do with the car, and your budget and buy what works for that. if you dont have a plan, before you buy parts it might not end well.
Posted By: 71340vert
Re: Is Hotchkis TVS suspension really worth the money - 08/07/13 06:02 PM
up date, I just ordered the Hotchkis TVS from Autoplicity. The price was much friendlier from them and they allowed me to swap the frame rail connectors for Hotchkis torsion bars and I just paid the difference. Also bought the Hotchkis tuned Fox shocks that are not listed on their website but they were able to get for me at a nice savings and they are shipping all of it for $50. They were very helpful on the phone, and seemed to like their job unlike so many people I've tried to buy parts from. Pleasure doing business with them. They seem to have great customer service. They told me it might take a day or two longer to receive my parts because they were breaking up a kit. I appreciate them letting me know that and being honest about the delivery time frame. If I get everything I ordered in the time frame I was told, I will highly recommend using them
Posted By: RylisPro
Re: Is Hotchkis TVS suspension really worth the money - 08/09/13 05:39 AM
Hey Dan,
I know it depends on the brake setup as well, but do you know roughly how much back spacing with the Hotchkis upper control arms is needed?
I want to get an idea of how wide a wheel I can fit in the front of an E body Cuda
Thanks
Posted By: BergmanAutoCraft
Re: Is Hotchkis TVS suspension really worth the money - 08/09/13 12:26 PM
My normal setup is 18x9 and 18x10. 5.5 bs and 5.75 respectively.
Posted By: RylisPro
Re: Is Hotchkis TVS suspension really worth the money - 08/09/13 10:09 PM
You mention on another forum instances where the Emax Chally had stock welds fail
http://www.protouringmopar.com/showthread.php?838-Hotchkis-E-Max-ChallengerDo you mind disclosing where the failures were located so I can reinforce them on my car?
Thanks