The great spring debate! (Hotchkis, Pfadt etc) - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Nutro · 03-01-2012, 11:02 AM

Ok so I bought some Pfadt springs and left them in the box (Lightly used, only on dudes car for a week) while I looked around for sway bars.

Well, I found a good deal on Hotchkis Lowering springs and front and rear sway bars so I bought the kit.

I was looking on the Hotchkis website last night and saw that the skid pad, slalom etc tests with their springs, sways and subframe connectors only netted a couple seconds gain in the slalom and a little improvement in the G forces.

I was originally going to go with Pedders springs but couldn't afford them.

NOW, I have a set of Pfadt coils, a set of brand new Hotchkis coils and some brand new Hotchkis sway bars.

Should I run the Pfadt springs with the Hotchkis sways? Or just run all of the Hotchkis parts together?

I see TONS of posts on here about Pfadt, Pedders etc but not very much at all about Hotchkis.

Are they on par with the others?

RANGERGOD · 03-01-2012, 11:10 AM

I have pfadt drop springs coming in the mail but the research I did pretty much supports there is not a lot of difference in performance, it's a matter of preference.

That said, I would run all the same brand suspension components.

JustFresh · 03-01-2012, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RANGERGOD

I have pfadt drop springs coming in the mail but the research I did pretty much supports there is not a lot of difference in performance, it's a matter of preference.

That said, I would run all the same brand suspension components.

I have to say that i have ridden in a car with Eibach springs and the ride was less than optimal for my tastes.

I just installed my PFADT lowering springs and had my alignment yesterday.

Car feels way more planted in the corners and body roll is gone

caverman · 03-01-2012, 12:16 PM

Don't forget timing of the bushings will make a difference on ride quality as well.

To answer the question though, most MFG are going to want you to use their stuff in conjunction with each other stating they were designed that way. Thats probably not a bad idea if you can. So, make the decision if you want Pfadt or Hotchkis coils. Hotchkis you already have, Pfadt...well, sell the Hotchkis stuff and go get some Pfadt swaybars.

PfadtRacing · 03-01-2012, 01:23 PM

Well we don't do any testing with suspension parts other than our own. The benefit of going specifically with one manufacturer's parts is you know everything is going to be designed to work together really well. We know exactly what to expect when installing performance packages with our parts and when you start mixing and matching other bits and pieces in there you can end up with mixed results.

We would recommend picking one manufacturer and sticking with them!

03-01-2012, 11:02 AM	#1
Nutro Drives: 2011 2SS Synergy Green Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,670	The great spring debate! (Hotchkis, Pfadt etc) Ok so I bought some Pfadt springs and left them in the box (Lightly used, only on dudes car for a week) while I looked around for sway bars. Well, I found a good deal on Hotchkis Lowering springs and front and rear sway bars so I bought the kit. I was looking on the Hotchkis website last night and saw that the skid pad, slalom etc tests with their springs, sways and subframe connectors only netted a couple seconds gain in the slalom and a little improvement in the G forces. I was originally going to go with Pedders springs but couldn't afford them. NOW, I have a set of Pfadt coils, a set of brand new Hotchkis coils and some brand new Hotchkis sway bars. Should I run the Pfadt springs with the Hotchkis sways? Or just run all of the Hotchkis parts together? I see TONS of posts on here about Pfadt, Pedders etc but not very much at all about Hotchkis. Are they on par with the others? __________________ L99 With a Maggie

03-01-2012, 11:10 AM	#2
RANGERGOD IDBZ M.C. Drives: 12' IOM, 2SS, LS3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Columbus, Ga. Posts: 562	I have pfadt drop springs coming in the mail but the research I did pretty much supports there is not a lot of difference in performance, it's a matter of preference. That said, I would run all the same brand suspension components. __________________

03-01-2012, 12:16 PM	#4
caverman Drives: '69 SS Convertible Join Date: May 2009 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 7,111	Don't forget timing of the bushings will make a difference on ride quality as well. To answer the question though, most MFG are going to want you to use their stuff in conjunction with each other stating they were designed that way. Thats probably not a bad idea if you can. So, make the decision if you want Pfadt or Hotchkis coils. Hotchkis you already have, Pfadt...well, sell the Hotchkis stuff and go get some Pfadt swaybars. __________________ *-2010 Camaro* 2SS \| M6 \| VR w/White Stripes \| 1 3/4" KOOKS - 3" Magnaflow \| LPE 3.91 gears \| ADM tuned \| Halltech w/ADM Scoop \| Spohn/BMR Trailing Arm/Toe Rod \| BC Coilovers\| Pedders FE4 ZL1 swaybars \| Cradle/Diff/Radius Rod bushings \| VMax TB \| Morimoto Projectors \| MGW shifter \| Red Calipers Build Journal

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03-01-2012, 01:23 PM	#5
PfadtRacing Drives: 2010 Camaro, 2006 Z06 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 3,370	Well we don't do any testing with suspension parts other than our own. The benefit of going specifically with one manufacturer's parts is you know everything is going to be designed to work together really well. We know exactly what to expect when installing performance packages with our parts and when you start mixing and matching other bits and pieces in there you can end up with mixed results. We would recommend picking one manufacturer and sticking with them!