Hotchkis, Pdaft, or Eibach - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

William.23 · 04-16-2013, 03:00 PM

So looking to improve the overall suspension of my 2011 V6, but can't decide with what brand I want to go with.
Who has better quality??
Who improves the handling best?
Who has best springs?
Who has best reviews/warranty on products?

I need some help from our experienced Camaro 5 members to help me choose which path to go.
Looking who has the best Springs, Strut Bar, Sway Bars, and Rear Tie Rod/ Trailing Arm? Going to be purchasing one of these very soon ( Next 2 weeks )

I was thinking of going with springs first but can't decide from whom yet.

Thanks all for your wonderful help and feedback.
-William G

JDP Sales · 04-16-2013, 03:40 PM

I would go with Hotchkis for the strut bar. Depending on how low you want the car I suggest Hotchkis springs for 1", or Pfadt for 1.25". As for the sway bars, Rear Tie Rod's and Trailing Arms, I suggest the Pfadt sport sway's and Pfadt rear arm package. Please feel free to call, PM or email me anytime with questions.

Best regards,

Tyler
888-308-6007

JimE · 04-16-2013, 08:39 PM

There isn't an answer to that question. It boils down to the primary use of the car, and even then, differences from brand to brand or minimal. You will get numerous answers here, and most all of those will be biased by brand loyalty. Most of the complaints that I've seen are based on installation issues.

urr2slo · 04-16-2013, 08:42 PM

I am partial to the Hotchkis parts. Whichever way you go, use all from the same manufacturer, the parts are designed to compliment each other. Mixing suspension parts will give you mixed results.

Team STILLEN · 04-17-2013, 11:21 AM

I would go with PFADT!!

The quality of the product and the knowledge Aaron and his team have are top notch!!

PM or Call me if you have any questions!

Thanks

JT

VR Baron · 04-17-2013, 11:27 AM

I run Hotchkis with a 1" drop in front and 3/4" in back, but the car had settled 1/8" or more from new. Good ground clearance, decent ride and good handling and looks.Quality is top notch.I've had them on two other Camaros and same results, also they dont sag when I had them with over 50000 miles.

menendez1293 · 04-17-2013, 11:33 AM

Persoanlly I went with hotchkis and plan to countine with them. Since you said strut tower brace I figured I would show you a picture of mine so you could see it installed. I'm not gonna lie and say that it was a pretty intensive install for just a brace. You have to actually Remove the front struts to in order to drill the holes. But overal I'm happy with it and I do feel a difference at the high speeds not so much at the lower speeds though

But here's are some pictures

L99CAMA2011 · 04-20-2013, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urr2slo

I am partial to the Hotchkis parts. Whichever way you go, use all from the same manufacturer, the parts are designed to compliment each other. Mixing suspension parts will give you mixed results.

My Mutt car handles very freaking well. You have to know what you are doing if you install suspension parts from different vendors.

SPCBA · 04-20-2013, 11:54 PM

pfadt makes some great sways and the other goodies you described.

my tuner likes his pfadt springs but hasn't had them very long. a buddy had their springs and had issues with them. i wouldn't do lowering springs at all and jump straight to coil overs, but to each their own

Magilla gorilla · 04-21-2013, 12:52 AM

I went with PFDAT sway bars...do some research and see what you like best....you will a get different answer from everyone .....it all depends what you do with your car too.....

TBone · 04-21-2013, 12:22 PM

^^ So did I and my old ones are for sale if you are interested.

I liked the adjustability and how quiet they were.

T.

Jason P · 04-21-2013, 12:32 PM

I have the hotchkis on my car. Very happy with it, car stays very flat in the corners.

PfadtRacing · 04-26-2013, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William.23

I was thinking of going with springs first but can't decide from whom yet.

Thanks all for your wonderful help and feedback.
-William G

If you HAD to do just one mod first like it sounds like you are doing, I would say do the sway bars. Stop the body roll, and tune for desired front/rear balance. Yes lowering the ride height will help with that, but properly tuned sway bars are going to have the biggest impact on your handling.

Since you can adjust the roll stiffness with different settings, you can achieve different handling profiles (oversteer/understeer). Here is an example of what adjusting the swaybars will accomplish:

I'm all about the other mods you listed as well, and when your done, that care will yank you around a corner like you wouldn't believe. Let Have fun

2010SSRSM6 · 05-01-2013, 10:35 AM

I have had Eibach springs and sway bars for about 30k miles and will be swapping them out for Pfadt coilovers. They are a bit harsh on rough roads but help out a lot on a road course. Going to coilovers to get the best of both worlds.

You can't go wrong with any of the products you listed. All are very well made, and will improve the handling of the car. Figure out how low/stiff you want the car and work from that perspective.

What are your ultimate power goals? I've added a cam and maggie and had to upgrade the rear arms and bushings to Pfadt parts. At stock or near stock levels, unless you're tracking the car frequently, springs, sways and rear cradle bushings/inserts would give you a great base to grow from.

04-16-2013, 03:00 PM	#1
William.23 Drives: 2011 Summit White. Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SO-California Posts: 525 View My Garage	Hotchkis, Pdaft, or Eibach So looking to improve the overall suspension of my 2011 V6, but can't decide with what brand I want to go with. Who has better quality?? Who improves the handling best? Who has best springs? Who has best reviews/warranty on products? I need some help from our experienced Camaro 5 members to help me choose which path to go. Looking who has the best Springs, Strut Bar, Sway Bars, and Rear Tie Rod/ Trailing Arm? Going to be purchasing one of these very soon ( Next 2 weeks ) I was thinking of going with springs first but can't decide from whom yet. Thanks all for your wonderful help and feedback. -William G

04-16-2013, 08:42 PM	#4
urr2slo Drives: 2010 2ss ss/rs abm, 2016 2ss/rs hbm Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: N. Phx, Az Posts: 1,332	I am partial to the Hotchkis parts. Whichever way you go, use all from the same manufacturer, the parts are designed to compliment each other. Mixing suspension parts will give you mixed results. __________________ URR2SLO - If you're not going fast enough, get out the way......

04-20-2013, 11:54 PM	#9
SPCBA Drives: pleather and Chiclets Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: a line somwhere Posts: 4,206 View My Garage	pfadt makes some great sways and the other goodies you described. my tuner likes his pfadt springs but hasn't had them very long. a buddy had their springs and had issues with them. i wouldn't do lowering springs at all and jump straight to coil overs, but to each their own __________________ the power by www.cunningham-motorsports.com the brakes by www.RacingBrake.com

04-21-2013, 12:22 PM	#11
TBone Negative Camber Junkie Drives: 2010 1SS LS3/6MN ABM 1 of 23 Join Date: May 2009 Location: ChiTown, IL Posts: 1,824	^^ So did I and my old ones are for sale if you are interested. I liked the adjustability and how quiet they were. T. __________________ "Horsepower is something that looks great in a Magazine article, but suspension is what actually gets you around the track fast.." Jack Olsen The drag strip is like sniffing glue, it's cheap, it's a decent buzz, it doesn't last long and they are all the same. Road racing is like China White Heroin, the buzz is stronger, the high lasts for hours, it's extremely addictive and they are all different. I can't wait for my next Track fix. DA HAWKS OWN DA CUP!!!!!

04-21-2013, 12:32 PM	#12
Jason P Drives: 2011 2ss Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: United States Posts: 272	I have the hotchkis on my car. Very happy with it, car stays very flat in the corners. __________________ 2011 2ss Ram twin plate ceramic clutch, Texas speed 418 LS3 235 /243 .621 / .624 cam, ported and polished heads with dual springs,magnum push rods, Hotchkis race pack, Stainless Power long tube headers with no cats, Magna Flo competition exhaust, lpe fuel pump, magnuson supercharger with overdrive and port matched blower plate, IW 8 rib pullies, AEM meth kit, id 850 injectors, 3 bar map, halltech cai, zl1 rear diff

04-16-2013, 03:40 PM	#2
JDP Sales Drives: Chevys at the limit Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 9,621	I would go with Hotchkis for the strut bar. Depending on how low you want the car I suggest Hotchkis springs for 1", or Pfadt for 1.25". As for the sway bars, Rear Tie Rod's and Trailing Arms, I suggest the Pfadt sport sway's and Pfadt rear arm package. Please feel free to call, PM or email me anytime with questions. Best regards, Tyler 888-308-6007

04-16-2013, 08:39 PM	#3
JimE Drives: 2013 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 3,087	There isn't an answer to that question. It boils down to the primary use of the car, and even then, differences from brand to brand or minimal. You will get numerous answers here, and most all of those will be biased by brand loyalty. Most of the complaints that I've seen are based on installation issues.

04-17-2013, 11:21 AM	#5
Team STILLEN Drives: Varies Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 2,182	I would go with PFADT!! The quality of the product and the knowledge Aaron and his team have are top notch!! PM or Call me if you have any questions! Thanks JT

04-17-2013, 11:27 AM	#6
VR Baron SoCal Camaro5 Race Team Drives: 2021 Shadow Grey Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SO CAL Posts: 14,367	I run Hotchkis with a 1" drop in front and 3/4" in back, but the car had settled 1/8" or more from new. Good ground clearance, decent ride and good handling and looks.Quality is top notch.I've had them on two other Camaros and same results, also they dont sag when I had them with over 50000 miles.

04-17-2013, 11:33 AM	#7
menendez1293 Emerald Coast Camaros Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT/RS M6 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tallahassee FL Posts: 9,686 View My Garage	Persoanlly I went with hotchkis and plan to countine with them. Since you said strut tower brace I figured I would show you a picture of mine so you could see it installed. I'm not gonna lie and say that it was a pretty intensive install for just a brace. You have to actually Remove the front struts to in order to drill the holes. But overal I'm happy with it and I do feel a difference at the high speeds not so much at the lower speeds though But here's are some pictures

04-21-2013, 12:52 AM	#10
Magilla gorilla Drives: 2012 45th Edition 2LT RS,2005 Tahoe Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Henderson Nevada Posts: 1,200 View My Garage	I went with PFDAT sway bars...do some research and see what you like best....you will a get different answer from everyone .....it all depends what you do with your car too.....

05-01-2013, 10:35 AM	#14
2010SSRSM6 Drives: My wife crazy with my C5 usage. Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 6,553 View My Garage	I have had Eibach springs and sway bars for about 30k miles and will be swapping them out for Pfadt coilovers. They are a bit harsh on rough roads but help out a lot on a road course. Going to coilovers to get the best of both worlds. You can't go wrong with any of the products you listed. All are very well made, and will improve the handling of the car. Figure out how low/stiff you want the car and work from that perspective. What are your ultimate power goals? I've added a cam and maggie and had to upgrade the rear arms and bushings to Pfadt parts. At stock or near stock levels, unless you're tracking the car frequently, springs, sways and rear cradle bushings/inserts would give you a great base to grow from. __________________ UNDER CONSTRUCTION......again......