Anyone here try the Hotchkis Max Rear Chassis Brace kit? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

55Designs · 11-08-2009, 03:49 PM

Is this more suited for drag racing? Sorta reminds me of the old school traction bars they used to install.

the rich dude · 11-08-2009, 04:02 PM

not like a traction bar.

just a chassis stiffner. Tieing together different parts of the chassis. I'm sure it helps stiffen the car but not sure its worth the weight penality??

futrocpd · 11-08-2009, 04:05 PM

hasn't pedders already stated that chasis bracing is not really necessary on this car, or was that only if you didnt plan on an all out race car?

Hotchkis · 11-09-2009, 07:46 PM

Hi guys, we did extensive track testing (including mounting cameras on the rear subframe) and determined that it IS necessary on cars with increased power or that will see even casual track time. A company that doesn't make one might suggest it's not necessary... but we also caught a certain engineer from a certain company in our booth before the start of the SEMA show with a camera and a micrometer writing down the specs on all our parts.

The brace works really well and makes a discernible difference, it was also engineered in conjunction with Lingenfelter, since they also found stock SS cars had excessive rear subframe movement under hard acceleration and were worried about what would happen in a car with 700hp.

futrocpd · 11-09-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotchkis

Hi guys, we did extensive track testing (including mounting cameras on the rear subframe) and determined that it IS necessary on cars with increased power or that will see even casual track time. A company that doesn't make one might suggest it's not necessary... but we also caught a certain engineer from a certain company in our booth before the start of the SEMA show with a camera and a micrometer writing down the specs on all our parts.

The brace works really well and makes a discernible difference, it was also engineered in conjunction with Lingenfelter, since they also found stock SS cars had excessive rear subframe movement under hard acceleration and were worried about what would happen in a car with 700hp.

well i guess i was wrong then. hey just going off what i have been reading, but this makes me reconsider. i used hotchkis on my srt-4 and it was awesome.

HaveBlue · 11-09-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotchkis

... but we also caught a certain engineer from a certain company in our booth before the start of the SEMA show with a camera and a micrometer writing down the specs on all our parts.

That's just wrong

DocHolliday · 11-09-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotchkis

but we also caught a certain engineer from a certain company in our booth before the start of the SEMA show with a camera and a micrometer writing down the specs on all our parts.

Dude I think I might have chased him out of there for something like that. Seems kinda shady.

N.H.SS · 11-09-2009, 08:11 PM

Will this be help the car hook though? I know the bushings need to be replaced first. Any other products to help traction? Didn't seem to find anything at SEMA.

55Designs · 11-09-2009, 08:59 PM

Hotchkis thanks for jumping in the thread I posted.

Will this be a good upgrade for cars driven on the street around 500hp mark?

We all know the subframe in the rear sucks ass the way it wiggles does the brace eliminate the wiggle? Does the brace solve the problem that everyone feels urethane subframe bushings will solve?

Give us more details. Also why did you guys use aluminum versus steel?

RS/SS · 11-09-2009, 09:15 PM

I had the Hotchkis TVS on my old Dakota R/T truck and that suspension made the truck handle like most sports cars. Once I stiffened up the chassis with a Kenny Brown X-Brace it further increased the handling and reduced wheel hop. Bottomline is the track pack from Hotchkis looks to be incredibly well engineered for the new Camaro.

Hotchkis · 11-10-2009, 04:59 PM

nhss, and 55designs,

Those are good questions, and I'm happy to be able to answer them for you.

Will this be help the car hook?

Yes in testing we found it substantially reduces wheel hop

Will this be a good upgrade for cars driven on the street around 500hp mark?

This is highly recommended for any car with increased HP.

We all know the subframe in the rear sucks ass the way it wiggles does the brace eliminate the wiggle? Does the brace solve the problem that everyone feels urethane subframe bushings will solve?

Yes it resolves the wiggle without adding the harsh ride caused by other solutions.

Give us more details. Also why did you guys use aluminum versus steel?

We met with our engineers and our metal supplier (we only use domestic steel and aluminum - not everyone can claim that and it makes a BIG difference in long-term product durability) and they assured us that this special extruded elliptical aluminum tubing, when TIG welded and diagonally braced would be stronger than a single rectangular steel subframe brace tube. This way we save weight on the already heavy 2010 Camaro and create a more rigid brace in the process - plus the eliptical tubing is essential for maintaining ground clearance and a stealth appearance under the car.

55Designs · 11-10-2009, 05:56 PM

Sold! Great video man!

the rich dude · 11-10-2009, 06:28 PM

Nice! Is any ground clearance lost?

55Designs · 11-11-2009, 04:14 PM

I will have one of the first production units before Thanksgiving. Cant wait to report back to everyone on what it does.

11-08-2009, 03:49 PM	#1
55Designs Drives: 2010 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Westchester NY Posts: 990	Anyone here try the Hotchkis Max Rear Chassis Brace kit? Is this more suited for drag racing? Sorta reminds me of the old school traction bars they used to install. Attached Images

11-08-2009, 04:05 PM	#3
futrocpd P90X Drives: 2000 SLP SS VERT Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 773	hasn't pedders already stated that chasis bracing is not really necessary on this car, or was that only if you didnt plan on an all out race car? __________________ 2000 Camaro SS/SLP P90X changed my life. Want to know more, PM me for more info on changing your life for the better

11-09-2009, 08:11 PM	#8
N.H.SS flatlanders beware Drives: black 2ss/rs ls3 m6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: upper NH Posts: 26	Will this be help the car hook though? I know the bushings need to be replaced first. Any other products to help traction? Didn't seem to find anything at SEMA. __________________ He who dies with the most toys... WINS

11-09-2009, 09:15 PM	#10
RS/SS The wait is over!! Drives: 2010 Camaro RS/SS IOM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Posts: 189	I had the Hotchkis TVS on my old Dakota R/T truck and that suspension made the truck handle like most sports cars. Once I stiffened up the chassis with a Kenny Brown X-Brace it further increased the handling and reduced wheel hop. Bottomline is the track pack from Hotchkis looks to be incredibly well engineered for the new Camaro. __________________ 2010 RS/2SS IOM/IOI MN6 SunRoof Polished 20's

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11-08-2009, 04:02 PM	#2
the rich dude Drives: Getting 2010 Camaro Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,149	not like a traction bar. just a chassis stiffner. Tieing together different parts of the chassis. I'm sure it helps stiffen the car but not sure its worth the weight penality??

11-09-2009, 07:46 PM	#4
Hotchkis Drives: 1st through 5th gen Camaros Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sante Fe Springs, CA Posts: 458	Hi guys, we did extensive track testing (including mounting cameras on the rear subframe) and determined that it IS necessary on cars with increased power or that will see even casual track time. A company that doesn't make one might suggest it's not necessary... but we also caught a certain engineer from a certain company in our booth before the start of the SEMA show with a camera and a micrometer writing down the specs on all our parts. The brace works really well and makes a discernible difference, it was also engineered in conjunction with Lingenfelter, since they also found stock SS cars had excessive rear subframe movement under hard acceleration and were worried about what would happen in a car with 700hp.

11-09-2009, 08:59 PM	#9
55Designs Drives: 2010 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Westchester NY Posts: 990	Hotchkis thanks for jumping in the thread I posted. Will this be a good upgrade for cars driven on the street around 500hp mark? We all know the subframe in the rear sucks ass the way it wiggles does the brace eliminate the wiggle? Does the brace solve the problem that everyone feels urethane subframe bushings will solve? Give us more details. Also why did you guys use aluminum versus steel?

11-10-2009, 04:59 PM	#11
Hotchkis Drives: 1st through 5th gen Camaros Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sante Fe Springs, CA Posts: 458	nhss, and 55designs, Those are good questions, and I'm happy to be able to answer them for you. Will this be help the car hook? Yes in testing we found it substantially reduces wheel hop Will this be a good upgrade for cars driven on the street around 500hp mark? This is highly recommended for any car with increased HP. We all know the subframe in the rear sucks ass the way it wiggles does the brace eliminate the wiggle? Does the brace solve the problem that everyone feels urethane subframe bushings will solve? Yes it resolves the wiggle without adding the harsh ride caused by other solutions. Give us more details. Also why did you guys use aluminum versus steel? We met with our engineers and our metal supplier (we only use domestic steel and aluminum - not everyone can claim that and it makes a BIG difference in long-term product durability) and they assured us that this special extruded elliptical aluminum tubing, when TIG welded and diagonally braced would be stronger than a single rectangular steel subframe brace tube. This way we save weight on the already heavy 2010 Camaro and create a more rigid brace in the process - plus the eliptical tubing is essential for maintaining ground clearance and a stealth appearance under the car.

11-10-2009, 05:56 PM	#12
55Designs Drives: 2010 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Westchester NY Posts: 990	Sold! Great video man!

11-10-2009, 06:28 PM	#13
the rich dude Drives: Getting 2010 Camaro Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,149	Nice! Is any ground clearance lost?

11-11-2009, 04:14 PM	#14
55Designs Drives: 2010 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Westchester NY Posts: 990	I will have one of the first production units before Thanksgiving. Cant wait to report back to everyone on what it does.