Hotchkiss Swaybars settings

[M3MATT]

Hello,
I am wondering what everyone runs for their hole settings on Hotchkiss sway bars out on track. Looking for a bit of guidance/a starting point for mine

[M3SQRD]

Stock suspension? If not, what spring rates and dampers are you running?

[gh0stE92M3]

I’m running full stiff front and full soft rear. That’s what it’s been since it was installed. I’m on kw clubsport 650/680 spring rates and also have the full Spl kinematics.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by gh0stE92M3

I’m running full stiff front and full soft rear. That’s what it’s been since it was installed. I’m on kw clubsport 650/680 spring rates and also have the full Spl kinematics.

Is 680 a typo for the rear? KW doesn’t offer a rear c/o setup. If 650/680 is correct and full stiff F & full soft R sway bars then you’ve setup your car to understeer. The F definitely prefers a stiffer sway bar to help with a poor camber curve with compression but not with a 680 R spring rate and softest R sway bar setting.

[gh0stE92M3]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

Is 680 a typo for the rear? KW doesn’t offer a rear c/o setup. If 650/680 is correct and full stiff F & full soft R sway bars then you’ve setup your car to understeer. The F definitely prefers a stiffer sway bar to help with a poor camber curve with compression but not with a 680 R spring rate and softest R sway bar setting.

Just looked it up and yes the front spring is actually 628 rears are 685. Kw changed the spring rates on the clubsports from 800 to 685 for the newer versions. I did change the front springs to shorter eibach springs 650 to accommodate wider wheels.

I haven’t noticed a severe effect of understeer with the car at all, I am also running a 285/30 square set up. I use to run staggered setup of 265/295 and never experienced any instance of understeer. (Maybe not pushing it enough) I wanted to adjust the rear sway bar to one notch stiffer but have been lazy to do so. Maybe next time I’m out on track I’ll try it out.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by gh0stE92M3

Just looked it up and yes the front spring is actually 628 rears are 685. Kw changed the spring rates on the clubsports from 800 to 685 for the newer versions. I did change the front springs to shorter eibach springs 650 to accommodate wider wheels.

I haven’t noticed a severe effect of understeer with the car at all, I am also running a 285/30 square set up. I use to run staggered setup of 265/295 and never experienced any instance of understeer. (Maybe not pushing it enough) I wanted to adjust the rear sway bar to one notch stiffer but have been lazy to do so. Maybe next time I’m out on track I’ll try it out.

Wow, that’s a soft rear spring! That makes the rear wheel rate 222 lbf/in! I’m running 600/900 lbf/in (rear divorced) and I find it understeers with stock sway bars. Have new rear 1100 lbf/in springs. I’m astounded KW would’ve lowered the CS rear rate to 685 lbf/in. Stock rear springs are close to that but it’s paired with a ~200 lbf/in front rate (don’t remember the stock rates exactly). Did you feel the rear rate needed to be reduced? That’s a 16% reduction in the rear rate.

[M3MATT]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

Stock suspension? If not, what spring rates and dampers are you running?

KW V3’s

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by M3MATT

KW V3’s

I think KW V3s are F/R ~350/~630 lbf/in. I’d recommend trying the stiffest front bar setting and softest rear bar setting. This should give you good support of the strut camber curve and turn-in without contributing to understeer. Run the rear on the stiffest setting if you use rotation of the rear to help with initial turn-in. Mid-corner and corner exit will be fine with either setting.

Last questions - what size and type of F and R tires are you running? If it’s one of the common forum setups then it shouldn’t change the recommendations.

[M3MATT]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

I think KW V3s are F/R ~350/~630 lbf/in. I’d recommend trying the stiffest front bar setting and softest rear bar setting. This should give you good support of the strut camber curve and turn-in without contributing to understeer. Run the rear on the stiffest setting if you use rotation of the rear to help with initial turn-in. Mid-corner and corner exit will be fine with either setting.

Last questions - what size and type of F and R tires are you running? If it’s one of the common forum setups then it shouldn’t change the recommendations.

Thank you so much for the help! I’m running stock size pss, but I’m gonna switch to 285/18 square this upcoming track season

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by M3MATT

Thank you so much for the help! I’m running stock size pss, but I’m gonna switch to 285/18 square this upcoming track season

No problem

255/275 or 285 are fine with the sway bar recommendations.