Is anyone using the newest Hotchkis control arms for second gen camaros?

[mpozziCPL]

Hi Paul,

Just got back from the Pleasanton Good Guys Show and another successful Autocross adventure. Hope to get the car out of the trailer and up on the hoist to do a serious nut/bolt check before winter hibernation. I'll take a few pictures so you can see the arms.

I'm running 1.25 degrees negative camber and 6.5 degrees positive caster without a ton of shims. Unless your car has some frame issues, these alignment readings are quite achievable. Very happy with these arms ...

I'll post the pictures here and look for them in a couple of days. Still fighting that nasty cold (been over a week now) but will try to get the car out tomorrow and inside the shop.

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[thedude327]

Originally Posted by mpozziCPL

Hi Paul,

Just got back from the Pleasanton Good Guys Show and another successful Autocross adventure. Hope to get the car out of the trailer and up on the hoist to do a serious nut/bolt check before winter hibernation. I'll take a few pictures so you can see the arms.

I'm running 1.25 degrees negative camber and 6.5 degrees positive caster without a ton of shims. Unless your car has some frame issues, these alignment readings are quite achievable. Very happy with these arms ...

I'll post the pictures here and look for them in a couple of days. Still fighting that nasty cold (been over a week now) but will try to get the car out tomorrow and inside the shop.

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

Thanks Mary,

Hope your feeling better soon. It's no fun fighting a cold. I see that Hotchkis recently lowered the price on their arms making them about even with DSE stuff price wise. I am interested in seeing the fit of those arms on a second gen. Both companies were nice enough to provide pdf file instructions for installing their arms and I did notice a couple of important differences between the arms of the 2 companies, but would like to see them on a second gen for comparison.

Thanks for any pics you can provide
Paul

[70rs]

Originally Posted by thedude327

Thanks Mary,

Hope your feeling better soon. It's no fun fighting a cold. I see that Hotchkis recently lowered the price on their arms making them about even with DSE stuff price wise. I am interested in seeing the fit of those arms on a second gen. Both companies were nice enough to provide pdf file instructions for installing their arms and I did notice a couple of important differences between the arms of the 2 companies, but would like to see them on a second gen for comparison.

Thanks for any pics you can provide
Paul

I only ask this for my own information and NOT to question Hotchkis or DSE quality. But why are you only considering these two companies? I have a second gen too and I will be doing the front uppers and lowers like you are and this whole thread is great info for me. I was just curious why the Speedtech arms are not mentioned. I have heard great things about the product and I know from first hand experience that the customer service is outstanding. Not to mention the pricing is also great. Is there any particular issue or reason you are only looking at Hotchkis and DSE? Is there a performance difference I am not aware of? Ease of install? Bushing materials?
I have decided to go with Speedtech for the reasons listed above. Nothing at all against the other two at all, they all have great products.
Thanks for any input on this.

[thedude327]

Originally Posted by 70rs

I only ask this for my own information and NOT to question Hotchkis or DSE quality. But why are you only considering these two companies? I have a second gen too and I will be doing the front uppers and lowers like you are and this whole thread is great info for me. I was just curious why the Speedtech arms are not mentioned. I have heard great things about the product and I know from first hand experience that the customer service is outstanding. Not to mention the pricing is also great. Is there any particular issue or reason you are only looking at Hotchkis and DSE? Is there a performance difference I am not aware of? Ease of install? Bushing materials?
I have decided to go with Speedtech for the reasons listed above. Nothing at all against the other two at all, they all have great products.
Thanks for any input on this.

I had not considered speedtech but after reading your post I called them for some info and am waiting for a call back to ask them some questions about their control arms. The things I'm looking for in a control arm kit are: strength of the arms, no change in ride height, no fouling on the other front end components, latitude to change the alignment specs to something more aggressive for track use but still allowing me to dial it back for street driving, and technical support if needed. There are a couple of issues with second gens starting with GM changing the bolt size between 70-81 on the lower control arms. Not sure how many control arm manufacturers are taking this into account with their kits? Where the spring cup is located in the lower control arm will affect ride height. Some companies offer spring seats/shims while some do not. Also are the manufacturers pivoting the whole steering knuckle to increase caster or just pulling the top of the knuckle farther backwards which will affect how the wheel/tire looks sitting in the wheel well? Will the control arms affect track width? These are all things I'm trying to get sorted before making a purchase.

Thanks for your input and good luck with your project
Paul

[70rs]

Originally Posted by thedude327

I had not considered speedtech but after reading your post I called them for some info and am waiting for a call back to ask them some questions about their control arms. The things I'm looking for in a control arm kit are: strength of the arms, no change in ride height, no fouling on the other front end components, latitude to change the alignment specs to something more aggressive for track use but still allowing me to dial it back for street driving, and technical support if needed. There are a couple of issues with second gens starting with GM changing the bolt size between 70-81 on the lower control arms. Not sure how many control arm manufacturers are taking this into account with their kits? Where the spring cup is located in the lower control arm will affect ride height. Some companies offer spring seats/shims while some do not. Also are the manufacturers pivoting the whole steering knuckle to increase caster or just pulling the top of the knuckle farther backwards which will affect how the wheel/tire looks sitting in the wheel well? Will the control arms affect track width? These are all things I'm trying to get sorted before making a purchase.

Thanks for your input and good luck with your project
Paul

Now I see where you are going. I understand what you are looking for and those are some things I had not considered. Please post up what you find out.
Thanks,Eric

[mpozziCPL]

Here's a few pictures of the installed Hotchkis tubular control arms for a second-gen Camaro. I'll take more when I get the wheel off. This should give you some idea about the quality and appearance of the arms.







Mary Pozzi

[thedude327]

Mary,

Thanks for posting the photos. Seeing the arms installed on your second gen gives me an idea of how well the parts fit together. If you have any additional photos with the wheel off, that would be great.

Thanks, this has given me a good idea of what to use on my camaro.

Paul

[FreddieCougar]

Originally Posted by thedude327

I had not considered speedtech but after reading your post I called them for some info and am waiting for a call back to ask them some questions about their control arms. I apologize for any delay in getting a call back....things are a little crazy with SEMA follow up and the ATS acquisition. Sorry about that! The things I'm looking for in a control arm kit are: strength of the arms, Our arms are made of DOM tubing, and are probably overkill in any application short of Baja 100 cars...our "shop car" with it's cast iron big block has been relentlessly thrashed on track and autocrossed, with no issues whatsoever. no change in ride height, No change in ride height whatsoever no fouling on the other front end components, latitude to change the alignment specs to something more aggressive for track use but still allowing me to dial it back for street driving, and technical support if needed. Our arms do not rule out any factory components, and allow plenty adjustments for whatever driving situation you find yourself in. Technical assistance is a phone call away, and chances are you will end up talking to an owner, so all info is straight from the horse's mouthThere are a couple of issues with second gens starting with GM changing the bolt size between 70-81 on the lower control arms. Not sure how many control arm manufacturers are taking this into account with their kits? Where the spring cup is located in the lower control arm will affect ride height. Some companies offer spring seats/shims We offer urethane spring isolators with our arms while some do not. Also are the manufacturers pivoting the whole steering knuckle to increase caster or just pulling the top of the knuckle farther backwards which will affect how the wheel/tire looks sitting in the wheel well? Will the control arms affect track width? The track width will not change, and the design of the arm will move the wheel back about 1/4" in the wheelwell. These are all things I'm trying to get sorted before making a purchase.
One additional feature, our arms use Acetron®, an non-porous version of the same material used in Delrin bushings. A non porous material provides superior consitency and strength.

Thanks for your input and good luck with your project
Paul

I hope that addresses all your questions, if not feel free to PM me or call!

[Blake Foster]

Horses mouth?????

[96z28ss]

BMR Fabrication also makes a kit.
<--- look at sponsor panel. I used there stuff on my other camaro and its great stuff.