Hotchkis TVS vs. DSE

[cobrakillerta]

I'd like to build up a '69 Camaro with an LS3 & T56. I really just want to build a great all-around car that can handle and ride just as well as a C6 (or dare I say even a C6Z06)...

Basically, what would it take?
Would I need an aftermarket sub-frame and rear suspension set-up or will drop springs/control arms/better leafs give me what I'd like out of the car. I just want something that will handle well and still be enjoyable, a 'race-car' set-up is definitely not what I'm looking for.

Checking out the Hotchkis and DSE websites, I came across the Hotchkis TVS kit with Bilsteins and with DSE I though of maybe their drop coils/sway bar/leafs and Koni's...can anyone chime in on these two set-ups?

[ProdigyCustoms]

Feeling lazy, it's a copy and paste!

Well, no matter what you do you will be hard pressed to out engineer the General and his ZO6. Your talking about one of the worlds greatest cars. And if anyone tells you there stuff can out perform a ZO6 in all areas, ride and handling, there blowing smoke up you ass for a sale.


We sell and install 5 different brands of suspension products including both DSE and Hotchkis. We build a lot of F bodies. We most likely have more experience hands on and through sales then anyone with multiple suspension product lines. Also, there are many suspension products we DO NOT sell for various reasons.

So with that out of the way..........

No leaf spring set up, no matter who makes them is going to ride very well, especially in a lowered spring. A leaf spring by it's nature supports weight with arch and spring rate. As you remove arch to lower the car, you have to beef up the springs to support the car, so they ride harsh. More harsh then your ZO6.

Now can you get good handling with them? Yes you can. Either companies you mentioned leafs and coils, combined with sway bars, Good shocks, A Arms and Gulstrand mod, steering box and heavy duty steering components, will give you drastically improved handling, but know in advance it will ride firm. Not uncomfortable, but firm. BTW, there are some brands not mentioned here, NOT DSE or Hotchkis, that do cross the line to uncomfortable and ride VERY hard.

If you want to soften the rear a bit which is the big kidney killer here, you can do a 4 link and really get a nice ride and equal or better handling to any leaf. you will spend a additional $1500 or so on a four link VS a Leaf kit.

The next step of coarse is a aftermarket subframe which will ride nice and has better handling then the best modded subframe. But were talking $5500 to $8000 to the door VS $2800 invested in a stock subframe.

[70rs]

Awesome info Frank. Exactly what I needed to hear too. Thanks!