Hotchkis suspension

[Chubbs]

I was wondering if anyone has put a hotchkis system in their el co? The one I was looking at is their TVS system for G-bodies with some billstien shocks.

Also, If you did put one on, how well did it work? Did you like it or would you recommend something else?

[ssr71]

I just bought the shocks (should receive them sometime later this week) but not anything else. One thing I found about those kits is that they're built for the cars, so the rear springs aren't strong enough for the El Camino or wagon without air bag inserts (wasn't noted on the full spring kits, only when looking at the rears!). I looked up some Moog springs with similar front rates (Hotckis = 512 lb/in and the one I selected 479 lb/in) and bought them instead because it was nearly 1/2 the price. I got rear springs with as high of spring rate as possible without a severe lift. I want to keep the rear roughly where it sits now height-wise.

I already have UMI control arms and sway bars so I didn't need any of that stuff either. Hopefully the combination will work well. What's the worst that could happen? I don't like it as much and I have to take it apart again.

[lilbaggie]

I have the whole g-body Hotchkis TVS (80009) set up installed on my 87 plus the Hotchkis shocks and rear air bags. I also added a set of 16" rims so the car handles quite a bit tighter now but it's a much stiffer ride.

It's also a pretty pricey setup at the retail list price. I bought my whole setup new-in-box on craigslist from someone who bought it and didn't end up installing it for $900 (80009+shocks+air bags). At that price, it's definitely worth it. At $1800+, it'd be a harder sell.

[Chubbs]

Yeah I'm looking for a stiffer ride for a little weekend racing and better handling. The stance it has now looks great and it said on the website that the system drops the ride height an inch all around, but my suspension is still the same from factory so I'm guessing its sagging that much anyways.

You got a steal on that. I found the system on summit racing and its a couple hundred less so I'll probably go that route.

[lilbaggie]

Yes, it definitely lowers the ride height.

Check out Streetsideauto.com. Their inventory isn't as big as Summit but the prices are about the same and they have a standing 10% coupon code (SAVE) and some better ones if you're ordering over $200, 500 etc (plus free shipping) which might save you some bucks. I recently bought a Hotchkis rear sway/trailing arms for my 71 and saved about $100…

[Chubbs]

Alright sweet. Thanks for the tip!