SEMA 2021: Hotchkis’ New Adjustable C8 Sway Bar

The SEMA Show is an event we look forward to every year. Last year was the first-ever virtual version, and it was a welcome distraction from all the craziness of 2020. Still, we were more than excited to make our way back to the Las Vegas Convention Center and return to our regularly scheduled programming – where the entirety of the automotive aftermarket convenes to showcase its wares and the world-class builds it produces alike.

This year, we caught up with a number of manufacturers, but one that really stood out to us was Hotchkis Sport Suspension. As always, the brand’s booth did not disappoint. We caught up with Patrick Britain, the brand’s senior sales associate, and got the low-down on everything new from Hotchkis.

As soon as we asked Patrick about the suspension manufacturer’s latest products, he launched into their new adjustable C8 sway bar. “Adjustability is our number one goal, here, and that’s a major contributing factor to features such as the splined bar. The splined bar also aids in ease of install. Because it is three-piece, you can install it very easily – it’s extremely simple with the arms on the end like that. You don’t have to go in there and try to fit it through in one piece. That was also a major priority for us, and that’s one of those things that will become refined even further as the bar comes to market. Users will be able to put this on in a couple of hours without the use of a lift. If they do have access to a lift, it will certainly help, but if it’s a person who has jack stands and the ability to change their own oil, they’ll be able to install one of our sway bars – it’s that easy.”

We asked Patrick to elaborate on the adjustability and installation. “As far as adjustability is concerned. It comes with the adjustable end links with Heim joints, and most people are going to want to start at zero preload, but that’s a part of why we make them adjustable, the cars are never 100-percent equal or perfect, so just having that fine threads on there, and the end link just slips right in, it’s nice and centered and neutral, that’s a perfect starting point. And then, of course, the arms have three adjustment holes, and that’s really the whole benefit of the bar.”

“Obviously, the C8 handles great, right out of the box – it’s an excellent car! But, all the manufacturers have to engineer a little bit of understeer in, just from a safety and predictability standpoint. So, for the more advanced drivers that tend to be our customers – our products allow them to have these adjustment points that enable them to dial in the understeer and oversteer characteristics of the car to suit their specific needs based on their tires, overall build, etc. Even if it just sway bars on a stock vehicle, they can dial a little bit more oversteer into it to make it more neutral, and they’ll see huge results at an autocross or track day.”

So, if you’re looking to dial in the handling characteristics of the C8 Corvette, check out Hotchkis.net.

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Vinny Costa

Fast cars, motorcycles, and loud music are what get Vinny’s blood pumping. Catch him behind the wheel of his ’68 Firebird. Chances are, Black Sabbath will be playing in the background.
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