Hotchkis Sways....Impressions

[mrjoshyman]

I only put my RSB in so far (didn't have enough time to do both today). I have it set at the stiffest setting.

I was very impressed with the increase in handling with the RSB alone, its much beefier than the stock bar and it definitely does the job. The car seems much more composed around the bends and under hard turning. It feels like the car is more planted down, whereas before I felt like I was close to skidding out.

Installation was a breeze, went to my friends shop....put her up on the lift and was done in no time.

The only thing other than performance that I've noticed is that I can hear and feel it more (mostly hear) when I'm going over bumps or rough road


Will keep this thread updated once I have the FSB installed too...

 

[ericrapp]

You sir are not driving the car hard enough. The twisted turning is where you will find the rear bar will shine. Find a turn that opens up and has no thing you can hit if you tail slap. Accelerate harder and harder out of the turn. Eventually the ass end will start to come around when you are reaching the tire/ suspension limits. you will I hope safely find a good 20 plus mph coming out of turns just with the rear bar. but until she comes around you will not realize what an incredible car we have. Mine rotates with such balance that my passengers think I am driving rear wheel drive! For the straight line, eehhh not so much effect, but the corner transitions, MazdaSpeed FTW.

 

[mrjoshyman]

You sir are not driving the car hard enough. The twisted turning is where you will find the rear bar will shine. Find a turn that opens up and has no thing you can hit if you tail slap. Accelerate harder and harder out of the turn. Eventually the ass end will start to come around when you are reaching the tire/ suspension limits. you will I hope safely find a good 20 plus mph coming out of turns just with the rear bar. but until she comes around you will not realize what an incredible car we have. Mine rotates with such balance that my passengers think I am driving rear wheel drive! For the straight line, eehhh not so much effect, but the corner transitions, MazdaSpeed FTW.

im not driving hard enough? going around curved roads posted @ 15mph going 50 is driving pretty hard imo. im trying to keep it safe though, i dont have any places by me where i can test the full limits of the car....if the back comes out im screwed...


doing regular 90 degree turns, i can go much faster than before...just cut out a little then hit the turn...

 

[ericrapp]

The back end will not snap on you unless you are on stock tires this is no nasty uncorrectable Porsche 911. The car loves and protects you. And yes please do not not push the car on the streets. But I practiced in parking lots till i found the limits and pushed so hard I ran out of room or lifted throttle and the tail started to come around. I by no means am I peer pressuring I was joking a little. But you can actually drift the car on the edge with proper tires. This is not to be done on the streets of course. With the stock tires and stock suspension/ bars it is quite a car. With the upgrades I feel as if the car is very communicative and controllable at the limits and beyond! Be safe and have fun brother. I too love the 15mph turn signs and the squiggly road ahead signs.

 

[mrjoshyman]

i gotcha man, yeah i hada little fun in a parking lot. but obviously that could lead to trouble...(five-0) -- so i was only there are about a minute or so.

the thing is im still on stock rubber -- i'll upgrade once these tires are done, but don't have the money to be upgrading tires at this point. i'll probably get new wheels and tires anyway (probably 8" wheels so I can go wider tires).

 

[ericrapp]

You are on track. When the stocker tires wear down I think you can fit 225/40 on them even thoughthat really is the limit for 7" wide wheels and save some cash. I loved the stock wheels but rashed them when pushed off the road and purchased wider wheels with insurance money. Sounds like you are enjoying your as Mazdaspeed Engineering intended! Back to the fsb.be sure to install with the wheels loaded with the car weight {on ramps maybe} as it is a tight fit. And grease the snot out of the bushings because they are very hard to get to afterwards. I got alot of support from our members while installing the Front bar. Glad it's done and glad I did it. But it is ok to only do rear if you choose it will just rotate the tail end easier. It is one of my favorite mods!