Will be installing Hotchkis swaybars on my 2003 base sedan along with a VLSD this week. Any opinions on what the best swaybar settings front and rear should be?

 

Keeping the rear at medium
A) Front Hole 2 148% , Rear Hole 2 225%

B) Front Hole 3 182% , Rear Hole 2 225%

C) Front Hole 4 229% , Rear Hole 2 225% Seams like a linear increase to both

Lower rear to low

D) Front Hole 3 182% , Rear Hole 1 180% Seams like a linear increase to both

Specs:
Front 1 3/8" (35MM) Tubular(Bar Weight 13.5lbs)
4 Position Adjustable
Rear 15/16"(24mm) Tubular(bar weight 5.5lbs)
3 Position Adjustable
Bar Rates:
350Z & 03- 05 G35 Front
Hole 1 = 1525 lbs/in (22% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 2 = 1845 lbs/in (48% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 3 = 2270 lbs/in (82% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 4 = 2855 lbs/in (129% Stiffer than stock)

Rear:
Hole 1 = 520 lbs/in (80% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 2 = 655 lbs/in (125% Stiffer than stock)
Hole 3 = 840 lbs/in (185% Stiffer than stock)

 

Hotchkis recommends front hole 4, rear hole 1 in the manual. For my 06, which has slightly lower %s in the front, I prefer front hole 4 and rear hole 2. I would try what Hotchkis recommends first and see how it suites your driving style.

 

Manual I downloaded only shows 3 holes in front (wrong) and just states stiffest front and softest rear so not so sure they ment hole 4. This may have been a 3 hole front system originally???

 

I did notice that. I emailed them a while back and was assured to initially set it in the hole furthest from the end of the bar, which they identified in the email as the 4th. Of course some might not want it that stiff.

 

I just installed mine and set the front at 3 and the rear at 2. If I set them at the stiffest settings what can I expect with handling. Is there a downside to using the stiffest settings?

 

if you taking the turns hard on un even roads, youll lose more traction.

Just started on med med or low low and work your way up and see how you like the car to handle, more over or under steer

 

damn i forgot my settings!

 

not that it matters but my stillen sways are both on stiffest settings. stiffer rear setting will increase oversteer

 

I had my favorite mechanic install mine a few days ago. How big of a job is it to adjust them?

 

17mm open ended wrench to the nut in the front. Push the end link out of the existing hole and move it to whichever you prefer. Tighten the nut back down. Same process for the back except its 14mm and pretty sure I used a socket.

 

My front is at the 3rd stiffest setting, and rear at the stiffest setting. Still using stock link pins!! It handles really great!! Also have Tein coilovers as well