Modern Corvettes are blessed from conception with track-tuned handling capabilities, but that doesn't mean their reflexes can't be further sharpened through the installation of a few well-chosen suspension upgrades. Our past forays in this area have tended to focus on all-encompassing packages designed for max-lat excursions on a road course, budgets, and driving manners be damned. This month, we've decided to take a look at a more measured approach to the suspension-tuning game, in the form of a set of high-performance sway bars.
The benefits of upgraded sway bars are many, and include sharpened steering response, reduced body roll, and the ability to apply power sooner after corner exit. Best of all, there's usually no penalty in the area of day-to-day livability, making this a modification that's easy on the backside, as well as on the wallet. Sound like a winning combination? We thought so too, so when the opportunity arose recently to shadow the installation of Hotchkis' Sport Sway Bar Set on an '03 Z06, we jumped at the chance.
Assuming you have access to a lift and a decent set of tools, you should be able to replicate the job in an afternoon. And unlike pricier upgrades such as springs and coilovers, no post-install alignment is required, so you can be on the road enjoying your Vette's newfound dynamic prowess the same day. Follow along now as we take you through the process.
Hotchkis Sport Sway Bar S...
Hotchkis Sport Sway Bar Set
Our installation took place...
Our installation took place at Hotchkis' shop in Santa Fe Springs, California. The company manufactures suspension upgrades for all makes and vintages of performance vehicles, which explains the Mopar in the background.
With the car on the lift,...
With the car on the lift, we can get a good look at the OEM front sway bar. Although this Z06-spec bar is considerably stiffer than the one found on the base C5, the new Hotchkis unit is claimed to be 115 percent stiffer still.
Begin the job by removing...
Begin the job by removing the lower endlink nuts...
...followed by the four bolts...
...followed by the four bolts (two per side) that secure the bar to the frame. You should then be able to pop out the lower-endlink studs and slide the bar out of the vehicle.
Raise the new Hotchkis bar...
Raise the new Hotchkis bar into place and install the included bushings.
These bushings are permanently...
These bushings are permanently impregnated with a dry lubricant, and no additional lube is required.
Maneuver the bushings so that...
Maneuver the bushings so that their placement mimics that of the OEM pieces. With that done, apply anti-seize to the original sway-bar bolts and partially reinstall the brackets.
Begin threading the bolts...
Begin threading the bolts by hand to avoid stripping the threads in the aluminum frame. Don't fully tighten the brackets at this point; you'll need to be able to rotate the bar within the bushing in order to complete the next step.