The Camaro Club (UK)

That's coming along really well, do you know what sort of poundage those front spring rates are? How long now until it's all back on the road do you think??Hope you don't mind me asking but how much was the front anti roll bar, where did you get it & how much was the carriage from the US? Cheers.Nige

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Too much power...not enough hands!!

Nige, I got a kit which was suitable for a SBC so the poundage would be for that weight. Can't say when the car will be done because the rear ARB brace needs to be bolted to the chassis and it's tight under there because of the exhausts.

I got my kit from Year One but have always sourced all my stuff from NPD I only went with Y1 because they were slightly cheaper. However, I had to wait a lot longer for delivery and they are difficult to contact if you have a problem or need tech advice I would recommend NPD as I've never had a problem with them, delivery is swift and they are there 24/7.

I've looked in their catalogue and a Hotchkis 1-1/8" dia front ARB kit with poly bushes, drop links and hardware is $196.95. After conversion to £ I always figure on another 25% of the cost in £ to give me a ballpark figure for duty and VAT. I can't give a shipping price because it's done on weight and I had a full suspension kit to pay for (those leaf springs weigh a ton )

Hope this has helped, good luck.

Thanks for that I'll look 'em up & see what it comes out at, cheers.....Nige

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Too much power...not enough hands!!

Bl**dy disaster, the exhausts stop the rear ARB brace being bolted to the chassis and that means the rear ARB also can't be fitted Everything else went on fine and I hope to have the car back on the road soon I'm going to have to start saving my pennies again to get the exhausts repositioned.

Aaaaargh!! I feel for you mate. Can't you cut & shut the pipes to clearance it, rather than having to get a new system in there?? cheers......Nige

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Too much power...not enough hands!!

Yes, that's all I was going to do. Cut the pipes at the muffler rotate them slightly inwards and then weld / clamp it back in place. I just need to make room for the brackets on the brace so the end links can be bolted to them. However, if I've got to mess around with the exhaust I might see how much a side exit system would be

We've just fitted a rear anti roll bar to mine. The original front bar fits on the rear & is the also the right diameter. Just needed a few brackets made to mount the drop arms from the chassis. Luckily the exhaust system isn't on it yet (this weeks project is to make it) so there were no restrictions like that to complicate things.

Not too sure if a side exit system is legal as there are a few grey areas here. Some say that it's fine as long as the exhaust isn't too loud with no parts protruding beyond the vehicle bodywork & others say that if it wasn't manufactured as such then they are illegal. Best check before commiting to it.

edit: Even the police are unsure about it. I checked on one of their web boards for you & even they have conflicting views on it. hth, cheers.....Nige

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Too much power...not enough hands!!

Thanks, that has helped. I've got plenty of time to think about it while I save up.

The car is now back and handles a whole lot better than the wallowy barge it was. I know on some USA forums the KYB gas a just shocks aren't popular because they give too "harsh" a ride. All I can say is they suit me perfectly, this is the UK where we like our cars to handle and I certainly prefer a harder (ooo eerr missus) suspension set up. If I go to bigger diameter rims and lower profile rubber then it will be teeth jarring but my old V6 Golf had really stiff coilover suspension, a slammed stance, front and rear ARB's with 19's and rubber bands for tyres. I loved it, the wife and kids hated it

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Great to see this Hotchkis TVS kit installed on a UK Camaro. please post some video's of it cornering and how it compares with other European modern cars.....

Did you also change the leaf springs? If so how hard were they originals to remove?

I too have some of their stuff on my 2nd Gen and am very pleased with the improvement. After all, power is nothing without control!!!

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What happens on the street. Stays on the street!