Leno drives the Hotchkis challenger

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    Author Topic: Leno drives the Hotchkis challenger  (Read 7144 times)

    Offline HP2

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    Re: Leno drives the Hotchkis challenger
    « Reply #15 on: November 14, 2009 - 12:58:59 PM »
    That would be cool. They are both claiming handling in the high .8 to low .9 range. One can do it for around $2000, the other around $3300, yet their package offerings are considerably different. Also worth noting is that they both do it with 40 series, 17" rubber, so I think the are still leaving some performance capability on the table.
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    Offline tommyg29

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    Re: Leno drives the Hotchkis challenger
    « Reply #16 on: November 15, 2009 - 11:08:17 AM »
    IMO 40 series 17" rubber is more than serious enough rubber for these cars, unless youre talking about racing slicks.
    For a street car/driver that would be plenty for me, and is what I have on my wish list.
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    72 Roadrunner 400-4 Auto-3.23 Gear-Black Cruiser
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    Offline Chryco Psycho

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    Re: Leno drives the Hotchkis challenger
    « Reply #17 on: November 17, 2009 - 05:02:51 AM »
    Well Hotchkiss hasn`t done anything radical , it retains the T bars & leaf springs which are far more advanced than the ford or gm design of the day , the leaf spring is awesome , the front is short & provides a similar function to a traction bar which can be enhanced by using a square top U bolt around the front , the flat spring is very hard to deflect sideways in a corner , adding a big sway bar & premium shocks just makes the rear very tight , the T bar is also a great design with the weight low & in the middle of the car , again using the big sway bars & premium shocks , the key to what he has done here is elimnate the deflection in the soft rubber bushings using heim joints & solid spacers at the front of the caster strut as well as heim joints in the place of tie rod ends as well as allowing much better wheel alignment adustment with the upper control arms .
     This is nothing like the 4 link air bag type suspensions I have seen or the front steer tubular K frame modifications either but I bet it work just about as well .
     Possibly I missed it but I did not see subframe connectors under that Chall as it would interfere with the side exhaust
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    Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

    Offline brads70

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    Re: Leno drives the Hotchkis challenger
    « Reply #18 on: November 17, 2009 - 08:51:13 AM »
    Nice stuff but out of my budget at the moment.
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    Brad
    1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
    Barrie,Ontario,Canada
    Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

    My restoration thread 
    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
     My handling upgrade post
    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

    Offline cudazappa

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    Re: Leno drives the Hotchkis challenger
    « Reply #19 on: November 17, 2009 - 03:22:08 PM »
    both cars are running on 18" wheels.  The Hotchkis uses a 35 series in the front (265 width?) and I have to guess the rear.  The XV uses 295/35 rear and 275/35 front.

    Personally, I feel the "sweet spot" is 16" rubber with a 50 series tire.  However, since that market has dried up I'd have to agree that 17" is the way to go.  The only benefit to 17" and up is the opportunity for a larger brake rotor; and if you are going through all that work, you should at least see about taking advantage of it.

    as for xv vs hotchkis, you'd be pitting a modified 3rd gen hemi vs a relatively stock 340 6pak.  no comparison there.  Hotchkis kept the engine stock for comparo results... a hot stroker small block would be a really good comparison.
    « Last Edit: November 17, 2009 - 03:24:04 PM by cudazappa »
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    Offline brianz426

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    Re: Leno drives the Hotchkis challenger
    « Reply #20 on: February 07, 2010 - 10:13:10 AM »
    Considering the Hotchkiss TVS system is $3000 it seems about a 1/3 of that cost is the upper control arms. Do you guys think it would be important to keep there system in tact or would it be o.k. to buy their rear springs and try another brand of upper control arm (or keep stock arms)?
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    Offline Tom Quad

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    Re: Leno drives the Hotchkis challenger
    « Reply #21 on: February 07, 2010 - 03:52:41 PM »
    The right size 16 inch tire and wheel combination for most mopars is 16x8 with a 255-50-16 tire.  26 inch tall tire with 10 inches of tread. A 17 inch tire in the same diameter has a sidewall that is too short.  27 inch tall tires create fitment problems and compromises. If you spend any amount of time at the road course [like I do] the amercian "track cars" run a 245 or 255 -50 - 16 competition tire and they run fast and hard.  Faster than me... There are good tire choices available in 255-50 ZR16.  I just bought 8 of then for a couple of mopars, 70 E body and 70 B Body.
    BF Goodrich   
     *  Size: 255/50ZR16
        * Blackwall
        * Serv. Desc: 99W
        * UTQG: Treadwear: 340
          Traction: AA
          Temperature: A340 AA A

        * Price: $119.00 (each)

    I don't understand the bigger is better mentality that pervades this subject. It should be what fits without compromise and looks right. With the hood closed and the car not running my p-o-s looks just like it should...an old muscle car with 5 spoke mag wheels.  As I tell the new comers to my track event-don't let looks deceive you...


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    Offline Oldschool

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    Re: Leno drives the Hotchkis challenger
    « Reply #22 on: February 08, 2010 - 08:01:43 AM »
     :2thumbs: That's pretty cool stuff....    :grinyes:
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    Ken  --  In Georgia

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    Offline HP2

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    Re: Leno drives the Hotchkis challenger
    « Reply #23 on: February 08, 2010 - 11:02:54 AM »
    Quote from: brianz426 on February 07, 2010 - 10:13:10 AM
    Considering the Hotchkiss TVS system is $3000 it seems about a 1/3 of that cost is the upper control arms. Do you guys think it would be important to keep there system in tact or would it be o.k. to buy their rear springs and try another brand of upper control arm (or keep stock arms)?

    Ifyou check the Hot Rod Magazine web site, you can probably pull up the article on the Hotchkis Coronet. In it they change out a part at a time to evaluate results. As such, their "system" is designed so you can incrementally improve your car over time and you will see incremental gains with each change. The best results will obviously be acheived by the whole system, but you can mix and match as the budget allows without creating a problem or unsafe condition with your car.
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    Offline brianz426

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    Re: Leno drives the Hotchkis challenger
    « Reply #24 on: February 09, 2010 - 01:15:55 PM »
    Quote from: HP2 on February 08, 2010 - 11:02:54 AM
    Ifyou check the Hot Rod Magazine web site, you can probably pull up the article on the Hotchkis Coronet. In it they change out a part at a time to evaluate results. As such, their "system" is designed so you can incrementally improve your car over time and you will see incremental gains with each change. The best results will obviously be acheived by the whole system, but you can mix and match as the budget allows without creating a problem or unsafe condition with your car.

    Thanks, that's what I was hoping to here. My plan is to build a good handling small block street car that I can do a few open track events with. If I really like it and want to get competitive then I can build on what I've already started.
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    Offline cudazappa

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    Re: Leno drives the Hotchkis challenger
    « Reply #25 on: February 09, 2010 - 03:04:00 PM »
    For the price, I think the XV system is much better than the complete Hotchkis setup.  And it's more complete (torsion bars included, but no UCAs)  The amount you save on the XV system, you can afford the Hotchkis UCAs and still come in under the Hotchkis kit.
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    1971 Challenger - AutoX project
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    Offline 1BADFISH™

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    Re: Leno drives the Hotchkis challenger
    « Reply #26 on: February 09, 2010 - 03:06:14 PM »
    No pistol grip.   :clueless:
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    Dave
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