Hotchkis Rear Sway (Torsion?) Bar is out!

[KKaWing]

Applications: 2014 Ford Fiesta ST, 2015 Ford Fiesta ST, 2016 Ford Fiesta ST

SKU: 22447R

Hotchkis Sport Suspension (22447R) 2014+ Ford Fiesta ST Rear Sport Sway Bar Set from Hotchkis Sport Suspension. The new Ford Fiesta ST is a very capable high performance hot hatch. Installing our new adjustable Rear Sport Sway Bar takes it to a new level of handling performance. Spirited street cruising and competitive track driving are even more enjoyable due to improved cornering performance, driver feedback and traction. Our engineers have spent hours on the street and test track developing the best Sway Bar for ultimate performance improvement. Besides the very noticeable street driving improvement, it works extremely well in autocross, road course and open road-racing applications. Our 22mm lightweight hollow steel Rear Sport Sway bar adds 200 lbs/in of resistance for reduced roll, increased grip and quicker steering response. Our lightweight hollow Sport Sway Bars are formed on our unique CNC bender for precision, powder-coated gloss black for durability and we include our premium smooth operating high durometer polyurethane bushings and heavy-duty brackets. Stock end-links are retained to maintain a quiet ride on the street. For track use and balanced handling, our premium adjustable rod-end End Link kits are available for the stock front sway bar (25447F). Install our Rear Sport Sway Bar System on your Ford Fiesta ST and reach that next level of handling and performance.
Features and Benefits:

Lightweight & durable 22mm tubular steel rear sway bar
Added rear roll resistance of 200 lbs/in
Premium 10.9 grade mounting hardware
Improved stability in transitions
Tubes are CNC bent and end brackets are laser cut for a precise fit
Lightweight hollow construction
Anthracite powder coat for durability
Proudly Made in the U.S.A



http://www.hotchkis.net/product/2014-ford-fiesta-st-rear-sport-sway-bar-set-from-hotchkis-sport-suspension/?mk=54&yr=2015&md=678&sm=973

^ Official Hotchkis site, it's on tire rack too @ $185 ea. Availability: 02/19/16

Edit: Here it is in action: https://www.instagram.com/p/ydPyABCZxn/

 

[Plainrt]

Hmmmmm following.

 

[RAAMaudio]

Hotchkis knows ALOT about making a car handle so I would imagine these work very well.


Not sure I can use one as have changed the rear camber and toe and not sure I want more rear stiffness(race springs reduce roll as well and I might go to an even stiffer set than I have now).

I might just give them a call as they have helped me in the past on their products

Rick

 

[Wimp Lo]

I am a bit surprised by this.

It seems like they say add this bar and some front sway bar end links and that's it.

In my mind it makes more sense to add stiffness at both ends, especially since our cars three wheel when stock.

If just a rear bar works, I would like them to explain more.

 

[TrickSTer]

I want to know how it is "adjustable". Do you add an end link package that is for the front bar otherwise?

 

[KKaWing]

I believe someone who was working with them for the bars mentioned the front sway bar endlinks were too soft. I also remember reading somewhere else the front subframe wouldn't be able to handle stiffer sway bars and would bend. I'll try to google it and edit in links if I managed to dig something up. Treat it all as hearsay though. But the second link claims a speed increase on the slalom.

Edit: Here's the subframe post.
Edit2: They might be working on a front bar? Check the dates between the first post and how long it took for the bar to come out.

 

[RAAMaudio]

I have highly modded 3 FWD cars and never put on a big front bar, only a modest upgrade on the first one, stiffer rear bar, it had a beam axle like the FiST, that car was very fast.

Second car had IRS, I had a custom huge rear bar made for it, disconnected front bar, it was also a very fast car.

So far only stiffer front sway bar bushings, no rear bar, have a 5-way highly modded bar off a BMW I am going to test but no rear bar for now, car handles amazingly well, it is the fastest one yet.

I have only had an STB on the other two cars and not running one on the FiST as have to make one to test with my setup as bolt on ones do not fit, no other braces used on any of the cars but the second one ended up caged.

 

[D1JL]

It looks like the mounting is the same four bolts as Eibach's bar (I have) to the Twist Beam/Swing Arm.
In addition they have added a gusset for the shock mount (IMO will do nothing more).

I like the Eibach bar so this should do as well, it all just depends on how much stiffness it does add.



Dave

 

[RAAMaudio]

I forgot to mention that bar is not adjustable unless you leave out the front or rear mounting bolts which would make very little change, it needs 1 or two more spots to mount the end links so it could be adjusted, something is amiss on this part unless it is not the actual finished product.

 

[D1JL]

it needs 1 or two more spots to mount the end links so it could be adjusted, something is amiss on this part unless it is not the actual finished product.

If those tabs are for end links, the other end of the link would have to attach to the shock and a clamp on mount would not work very well.
Or a different shock would be required.
If the other end of the link was to mount to the frame/body then the swing arm would not work at all.
So I think you may be correct and something is amiss or this is not a photo of a FiST part.


Dave

 

[WhiteFords]

Has anyone tried this Hotchkis setup yet? I'm intrigued by the simplicity and the engineering Hotchkis brings to this platform.

 

[D1JL]

Has anyone tried this Hotchkis setup yet? I'm intrigued by the simplicity and the engineering Hotchkis brings to this platform.

I have an Eibach rear bar that mounts and works the same way.
I am very pleased with its performance.
Hotchkis also makes very fine products many that I have used in the past.
I am sure you will find this bar to work very well.


Dave

 

[WhiteFords]

I finally installed the Hotchkis rear bar and hit the track once again.

My previous open track event at Thunderhill West in my stock-suspended '15 demonstrated lots of body roll and understeer. While I ordered the rear bar and the front end links at the same time, I am as yet still waiting for the end links to come off of backorder. With just the addition of the Hotchkis rear bar, the car corners much flatter than stock and now has less understeer tendencies.

The advantage I see that the Hotchkis bar holds over the competition is that the bar ties into the rear shock mounts, as well as the factory holes in the twist beam. I am looking forward to receiving the stiffer front end links to complete the Hotchkis setup.

The install was quick, and I like how the bar does not hang down and diminish ground clearance.

 

[RAAMaudio]

One of the great companies to work with, parts and service indeed