65-70 Mustang Prototype Hotchkis Parts in Testing Phase!

[Hotchkis]

Early last month we were able to do a full installation of our new Upper Control Arms and Adjustible Strut Rods on a test car for a bit of track work this month. We've got a couple SCCA Autocross events as well as a track day where we'll be able to log some serious miles on these units. We've had them on the car and driving around every day for the last month and everything is looking good so far.


First things first we pulled the car in. We were also doing a full Hotchkis TVS install on the Charger and on the other side of the welding curtain is a Paul Newman 300ZX Turbo car we are finishing up the restoration on for a customer.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/IMG_1410_zpsf1cf0ceb-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bajadak/media/IMG_1410_zpsf1cf0ceb.jpg.html)


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/IMG_1412_zpsfbc2d0c8-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bajadak/media/IMG_1412_zpsfbc2d0c8.jpg.html)


In short order the factory uppers and Hotchkis springs are removed. The new Upper Control Arms will require the Shelby Drop Mod be performed to the car.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/IMG_1416_zpsb7ff2ef3-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bajadak/media/IMG_1416_zpsb7ff2ef3.jpg.html)


We had to make a few more adjustments on the bench and transfer the Spring perches over to the new arms. We'll probably do the rollerbearing mod in the future.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/IMG_1418_zpse9bdff8d-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bajadak/media/IMG_1418_zpse9bdff8d.jpg.html)


Cycling the suspension without the springs to check some numbers.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/IMG_1417_zps6da25d90-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bajadak/media/IMG_1417_zps6da25d90.jpg.html)


Spring reinstalled.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/IMG_1419_zps8555167e-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bajadak/media/IMG_1419_zps8555167e.jpg.html)


And Adjustable Strut Rods installed.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/IMG_1420_zps7420c369-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bajadak/media/IMG_1420_zps7420c369.jpg.html)


Once we get some more data and pictures from the upcoming events, I'll be sure to post them up. We'll have an official press release and pricing in the coming months, as soon as the info gets down to me, I'll pass it along. Hope everyone is having a happy new year!

[andrewb70]

Looks line a nice system. Let me know if you need a tester to assure fitment on a 1967 Cougar...:smoke:

Andrew

[Red67Mustang]

Looks nice... How much Caster do those UCAs add?

Thanks!

[Hotchkis]

Unshimmed we saw -3* Camber and 6*Caster. For this car looking at our old data a knowing what it needed, we settled on -1.5* Camber and 7.5* Caster.

[BMR Sales]

Early last month we were able to do a full installation of our new Upper Control Arms and Adjustible Strut Rods on a test car for a bit of track work this month. We've got a couple SCCA Autocross events as well as a track day where we'll be able to log some serious miles on these units. We've had them on the car and driving around every day for the last month and everything is looking good so far.


First things first we pulled the car in. We were also doing a full Hotchkis TVS install on the Charger and on the other side of the welding curtain is a Paul Newman 300ZX Turbo car we are finishing up the restoration on for a customer.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/IMG_1410_zpsf1cf0ceb-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bajadak/media/IMG_1410_zpsf1cf0ceb.jpg.html)


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/IMG_1412_zpsfbc2d0c8-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bajadak/media/IMG_1412_zpsfbc2d0c8.jpg.html)


In short order the factory uppers and Hotchkis springs are removed. The new Upper Control Arms will require the Shelby Drop Mod be performed to the car.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/IMG_1416_zpsb7ff2ef3-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bajadak/media/IMG_1416_zpsb7ff2ef3.jpg.html)


We had to make a few more adjustments on the bench and transfer the Spring perches over to the new arms. We'll probably do the rollerbearing mod in the future.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/IMG_1418_zpse9bdff8d-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bajadak/media/IMG_1418_zpse9bdff8d.jpg.html)


Cycling the suspension without the springs to check some numbers.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/IMG_1417_zps6da25d90-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bajadak/media/IMG_1417_zps6da25d90.jpg.html)


Spring reinstalled.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/IMG_1419_zps8555167e-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bajadak/media/IMG_1419_zps8555167e.jpg.html)


And Adjustable Strut Rods installed.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/IMG_1420_zps7420c369-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bajadak/media/IMG_1420_zps7420c369.jpg.html)


Once we get some more data and pictures from the upcoming events, I'll be sure to post them up. We'll have an official press release and pricing in the coming months, as soon as the info gets down to me, I'll pass it along. Hope everyone is having a happy new year!

Paul Newman ran over my foot and broke 2 of my toes with that Nissan. I think he did it on purpose, since we were friends and were joking around a few minutes before - he wouldn't admit it!

[Red67Mustang]

Unshimmed we saw -3* Camber and 6*Caster. For this car looking at our old data a knowing what it needed, we settled on -1.5* Camber and 7.5* Caster.

Interesting... So this UCA is shorter to relocate the ball joint inward (toward the engine) in addition to relocating the ball joint to the rear? Why? More neg camber gain?

6 degrees is a healthy amount of built-in Caster. If I understand your description correctly, the Hotchkis UCA would produce 6 degrees caster on a car that, with a stock UCA and no other adjustment, would have 0 degrees caster. Did I understand you correctly?

When will these be available?

What is the construction of the pivot bushings?

[Hotchkis]

Without getting too far into the specifics of our design, if you look at the picture of the control arm on the bench, you can see how far back the upper ball joint was shifted to the rear. On a factory arm the upper ball joint is in alignment with with spring perch. As an example, the test car had a lot of shims with the factory arm and was able to get one degree of negative camber and 4* caster. With the new arms we were able to get the suspension exactly where we wanted it with very few shims.

The cross shaft uses a greaseable urethane bushing. It's built very tight for minimal deflection.

We are in the final months of durability testing and we will have an official press release out in the next month or so. This post is more of a "teaser".

[Protouringstang73]

I really like your products.. Will you have anything available for 71-73 Mustangs sometime? :)

[Red67Mustang]

Without getting too far into the specifics of our design

I'm just asking for enough information to allow a comparison against your most obvious direct competition for this product; the Global West +3 UCAs.

http://www.globalwest.net/1967-1968-1969-1970-1971-1972-1973-mustang-front-suspension-parts.html

Obviously those UCAs are designed to
provide an additional 3 degrees of caster. How many degrees is caster are these Hotchkis arms designed to add (ignoring any other adjustment; shims or LCA, etc...)

Also; can you confirm if these UCAs are designed to work with the stock LCA?

[Hotchkis]

Our goal was to get a bit over 3* of static caster and 1.5* of static camber over the stock arms. And yes, you can't tell from the pictures, but we have stock LCA's on the test car.

[Protouringstang73]

I'll try again.. Will you have anything available for 71-73 Mustangs sometime? :)

[Red67Mustang]

Our goal was to get a bit over 3* of static caster and 1.5* of static camber over the stock arms. And yes, you can't tell from the pictures, but we have stock LCA's on the test car.

Fantastic. Is the ball joint mounted at a corrected angle to work with the 'Arning Drop' on the UCA?

Have you measured what effect increasing static camber had on bump steer?

What's the target price? These look like beefy UCAs that might be a good fit for my Open Track / CAM Class Autocross Mustang.

Thx!

[iadr]

Red67- Arning drop= Shelby drop, same thing. These arms are, per his post, designed around you *already* having done so.

Hotchkis- you have a stylist on staff as well, or are they a case of function following form? ;) I mean, those things just look cool...high-tech, etc.

[Hotchkis]

I'll try again.. Will you have anything available for 71-73 Mustangs sometime? :)

Sorry about that, as of now we don't have anything planned, but it may change if demand increases.


Red67- Arning drop= Shelby drop, same thing. These arms are, per his post, designed around you *already* having done so.

Hotchkis- you have a stylist on staff as well, or are they a case of function following form? ;) I mean, those things just look cool...high-tech, etc.

Our lead engineer is absolutely awesome at designing components. I'm always excited to see what he cranks out next. I'm a point-a / point-b straightline guy, his level of vision is awesome. To that point all of his designs go through a high level of stress testing and load design and factor in removing weight and material while still retaining strength.


Fantastic. Is the ball joint mounted at a corrected angle to work with the 'Arning Drop' on the UCA?

Have you measured what effect increasing static camber had on bump steer?

What's the target price? These look like beefy UCAs that might be a good fit for my Open Track / CAM Class Autocross Mustang.

Thx!

Yes, after our lead engineer runs various designs through suspension software, we make prototypes to real-world tests to ensure optimization. We are daily driving on them now and will conduct autocross and road course testing at the end of the month.

[Red67Mustang]

Arning drop= Shelby drop, same thing

No doubt.

I had forgotten his original post already clarified that install detail - went back and re-read. Sorry for the superfluous question.

Still would like the other questions answered though.

[Protouringstang73]

I hope it does, your suspension parts looks awesome!