Hotchkis bars- no shakers

[ss dave]

Ever since I've had this ride I have been trying to remove the cocktail shakers and still maintain integrity and stability.
When Hotchkis released their handle bar system I believed I might have found a way.
I'm happy to announce that with the installation of the bars the stiffness has increased and removing the shakers has been phenomenal.
I added both the front and rear bars and the shakers are in a secured storage!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/09/P10102281-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/09/P1010229-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/01/P1010327-1.jpg

[4MuscleMachines]

Looks great. I was told by Hotchkis the bars would not fit on LS equipped first gen Camaros. Did you have to modify yours?

I still went ahead and ordered mine along with the rest of their stiffening package.

[69projectKAOS]

what upper control arms are you running, stock or aftermarket?

[Trackman]

How much do the supports weigh? Half as much as one shaker?
You removed the rear shakers as well?
Can you get a picture of the mounting where the uppers meet?

I'll have to make a new mount for my Holley ecu as it is mounted to a shaker! (might as well get some use out of it)

[ss dave]

We had to lenghten the tabs that attach the cross bar to the bracket in order to raise and move the bar forward to clear the FAST LSX 102 manifold.
My UCA are the SPC Pro-Lite arms.
I removed the rear shakers but in a vert we had to modify the rear panel to get it to fit.
The bars weigh probably a third of a shaker.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/09/P1010230-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/09/P1010209-1.jpg

[Trackman]

I have the spc set up as well in my 67 camaro vert. Should be a nice weight dropping addition if it adds enough rigididty to remove the shakers.
I lost ya at "I removed the rear shakers but in a vert we had to modify the rear panel to get it to fit" Is there a support they make for the rear as well?

[ss dave]

Yes they have a rear bar
I should also note that the car has other features that improve stiffness
Welded sub frame connectors
Solid body bushings
Custom springs
4 link suspension
X-brace
Fat mat thru out

[chevyhector]

any pics?

[claytonisbob]

Do these things directly tie the body to the chassis? Is your subframe solidly mounted?

Also, may be a dumb question, but what is a shaker. Is that the harmonic device on convertibles?

[ss dave]

I'll refer to Hotchkis for the tech questions
you can see from the plcs where they mount.
They give the car a stiffness that you can feel.

[67 ls1 vert]

Also, may be a dumb question, but what is a shaker. Is that the harmonic device on convertibles?


That's not a dumb question... yes you are right, it is the can located in all four corners on the convertibles. They have fluid in them to help dampen the vibrations.

They have a nick name called 'Cocktail shakers'.

[wblanton]

Pulled my shakers out from day one without any bars. I know about their benefits for vibrations but I am confused on how they could help make the car more rigid? I never drove the car with them installed but it has been fine without them. Of course there are a lot of suspension upgrades which probably helped.

Nice vert!!!

[ss dave]

Thank you!
As mentioned by 67 ls1 the shakers helped with vibration and cowl shake, which was most evident at certain speeds. Alot of this has been discussed on other Camaro forums; the consequences of removing them vs. benefits.
I hesitated to remove the shakers for that reason. But with added support I was more than happy to get rid of the boat anchors.
I haven't really put it thru the ss's but with some aggressive driving I can feel the improvements.
Quite a few original vert owners removed the shakers when they found them. Alot of them ended up in salvages, dumps etc.
For that reason they are extremely popular to restorers.