Which is better: Hotchkis STB or BMR STB??

[Dominic]

It is a piece of painted and bent pipe!!! For crying out loud there isnt a whole lot that goes into STB design other than weight/clearance considerations and making sure its strong enough.

Anyone stupid enough to pay hotchkis prices better have them as a sponsor - granted they might make good products but if the prices are not competetive there are a NUMBER of other companies that make very comparable products, even superior products, to what hotchkis can do.

Now if you want to show me some engineering articles I'll be glad to take your opinion on this matter, but I do not agree with your bias.

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dominic:
there are a NUMBER of other companies that make very comparable products, even superior products, to what hotchkis can do.
<hr></blockquote>

No, they are not comparable, and certainly not superior.

Like I have said, I'm in the metal forming business, supply to GM, Ford, etc. I'm an engineer. I've talked to both Hotchkis and BMR personally. I will ALWAYS recommend Hotchkis for aftermarket suspension parts. You can put what ever junk on your car you like, I made my decision, and I'm not going to argue about it any more.

[Spray'dV6]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by FirebirdGT:


No, they are not comparable, and certainly not superior.

Like I have said, I'm in the metal forming business, supply to GM, Ford, etc. I'm an engineer. I've talked to both Hotchkis and BMR personally. I will ALWAYS recommend Hotchkis for aftermarket suspension parts. You can put what ever junk on your car you like, I made my decision, and I'm not going to argue about it any more.<hr></blockquote>


What components does hotchkis use that bmr is not? how are the metals so different? I'm interested in hearing this.

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Spray'dV6:
What components does hotchkis use that bmr is not? how are the metals so different? I'm interested in hearing this.<hr></blockquote>


Hotchkis is a design and engineering company founded by a professional racer, with real engineers. BMR is a weld shop.

If you think BMR is better - buy it. End of discussion.

[Blue94V6]

Let's just all step back a second and put this into perspective. I'm not really sure if Hotchkis is better than BMR or vice-versa, but let's please consider something:
As far as I can tell (although I may be wrong), this is NOT being used on a full-on race car, it's being used on a V6 camaro, and unless that car is REALLY being pushed to its limits, or unless it's being prepped for some kind of ultra-competitive racing where handling is of paramount importance, I really don't see what the difference the choice makes except for price and personal preference, and maybe a slight sacrifice or gain of performance. Chances are, the car will not be pushed hard enough to really even make much of a difference. If I'm wrong, or if anybody disagrees with me about this I will happily concede, but I really don't see why this has become such an argument. Here's my advice: Just pick one, they are apparently both relatively good products. Just my $.02

[SuprSpdDB7]

ok... let's try something different....

how about someone post a picture of their Hotchkis installed and someone post a picture of their BMR installed!

[Steve Caroccia]

This is a very interesting conversion. Although I am a chemical engineer and not mechanical, look at the two pieces.

Hotchkis, although ENGINEERED (right Friebird GT?) would put all of its load on the bolt and the two thin metal brackets that are bolted to the car. It is the brackets that need to handle the flex of the car in the Hotchkis design. Remember, a chain is only as strong as the weakest link! Now compare the 1/8" plate bracket with the 1/2" flange on the BMR, which is stronger? At least with BMR, the entire bar works as one unit.

[IBJanky]

Hey Julian, it's Myke...

My advice is, get the $89.99 BMR strut tower bar. You wont regret it. I have it on my car and it does make a noticeable difference esp. when cornering.

In my honest opinion, the extra money you have to shell out for the other stuff is not worth it.

Get the $90 BMR, install it and be happy! :D

[Dominic]

The only thing I have found that I can say for Hotchkis is they TIG weld everything and minimize all their welds.

IMO, the majority of BMR components are fine for street and strip use. I will stick to that.

As for this post, its getting a bit long and out of hand for "strut tower braces." So out comes the lock.

One final note, I'm not saying that Hotckis sucks, or BMR rules, or anything as vague and general as that. However, when it comes to a part that was never originally intended to be on an Fbody such as a STB which is simply used for chassis stiffening, the BMR is more than adaquete for the job and I would personally never pay $200 for Hotchkis' product. I agree with the above comment that the BMR works as a solid bar and has much better flanges.

If you have further more detailed questions or comments please make a new post.