Hotchkis or Bilstein shocks

cudaracer said

blu,
you are certainly passionate about your classic mopars. I respect that completely. But the opinion I expressed, was just that. My opinion. Please don't suggest I can't have one, which you did. Also, don't make assumptions on what I have experienced. I based my opinion on many things, including the well known fact that today's cars are billet-like compared to the classics. That's called progress. And even after tons of steel reinforcement welded in place on any classic, it will never close that gap completely. Not even close. And although plenty can be done to improve the handling characteristics of most classics, it will still not come close to the latest pony cars that are designed as a SYSTEM, not a drop in improvement. Keyword there.

So my opinion stands, and justification by comparing costs of cars will not change that. I would buy a Shelby, for example, for many things, not just handling. The engine sound alone has intoxicated me. Collector value is another.

Thanks for your opinions, but agree to disagree.

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And my point is, and has been from the beginning, that if you haven't ridden in a properly updated and tuned classic, you have no idea what the difference is. You can have an opinion if you like, but you don't have all of the facts to base that opinion on. You have no idea what the "gap" is, let alone if it can be closed or not.

As far as updating a classic goes, if you do it right it IS a system. You balance the wheel rates, suspension travel, shock dampening, roll couples, traction coefficients, all of it. Just like a new car. It is a system. If you just randomly bolt on parts, you might not get a collection of upgrades that works well together. But if you choose your parts based on their capabilities, design specs, and performance, then the result is a system that works well. Well enough for guys like Tomswheels to lay down faster times than Mustang GT's built in the last 10 years on the same autoX course, or the TireRack driver to best the lap times of a 3 series BMW. That's why Hotchkis sells a "system", not just a collection of parts.

So, yeah, we're going to disagree. But until your opinion is based on facts and first hand experiences, you're just misinformed.