Ok guys im debating on getting skunk 2 coils or the KW V3 with cusco top plates? I've done some research on both, and if i were to decided now i would purchase KW no questions ask. But what i cant find is people's feed back on them. Im going to be DD my car, and occasionally track 1-3 times a year MAX. I commute daily 80 miles so i need something that is going to be comfortable and last me a while. So my question to those with KW, how do you guys like them? Are they comfortable? If you had the opportunity to purchases a suspension again would they be KW?

Any feed back will help?

Thanks
-Ernesto

 

The comfort level is really dependent on what your spring rates are. With the off the shelf rates, it'll probably be comfortable on the street but won't be a great performer. My KWs have 12kg/16kg rates, so you can imagine that I try to avoid street driving as much as possible, but it's still not "bad." It depends on what you're willing to tolerate.

 

i have had a lot of different coils on my car. BC BR series, Motons, KW V3, and now Muellerized Skunk 2's.

I would never ever ever ever recommend KW's the spring perches are plastic. The valve is tiny as hell, and they are all around piles of crap. i would call Mueller, and see what he recommends. if you would like to pm me i can fill you in on a few other things about the KW's and the main person that supplies them, and my horrible experiences with them.

Good luck in your searching.

 

you gotta do more research and search around here more... i suggest ohlins. someone has these here and have set them up to a way they are very nice.... a little harsher than swift SpecR's on Bilsteins, if you can imagine that.

 

Any reason you aren't open to used Ohlins, or even better the new 4100 AST's? cost less and are VERY well valved, and come with your choice on custom swift spring rates.... Talk to Andrew @ GTWORX

 

^that.

But really, why do you need coil-overs for DD use? Have you done any research on the Swift/GTWorx springs?

 

I have KWv3, I like them, no problems so far. Spring perches are plastic - so what? I agree Ohlins are a better coil over, but more $$$ (new). Be aware of spring rates, most manufacture's rates are not appropriate for an Evo, i.e. they have higher rates up front. Search.

I tried Cusco camber plates, they had a lot more rotational friction than the stock mounts. I would think all simple pillow ball mounts suffer from this, but maybe mine were just too tight. I switched to Vorshlag camber plates which have an extra bearing to handle rotation - well worth the extra $$.

 

aeroweenie - The AST 4100s are less than off the shelf KWs, and are custom valved and sprung for the purchaser, also I bought used Ohlins for less than 1/3rd of what KW's retail for new, and the PSS9's are a great quality coilover for daily driving comfort, and adjustment for some track days.. again if someone is insisting to not go with the fixed perch shock setup options.

Listen to the likes of SmikeEvo... (and myself).. we are unbiased and not venders and have no 'agenda' in our open recommendations... hope I'm not putting words in his mouth as well.

CiroDesign's (Rick Jung) camber/caster plates for the front are a great cost efficient and functional alternative, more caster than even Vorshlag, and can be worked to fit most any use...

 

I have them on my Evo MR and they are freakin awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so smoooth great for daily driver and the best part the car still feels like they are on rails.....

 

The OP asked if anyone was running KWv3's. I reported my experience. I didn't even suggest what he should buy - unlike you. What is the 'agenda' you are referring to?

 

There are a few good brands out there, including Ohlins, KW and others. IMO the most important things are to make sure you get 3-way adjustable coilovers in good quality. The KW Variant 3's are excellent for daily driving - spring rates are firm yet offer very good compliance. Most importantly is your entire set up and then lots of tuning, tuning, tuning to get it right. You're looking at a max lowering of 40mm with the KW V3's, so if that is a selection criterium too. A good package would include roll center kit, bushings, Perrin PSRS, steering rack kit, roll bar ends and a good sway bar set up (some just upgrade the rear, some upgrade front and rear with matched set from one mfg - bars need to be adjustable). So, the choice should come down to a few good sets of coilovers, each would probably serve you well - there is no ONE answer - and then it comes down to doing all the tuning work. I run KW3's on my MR w/roll center kit, Perrin PSRS, Whiteline steering precision kit, rear bumpsteer kit, and H&R bars, neg 2 deg camber front and rear, stock toe. I set this up about 20K miles ago and the KW's are still fine (granted 20K doesn't prove anything yet...)

 

They is so much BS in this thread its rediculous.
You look at every enthusiast class car in RTA that is consistently fast you will see that they are using KWs. The stock spring rates are garbage for the 8/9 chassis.
They are probably the best bang for the buck setup for DD/ and occasional tracking. Go with 7k or 8k springs in the front and 8k/9k in the rear and you will be rewarded with a great ride and awesome balance /body control on the track.
KWs are different from the rest and may not do the conventional thing in the suspension guru/tech arena however they do create results.
Another thing with KW is they are built for roads, meaning you can go thousands upon thousands of miles without a rebuild.... good luck with that on other brands...
Ya, they have *plastic* perches but that is for a reason... they engineered the perches out of a special and very durable material so that you wouldnt seize them after a winter season.
They are low maintenance and everything is thought out for the user.
For a DD or weekend car you really cant do better.

 

I know it's your opinion, but triple adjustability is absolutely unnecessary, especially when he said it's a DD. $3k Ohlins are single adjustable FYI. I can't even recommend any coilovers for a DD it's not worth the cost and anything economically feasible is junk.


This thread comes up every single day. "I DD my car, what coilovers should I get?" The answer is always the same: Bilstein struts with good springs like Swift

 

To the OP-

Between skunk and KW, KW would be the hands down favorite likely in this thread/forum. My thoughts and experience with mutliple shocks and coilovers both evo specific and non-evo specific would lend me to do either the PSS9's (under $2k) which are very comfortable coilovers, and are less than the KW's (right around $2k), or the AST 4100's $1950 shipped), which are less than both with custom rate springs and valving to match. Both the PSS9's and AST's will be a quality shock in the dampening and would be a comfortable ride day to day, and quite track friendly. That is my suggestion after owning KWs, Ohlins, Bilsteins, and others...

 

[quote=delongedoug;8465945]I know it's your opinion, but triple adjustability is absolutely unnecessary, especially when he said it's a DD. $3k Ohlins are single adjustable FYI. I can't even recommend any coilovers for a DD it's not worth the cost and anything economically feasible is junk.
You know, this is a bit of a good point. I suppose it comes down to the question of what type of DD? There are serious DD'ers out there that would go for something as good as a KW3 (or comparable $2K-$3K set). Then there are less serious for which a $1K set of 2-way adjustables would be great. So what are the goals of this driver - in addition to DD, 1-3/year for track days. But still, what are the goals? Just have something that is lower, a bit stiffer, and good quality? Or is the person interested in doing/learning suspension work, tuning, etc. If not, there are some good 2-way adjustables out there in the $1K range. In fact, I wouldn't want to go for a 3-way (coilover, that is) unless you are willing to do the work on stiffening jounce while maintaining compliance, decreasing rebound without inducing any pitch coupling, etc., etc.