Input on KW Coilovers

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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 04:16 PM
  #1  
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Car Info: '11 GV WRX, '12 Chevy Tahoe LTZ, '19 Kawi Z400
Input on KW Coilovers

Heya I-clubbers. I've been debating on coils for some time now. BCs vs Stance super sports vs KWs - v3s. I just saw that RSD started selling the KW V1S FOR THE 2008-13s.

I have a 2011 wrx sedan and on a bit of a budget (meaning I can't get the cusco or Ohlins I crave)

Just looking on other's thoughts and experiences with either of the above mentioned. My cars is primarily a DD with occasional AutoX.

Thanks,
- d3rock

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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 04:35 PM
  #2  
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I've heard great things about KW's, but no personal experience.
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 04:41 PM
  #3  
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Not sure about 08+ but the KWs for the 02-07s come with a rear progressive spring which most people don't like because it can be too soft. But you can always swap to a linear spring for a consistent spring rate

Bc coilovers get a bad rap from performance orientated drivers because they don't offer enough travel, dampening isn't the best, and are a lot stiffer more than a kw coilover...

Bc and the like are more for budget height adjustability than actual performance, but you can still track and auto-x them if you like

I've driven about 70k on my bcs and they are basically dead and ill agree that they don't offer enough travel (the inside rear wheel will lift and skip on fast tight turns)

I'm looking towards getting kw or suspension technique coilover which are the same as kw, but with a different shock body, and a lot cheaper...I'm going to order them with a linear rear spring swapped for the progressive rear it comes with
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 04:52 PM
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I got kw v3's. Even with the progressive spring I don't mind it at all. Ive put around 40k on em and they've gone through everything with no problem. I think they're the perfect dd/weekend car coils.
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 05:57 PM
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I've driven a few Evos with KW V3s for autox and on the street. I have nothing but good things to say about the KWs.
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 09:49 PM
  #6  
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Thanks for sharing! I really appreciate the feedback and suggestions!

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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 10:20 PM
  #7  
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I had them on my 08 wrx for a couple months and I loved them, they only saw one HPDE until I decided to ditch my track setup and just keep it a daily. And I am am getting in a set of KW V3s for my ISF on monday! Definitely worth the extra cash in my opinion!
Old Mar 30, 2013 | 12:37 AM
  #8  
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I had KWv3's on my Bugeye, out of all the springs/strut set-ups (AGX, D-Spec, Prodrive, Swift, Cusco 02r, etc.) these were still the most comfortable on the street, and they handled amazing on the track. Also took the imperfections on the road better than any of the previous set-ups. Mind you I didn't slam my car, it was tastefully lowered for looks and performance. KW's are worth the money if you can afford them. I think the European valving has always had a better DD feel than anything else I've ever had.

Choose wisely, it'll save you money in the end.
Old Mar 30, 2013 | 03:26 AM
  #9  
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Get RCE Tarmacs. Great for street and track use. They are revalved KWs.
Old Mar 30, 2013 | 05:48 AM
  #10  
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BC and Stance are, like said before, mostly for looks. I mean would you market a quality coilover for racing with the word "Stance"?

I have KWv3's in my GC8 and have them adjusted for comfortable street use and they are a VERY smooth ride for a coilover. They have to be with my 9month old sitting in the back . When I go and have some fun I turn them up a bit but its nothing to violent.

Definitely worth the money over the BC and Stance if your looking for more than just looks.
Old Mar 30, 2013 | 08:48 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by Heedz
Get RCE Tarmacs. Great for street and track use. They are revalved KWs.
+ 1 I have a set of RCE tarmac 2s waiting to go on my car
Old Mar 30, 2013 | 10:10 AM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by flat489
+ 1 I have a set of RCE tarmac 2s waiting to go on my car
+2

I LOVE my Tarmac II's!
Old Mar 30, 2013 | 10:18 AM
  #13  
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BC BRs and Stances are intended for aesthetics only. They were not built for function and this perform and ride poorly. Avid auto-xers who tried BCs have notably had their fail before 1st season was completed. KWs are far more useful for the actually purpose that coilovers serve.

Unless you're racing frequently and on a competitive basis, coilovers may be a poor investment. Can you outdrive a regular spring setup yet? 90% of Subaru enthusiasts can't.
Old Mar 30, 2013 | 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by flat489
+ 1 I have a set of RCE tarmac 2s waiting to go on my car
Originally Posted by vaj
+2

I LOVE my Tarmac II's!
+3

I wouldn't get any other suspension for my car.
Old Mar 30, 2013 | 04:21 PM
  #15  
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+4

I have 9k/9k tarmac 1's w/ vorshlag camber plates, and they rock. The only thing I would upgrade to are AST 4100's.

I've tried:
7k/7k RCE tarmac 1's w/ spec.b tophats | with camber plates
BC BR 6k/8k
Bilstein struts w/ pink spring | Rallitek springs | RSR springs | swift springs



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