hello,
My name is Nicole I drive a 2008 Subaru WRX. I have been into cars for as long as I remember.
When I got the chance I purchased my WRX last year and been saving up for some modifications.
This is my daily driver and do plan to road race my car, so there are some things I need address for better handling.
I would like to go over my newly purchased KW Variant 3 coilovers and show everyone an install with some before and after photos I will be doing myself.
My goals for my car is to have an aggressive look with some power to back it up and to show everyone that girls can install parts and have a great looking car just as the guys do it.
My future plans for my car at the moment are upgrading the brake rotors and brake pads, wheels, tires, down pipe, headers, up pipe with an external waste gate, front lip, and a carbon STI wing

My current mods are:
- CNT 3inch single tip cat back exhaust
- COBB Access Port V3 (with a stage 1 tune) for the moment.
- COBB intake
Thank you for your time and enjoy the install on my new KW coilovers.

 

KW coilovers


OEM front
OEM rear

Put car on jack stands

Front wheel removal use 19MM socket

Front strut bolt removal. There are 2 bolts that need to be removed that holds the strut to the hub. Use 19mm socket.

Next you have to remove the brake line and ABS sensor that is mounted to the factory strut.
There are 3 12MM nuts that have to be removed to drop the strut out.

 

Once drop you can celebrate a little

Now I removed the factory OEM mount. I used a spring compressor then impacted the factory nut off. KW supplies a new nut so you do not have to use the OEM nut.


I did see a factory spacer that looks like the bearing spins on after I removed the factory mount. So you will have to remember to use this.

Now time to install the factory mount. I used a pass through wrench. It holds the piston rod in place so you can tighten the nut on without the piston rod spinning. Think of it as a socket that in a socket.

KW front strut install. I installed the front strut really easy since the KW strut is a lot littler then the OEM strut.

Install the factory 19mm bolts on the hub and reconnect the brake line and ABS senor to the KW strut using a 12mm socket. There is a camber bolt. Remember this goes on the top hole on the strut to hub.

 

I noticed that KW has a specific ride height range. I went off their “A” measurement since I wanted to install it and adjust the height with the wheels off the car. I set the front to 140mm which is about 5.5 inches from the center mounting point to top of the adjusting perch where the spring seats.


Set screw. I noticed KW states to tighten to 2NM. I didn’t know what that meant so I called them and spoke with Adam. He told me that to tighten it till I feel it touch the threads and stop anything more will strip it out.2nm = to .4 FTQ from what he said. I also asked why there only 1 spanner wrench and Adam stated there tool kit has been universal box and depending on what kit and what time frame KW had different perch sizes. All of their kits now only have an 80mm spanner wrench.


Now install back on the front wheels and the front end is DONE!

Moving onto the rears. I had to take out my trunk liner to get access to my 2 upper bolts that hold the mount to the car.


Remove the rear wheels. Use a 19mm socket

Remove the 17mm nut and bolt that holds the rear shock to the control arm.

I’m really short so it was hard to get to the bolts inside the trunk but I managed to get the job done.

 

Very nice and welcome!!

 

Once I got the 2 bolts out I pulled out the rear struts.


Once again I had to use the spring compressor and impact to take off the factory nut.

Now reinstall the factory mount.

Install the KW rear strut back into the car. I had a little trouble getting the mount it but finally got it to go through. Install the nuts on top and reinstall the 17mm bold and nut to secure the shock to the control arm.

I did set the rear coilover “A” measurement to 125mm which is about 5 inches on KW range.
Took me about 3 hours to do the install. I never done coilover before a so it was not too bad.
Check out all the grease of a great install.

Now install and tq all the wheels down and see how she looks. It was a bit dark once I was done so I took some photos the next day when it was light out.
Before and after. I still might need to down a little lower in the rear.

 

The end result

Before and after install impressions.
OEM shocks felt OK kind of sporty but a lot of body roll and was a little bouncy. I can tell how much it leans going into corners.
KW coilovers were a night and day difference in control and body roll. I did leave the KW factory vaIve setting in the shocks. Have read they rode good but they ride great. I thought being lower would be an uncomfortable ride and I can tell you NO WAY. It rides better than stock and the shocks work great. I do not have that bouncy feeling anymore while driving on the road or going over dips and bumps along the freeway and street driving. I cannot wait to take them and see how they do on a road race track. I would suggest KWs to everyone on here best coilovers out there hands down. I hope you guys/gals enjoyed my write up and I should be having a few more installs coming up soon.

 

thank you. i love my car way more now.

 

Awesome! Welcome.

 

Welcome to i-club!

 

Welcome

 

Very impressive!

 

Welcome to i-club! Nice little write up on the install.

 

Looks like you did a good job. Enjoy the KW suspension!

 

Nice. I probably wouldn't be able to do that.