|
Anyone with KW V3 struts/shocks?
KW makes a replacement struct w/ adjustable shocks for our cars but I can't find any review or user experience from anywhere. A search using the word "kw" came back lots of posts but nothing on the V3 shocks. I'm looking for new struts as I sent mine off to a shop for raising of the spindle, then never heard back from them so chances are I'm out of a pair of struts and may as well see what other aftermarket struts are out there.
They look good too https://www.kwsuspensions.com/media/...001_640_56.jpg |
I have them and they are awesome. They have versions with the spindles raised 19mm, which is worth having IMO. They are a very tight fit for 15" Fuchs but doable.
The Pelican Forum search is horrible. Plain and simple. Use google, by putting this in the google search field: site:forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/ kw v3 It will do wonders. |
Quote:
I'm sure they tighten up the handling for sporty or track use, but do they also ride better in soft settings than OEM or Bilstein B6's? |
They are amazing. The adjustment range is way beyond what anyone could use. From super plush softer than Boge to teeth buzzing stiff. Even if you had the stiffest torsion bars, you'd still set them in the middle. They are noticeably shorter and combined with the raised spindle option you could lower the car way below Euro height and you'd still not hit the bump stops. If you combine them with the Rebel Racing RSR bushings, even if you install stiffer torsion bars such as 23/31s or 24/33s, the car will ride even smoother and more comfortable on the street than a stock suspension because of the elimination of the factory bushing friction, and the digressive valves and two way adjustability, you can match any spring rate and set to ride as you want.
You can spend a bunch of money on Bilsteins raising spindles, shortening them, custom valving, and you'd still not have what the KWs offer you. I like them so much I'd sell the modified Bilstein set on my other car to replace them. Anyways you can see them on my '86 if you're going to be running the POC San Pedro autocross tomorrow. And regarding Rebel Racing, don't worry. Clint is slow because his parts and services are in demand more than he should handle but he will deliver. |
I also run a set of V3's on my SC and have had KW suspension on 3 different BMW's. They ride a lot better than stock valved Bilsteins.
There are some people that question the strength of the shafts, they are not an upside down design as the Bilsteins, but if you want upside down design there is also the Clubsport version. Not cheap but they come with camberplates, are available with or without coilsprings, and raised spindles are also available. Another downside might be the adjustability, best to let someone experienced set them up or keep track of the amount of "clicks" you adjust so you can revert back to standard settings if you need to. |
I have them on my '87 491 coupe, in conjunction with new rubber bushings and Eibach Anti-roll-kit. They are amazing!
I agree with everything that Steve Wong says above. Without question, I'd install them again. Raised spindle, double adjustable, digressively valved KW V3s, Eibach anti-roll kit, Elephant rubber bushings, ERP 935 spherical tie rod ends, etc, all assembled and dialed-in by Jae Lee. Taut and confidence inspiring, yet compliant enough (with compression and rebound both set about 1/3 of the way up from full "soft") so as not to offend. It's magical. Impressive, considering the 50+ year old suspension design... http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1596990497.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1592578348.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1592578348.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1592578348.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1592576094.jpg Jae Lee / Mirage did a similar setup on my '88 491 cab, but with Bilstein B6 all around. That system is also very good and although it's a bit apples / oranges (different vehicle with a different purpose), I assure you that the KW setup is not only a different ballgame, but a different sport altogether. Any G body I build going forward will have KW V3s. I've spent time talking to the guys at Makellos Classics and they are huge fans too. |
Question to Steve W and all suspension gurus:
What gives the best overall handling (road and track)? With the KW V3's nearly unlimited adjustability, and limited (if any) adjustability on the torsion bars, and with adjustable sway bars, would a soft torsion bar set up give the best handling? Softer suspension absorbs bumps better, making better tire contact and less upset movement of the car. Will a soft suspension set up in combination with a stiffer shocks and sway bar settings, be a smart move? Would a stiffer shock and sway bar set up compensate for the softer torsion bar set up on track and aggressive driving? What is the ideal correlation between spring rates (torsion bars or coil overs) and the shocks compression and rebound rates? And for limiting body roll, what would the best set up be, spring rates or sway bars? My point here is that the spring rates (stiffness) on T-bars and coil springs are typically not adjustable, and shocks and sway bars are. Anyone...??? |
Quote:
|
Bringing up an older post. Can these be installed on pre '74 cars? I'm not 100% sure what the differences are on the F Body cars versus the G Body's suspension wise.
Thank you |
Quote:
|
They work on any torsion bar 911.
I'd def. recommend going for the 19mm raised version, but be aware they will be a tight fit with 15" wheels. Totally worth it. Even with the 19mm raised spindles I had to use 42mm of shims on my bumpsteer adjustment: Quote:
|
Thanks guys. Have them on my ‘90 and figure why not on my ‘73.
|
So with a bit of modifications, you can use the G-body version KW V3 with 19mm raised spindles on an F-body 911 w/ 15” wheels?
On their website I didn’t see a KW V3 for F-body with raised spindles. |
Quote:
|
Thanks CBA, This is on my wish list for my 70 911.
|
Quote:
In my opinion 90% of 911s out there are running on the bumpstops and raising the spindles can help gain much needed suspension travel. I was really surprised by how much correction the bumpsteer needed on the car, see the long winded post above). The combination of the KWs, raised spindles, and bumpsteer correction, mean the car is an absolute pleasure to drive. Like it was meant to be! |
Further to above, from page 40 of the Project Heavy Metal build thread. I removed the hard plastic spacer above the bumpstop to gain even more travel out of the KW's (greater than the stock Bilsteins to begin with, but now 15mm more, plus the lowered spindles).
Quote:
|
As you can see the car sits relatively low but even at this altitude it has plenty of suspension travel. Our roads are not great, it doesn't care.
Quote:
|
Also from the thread - when the car was set too low:
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Big fan of KW, however far bigger fan of MCS. Check out their products for this application. A step above and beyond.
Also, with the level of shear load shown in the pics obtaining bump steer correction I would consider gusseting that load to the arm.... Cheers |
[QUOTE=Jeff Alton;11630148]Big fan of KW, however far bigger fan of MCS. Check out their products for this application. A step above and beyond.
Also, with the level of shear load shown in the pics obtaining bump steer correction I would consider gusseting that load to the arm.... Cheers[/QUOTE Just checked those out and looks like a sweet setup…. looks like about 2x’s the price of KW’s. Does that sound about right? |
For those that are more visual, here is a link to a chart I put together comparing the stock struts, Elephant's modified struts and the KW's:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1081446-balancing-torsion-bars-front-rear.html#post11151989 |
I just ordered a set of KWs. My car has 19/26 torsion bars and weighs ca 1,000kg. Any thoughts on good starting points for the shocks for spirited canyon driving (in terms of “clicks”)? Rather it is on the softer side to start with
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
I actually didn't know there was any other kind! |
Do i need bump steer kit when fitting these ?
Thx |
Dieter, it depends on what ride height you want. If you plan to lower the front of the car, order struts with raised spindles for the amount of drop you want, then you won't need to mess with bump steer correction. The most popular spindle raise is 3/4"/19mm. You can still run 15" wheels, but 16" will give more clearance to the brakes and ball joint.
|
GREAT reading regarding bump steer (the phenomenon and process to address it, not just the rack or tie-rod end spacers)...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1116600-19mm-raised-front-spindles-adjustable-bump-steer-no.html There's A LOT to process / digest in there. When the right hardware is combined with the right bump steer procedure / corner balance / alignment, the results can be really compelling. My Gemini Blue '87, w/ raised spindle KWV3s, that has been bump steered, corner balanced and performance aligned is at another level in comparison to my other cars. My newly acquired GP White '87 has fresh bushings and Bilstein HDs (green) and drives pretty nicely, but I am very much looking forward to how much better it will drive after bump steer procedure + corner balance + alignment. Should be a reasonably good A/B test vs. KWs too. |
I have the 19mm raised spindle version and on my car which I think is about 3/4" or so lower than 'euro ride height' I did bump steer measurements and adjustment and came to the exact same number of shims as Jonny at 42mm with a Rebel racing bump steer kit. But I did this by spacing the steering rack up about 11mm, and used 31mm of shims at the tie rod end. But note that this 31mm is measured with using a spherical rod end as you see with the bump steer kits, and is not the same height as the factory tie rod end which is tapered threaded rod end is longer/taller than a spherical end by I'm guessing about 15mm. So going with the same setup as above, and just adding rack spacers, and not changing the tie rod ends to a bump steer kit, you'd only be maybe about 15 more mm from a zero bump steer curve.
|
I've recently purchased a set of KW shocks with the 19mm raised spindles.
Note that the shock bodies now have a tough black epoxy coating as opposed to the previous yellow zinc plating. A couple of questions regarding the front struts for those that have also fitted them recently: 1) Should I keep the top 10mm spacer above the bump stop or remove it? I wasn't sure if this spacer was primarily for the North American market. 2) The hub mounting spindle currently has a black electroplated finish. Does this need to be removed back to bare metal or can I go ahead and mount the hub/bearing assembly without any further action? http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1712253967.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1712253967.jpg |
Online someone states you still need a bump steer kit even with the dropped spindels ?
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Grasshoppers, there's another way to do this. Figure out what 'throw' you need for the shock. Source it. I've got externally adjustable Koni's. Shop was supposed to get me a part # when it was in but didn't. Here's the key, you have to shim inside the strut for the shorter throw shock. My SWB is 24" ground to fender lip in the front.
|
Quote:
I wonder if KW is aware of this, and why they have not incorporated a parallel lower support so the tie rod bolt is in double shear, similar to what Elephant is doing with the Bilstein struts? Would be very cheap to https://www.elephantracing.com/wp-co...ngle-large.jpg At least with the new black version of the struts you could add one yourself and then paint repaint them in black, easier than it was with the gold zinc plating. Quote:
Cheers, Lukas |
Hi Jonny042. Currently in the process of acquiring a KW V3 for my 911 3.2 on 7/8 15 inch Fuchs as well. Would love to fit the raised spindles strut on my car. Would you mind sharing any details how you were able to use a grinder to make the strut fit with the 15 inch? Thanks and best, Dennis
|
Let me repost a question I put on a parallel thread:
For anyone who has tried this or knows: If one starts with a stock strut and raises the spindle 19mm, can you bend the steering arm down 19mm to correct the bump steer? It seems to me that should work, and avoid the necessity of adding the lower brackets and Heim joints. |
Which torsion bars are you guys running with the KW V3?
|
Quote:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1755304373.jpg |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:39 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2025 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website