KW V2 impressions and settings

[teahead]

After riding and driving the wife's car w/the KW drop and Eibach sways, I must say the mods were DEFINITELY worth the expense.

The shocks/struts were set 1/2 turn softer than what KW recommended.

The ride is definitely more compliant. The bumps seems not as harsh and constant bouncing around is gone.

As far as handling, I can now take corners where I once got nervous taking at 40-50; I can now take them at 50-60 w/o worry whatsoever. The rear end seems so much more planted. I'm sure it's a combination of dropping it a full inch in the back and the big ole 22mm Eibach sway bar.

Sorry, don't have a pic yet of it dropped, but daylight ran out after washing the crud off of her.

KWs are so damn expensive though. Would be nice to see other manufacturers step up for a coilover/adjustable height solution. Especially if they had (like the KW V3s) adjustable compression.

[artichoke]

Originally Posted by Trojan

Very stylish interior mod, Trojan! The black goes perfectly with the gray and the ostrich texture fits right in.

The wood accent showing above is the right color too. I'd like to see how you did the wood too if you don't mind.

[artichoke]

Originally Posted by teahead

After riding and driving the wife's car w/the KW drop and Eibach sways, I must say the mods were DEFINITELY worth the expense.

The shocks/struts were set 1/2 turn softer than what KW recommended.

The ride is definitely more compliant. The bumps seems not as harsh and constant bouncing around is gone.

As far as handling, I can now take corners where I once got nervous taking at 40-50; I can now take them at 50-60 w/o worry whatsoever. The rear end seems so much more planted. I'm sure it's a combination of dropping it a full inch in the back and the big ole 22mm Eibach sway bar.

Sorry, don't have a pic yet of it dropped, but daylight ran out after washing the crud off of her.

KWs are so damn expensive though. Would be nice to see other manufacturers step up for a coilover/adjustable height solution. Especially if they had (like the KW V3s) adjustable compression.

Fantastic, sounds like just the ticket. I was looking for max adjustability too but it seems the KW V2's are the only game in town these days. I'm gonna ride in chasb's car once he gets the V2's installed.

Tein says they're working on adjustable shocks for the LX but won't even give an estimated completion date or any other details.

The only concern I have about thicker swaybars is that the suspension's "independence" is somewhat reduced although that doesn't seem to bother you, Meister or anyone else who has installed swaybars. Do you sense a reduction in the independence of the wheels?

[chasb]

Originally Posted by artichoke

Fantastic, sounds like just the ticket. I was looking for max adjustability too but it seems the KW V2's are the only game in town these days. I'm gonna ride in chasb's car once he gets the V2's installed.

Tein says they're working on adjustable shocks for the LX but won't even give an estimated completion date or any other details.

The only concern I have about thicker swaybars is that the suspension's "independence" is somewhat reduced although that doesn't seem to bother you, Meister or anyone else who has installed swaybars. Do you sense a reduction in the independence of the wheels?

I'll be away next weekend, so I'll probably have them done when I return, at which point I'll PM you and we can give it the test. By then I will also have flashed the car with the superchips flashpaq.

Chas

[Meister]

Originally Posted by artichoke

...The only concern I have about thicker swaybars is that the suspension's "independence" is somewhat reduced although that doesn't seem to bother you, Meister or anyone else who has installed swaybars...

"Stiffness", not thickness, is the desired quality here, arti'.

The Hotchkis bars, being hollow, are both much lighter (good) and much stiffer (good) than the stock sway bars.

I find them to be a superb compliment to the Variant 2 KWs.

[artichoke]

Originally Posted by chasb

I'll be away next weekend, so I'll probably have them done when I return, at which point I'll PM you and we can give it the test. By then I will also have flashed the car with the superchips flashpaq.

Chas

Cool, let me know ...

[artichoke]

Originally Posted by Meister

"Stiffness", not thickness, is the desired quality here, arti'.

The Hotchkis bars, being hollow, are both much lighter (good) and much stiffer (good) than the stock sway bars.

I find them to be a superb compliment to the Variant 2 KWs.

Um yeah I knew that but aren't the Hotchkis also thicker? The stiffness would be determined mainly by diameter and the material, I think. Whether the inside is empty or solid would be of secondary importance.

Eibach and Hotchkis swaybars are both hollow. Eibach are painted bright red as I remember. Eibach is thicker in the rear and thinner in the front than Hotchkis, so I am assuming that they are stiffer in the rear and less stiff in the front than Hotchkis, in the absence of actual stiffness data on each.

Lighter of course is better, but this is only partially unsprung weight and it doesn't rotate, so it's not too critical.

[TriSum]

Excuse my ignorance, I'm not a suspension guy. What is the purpose of the smaller spring if it is completely compressed. I understand the dynamics of spring rate vs. coil thickness and the wind rate, therefore this spring being softer to make for a better ride, but having it totally collasped is the same as a solid spacer.
Do I possibly have the wrong lower spring ??

Thanks

[artichoke]

Originally Posted by TriSum

Excuse my ignorance, I'm not a suspension guy. What is the purpose of the smaller spring if it is completely compressed. I understand the dynamics of spring rate vs. coil thickness and the wind rate, therefore this spring being softer to make for a better ride, but having it totally collasped is the same as a solid spacer.
Do I possibly have the wrong lower spring ??

Thanks

I don't have the KWs myself but as I understand the V2's have separate controls for bounce and rebound. I guess the currently compressed spring is for when you go over a pothole and the wheel drops, then it will be un-compressed. The rate at which it un-compresses helps control the wheel's rebound. (The other spring could also be un-compressing.) So it has an effect on rebound.

[Meister]

Originally Posted by artichoke

I don't have the KWs myself but as I understand the V2's have separate controls for bounce and rebound...

Not so. V2s only dampener setting is for rebound. KW Variant 3s, not available for the LX series of cars, have both rebound and compression dampening adjustments.

EDIT: Non-applicable comments removed.