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Does anyone run KW V1's?

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Old 02-18-2009 | 05:26 PM
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Default Does anyone run KW V1's?

It seems like everyone has V2's or V3's. Honestly, I don't think I'd know what do with all the adjustments to get my car around the track faster. I have a hell of a lot to learn just about driving, let alone setup.

For the cost savings, and the fact that I probably won't adjust anything but ride height, I am considering V1's.

If you have them, what are your thoughts? Did you go from stock or from another type of coil over? Do you wish you bought somthing else, or have the V1's been good to you? Do you do auto-x, track, just street driving? Any input on V1's would be appreciated.
Old 02-19-2009 | 07:26 AM
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+1

I'm in the same boat
Old 02-19-2009 | 07:35 AM
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i do. love them. i have the rebranded ones that are sold as eibach, but they are the same.

at this point i am not a hardcore track junkie, so this setup suits my needs very well. combined with ebaich swaybars, i think my car is very balanced .

on the street , they are simply amazing. huge improvement over stock and just a spring kit without jerkiness and harshness.
Old 02-19-2009 | 03:16 PM
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anybody else?
Old 02-19-2009 | 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Tac-M
i do. love them. i have the rebranded ones that are sold as eibach, but they are the same.

at this point i am not a hardcore track junkie, so this setup suits my needs very well. combined with ebaich swaybars, i think my car is very balanced .

on the street , they are simply amazing. huge improvement over stock and just a spring kit without jerkiness and harshness.
Do you have any pics of your car with this setup? Im also looking at the Eibach/KWs
Old 02-19-2009 | 07:22 PM
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they are coil overs... so what would be the point of the pics?

Old 02-19-2009 | 09:16 PM
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I would still recommend the V2's over the V1s. The rebound-adjustable V2s give you a lot more tuning room to be able to make changes to your car. V3's with separate compression and rebound is a much bigger step up in terms of tuning than from V1 to V2.

For the price increase, I would still recommend the V2 over the V1. You could always contact someone who runs the KW's for setup advise.

One of the shops I drive for - FX Motorsports Development is a KW sponsored team and can give you many recommendations in street/track damping setups. PM me or e-mail if you have any further questions about what would be the best option for your needs.

Billy
Billj747@hotmail.com
Old 02-20-2009 | 12:01 AM
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Originally Posted by mikedbz
It seems like everyone has V2's or V3's. Honestly, I don't think I'd know what do with all the adjustments to get my car around the track faster. I have a hell of a lot to learn just about driving, let alone setup.

For the cost savings, and the fact that I probably won't adjust anything but ride height, I am considering V1's.

If you have them, what are your thoughts? Did you go from stock or from another type of coil over? Do you wish you bought somthing else, or have the V1's been good to you? Do you do auto-x, track, just street driving? Any input on V1's would be appreciated.
Given that the Variant 2's I ran on the shock dyno had issues when pushed past 1/2 stiffness, to the point where the rears would likely have issues with oil life because of shearing, I do not see the point in paying for something you don't think you'll use. And just to say it, I highly doubt Kw's preset damping levels on the Variant1 equal's variant 2 levels of 1/2 or higher.

Furthermore, so you can be more informed.

KW coilovers Variant's 1,2&3
twintube construction,
V1=non adjustable dampning,
V2=adjustable damping,
V3=separate adjustability for compression damping AND rebound damping.
Spring rates Front 485lbs to 525Lbs Rear: 240Lbs to 548Lbs (progressive springs)
Side note: Covering a wide range, these three products offer up german engineering (made by Koni for Kw), yet their use of twin tube construction is a compromise other competitive products don't do. All three version's use a progressive rear spring with a wide rate spread, which will compromise aggressive and track driving.

Eibach Pro street S coilovers
Drop range on 350Z 0.8 to 1.6" front same for the rear.
As per Eibach they are relabled KW variant 1 coilovers, springs are a different color simply because Eibach has them refinished red vs yellow.
Old 02-20-2009 | 07:33 AM
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we've used the V1 - excellent street level unit, works well even for guys who are doing an HPDE here and there. Non adjustable dampening in reality for most, as most of us who have adjustable dampening find a setup and leave it alone. These come preset from KW to give a comfortable ride, but firmer and better planted than stock, with the advantage of having height adjustment
Old 02-20-2009 | 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Gsedan35
Given that the Variant 2's I ran on the shock dyno had issues when pushed past 1/2 stiffness, to the point where the rears would likely have issues with oil life because of shearing, I do not see the point in paying for something you don't think you'll use. And just to say it, I highly doubt Kw's preset damping levels on the Variant1 equal's variant 2 levels of 1/2 or higher.
have you dyno'd the v3?
Old 02-20-2009 | 06:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Tac-M
they are coil overs... so what would be the point of the pics?

Um, to see the drop. People post up pics of their cars before/after they get a drop all the time. Douche.
Old 02-20-2009 | 08:37 PM
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^they're height adjustable, so seeing his drop wouldn't mean anything. Douche.
Old 02-20-2009 | 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by kinetikz
Um, to see the drop. People post up pics of their cars before/after they get a drop all the time. Douche.

there are literally thousands of pics of cars with heights ranging from stock to on the ground. Spend some time looking around, you'll find every conceivable picture you could ever imagine
Old 02-20-2009 | 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by warmmilk
have you dyno'd the v3?
No, not yet, though I have tried to get my hands on a set, IMO I don't see the V3 as escaping the V2's issues at higher settings. Would love to see if it dispences with the V2's linear compression damping for a digressive curve. As I've said in the past if a single front and rear V3 show's up at my door, I'll dyno them for free.
Old 02-21-2009 | 09:16 AM
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i thought that a linear curve was a good thing? (i no next to nothing about what to look for in a shock dyno, here to learn)
Old 02-22-2009 | 08:04 AM
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Originally Posted by warmmilk
i thought that a linear curve was a good thing? (i no next to nothing about what to look for in a shock dyno, here to learn)

From when SCC was doing well (and actually had useful info....coincidence?!?)

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/pr...t_5/index.html
Old 02-23-2009 | 08:01 AM
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ah, i c

i didn't know ground control made shocks though, i'm assuming they were outsourced to some shock manufacturer? most of the shocks they use/sell now are koni's...

Last edited by warmmilk; 02-23-2009 at 11:20 AM.
Old 02-23-2009 | 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Gsedan35
Given that the Variant 2's I ran on the shock dyno had issues when pushed past 1/2 stiffness, to the point where the rears would likely have issues with oil life because of shearing, I do not see the point in paying for something you don't think you'll use. And just to say it, I highly doubt Kw's preset damping levels on the Variant1 equal's variant 2 levels of 1/2 or higher.

Furthermore, so you can be more informed.

KW coilovers Variant's 1,2&3
twintube construction,
V1=non adjustable dampning,
V2=adjustable damping,
V3=separate adjustability for compression damping AND rebound damping.
Spring rates Front 485lbs to 525Lbs Rear: 240Lbs to 548Lbs (progressive springs)
Side note: Covering a wide range, these three products offer up german engineering (made by Koni for Kw), yet their use of twin tube construction is a compromise other competitive products don't do. All three version's use a progressive rear spring with a wide rate spread, which will compromise aggressive and track driving.

Eibach Pro street S coilovers
Drop range on 350Z 0.8 to 1.6" front same for the rear.
As per Eibach they are relabled KW variant 1 coilovers, springs are a different color simply because Eibach has them refinished red vs yellow.
Can you post the front and rear graphs please?
Old 02-23-2009 | 10:06 PM
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The shock dyno was done on my KW V2. Here's the graphs:

Front 1.5 turns (9 clicks) from full soft:


front hysteresis at 9 clicks:


front hysteresis at full stiff -1 click:


Rear at full soft:


Rear hysteresis at full stiff -1 click:


That's all the graphs i got from G35Sedan. And thanks for the data.

I'm running them 9clicks in front, 6clicks in rear from max soft right now. I gotta say it handles pretty good, but at this setting it is noticeably stiffer than stock. Too bad i only got to drive it for only 2-3 days after getting an alignment before my rear tire blew out from a screw... argh.

Last edited by zettahertz; 02-23-2009 at 10:10 PM.
Old 03-03-2009 | 10:38 AM
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Thanks for the graphs. I'm assuming the (-) force on the velocity graphs are rebound correct? I wonder if the shocks lose their progressive valving and become more digressive on higher shock settings. Then again, I've heard of some people using linear valving for progressive springs. Hmm.


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