I really want a nice coilover setup but I'm very lazy. I've never adjusted my JIC, they are setup for autox/ track days and it stays that way. I like the Tein Flex's because I can adjust them with the push of a button from inside the car. Having said that, I do want a nice ride and the KW V3's seem like the way to go. They do not come with camber plates so that is an added expense. Rears would get the Cusco plates while I'm still open to the fronts. The PDEv2 plates look like they provide a nice range of adjustment choices as do the new Whiteline Max-C plates. My question is this, what all is involved with adjusting the KW's? Can I set the pressure (bottom) and forget it then tweek the rebound (top) based on daily/ track duty? With more options comes more confusion for me. Break it down for me. I did find these charts so who wants to decypher them? Rebound adjustment Variant 2+3 Rebound adjustment, with the exception of specified vehicles, can be performed with the kit installed via an adjustment spindle on the end of the piston rod. The rebound damping primarily, controls pitch and roll of the vehicle, especially in the low speed damping range which directly influences handling and comfort. Therefore vehicle can be adjusted to the needs of the driver, making the ride variable from comfortable to sporty and stiff, both with improved road handling. Pressure adjustment Variant 3 The compression characteristics are adjusted utilizing a new, patented valve at the lower end of the damper casing. The number of pre-installable parameters available for this valve allow for settings for just about any application required. The unique low-speed pressure adjustment is the decisive feature of this technology. In this absorption area the handling of the vehicle is greatly infl uenced. An increase in the damping force supports the vehicle even during compression, thereby preventing pitch, roll and notably improving cornering behavior. In association with independent adjustable rebound absorption the experienced driver has all the parameters required for effective suspension tuning. Also, can I use the PDE v2 plates with the KW V3/ Tarmac II Coilovers? Thanks for looking!
Yes...very easy to adjust, it should take you a total of one track day to dial them in. Ill be happy to help you if you need it. You can run the PDEs thats what we run on my car.
Pretty much any front or rear top plate/mount that will work on a stock strut shaft (Group N, PDE, RCE, Cusco, etc) will work on the KW's. The D2/JIC/Tein/etc plates will require modification. They are easy to adjust. Dial in will need to just suit your needs base on tires, their pressures, how you drive, what track, what conditions....etc etc. However, you can get them really close so that small adjustments will be all thats needed to most conditions.
Lets see if we can get a discount and buy 2 sets Trey Given the recent admittance by RCE that their yellow springs are subject to coil bind (amongst some of the other major mfgs), I am reluctant to throw more money at their company. Ive been thoroughly dissastified with these springs in every setting Ive taken them on and I have decided that I will be going back to coilovers, period. There is no doubt in my mind about that. Ive been mulling it over and reading and Ive arrived practically at the same decision you have Trey. The RCEs, as far as I understand it, are KW3s;however, they have been revalved (iirc), and feature linear springs front/rear with improved spring rates. Ive ridden in Matts car a couple of times around TGP and I was thoroughly impressed. We discussed daily drivability, etc, and we both concluded based on his experience (he owned kw3s before) and my forum readings (I know, I know...) that the kw3s are certinaly more geared for someone that does most of the driving on the street and occasional autox/track, and the RCEs are for the more "spirited" and "jdm" driver. With that said, RCE is offering to replace all springs (fronts only I think) purchased prior to july 2007. I may send all 4 back and ask for credit and peace of mind with some T2s...
Thanks guys. I talked to someone at RCE and he said he wasn't sure if the PDE plates fit, then tried to sell me the whitelines. I fig'd he was just be a salesman. Alex, I'd def try to get a credit for all the trouble you've been through. Also, Don't you already have the PDE v1 plates?
Someone take a stab at the charts and tell me which click is stiff and which one is soft? The way I read it, 0 clicks is soft and 12 clicks is stiff (2nd chart - rebound). Is that right? I'm not sure how to read the first chart tho.
1st chart is rebound only....2nd is bound (bump/compression/however you want to call it). Looks like the rebound is a standard linear setup, very simple. The bound is certainly different from what I've seen....so I cant help you there.
Im reading up on this currently -- http://www.circletrack.com/techarticles/shock_absorber_shock_dyno/
Start reading about digresive valving etc... If you read to much about shocks you will come to realize that anything under 10k is crap...do youre self a favor....stop reading and buy the KWs or the soft RCEs
w00t!1 Just snagged a set of PDEv2 plates off NASIOC. Thanks for the heads up Will! I had to go through the body shop for the struts so hopefully they will be here soon....
Well I had planned on getting the TarmacIIs but they said they were 6-8 weeks on back order. I need to get my car back on the road. I might just have to drive it as is and finish it when the parts come in.
okay, not to threadjack, but i'm looking to do the KW/PDE setup too, but the KW's won't be until much later this year. I would like to know where to get the PDE plates (silver preferably)
I have a set (PDEv2) on the way (used/ new) that will probably be for sale. I paid $260 for them, the guy never installed them and it looks like I won't be able to use them either. Get back to me in a week.
Looks like I'll probably get the new Mono Flex's with the new EDFC. I didn't think these could be controlled by the EDFC but they can = yeah! They might ride a lil more harsh vs the RCE T2's but coming from my JIC setup, it can't be that much of a difference, plus I can make them soft with the press of a button. w00t!
Lol, Ive been told the edfc is more of a pain than a pleasure. Tein makes some great stuff though (substantially quicker valving than the JICs thats for sure). I am still looking at the KWs I think though
anyone know where the adjustment knobs are on the rear coilovers? I am looking for someothing that is adjusted on the bottom to clear X-brace
For what coilovers? KW or the new Tein Mono Flexs? The Mono Flex's have a huge nut that is over the knurled hex nut. Just turn that for adjustment. For the KWs there is an adjustment at the top and bottom. They are pictured on page one of this thread.