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View Full Version : KW Coilover Owners - Post your Feedback!



Glen@KW
08-13-2003, 12:03 AM
As those of you that got in on the introductory deal have had your suspension installed for a few weeks, I wanted to start an official thread to see what your impressions, thought and driving experiences are with the KW product!

So post your pics, impressions and stories here!

Look forward to reading and seeing them all!
:D

silver ep
08-13-2003, 07:26 AM
So far(after 3 weeks with them) I'm pretty satisfied with these coilovers. I paid to have a shop install them so I really can't give any feedback as far as the install goes but I can give driving impressions. Im lowered all around with about a finger and a half gap, so I anticipated a fairly rough ride. However, the ride most of the time is smooth. I feel like the dampers aren't adjusted perfectly to how I want them yet. The front seems a little too rough and choppy over bumps and the rear seems a little too bouncy over bumps. These things really handle though, even with stock wheels and tires, I feel a huge difference. Virtually no body roll, now it just hugs the turns like its on rails. Overall Im very happy with these and with living in Ohio, I need stainless steel period, our winters would kill other coils. If you are considering these Id say go for it, smooth ride, stainless steel, adjustable ride height and dampers, and well built construction. On a side note, the shop that installed them were really impressed with the quality of these. Pics to come!

greenguy
08-13-2003, 07:27 AM
Absolutley amazing! This is my first car with coil-overs and wasnt sure what to expect. Well My ep handles so well that I find my limits before I find the cars limits ( which was so easy to find with stock suspension!)
I have played with the adjustable compression and I believe I have found the perfect setting for My driving (and pregnant Wifes comfort) style. I love the ease of ajdustability, just pop the hood or trunk and adjust away!.
I have noticed that the back and forth motion that I would get when I first installed the KW's has gone away ( could be wheel/tires) but I think its the adjustment to the compression that solved this.
I am very happy and have/would recomend this set up to anyone. Ease of install and adjustability make for a great buy for the first timer (Me!) or the experienced tuner.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid68/pa59e7eec650bc800a9511410ee1a45f7/fbc2c697.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid68/p99b6551d78f755120d075e2b728698fc/fbc2c689.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid72/pb2f8c9d3331c3b09a4565f05cf81ffd7/fb831e20.jpg

Please keep in mind that after I got my alignment I put on 17" wheels with Pirelli Pzero rubber:D

SIjealousy
08-13-2003, 06:34 PM
I've got my set sitting waiting to be installed. We're just working out a better upper spring seat to fit the strut bearing better. As soon as I have mine installed, I'll post a review. I've gone through a number of suspension variations so I'm excited to see how well these KW's perform.

chet
08-13-2003, 10:01 PM
Like Greenguy, this is my first set of adjustable coilovers. Hell, this is the first car I've done anything to besides wheels and stereo equipment. At first, I wasn't sure how I liked them. I am still learning how to adjust dampening properly and the ride was just a bit springy at first. But in the last week the ride has smoothed out, there isn't a real heavy rebound at all unless I'm pushing it and the road isn't the smoothest it could be. I've yet to adjust the height. The rears are exactly where I want them, and the fronts will be lowered a hair the next time I change my wheels out for autocross. My front end seems so much lighter. I purchased front brakes from Sherwin at BrakeZone and now with the V2's on, the front end is way more responsive. The alignment was the most important thing I've had done in the last week. I could tell the front end was pretty bad. But everything is sweet. I definitely dig them.

BTW Glen. . .THis is off the subject but is there a possibility of some pics of the Morettes on a black EP? I will look for one, but if you could post one in that thread--COOL.

Oh and one other thing Glen. . .If you remember the minor shipping mishap I had with the V2's going to my neihbor's pad, My name also got changed to CHER. I cracked up the other day when I saw it on the box. I hadn't noticed it until then. I will have to post a pic of that one!!

Glen@KW
08-14-2003, 01:48 PM
Thanks for the feeback, Keep it Coming!

Chet:

Its amazing what happens when your shippers finger slips, you become a whole new person!

silver ep
08-17-2003, 12:23 PM
Heres a couple pics of my drop with the KWs! :)
http://www.digitalpose.com/mbr/1/23468/p/439267_7129695501260839455_vl.jpg

http://www.digitalpose.com/mbr/1/23468/p/439268_3273234841176419049_vl.jpg

02TafWhtSi
08-18-2003, 09:06 PM
Very nice drop Silver - looks perfect :)

silver ep
08-19-2003, 08:49 AM
Thanks man! :)

greenguy
08-20-2003, 10:01 PM
That is a nice drop! Now you need some wheels!

silver ep
08-21-2003, 09:39 PM
That is a nice drop! Now you need some wheels!

You got that right! Im saving up for some gunmetal 16" Work Emotion CRs. :p

C1V1C
08-22-2003, 01:55 PM
Originally posted by Glen@KW
Thanks for the feeback, Keep it Coming!

You can always send me a set, let me do a review from install until how it rides on the street and autocross. :D ;) :p

Sorry, I am totally broke. My car just got hit, $1000 deductible. Then Headunit stolen after 1 week out of the body shop.

So sad ..................:'( I really want one, any chance for financing on coilover ? hehehe ;)

greenguy
08-24-2003, 08:59 AM
Hey Glen,
How many sets have you sold for ep's? Im suprised that there is not more of a jump on these. Plus they are really affordable through Tornactive, $1100 shipped!:eek:

Glen@KW
08-24-2003, 10:46 PM
Hey Guys,

chet - I currently do not have any pics of the headlights in black, but maybe if you get one of the other members to photoshop the pics? Let me know!

C1V1C - sorry to hear about your streak of bad luck. Unfortunatley all of my sponsorship $$ have been given out for this year , but there is always next season!

greenguy - well there are about 25 new civics in US and Canada running on KW's and 4 RSX's. Reveiws have been great, nothing but happy customers whipping around corners!!!

Puffs
08-25-2003, 08:18 PM
Hello Glen,

Unfortunately my suspension is still sitting in my living room, but I hope to do the install soon.

Question, does the rebate on the kw website apply to our purchase?

Glen@KW
08-26-2003, 08:30 PM
Puffs - The rebate does not apply to special offers like the one I posted here on ephatch, only for retail purchases through our office or authorized dealers!

Dont forget to post your feedback when you get them installed, and make sure that you or whoever is installing them purges the shocks before putting them on!

foilpan
09-02-2003, 03:31 PM
this deal runs out soon, and i'm thinking of snagging a set of these coilovers... but i'm wondering if they're suited for daily driving in the northeast. if i get any full suspension setup, i want stainless to deal with the winter. i'm not rich enough to own (and insure) a winter beater.

the roads where i live are terrible. it's like beirut. i've had progress springs on for the last 6000 miles or so and like the drop. but lately my car feels like a radio flyer. i feel every damn bump. it feels like i'm bottoming out even on little road blips.

are the KWs too harsh for this area? are they capable of taking the punishment? are replacement parts readily available and relatively inexpensive?

thanks, and please let me know before the deal is dead!

Puffs
09-02-2003, 04:31 PM
The beauty of these is that you can adjust not just the height but how harsh they are. You can customize them to how you like your ride. At least that is how I understand it.

I am also in MA and the stainless is a must with the amount of salt they throw down around here.

All of our streets blow. :) I am beginning to wonder what my taxes are actually paying for at this point.

CanBox
09-02-2003, 06:25 PM
I really can't wait to see some pictures of the KW coilovers next spring after those of you in areas where they use salt have driven them through a winter. If they hold up as well as the manufacturer says I'll definitely be looking into a set... although the Mugen stuff looks pretty nice too.

tom3
09-15-2003, 11:48 PM
Hi all, I've been considering the KW coilover kit too, and I was wondering if any other suspension mods can be/should be had with the coilover.

Do we still need a camber kit? How about strut bars, crossover bars, sway bars, etc?

thanks!

Glen@KW
09-16-2003, 12:01 AM
Although no other mods are needed, some feel that more is better.

Personally I suggest that you get the suspension on, and determine if it is what you need for your style and type of driving. If you feel you need more, then away you go. Stress bars have always been a favorite of mine to do. Since the suspension relies on the unibody for strength, it can never hurt to re-inforce.

As for the camber, the KW's have a built in adjustment on the fronts that allow a qualified alignment professional to put your car in the best alignment for great handling and tire wear.

Glen

1fastminivan
09-16-2003, 12:02 PM
how hard is it to adjust the height on these?? I looooooovveee the way Silver ep's car looks!!;)

HondaMan
09-16-2003, 12:25 PM
Is another groupbuy going to happen or is there a better deal than tornactive for them?

fsugatorbait
09-16-2003, 12:26 PM
Originally posted by 1fastminivan
how hard is it to adjust the height on these??

Jack up the car, remove tire, loosen one allen bolt and use the supplied perch wrench to turn perch up/down, tighten allen bolt, put on tire, remove jack. Voila :).

tom3
09-16-2003, 01:01 PM
As for the camber, the KW's have a built in adjustment on the fronts that allow a qualified alignment professional to put your car in the best alignment for great handling and tire wear.

Thanks Glen. How about the rear? Is camber an issue for the rear?

(p.s. is your PM box full? i wasn't able to send you PM)

Glen@KW
09-16-2003, 11:52 PM
Sorry about that, forgot the limit.

We have done many installs at our shop, and most cars leave with about 0.25-1"gap all the way around, and we are able to get a perfect alignment out of them. No issues so far, but it is possible if you go to the max or past the reccomended lowering and want it to stay that way.


Originally posted by tom3


Thanks Glen. How about the rear? Is camber an issue for the rear?

(p.s. is your PM box full? i wasn't able to send you PM)

fsugatorbait
09-17-2003, 07:07 AM
Originally posted by Glen@KW
Sorry about that, forgot the limit.

We have done many installs at our shop, and most cars leave with about 0.25-1"gap all the way around, and we are able to get a perfect alignment out of them. No issues so far, but it is possible if you go to the max or past the reccomended lowering and want it to stay that way.



Glen,
What is the recommended height for the EP? If possible could you translate that into threads from the bottom up. Thanks.
Phil

Glen@KW
09-19-2003, 12:53 AM
There is no reccomended height, only the range you can lower between.

Anywhere in the 1.4-2.6" lowered range, the shocks are working in their tuning range. So the rest is really either physics (lower center of gravity) or personal preference (wheel to tire gap)

to measure the height properly take this measurement

http://www.kwsuspension.com/honda/wheel.jpg

Our tech sheets show the factory measurement to be 315mm or 12.6 Inches front and rear.

So, your car has to measure between 11.2" and 10" to be within the proper range of the shock.

Let me know where you have yours set! Everyone post their measurment as weel as wheel & tire sizing!

Thanks

FCobra94
01-31-2004, 07:19 PM
Sorry to bring this post back, but I've been getting real excited about these coilovers ever since I heard about 'em :)

The only thing holding me back is wondering whether or not these will be too stiff for my long commute to school Monday through Friday :(

For those of you that own them, and have them about as low as silver EP's car, how much stiffer would you say they are compared to stock? I know you should never turn them to full soft or hard, according to the KW website, but on the safest softest setting, how do they compare to the ride of a stock wheel/tire and suspension EP?

Also, has anyone ran the Tein SS setup and compared it to the KW? I know the SS has less spring weight in the rear of the car but am not sure how much of a difference it actually makes in ride comfort.

Thanks for all the help!

SSMep3
02-01-2004, 08:58 AM
are all of u guys running with the variant 3 package? Or is everyone different? Is there a price difference from package to package? Which would u guys reccomend for someone who does autoxing a couple times a yr?

fsugatorbait
02-01-2004, 09:54 AM
We all have the V2. Mine are ok. Even when turned 1/2 turn from hard, there pretty bouncy especially around corners to the point that it doesnt feel safe. On the hwy, or around town if I try to weave the car feels like its floating and not responsive; definately not a good feeling. Not sure what everyone else is noticing with them, this is just what I have experienced.

FCobra94
02-01-2004, 12:06 PM
Originally posted by fsugatorbait
Even when turned 1/2 turn from

Really? Hmm. Now I'm thinking they might be too soft :rolleyes:

Guess I won't know till I at least get a feel for them myself...

Anyone else care to comment?

greenguy
02-01-2004, 03:51 PM
Originally posted by fsugatorbait
We all have the V2. Mine are ok. Even when turned 1/2 turn from hard, there pretty bouncy especially around corners to the point that it doesnt feel safe. On the hwy, or around town if I try to weave the car feels like its floating and not responsive; definately not a good feeling. Not sure what everyone else is noticing with them, this is just what I have experienced.
wow, mine are great! hell i even have set #2 made.
I travel about 300 miles a week and absolutley love my ride. i have them set 1-1/2 full turn from soft all around.

tcostello3
02-03-2004, 07:06 PM
Question for Glen... I see the KW logo all over the BTCC & GTCC Series as well as many other racing series. I fully understand that $1300 doesn't buy a race set-up but, can I expect the same quality and strength from a pair of v2s if I purchase them?

Basically..Can I beat the hell out of them on a daily basis for 3-4 years?

Thanks in advance!

Rey
02-03-2004, 07:26 PM
How much do these usually run?

foilpan
02-04-2004, 05:18 PM
i still haven't bought these yet. i don't know if i want to slap 'em on with the new england roads all torn up.

are they really "soft" or what? i didn't think they'd be that soft. and will they last in new england?

(did i already ask that? hmmm

fsugatorbait
02-12-2004, 11:47 AM
Originally posted by fsugatorbait
We all have the V2. Mine are ok. Even when turned 1/2 turn from hard, there pretty bouncy especially around corners to the point that it doesnt feel safe. On the hwy, or around town if I try to weave the car feels like its floating and not responsive; definately not a good feeling. Not sure what everyone else is noticing with them, this is just what I have experienced.

Glen,
I received your email regarding this issue where I answered all your questions, however, I have yet to hear back from you over a week and a half later. I would like to know what you think could be the problem and what are my options. Thank you.
Phil

BlasTech
02-12-2004, 12:47 PM
fsugatorbait,

Now that I have read about your issue, I think it could be alignment-realted.

I know from experience that if you drop the car and/or add negative camber without getting the toe adjusted, will cause 'toe-in', making the EP3 to be 'darty' at high speeds... and generally unsafe-feeling.

fsugatorbait
02-12-2004, 01:06 PM
Originally posted by BlasTech
fsugatorbait,

Now that I have read about your issue, I think it could be alignment-realted.

I know from experience that if you drop the car and/or add negative camber without getting the toe adjusted, will cause 'toe-in', making the EP3 to be 'darty' at high speeds... and generally unsafe-feeling.

I have had a recent alignment with neg 1 degree front and rear camber. Not sure what else to do.

BlasTech
02-12-2004, 01:58 PM
Was there toe in? You need to have zero or just a little out to get the most stability... same with the rears. Do you have a report on the alignment handy?

Also, fat sticky tires will cause some 'tramlining' when you're at slow speeds, but they should be stable at high speed.

fsugatorbait
02-12-2004, 02:10 PM
Originally posted by BlasTech
Was there toe in? You need to have zero or just a little out to get the most stability... same with the rears. Do you have a report on the alignment handy?

Also, fat sticky tires will cause some 'tramlining' when you're at slow speeds, but they should be stable at high speed.

they didnt give me the report when I had the alignment about two months ago, didnt think much of it at the time, but hind sight is 20/20. I do get some tramlining, but with an average at best tire, it isnt enough to cause a problem. Im gonna take the car somewhere soon, to get another alignment done to see if I can get rid of this problem.

BlasTech
02-12-2004, 02:26 PM
If you shell out some extra for real good alignment from a specialist, they will explain all the dynamics etc. but on the EP3, you can have some toe-in and still be 'in spec' but it'll be darty and eat tires.