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GB: KW Variant 3 Coilover Suspension

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Old 03-02-2007, 09:59 PM
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GB: KW Variant 3 Coilover Suspension

You all should be kissing my *** for a long time for organizing this.

Yep KW Variant 3 Coilover Suspension, these are better then any, I repeat ANY, coilover system made for the Rx-8 for the following reasons:

  • Double Adjustability, not just 1 **** that controls Rebound and Compression but 2 separate adjusters. (I'm not aware of any other system with true Double Adjustability)
  • Extremely Precise Valving, one of the major critiques of Japanese suspension is inadequate valving thats matched with a very high rate springs.
  • Progressing Rate Spring in the rear, stock suspension has a progressive rear, lots of conflicting opinion on what type of spring is better for the hardcore racer, but a progressive rate rear will give you a much more predictable handling car in addition to better ride quality for the weekend warrior.
  • They come with a lifetime warranty.
  • They are built in Germany.

Spring Rates:
Front: Linear 455
Rear: Progressive 285
Custom Spring Rates available for a serious auto-x or road race application there will be an additional charge of $125.00 if you want them. Keep in mind these are very precisely valved so any change should be minuet. (also lifetime warranty will be lost with custom spring rates)

$1800 Shipped

Details about Adjustment Tech: http://www.kw-suspension.com/en/20_T...Adjustment.php
http://www.kw-gmbh.de/kw_upload/Einbau/ea68577009.pdf
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Old 03-02-2007, 10:03 PM
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Payment, I would perfer and its in your best interest to pay with cashiers checks or money orders to avoid PayPal fees, if you do pay with PayPal I have to add on a $49.89 to cover the 2.9%+30 cent fee. Paypal email is Mark87g@comcast.net , shipping address for cashier check or money or is located here:
http://www.polakgraphics.com/index2....e=contact.html

EXCELLENT NEWS; We no longer have to do a 10 person miniumum order I will be doing the group buy in sets of 2, best thing is the price is still the same, so if you have signed up, pay up, and things will drop ship straight to your door.

Last edited by PoLaK; 03-12-2007 at 04:43 PM.
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Old 03-03-2007, 03:56 PM
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very good pricing! =P
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Old 03-04-2007, 11:00 AM
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Does this system replaces everything but the sway bars??
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Old 03-04-2007, 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by morkusyambo
Does this system replaces everything but the sway bars??
Not sure what your mean by "everything" but yes you will need to reuse your stop top mounts, you can replace all the rubber pieces in the stock top mounts for $35 bucks, which will make them as good as new, here are the part #s.

4 qty F151-28-776
4 qty F151-28-775A
2 qty F151-28-012

Last edited by PoLaK; 04-21-2007 at 11:45 PM.
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Old 03-04-2007, 11:50 AM
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Your about a year too late. I've them for that long and it's like glue on the track.

Damn good price.

Don't look at the kit. It's painted black on the bottom. Check the wheel wells.

Front is 3" off the ground.

How low do you want to go?
Attached Thumbnails GB: KW Variant 3 Coilover Suspension-hpim0029.jpg   GB: KW Variant 3 Coilover Suspension-hpim0030.jpg  
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Old 03-04-2007, 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Razz1
How low do you want to go?
My seting will be somewhere between 23-25.5 it all depends on how the front lower-a arms sits basically I want it to pitch up a little bit at the ball joint, won't know exact numbers till i get it aligned and coner weighed.
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Old 03-04-2007, 12:52 PM
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wow this is a steal man. i would get these.... just saving up for other things maybe in a while i'll jump on this!!
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Old 03-04-2007, 12:58 PM
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shh.... don't tell anyone it's a steal.
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Old 03-04-2007, 01:01 PM
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it won't be below 25.5"
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Old 03-04-2007, 01:39 PM
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Mine's set for an even drop. 25.5" front, however the rear reads 24.5".

I know the car is level as I checked the frame height myself on the rack.

The wheel well design is differant for the front and rear so that osn't a good measurement.

I'm thinking about moving it higher by 3/4" so I can get another 1/1" clearance on the front lip if I add 17" wheels.
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Old 03-04-2007, 01:50 PM
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Razz1, That spoiler is sweet...How much down force does it add??
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Old 03-04-2007, 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by PoLaK
Not sure what your mean by "everything" but yes you will need to reuse your stop top mounts, you can replace all the rubber pieces in the stock top mounts for $35 bucks, which will make them as good as new, here are the part #s.

4 qty F151-28-776
4 qty F151-28-775A
2 qty F151-28-012
Sorry, i'm new to suspension upgrades....I'm assuming by top hats you mean sway bars??

Last edited by PoLaK; 04-21-2007 at 11:45 PM.
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Old 03-04-2007, 02:02 PM
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i have the jic magic coilovers right now. how would the ride quality compare for everyday driving?

mork, shocks and springs don't add downforce. it stabilize the car during cornering to maximize tire contact patch area thus better handling.
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Old 03-04-2007, 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by stickmantijuana
i have the jic magic coilovers right now. how would the ride quality compare for everyday driving?

mork, shocks and springs don't add downforce. it stabilize the car during cornering to maximize tire contact patch area thus better handling.
Thanks stick, but I was reffering to the picture of Razz1's front nose

Last edited by morkusyambo; 03-04-2007 at 02:11 PM. Reason: misspelling
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Old 03-04-2007, 03:21 PM
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For the rear coilovers do they need remotes for adjusting since the top is basically covered once installed?
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Old 03-04-2007, 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by stickmantijuana
i have the jic magic coilovers right now. how would the ride quality compare for everyday driving?
I've heard of an isssue with the valving on JIC especially the FLTA2 getting very worn out after as little as 1 year of use, not sure if you've experienced such a degredation in its performance. But thats another nice thing about these KWs, the lifetime warranty.

But brand new for brand new these will have a much nicer ride quality then any JIC coilover I am aware of.

Last edited by PoLaK; 03-05-2007 at 09:31 AM.
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Old 03-04-2007, 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by 4 years to Supercharge
For the rear coilovers do they need remotes for adjusting since the top is basically covered once installed?
I'm guessing your referencing the Koni Yellow, and the issue with it is, it needs to be removed from the car for rebound adjustment is because it doesn't have an external adjuster in the rear. The KWs do have an external adjuster for rebound located at the top of the shock body. And Adjusters for compression are located at the bottom of the shock body.

So you can adjust for both without removing the coilover from the car; however, I will be fabricating my own adjustment cables for rebound in the rear because the top of the shock mounts are so difficult to get too, i.e. pulling back the carpet etc.... if you would like me to make some for the members of this group buy let me know.
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Old 03-04-2007, 06:24 PM
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A repeat of 4 Years........

How are dampening adjustments made after installation, Polak?
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Old 03-04-2007, 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by success07
How are dampening adjustments made after installation, Polak?


1st pic:Twist for rebound on F and R
2nd pic: Compression adjuster on F
3rd pic: Compression adjuster on R

Razz am I right about this I don't have my personal set yet so I haven't seen the rx8 specific set in person?

Originally Posted by success07
A repeat of 4 Years........
What?
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Old 03-04-2007, 07:08 PM
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I was simply repeating "4 years to Supercharge's" question above mine and I was making referrence to it

I've heard many a good thing about this system but I'm wondering if there is to much for a weekend warrior to worry about, i.e. as far as the many different ways to adjust them. Is it difficult to get the setup just right?

I was originally looking at getting Tein Flex or Mono Flex. The prices are decent and the quality is good. Again, I understand that this is a great set but is it too much to mess with w.r.t. I want to be able to set them and go. The car is only driven every so often and when I do get it out I like to aggressively run it through the gears. I plan on a few track days but no autox-ing.

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance.

PS - How soon after you get the ten would it be before we get them?
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Old 03-04-2007, 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by success07
I've heard many a good thing about this system but I'm wondering if there is to much for a weekend warrior to worry about, i.e. as far as the many different ways to adjust them. Is it difficult to get the setup just right?
I disagree, if you were to go with another coilover system you have one adjuster to control rebound and compression. And i don't like what that implies; for instance what sort of relationship has the manufactuer set for that adjuster when you stiffen rebound are you stiffening compression or is it an inverse relationship and what are the ratios in each case.

What if i want to soften the compression in the rear so i can get more power to the ground? But at the same time I want to stiffen rebound to generate some more oversteer....

You can still set it and go you'll just need to figure out which setting works and you have more options to figure that out, but after you do you'll have and infinately better set up that you won't have to touch onces its finely tuned.
And on top of that you'll have me who should be getting his set shortly to give you a great performance focused baseline to start from.

Originally Posted by success07
quality is good.
You'll get an arguement from alot of guys about flexs, and mono flex is more expensive then this GB price and not better by any means unless simplicty is a plus for you.

Originally Posted by success07
too much to mess with w.r.t. I want to be able to set them and go.
As I said above you will be able to do that you'll just need to figure out what setting is the best for you first.

Originally Posted by success07
PS - How soon after you get the ten would it be before we get them?
1-1.5weeks for shipping

Last edited by PoLaK; 03-04-2007 at 08:42 PM.
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Old 03-04-2007, 09:37 PM
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Oh boy, now I'm in trouble............you've answered all my questions and there's nothing left for me to do but order. I'll ponder the expense over a week in Naples with my family.

Anyone else on the forum that has these, that would like to chime in?
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Old 03-04-2007, 09:40 PM
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Just thought of a question........

What kind of ride height adjustment can we look at with this setup?

I see pics of Razz's 8 and the drop looks great.

Thanks again.
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Old 03-05-2007, 01:06 AM
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They will drop to the point that you can't drive over speed bumps...or driveways

How low do you want to go
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