KW Variant 3 arrival(anyone wanna help?)
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Surf Hard, Drive Hard
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Indialantic, Florida
KW Variant 3 arrival(anyone wanna help?)
Happy Income Tax return to me! 
Look what FEDEX brought today!
Now, I just need to make plans for the install.
Anyone in the Melbourne, Florida area wanna help out?


Look what FEDEX brought today!
Now, I just need to make plans for the install.
Anyone in the Melbourne, Florida area wanna help out?
Last edited by Mazurfer; Feb 22, 2013 at 01:40 PM.
Thread Starter
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Indialantic, Florida
Thanks, yes..............I might even try to get them in the weekend.
Florida.................sunny and warm.
May have to wait a week or two because while I'm in there, want to go ahead and change brake pads(will look first, but have none on me), the brake fluid, and the tranny fluid, so that could turn it into a decent length of a weekend.
Hell, might even do diff fluid while in there.
Florida.................sunny and warm.

May have to wait a week or two because while I'm in there, want to go ahead and change brake pads(will look first, but have none on me), the brake fluid, and the tranny fluid, so that could turn it into a decent length of a weekend.
Hell, might even do diff fluid while in there.
Last edited by Mazurfer; Feb 22, 2013 at 04:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,840
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From: Indialantic, Florida
Haven't figured out when I will do the install.
I'm about an hour directly East of Orlando(on the beach) and I can't imagine that there would be a case where I would have to scream for help enough to have someone drive an hour out of their way. I have a local speed shop I use to mount my tires when needed, and have been debating on just having them do it, but I like working on the car..........so we will see.
Think I've read all the various threads on install and those you have linked in and/or posted TEAM.
Any other tips/tricks I should be aware of? I'm not a mechanic but am mechanically inclined and do most work(not just car) by myself.
Might have a buddy who races his MX5 come by and possibly help out and I did put the RB springs on myself a few years back and didn't "F" it up, so I'm pretty sure I'll be okay.
I'm about an hour directly East of Orlando(on the beach) and I can't imagine that there would be a case where I would have to scream for help enough to have someone drive an hour out of their way. I have a local speed shop I use to mount my tires when needed, and have been debating on just having them do it, but I like working on the car..........so we will see.
Think I've read all the various threads on install and those you have linked in and/or posted TEAM.
Any other tips/tricks I should be aware of? I'm not a mechanic but am mechanically inclined and do most work(not just car) by myself.
Might have a buddy who races his MX5 come by and possibly help out and I did put the RB springs on myself a few years back and didn't "F" it up, so I'm pretty sure I'll be okay.
Last edited by Mazurfer; Mar 2, 2013 at 06:35 PM.
I lived a large part of my life in Central Florida. I'm very familiar with your location relative to Orlando, and I'm on the east side so that helps. Driving across the DFW metroplex is just as long if not longer so lmk. Could maybe do something Sunday
I put mine on some years ago--I cant remember any problems. I am trying to remember if there was something about the "stops"--but I am not sure?
Just dont run them adjusted all the way out (soft).
You will wonder why the helper springs are even on there
You can cut the upper rear mount to have easy access for the rear top adjustment. If you dont want to do that then I think most people adjust the top to the halfway point and leave it?
Just dont run them adjusted all the way out (soft).
You will wonder why the helper springs are even on there

You can cut the upper rear mount to have easy access for the rear top adjustment. If you dont want to do that then I think most people adjust the top to the halfway point and leave it?
Thread Starter
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 13
From: Indialantic, Florida
Wish me luck!
Thread Starter
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 13
From: Indialantic, Florida
I put mine on some years ago--I cant remember any problems. I am trying to remember if there was something about the "stops"--but I am not sure?
Just dont run them adjusted all the way out (soft).
You will wonder why the helper springs are even on there
You can cut the upper rear mount to have easy access for the rear top adjustment. If you dont want to do that then I think most people adjust the top to the halfway point and leave it?
Just dont run them adjusted all the way out (soft).
You will wonder why the helper springs are even on there

You can cut the upper rear mount to have easy access for the rear top adjustment. If you dont want to do that then I think most people adjust the top to the halfway point and leave it?
Stopped to review threads and instructions for initial setup before they go in. One side(first one in the rear) is about ready to go in.
Nuttin I noted on the "stops", so I hope I didn't "F" it up. I know on the old Racing Beat springs I had in there, you had to modify the stops. Maybe you were thinking of those????
Last edited by Mazurfer; Mar 2, 2013 at 06:37 PM.
Thread Starter
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,840
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From: Indialantic, Florida
Well.................all installed no major issues. Got my hand stuck at some point on the rear and was getting a little nervous and it was starting to hurt pretty good and pressure was mounting.
Not to the point of panic, but I wanted that hand outta there. Not that they really helped in this instance, but glad I had gloves on.
Right now all rebound and bumps are set to what the sheet said for the RX8. But I did check them all to make sure they were set correctly.
Front Rebound at 6 and Bump at 5.
Rear Rebound at 6 and Bump at 8
I will run like that for awhile and then begin to see if I want to adjust. Didn't make any provisions to get to the rear rebound though.
Pre-loaded like the consnsus said in the thread TEAM had pointed out in another KW 3 thread.
I took some pictures(not that we all haven't seen them before), so maybe I'll post a couple up tomorrow.
Didn't get a chance to drive it much, but a little bit. Was concentrating on every little bump and sound, but all appears well. Haven't measured all corners yet, but rears came out good with the drivers side being about 1/8th lower that the other side. It always was so, no harm no foul I guess.
Well, if you headed over this was TEAM, send me an IM and maybe we'll meet up for a burger and/or beer, but don't make the trip to help on the install, although I appreciate the offer.
Yes, I too am familiar with the big "D". My grandparents lived a couple of blocks South of Mockingbird lane, directly across from where SMU is, but on Beverly drive in Highland Park.
Dave
Not to the point of panic, but I wanted that hand outta there. Not that they really helped in this instance, but glad I had gloves on.
Right now all rebound and bumps are set to what the sheet said for the RX8. But I did check them all to make sure they were set correctly.
Front Rebound at 6 and Bump at 5.
Rear Rebound at 6 and Bump at 8
I will run like that for awhile and then begin to see if I want to adjust. Didn't make any provisions to get to the rear rebound though.

Pre-loaded like the consnsus said in the thread TEAM had pointed out in another KW 3 thread.
I took some pictures(not that we all haven't seen them before), so maybe I'll post a couple up tomorrow.
Didn't get a chance to drive it much, but a little bit. Was concentrating on every little bump and sound, but all appears well. Haven't measured all corners yet, but rears came out good with the drivers side being about 1/8th lower that the other side. It always was so, no harm no foul I guess.
Well, if you headed over this was TEAM, send me an IM and maybe we'll meet up for a burger and/or beer, but don't make the trip to help on the install, although I appreciate the offer.
Yes, I too am familiar with the big "D". My grandparents lived a couple of blocks South of Mockingbird lane, directly across from where SMU is, but on Beverly drive in Highland Park.
Dave
Last edited by Mazurfer; Mar 2, 2013 at 06:44 PM.
Thread Starter
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Indialantic, Florida
Hey guys, I do have one question however. How long should I wait(if at all) before I get an alignment?
Excuse my ignorance, but after the Racing Beat springs I didn't need one at all. Not so sure with these however.
Thanx.
Excuse my ignorance, but after the Racing Beat springs I didn't need one at all. Not so sure with these however.
Thanx.
Thread Starter
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Indialantic, Florida
Thanks! Will do tomorrow.
Wasn't sure if I should wait until I get the height where I want it...................I'm very close, but probably need to adjust one of the rears.
Wasn't sure if I should wait until I get the height where I want it...................I'm very close, but probably need to adjust one of the rears.
1. Get ride height in ball park range
2. Get corner weighted (ride heights will vary slightly by corner after, not all be the same)
3. Get alignment
If you change ride height both the toe and camber settings will change as well
If you don't intend to be corner scaled then having all the ride heights exact disn't really matter since you have no idea if the slight difference is hurting or helping handling balance. Changing it after will skew the alignment.
.
2. Get corner weighted (ride heights will vary slightly by corner after, not all be the same)
3. Get alignment
If you change ride height both the toe and camber settings will change as well
If you don't intend to be corner scaled then having all the ride heights exact disn't really matter since you have no idea if the slight difference is hurting or helping handling balance. Changing it after will skew the alignment.
.
Last edited by TeamRX8; Mar 3, 2013 at 12:35 PM.
Right now all rebound and bumps are set to what the sheet said for the RX8. But I did check them all to make sure they were set correctly.
Front Rebound at 6 and Bump at 5.
Rear Rebound at 6 and Bump at 8
I will run like that for awhile and then begin to see if I want to adjust. Didn't make any provisions to get to the rear rebound though.

I cut out a place to adjust the rears after they were installed.... used a big drill bit to drill a triangle than a saw to connect the corners.
Thread Starter
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 13
From: Indialantic, Florida
As I recall, yes they actually were set correctly(according to KW and this car).
Thread Starter
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Indialantic, Florida
Have since adjusted the height, didn't get the car corner weighted as it's just basically my DD and no track duty(to this point). Alignment all done and ready to go.
Didn't really take any pictures of note while installing as I only had a limited timeframe to do it in.
Didn't really take any pictures of note while installing as I only had a limited timeframe to do it in.
Last edited by Mazurfer; Mar 9, 2013 at 09:21 AM.
Thread Starter
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Indialantic, Florida
I was too slammed in my opinion, I was only 13" from hub center to wheel well arch in the front on both sides.
Felt that was a little lower than I wanted, should, or was comfortable with.
I had just a wee bit scraping when exiting my driveway, so I raised the front up about 1/2 inch.
I also did take that LR up just a wee bit closer to matching the other side before the alignment, but it's technically still lower.................but by really only about a 16th.
Those pics above were before I raised it up slightly.
Felt that was a little lower than I wanted, should, or was comfortable with.
I had just a wee bit scraping when exiting my driveway, so I raised the front up about 1/2 inch.
I also did take that LR up just a wee bit closer to matching the other side before the alignment, but it's technically still lower.................but by really only about a 16th.
Those pics above were before I raised it up slightly.
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