RCE Tarmac 0, KW V1, and ST coilovers
 

Seeing that these three systems all use the KW damper, what tangible differences are there between them?

I understand there may be some differences in spring rates, also apparently RCE makes their own unique valving system. Other than that, is there any reason to buy one over the others?

If price is your main concern, ST wins by a mile.

Reading through the RCE thread, they sound awesome, but the price is significantly higher, and I've never seen a direct feature by feature comparison with the STs elaborating on why they are any better.

V1s, haven't heard much about them for the 86 yet, seem to be well received on other platforms though.

Anyone with knowledge about these coil overs care to chime in? Thanks

ST uses a different housing that is not going to deal with corrosive environments as well as the V1's or RCE units. Then valving, spring rate, and support all plays a role as well.

I'm running the Tarmac 0's, maxed lowered in the front, matched in the rear. The performance is outstanding and the ride isn't too bad. I've definitely added more bounce into grooves on the road but that is to be expected with coilovers. Feels more like a racecar!

Max low looks cool to some people but it means you are hitting the bump stops much more often when the roads are uneven. That's probably why it's bouncy. I know you didn't complain or ask about it but it's important to point that out because other people will think coilovers are "supposed to feel bouncy and stiff." RCE made the same observation for one of their customers with T0s on their T0,T2 thread.

p.s. I don't have any RCE products on my car nor am affiliated with them.

ST and V1 perform the same except V1's body is more corrosion resistant because of different material.

T0 has higher front spring rate than ST and V1 so it's a little more performance oriented.

Anyone know why KW website doesn't list the V1 as an option for the frs? I even asked a couple of US vendors and both say it doesn't exist? Or has it been discontinued now that there's the ST available?

nope

nope


a race car isn't supposed to be bouncy, if it's bouncy then it's losing traction and time. You've improperly setup your coilovers for the road conditions and are using incorrect adjectives to describe the feel of your car. Please don't be part of the problem of spreading misinformation.

Yep. By bouncy I mean over small bumps where the travel is longer. The coilovers are still tight and doesn't bounce like the bounce you're thinking of. There's nothing to adjust on the Tarmac 0's but ride height so I highly doubt I "set" them wrong.

No one is raising these coilovers to OEM height.... Do you even have these on? Have you even been in my car? How about you stop saying I'm spreading misinformation when I'm simply just sharing my experiences. My coilovers are fully broken in and perfect right now.

My fronts have 1-2 threads left, the rears are matched with the front in ride height. No clunks, no "traction loss", just longer travel over small dips in the road that make it travel more than the stock suspension. That's the only difference.

yes, your experiences are clouded in misunderstanding of vehicular physics.

No, i have not been in your car, but i have been in racecars. They are not bouncy.

height adjustable "coilovers" were designed with the intention of corner-balancing a vehicle after establishing a proper spring/damper combination for the design and weight and inteded use of a particular vehicle.

putting them all the way down and bailing down the street claiming race-car status was not the intention, but you, among a sea of other "tuners", have unfortunetly made it so.

Holy crap, settle down people.

- Andy