KW variant 3 install question
 

In preparation before my coilovers arrive I was wondering if I need to order
the OEM Conical Washers (Subaru P.N # 20326AA000) for the front coilovers? I know the tarmacs from RCE are manufactured by KW and require these washers. Does the same hold true for the Variant 3's? I will be using the OEM tophats

No everything you need is included.

yes everything is and you need to re use the tops of the OEM struts if you haven't brought camber plates.

i have the OEM conical washers installed with my V3 on stock tophats.

I called ST (who also answered my questions about KW products) and they said my ST coilovers did not need conical washers per the installation instructions. If the upper spring perches on the V3 and ST are identical (which I believe they are), you shouldn't need the washers.

A better/official answer could come from KW of North America if you call/email them (rather than getting mixed answers on this forum).

If you use stock upper spring perches, you shouldn't need them. I would want to compare KW to stock - you'll notice the stock ones have a washer welded to them - this increases the surface area that the thrust bearing sits on, decreasing the forces it is exposed to.

Agreed, but the ST doesn't use stock spring perches due to smaller diameter springs.

Anyway you shouldn't need the washers if the instructions did not call for it.

The tops of ST perches made by KW have washer-like protrusions in the same shape as the welded-on washer of stock perches. Except the ST protrusions are smaller (because the ST perches have different size/shape/angles/surface area than stock perches, I'm guessing the protrusion doesn't need to be as big as stock). You can barely see the protrusion below the top nut in this pic.

http://i.imgur.com/cmQRjJd.jpg

The protrusion in the "composite spring cap" part of the following generic representation can be seen clearly but actual size for the FR-S spec application differs. According to the diagram, the composite spring cap reduces vibration and isolates noises associated with the chassis. And the helper spring buffers upward force against the perch to also help reduce noise/vibration (maybe better than what a conical washer alone can do).

http://i.imgur.com/TxcgMDH.jpg

Obviously. Hence the suggestion to compare the two.

You only need the conical washer with the whiteline strut mounts.