KW V2 or RSR iSport?
 

I have been trying to decide between these two system for weeks now and could use a little perspective. Any informed opinions would be greatly appreciated.

My FRS is currently a weekend car that will likely turn into a daily driver once my other car takes a dump. It will be a street car 99% of the time, getting to the track maybe two or three times per year.

Supporting mods will be whiteline bushings (trans support, sub frame, control arms, training arms, etc) as well a rear adjustable control arms. I will likely be running Michelin pilot super sports (225) on light weight wheels.

I want a minimal drop, in the area of 20mm. I'm looking to increase performance over the stock suspension, which is no small task. I don't mind it being aggressive but it needs to be comfortable enough for the little lady riding shotgun. If it had the same ride quality as stock but increased performance I would be a happy man.

Set up #1: RSR iSport with Raceseng rear mounts and OEM crash bolts.
For this set up I would set the front coils to -1.5 via the included top mount and use the crash bolts to max out negative camber. For the rear I would set them to stock ride height and use the rear Raceseng top mounts to drop the rear 20mm or so. I would then match the front coils in terms of ride height. This should give me lots of suspension travel.

Set up #2: KW V3 with stock top hats and OEM crash bolts.
With the KW's I would set them to max height which would drop the car about 20mm. OEM crash bolts and slotted front coil should take care of the camber,in the front.

I honestly don't mind spending the money on the V3's. I like that they have a lifetime warranty as well. On the other hand, the RSR iSports seem as if they were tuned for my exact purpose and I doubt I would or could ever take advantage of the added adjustability of the V3's.

So what do you all think?

KWV3 is an entry-level 2-way adjustable coilover. The RSR is a good 1-way coilover. Both are good street coilovers. Nod goes to V3 for 2-way function. Both are good for what they are and how they are priced. :)

Indeed. Trying to figure out how important the third level of adjustment would be for my application has been the difficult part.

Do you have any idea how much additional rear travel either set gives you over stock?

I'm not sure if the raceseng tops are really worth it for a coilover that adjusts height at the lower mount like RSRs. You're not gaining or losing bump travel with height adjustment anyway. They make a lot of sense for a coilover like KWs that adjust with just the spring perch and have a lot of total stroke so you can trade droop for bump travel.

- Andy

I can't do the raceseng mounts on the KW because it would put me lower than I want to be. But thanks for the advice on the RSR's.

I guess what I am trying to ask is which has the better shock? A high quality non-adjustable is better than a crappy three-way adjustable. So is the RSR two-way done better or worse than the KW three-way? Or are they really just dead equal this regard?

In the world of suspension, it's about budget. If a better damper is being sought after, a larger budget must be dedicated to the cause. Another thing to figure out is your experience on setting up suspension. A set of 4-way Penskes can ride like crap if the settings are improper. With that said, what is your absolute application? This will dictate the level of budget you're seeking and the type of suspension you're looking for. :)

As I mentioned I'm fine with buying the KW's. So 2k is within the budget. As far as application, 99% street driven on very curvy coastal roads. Needs to be girlfriend approved. Also needs to be up for 2-3 track days per year.

The answer is, both are good for what they are. Both are good street coilovers. However, both are not exactly amazing on track. They will get you by though. We have played with both setups quite extensively and don't have problems recommending both for the intended budget. :)

Any idea what it costs to rebuild the RSR's? That lifetime warranty is hard to pass up with the KW's...

Recently I had to make this decision, pretty much at the same time as another user on the board ( @ATL_BRZ ). Initially we were both looking at the new Tein Monosports, we both took into consideration RaceComp Tarmac 2s (Racecomp spec KW V3s) and I was also looking at RS-R Sports-i's (amongst other setups in that price range).


--- He tracks his car maybe 1-2x per month (as far as I can tell), and has setup his car more for the track.
--- I will maybe 1x every other month or less (we'll see). So street comfort trumped adjustability for me at this point in my experience.


He chose RaceComp Tarmac 2s - As far as I can tell, he's very happy. This looks to be an excellent choice for those that feel like they'll be investing time in tuning their suspension for track duty.


I chose RS-R Sports-I - I am very happy for being 3 weeks post install. I feel like I got a quality piece that is EXTREMELY comfortable for the capability they bring to the car. I also had the front mount rotated to get to -1.5 and added camber bolts for more negative (alignment coming this Thursday) at Lang Racing in Irvine. @Moto-P 's demeanor, experience and advice were pivotal in my decision. Check out his site http://club4AG.com


I asked @Moto-P about warranty work and he said they would simply be replaced at RS-R USA HQ in Santa Ana. I purchased mine through @fteightysix here on the board and their service was the best I've received since I started modding my FR-S. http://www.fteightysix.com/whats-new.../#.U8WKapVOUdU


Even though it doesn't sound like you'll need it, for a more track-oriented version of the Sports-I @ft86speedfactory sells a custom spec version of them (Camber plates, springs, valves) at this link: http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/rs-r...vers-1624.html

I have seen the speed factory set. It looks like they just swap the springs front to rear and add camber plates. The plates would likely be too noisy for me anyway.

How do the RSR's do on the freeway? I read one user who said they were really bumpy over 70mph.

That hasn't been my experience. However please keep in mind that almost any aftermarket coilover suspension for this car is going to be tuned to improve roadholding with comfort being secondary. Lexus ride isn't going to happen on the notoriously horrible California roads for this platform. With that being said, RS*R Sports-i's raise the roadholding limits, improve ride comfort and NVH noticeably. They're sprung, valved, and damped specifically for this. IMO until @DougW finishes his Bilstein Damptronic adaptation for this car, Sports-i's will be the best in the ~$2k price range for 1ways that have NVH, comfort, and performance in mind.


IIRC FT86-Speedfactory also notes they have custom valving, that's probably the most important piece of the pie on their spec version.