KW V3's VS MCA REDS?

[Wepeel]

The KW V3's went to much softer spring rates - they now come with 40/50 n/mm front/rear (230/285 lb/in) instead of the previous 60/70 n/mm (343/400 lb/in). So you'd need to replace both sets of springs if you wanted to get closer to the 400 range.

[major quicknap]

Originally Posted by BlueBlazeRacer

but having the adjuster on the bottom kinda sucks. I don't want to be laying in a puddle while I change the dampening.

I'm just posting for correctness, I'm not on commission lol. One doesn't have to lie down in a puddle or otherwise. One turns the steering on to full lock then crouches down behind the wheel then reach in and adjust the damping.

[Areddi]

I went to KW's this year on my car, and have got them dialed in now after a few events. Big improvement and great value for the money.

I, like many others, originally went into ST under-modded just because of the tires rules. I have been catching up by adding on parts as I can. If I could do it over I would run in CS since "Street" now gets rid of the slicks. Oh well, committed now and the car feels terrific!

[tnle]

Inverted monotube over a 2 way twin tube anyday

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by Wepeel

The KW V3's went to much softer spring rates - they now come with 40/50 n/mm front/rear (230/285 lb/in) instead of the previous 60/70 n/mm (343/400 lb/in). So you'd need to replace both sets of springs if you wanted to get closer to the 400 range.

Yeah this. Kind of a big deal.

A lot of websites still show the old 6k/7k rates but that's wrong. You'll get 4k/5k springs, softer valving, and be confused or pissed.

Skip all that and get the RCE T2 Clubsports with firmer valving and 7k/7k (400 lbs/in) springs. Still get a lifetime warranty and KW quality + 2 way adjustable damping.

The KW V3s are still great for most applications, but for a serious autocrosser I don't think they are the best choice.

I have no experience with MCA...never seen one in the flesh honestly. Servicing them would worry me. But I do keep hearing about them and would like to try them.

- Andy

[AZP Installs]

Debating what to put on my BRZ as well.

Looking at KW ClubSports, ASTs, and a few others. Probably won't happen until the fall when we get our Shock Dyno.

Subscribed...

-Mike Paisan


Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Enthusiasts since 2001.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) |AIM: AZP Installs
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

[major quicknap]

Hey Mike Paison!
When I click on your link ( http://azpinstalls.com/ ) I get ERROR 403 - FORBIDDEN

[AZP Installs]

Originally Posted by major quicknap

Hey Mike Paison!
When I click on your link ( http://azpinstalls.com/ ) I get ERROR 403 - FORBIDDEN

Wow, my filter actually works to block non-US based IP addresses!

Sorry about that, had too many hackers from outside the US. If you jump on FB, you can follow us on there. http://facebook.com/azpinstalls

-Mike Paisan


Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Enthusiasts since 2001.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) |AIM: AZP Installs
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

[BlueBlazeRacer]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Yeah this. Kind of a big deal.

A lot of websites still show the old 6k/7k rates but that's wrong. You'll get 4k/5k springs, softer valving, and be confused or pissed.

Skip all that and get the RCE T2 Clubsports with firmer valving and 7k/7k (400 lbs/in) springs. Still get a lifetime warranty and KW quality + 2 way adjustable damping.

The KW V3s are still great for most applications, but for a serious autocrosser I don't think they are the best choice.

I have no experience with MCA...never seen one in the flesh honestly. Servicing them would worry me. But I do keep hearing about them and would like to try them.

- Andy

What all comes in the box of RCE T2's compared to buying V3's? And where are the dampening adjustments at? Might be giving you guys a call with more questions.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by BlueBlazeRacer

What all comes in the box of RCE T2's compared to buying V3's? And where are the dampening adjustments at? Might be giving you guys a call with more questions.

Compression adjustment is on the bottom, rebound adjustment is on top.

The T2s use the KW V3 and clubsport body. We do use blue springs and black perches though instead of yellow and purple.

- Andy

[Wepeel]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Compression adjustment is on the bottom, rebound adjustment is on top.

The T2s use the KW V3 and clubsport body. We do use blue springs and black perches though instead of yellow and purple.

- Andy

Do the T2's use the V3 stainless housings or the Clubsport housings? I think I read somewhere the Clubsport housings aren't the same inox stainless as the V3 (for strength or something).

[IMOA]

I'll answer a few of the questions people have. I'll start by saying that I do use their Reds on my 86 and I have had dealings with Murray going back about 12 years when he did the suspension for our GT Production Silvia, back then he was still doing Proflex dampers.

Yes they're happy to include the dyno charts for the Reds, they are assembled to order and dyno'd in house so it's just a matter of printing the chart out and putting it in the box. As they're assembled to order you can ask for different spring rates and they'll valve to suit. Standard they are 6kg/6kg

The adjusters are at the bottom of the front struts because they're inverted mono tubes

Support is obviously much easier if you're in australia as while they are happy to discuss with you what you are looking for if something needs to be returned/revalved etc the pacific is a long way for them to travel. That said, they are very happy to discuss with you what you want and tailor the dampers to that. They also do support their stuff in the US (Nameless use MCA suspension on their rally car)

I haven't tried out V3's on an 86 but have on some other cars and the Red's imo were more sophisticated in their damping.

MCA do have a bit of a rally background (Murray won the Australian Rally championship) which goes some way to explaining why their suspension is so bloody good on not so perfect mountain roads but recently they have been doing a lot more circuit stuff, particularly time attack (all the quickest australian time attack cars use their Gold series suspension and these cars consistently beat the quickest japanese cars)

If you were in Australia picking MCA is a bit of a no brainer as they are clearly the best local suspension option, from the US it's a bit more difficult. They are well placed to tailor the package to what you want but they're not going to be able to give you the (physical) support that US based companies can provide. That said, a decent local suspension shop in the US should have no issues servicing/rebuilding/revalving their stuff, it just might take a phone call to australia for any questions they might have.

[D K]

Its crazy how people get hung up on spring rates and perch colors.....

The MCA and KWs shouldnt even be mentioned in the same sentance in my opinion.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by Wepeel

Do the T2's use the V3 stainless housings or the Clubsport housings? I think I read somewhere the Clubsport housings aren't the same inox stainless as the V3 (for strength or something).

KW Clubsports and RCE T2s use the same inox stainless housings as V3's.

KW's competition line is different.

- Andy