KW V2 or RSR iSport?

[Mikeez]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

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

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

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.

You explain everything very clearly. Just to make sure I followed correctly. You claimed that the RSR will perform in handling well while keeping the comfort its top priority and the noise and vibration very low (not noticeable)?


Anyone knows the weight of these coilover front and back??

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by Mikeez

You explain everything very clearly. Just to make sure I followed correctly. You claimed that the RSR will perform in handling well while keeping the comfort its top priority and the noise and vibration very low (not noticeable)?


Anyone knows the weight of these coilover front and back??

Yes, your understanding is correct. Better than stock handling and improves NVH.


I don't have the individual weight, only the shipping weight which was just under 50lbs. Subtract the weight of the box and other packing materials (about 10lbs.) and I think its safe to say roughly 10lbs per corner with the fronts being slightly heavier than the rears.

[Firestorm_86]

I'm installing my RS-R i's this Friday. Coming from Bilstein struts with Swift springs. I'll post a review up once I've settled into them.

[Mikeez]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

Yes, your understanding is correct. Better than stock handling and improves NVH.


I don't have the individual weight, only the shipping weight which was just under 50lbs. Subtract the weight of the box and other packing materials (about 10lbs.) and I think its safe to say roughly 10lbs per corner with the fronts being slightly heavier than the rears.

Alright, awesome news

[2016 Camaro SS]

I started out with the Tarmac 0's on my car and enjoyed them. They work extremely well as long as you are not lowered very far. I thought I would only need the height adjustable features until I met the KW V3.... Best street coilover ever. Having the compression and rebound adjustments for the street even while lowering it is AWESOME. Learn a valuable lesson in suspension.... You get what you pay for.

I am only lowered around 1.5 inches on 18X9.5 squared and it rides really well.

[Firestorm_86]

I'm quite fond of the RSRs after my first few days on them. Great ride, easy to set up, but still improves on stock handling.

[JGalp]

Originally Posted by wootwoot

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?

what did you ultimately do? i have the same wants that you stated in your first post, keep going back and forth between the RSR sport and KW v3. even thought about the tein street flex as they can now be had for 1200..but i think I'm still leaning towards one of the first two. help!!!

[wootwoot]

Originally Posted by JGalp

what did you ultimately do? i have the same wants that you stated in your first post, keep going back and forth between the RSR sport and KW v3. even thought about the tein street flex as they can now be had for 1200..but i think I'm still leaning towards one of the first two. help!!!

I ended up with the RSR's for a few reasons.

1. I got a great deal on a used set.
2. They come with awesome tophats! The RSR top hats are rubber which cuts down on NVH. They can also be oriented to give 0 or -1.5 degrees of negative camber. With subi crash bolts maxed out I ended up with -2.3. The top hats are my favorite feature. Very innovative.
3. Pre-load and ride height are adjusted independently. Some people don't like these systems. I do.
4. I didn't want to try and tune the V3's.

After corner balancing and aligment I had to play with shock settings for a few days until I hit the sweet spot. At this point the car feels amazing. Very composed. Rides better than stock and attacks corners like a go-kart. You will want to upgrade the tires at the same time. I'm on stock tires at the moment and the increased roll resistance makes the tires feel very inadequate. The traction control is kicking in all the time theses days.

[cdrazic93]

FWIW Andy and CSG could have given you a host of settings for the V3, and different settings for the RS-R as well.

[SurfAndSand]

@wootwoot - hi dude - how do you compare the ride and noise compared to stock with the RSR iSports? I've had the RSR superdown springs, and I like em, but my car could always be smoother. Looking for other alternatives just in case tax time is especially fruitful.

[wootwoot]

That's a tough one, and to be honest I am not sure I have formed a real opinion on it yet. Still need seat time.

In terms of noise I think the rsrs are very quiet. You shouldn't notice an appreciable increase in NVH, at least not in my case. This is an area where the rsr top hats really shine.

In terms of "smoothness" I think the rsrs have the capability to give you a more comfortable ride than stock. At full soft the car feels like a family sedan in terms of soaking up the bumps in the road. Be aware that they get very stiff very fast. Even at 50% stiff I felt they were jarring on the roads I frequent. At that level big bumps really upset the car. Now I am around 8 clicks front and maybe 4 in the rear. In most situations the car feels amazing. When I hit a big bump, however, I really feel it. I am still trying to tune the shocks so I'll have to wait and see what I end up with before I say more.

It's all a compromise. You won't get a suspension that does everything well at this price point. They ride very well, but they are stiffer than stock and some comfort will be jeopardized in the name of performance. If you want to drop 4k on a set of shocks then maybe it would be different. All in all, I love what the car does and how it feels on the rsrs.

Lastly, hit up CSG for a great deal on them. I would have bought from them if I didn't find a used set.

[wootwoot]

Been spending time tuning and driving the rsrs all week. I am continually impressed...