CSG and RCE tag-team suspension Q&A thread! Ask us anything!

[spookyz]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

A set of properly dialed KW V3, or RCE T2. It's a bit more, but it'll improve ride quality, and give you the stiffer springs you need to not bottom out, while giving you the drop you want.

The V3 is more street oriented, while the T2 is more performance oriented.

Oof, another 50% on top of my top end is a bit out of what I'm looking to spend on suspension, what are your impressions of the ST or Bilstein B14 coils? Would those be a good route to go in a set it and forget it type drop situation?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by spookyz

Oof, another 50% on top of my top end is a bit out of what I'm looking to spend on suspension, what are your impressions of the ST or Bilstein B14 coils? Would those be a good route to go in a set it and forget it type drop situation?

I've not yet had the opportunity to spend enough time with either to have a solid opinion.

The KW V3 is the minimum I'd ever recommend to really have a decent setup. Anything less, and you're compromising.

My view could change, as the market continues to evolve, with new products, like the Bilsteins, being released. So far they seem to be getting great reviews.

[spookyz]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I've not yet had the opportunity to spend enough time with either to have a solid opinion.

The KW V3 is the minimum I'd ever recommend to really have a decent setup. Anything less, and you're compromising.

My view could change, as the market continues to evolve, with new products, like the Bilsteins, being released. So far they seem to be getting great reviews.

Fair enough, thanks a lot for your input.

[spookyz]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I've not yet had the opportunity to spend enough time with either to have a solid opinion.

The KW V3 is the minimum I'd ever recommend to really have a decent setup. Anything less, and you're compromising.

My view could change, as the market continues to evolve, with new products, like the Bilsteins, being released. So far they seem to be getting great reviews.

Hey Mike, I replied to your PM if you have a second, if you could get me that info I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

[D K]

What are the exact differences between the V3 and the CS?

Is the CS part of the KW Motorsport series?

[u/Josh]

Originally Posted by D K

What are the exact differences between the V3 and the CS?

Is the CS part of the KW Motorsport series?

and if you don't mind I'd like to tack on the T2 to this question.

How exactly is the valving on the T2 different than the V3?

[Malt]

Originally Posted by u/Josh

and if you don't mind I'd like to tack on the T2 to this question.

How exactly is the valving on the T2 different than the V3?

The way it was explained to me (and I might be mistaken about this) is the the T2's are essentially KW Clubsports with the RCE name on them and RCE springs. So the T2's have potentially different spring rates but essentially Clubsport coils at the V3 pricepoint.

As for the T2's, is it normal for one set of the bolts that mount the struts to be facing forward and the other side to be facing rearward? Seemed like the passenger side bolts didn't want to install in the same direction as the factory bolts did.

[SubieNate]

Originally Posted by Malt

The way it was explained to me (and I might be mistaken about this) is the the T2's are essentially KW Clubsports with the RCE name on them and RCE springs. So the T2's have potentially different spring rates but essentially Clubsport coils at the V3 pricepoint.

I don't know if this is coming from RCE directly, but traditionally they have claimed that their T2s have damping characteristics that they developed in house to deal with stiffer setups than the stock V3s. I doubt KW would undercut their own market buy giving away all the R&D for the Clubsport setup with a third party reseller and letting them relabel an identical product and sell it for less.

[Malt]

Originally Posted by SubieNate

I don't know if this is coming from RCE directly, but traditionally they have claimed that their T2s have damping characteristics that they developed in house to deal with stiffer setups than the stock V3s. I doubt KW would undercut their own market buy giving away all the R&D for the Clubsport setup with a third party reseller and letting them relabel an identical product and sell it for less.

RCE definitely didn't tell me that their T2's were clubsports, although I thought I read it somewhere here (which it seems I was mistaken).

[Ozzman]

What is the least invasive way of reducing/eliminating wheel hop on the BRZ I want to keep the car as stock as possible.

[solidONE]

yeah, wheel hop. I've been experiencing this even when getting on the throttle slightly out of a turn. Although I think the dampers not handling the road irregularities during a corner has a lot to say about it.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by Malt

The way it was explained to me (and I might be mistaken about this) is the the T2's are essentially KW Clubsports with the RCE name on them and RCE springs. So the T2's have potentially different spring rates but essentially Clubsport coils at the V3 pricepoint.

As for the T2's, is it normal for one set of the bolts that mount the struts to be facing forward and the other side to be facing rearward? Seemed like the passenger side bolts didn't want to install in the same direction as the factory bolts did.

Clubsports are relatively new in the KW lineup. It used to just be the V1/V2/V3 and then the competition and motorsport line. Our T2s for Impreza were based on the V3 back in the day (and Tarmac 1 for Legacy based on V2).

KW had a few different ideas in mind for a clubsport line to bridge the gap between V3 and the competition line (which do not have their inox stainless construction). You'll see on our Facebook pics of a 3 way clubsport for impreza we were testing for them. That was cool, but just one of the flavors they were looking at.

Anyway, for our T2s here we start with clubsport valving and tweak from there. We aren't using the same spring rates and like to have more head room for those who go stiffer, since even their clubsport spring rates are a little soft for us. The clubsport damper body is the same as V3, which is a good thing, but its a different story inside.

Our T2s don't come with tophats, which is intentional because there are many good camber plate options out there. Some will already have a set, some will want stock. It also keeps the customer's price down. The KW clubs come with tops but they are expensive and that drives the cost way up.

We do get the awesome warranty that the KW clubs do not get because we are lucky and awesome and we have a great relationship with KW.

As for the bolts, that's normal with KWs.

- Andy

[D K]

Originally Posted by D K

What are the exact differences between the V3 and the CS?

Is the CS part of the KW Motorsport series?

Lets try this one more time.....

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by D K

What are the exact differences between the V3 and the CS?

Is the CS part of the KW Motorsport series?

CS from KW come with top mounts for most applications (including BRZ/FRS). Firmer valving and spring rates. Same body as the variant models usually. For BRZ/FRS I think the spring rates are 1k stiffer front and rear with the clubsports.

NO warranty with clubsports.

Clubsport is it's own line between the variants and competition/motorsports line.

-Andy