Is this normal?

[scottxnizzle]

Is it normal that ever since I installed my KWV3 coilovers the ride quality has become more bumpier? lol I haven't played with the settings yet (rebound, bump)

Compared to my stock suspension, I don't remember it being that bumpy. You can say I feel the road more.

Is this normal?

[Racecomp Engineering]

You need to adjust the settings. KW V3s are double adjustable for damping (separate rebound and compression) so you have a lot of control. You just need to use it and use it right.

Contact your suspension vendor for tips or dig around for the settings we posted on here.

When set up correctly they should ride as good or better than stock.

- Andy

[scottxnizzle]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

You need to adjust the settings. KW V3s are double adjustable for damping (separate rebound and compression) so you have a lot of control. You just need to use it and use it right.

Contact your suspension vendor for tips or dig around for the settings we posted on here.

When set up correctly they should ride as good or better than stock.

- Andy

I am also running spacers (20mm front, 25mm rear) on stock rims/tires. I will buying some 18x9.5, all around wheels soon. Would the spacers on stock wheels/tires make a difference in quality? Would bigger wheels/tires help in the ride quality?

Now that I think about it, the roads I drive on aren't really that great lol but I do notice more of a bumpier ride.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by scottxnizzle

I am also running spacers (20mm front, 25mm rear) on stock rims/tires. I will buying some 18x9.5, all around wheels soon. Would the spacers on stock wheels/tires make a difference in quality? Would bigger wheels/tires help in the ride quality?

Now that I think about it, the roads I drive on aren't really that great lol but I do notice more of a bumpier ride.

18x9.5 wheels are too wide IMO and will have a negative impact on ride and handling. Too heavy. Everybody is doing it though.

A more reasonably sized and lighter wheel will be better.

Spacers will have a small negative impact on ride quality...they add a little unsprung weight which does not help. But the effect could be minor.

- Andy

[Racecomp Engineering]

To the OP:

Try these settings:

FRONT REBOUND: 12

FRONT COMPRESSION 13

REAR REBOUND : 14

REAR COMPRESSION : 9

*** ALL OF THESE SETTINGS ARE FROM FULL STIFF ******

So adjust the adjusters to FULL STIFF( CLOCKWISE ) then back it off these numbers of clicks.

Myles

[scottxnizzle]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

To the OP:

Try these settings:

FRONT REBOUND: 12

FRONT COMPRESSION 13

REAR REBOUND : 14

REAR COMPRESSION : 9

*** ALL OF THESE SETTINGS ARE FROM FULL STIFF ******

So adjust the adjusters to FULL STIFF( CLOCKWISE ) then back it off these numbers of clicks.

Myles

Thank you! ill try these settings whenever I get a chance to adjust them. Where did you get them, if you don't mind me asking?

[AZP Installs]

First question is who setup the coilovers for you?
Was a proper professional alignment done?
Was the ride height setup?
Preload?
Corner Balanced?
What other modifications are done to the suspension? (Sways, LCAs, etc)

On our Project BRZ for AZP Installs, we had to raise the KWv3s up quite a bit in order to get better handling on track. When they were set too low, the ride and handling was terrible.

-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!"

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by scottxnizzle

Thank you! ill try these settings whenever I get a chance to adjust them. Where did you get them, if you don't mind me asking?

Those are my settings from driving on v3's spring of 2013.

Myles

[3essess]

How low are you...bump stops ARE bumpy...mine are at almost max height and it is way smoother than when i was dropped on the low end of KWs specs. Also, if you are on the stiffer end of bump or rebound, the ride will be a lot harsher is what I've found.

[scottxnizzle]

Originally Posted by 3essess

How low are you...bump stops ARE bumpy...mine are at almost max height and it is way smoother than when i was dropped on the low end of KWs specs. Also, if you are on the stiffer end of bump or rebound, the ride will be a lot harsher is what I've found.

fairly low? lol one finger gap? haven't actually came around to measuring it. I also haven't came around to adjusting the settings. Im assuming the settings are stock except the height.

[3essess]

Originally Posted by scottxnizzle

fairly low? lol one finger gap? haven't actually came around to measuring it. I also haven't came around to adjusting the settings. Im assuming the settings are stock except the height.

I have 17x9 with 245x40, 24.7" diameter. I had a ~1 finger gap and that is on the low end where the ride will be pretty bump, especially on sharp edged bumps. But then again, I have the "soft" KWV3 coilovers which are too soft for my purposes (autox).

[JGalp]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

18x9.5 wheels are too wide IMO and will have a negative impact on ride and handling. Too heavy. Everybody is doing it though.

A more reasonably sized and lighter wheel will be better.

Spacers will have a small negative impact on ride quality...they add a little unsprung weight which does not help. But the effect could be minor.

- Andy

What are more reasonably sized wheels? and which ones for lighter weight?
17x9? 18x8.5? any wheels you can throw out there for all of us to do some research on?! thanks!

[cdrazic93]

The stock wheel size can come in pretty light aftermarket varients.

If you want to get ballsy with your wallet and weight savings, try to find magnesium wheels.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by JGalp

What are more reasonably sized wheels? and which ones for lighter weight?
17x9? 18x8.5? any wheels you can throw out there for all of us to do some research on?! thanks!

We ran 18x8 +38 offset on our very track focused car. BBS CH. Very pretty and strong. There are lighter wheels though.

9 inch wide is okay, 8.5 is getting better. Enkei, Wedsport, Volk, Rays, BBS, etc. all good brands.

- Andy