Decided what coilovers to get: KW's
They're both height adjustable between 1.4 and 2.6" and infinetly "high speed" dampening, for turning adjustable. V2 has high speed, V3 has low speed adjustable as well, though it's not available for civics. for reference, tein, JIC, B+G are only adjustable for high speed as well, though their dampening range may be different.
Originally posted by Ocelaris
They're both height adjustable between 1.4 and 2.6" and infinetly "high speed" dampening, for turning adjustable. V2 has high speed, V3 has low speed adjustable as well, though it's not available for civics. for reference, tein, JIC, B+G are only adjustable for high speed as well, though their dampening range may be different.
They're both height adjustable between 1.4 and 2.6" and infinetly "high speed" dampening, for turning adjustable. V2 has high speed, V3 has low speed adjustable as well, though it's not available for civics. for reference, tein, JIC, B+G are only adjustable for high speed as well, though their dampening range may be different.
Thanks for the question, and the answer. One correction, the KW's are all dampening adjustable on the low speed portion of the shock curve, allowing you to control the pitch and the roll of the vehicle effectively. Remember, the speed of the damper, does not mean the speed of the car, it is of the shock rod only!
BTW,
I will be out of town on business from this afternoon until the 28th. I will do my best to check up, but I wanted to let you know!
Thanks
Autocross Junky
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yup, High speed and Mid speed damping deals whith how the shock absorbes impacts, like bumps. Low speed dampining deals with how the car handles in a corner. Most adjustible shocks only allow you to adjust Low speed compression dampining. Rebound is ushually preset, though some companys will do custom valving if you ask. I know Koni will but it will cost ya.
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I talked to Glen yesterday and he said the Variant 3 will be out soon and should fit our cars. That will provide both high and low dampening.
Originally posted by robbclark1
I talked to Glen yesterday and he said the Variant 3 will be out soon and should fit our cars. That will provide both high and low dampening.
I talked to Glen yesterday and he said the Variant 3 will be out soon and should fit our cars. That will provide both high and low dampening.
Just a quick clarification, the V3 kits feature both bump (compression) and rebound dampening on the LOW speed of the shock. the transition mid and high speed is preset to avoid bone jarring when you hit a divit or bump in the road.
Thanks again for the call!
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Oh, fun. Now if we can only talk them in to putting camber plates on to them, we'll be set.
are you sure its High and low dampining? or is it Rebound and compression dampining adjustments?
KW's are slowly becoming a viable option for me. It would be interesting to find how they handle durring autocross/track days, rather then just street use. (Street setups, while much better then stock, are ushually "Mild" when compaired to autocross and road coures setups.) Also, Id like to find out how they pair up to upgraded anti-rollbars. Due to the high degree of difference in spring rates Front to rear, I would be interested to find if having a large rear anti-roll bar would be a liability, and cause oversteer, rather then a benifit and make the car more neutral.
are you sure its High and low dampining? or is it Rebound and compression dampining adjustments?
KW's are slowly becoming a viable option for me. It would be interesting to find how they handle durring autocross/track days, rather then just street use. (Street setups, while much better then stock, are ushually "Mild" when compaired to autocross and road coures setups.) Also, Id like to find out how they pair up to upgraded anti-rollbars. Due to the high degree of difference in spring rates Front to rear, I would be interested to find if having a large rear anti-roll bar would be a liability, and cause oversteer, rather then a benifit and make the car more neutral.
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Originally posted by Zzyzx
Oh, fun. Now if we can only talk them in to putting camber plates on to them, we'll be set.
are you sure its High and low dampining? or is it Rebound and compression dampining adjustments?
KW's are slowly becoming a viable option for me. It would be interesting to find how they handle durring autocross/track days, rather then just street use. (Street setups, while much better then stock, are ushually "Mild" when compaired to autocross and road coures setups.) Also, Id like to find out how they pair up to upgraded anti-rollbars. Due to the high degree of difference in spring rates Front to rear, I would be interested to find if having a large rear anti-roll bar would be a liability, and cause oversteer, rather then a benifit and make the car more neutral.
Oh, fun. Now if we can only talk them in to putting camber plates on to them, we'll be set.
are you sure its High and low dampining? or is it Rebound and compression dampining adjustments?
KW's are slowly becoming a viable option for me. It would be interesting to find how they handle durring autocross/track days, rather then just street use. (Street setups, while much better then stock, are ushually "Mild" when compaired to autocross and road coures setups.) Also, Id like to find out how they pair up to upgraded anti-rollbars. Due to the high degree of difference in spring rates Front to rear, I would be interested to find if having a large rear anti-roll bar would be a liability, and cause oversteer, rather then a benifit and make the car more neutral.
And sorry I misspoke, I touwld be rebound and compression dampening, not high and low. My bad.
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ya, with our cars, I figured that if we cant really improve the engine, I should probably make it so I don't have to slow down in the corners.
I will send in an inquiry to my Competition department to see if this is something we will be able to do for people who are interested.
Im sure it is not a problem, but as I have learned over time is that there is often tradeoffs when using race type parts in street cars. (each action has an equal and opposite re-action)
Thanks guys for considering KW!
Im sure it is not a problem, but as I have learned over time is that there is often tradeoffs when using race type parts in street cars. (each action has an equal and opposite re-action)
Thanks guys for considering KW!
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Thans for looking in to that Glen, it would be a big selling point for me.
especially with compression/rebound adjustment.
I understand that there will be tradeoffs when going for performance handling. Right now for me ride comfort is second to handling.
especially with compression/rebound adjustment.
I understand that there will be tradeoffs when going for performance handling. Right now for me ride comfort is second to handling.
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Glen_at_KW: are you situated in Langley BC, Canada?
If so, Sweet!
I live in Ontario, and after reading this post, I think I would love to order the KW's instead of the tein SS system!
the SS isn't stainless, and I'd have to take them off for the winter.
do you think the KW's would rust with all the salt they throw down here in ottawa?
it's pretty brutal sometimes, but at least it keeps the road ice-free in the winter.
any help on that would be great, and I'll try to find your email address or give you a call when you get back so that I can get a quote in canuck funds!
Thanks!
EDITED: I just read up on your web page. After seeing that it's not going to corrode/rust, I'm definately buying these
BUT...you guys offer the casing in stainless steel, but the spring perches are aluminum. Aluminum will rust...what's your solution to the perch corrosion issue, if there is one?
If so, Sweet!

I live in Ontario, and after reading this post, I think I would love to order the KW's instead of the tein SS system!
the SS isn't stainless, and I'd have to take them off for the winter.
do you think the KW's would rust with all the salt they throw down here in ottawa?
it's pretty brutal sometimes, but at least it keeps the road ice-free in the winter.
any help on that would be great, and I'll try to find your email address or give you a call when you get back so that I can get a quote in canuck funds!
Thanks!
EDITED: I just read up on your web page. After seeing that it's not going to corrode/rust, I'm definately buying these

BUT...you guys offer the casing in stainless steel, but the spring perches are aluminum. Aluminum will rust...what's your solution to the perch corrosion issue, if there is one?
Last edited by tekgnosis; Jul 17, 2003 at 12:24 PM.
doh, had to pay UPS import duties
oh well, I guess that's the cost of getting them shipped from Germany. Only 20$, and the timing was right, so I can't complain. They feel great! Alignment on tuesday should fixed my whack A$$ camber steering. Jedo, these things go LOW, so be conservative on the drop man
oh well, I guess that's the cost of getting them shipped from Germany. Only 20$, and the timing was right, so I can't complain. They feel great! Alignment on tuesday should fixed my whack A$$ camber steering. Jedo, these things go LOW, so be conservative on the drop man
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Originally posted by jedo
did you also order this coilover?
did you also order this coilover?
i had tein ss on my 2002 ex but now i have 02 si. and need full coilovers
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Very interested in that damping adjustment upgrade and in camber plates. If KW sold a product like that I would most likely buy it. Basically the same as in this thread, but with camber plates. To me those are more important than the better adjustability of the shock; although both are nice.
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Heh - got my KW's yesterday. Beautiful. They are freakin' awesome looking! I hope that there are no issues on bolting them up, since I plan on partaking on Friday....Only other thing - I can't read German (yet, heh), so I can't understand the documentation that came with them.
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you do the research and decide. some people will tell you to get the tein's some the KW's. you have to figure out yourself.
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Some points to consider about the different coilovers which are available:
- Stainless steel construction of the KW's vs the competition
- B + G's - read lots of good things about them, but also see lots of threads about creaking and popping noises that won't go away. I didn't want to take that chance, and wanted to try the KW's.
- Limited lifetime warranty on the whole coilover (not including abuse)! Many other manufacturers only warranty the spring for the life, and the shock for 1 year.
I'm not trying to plug KW here - just writing some facts down. So far, IMHO, the KW's seem like a superior value. However, I have yet to drive on them and cannot comment on their feel. Others here have them installed and love them. But hey, I'm an engineer, so I mostly look for specs and #'s......
As soon as I get them installed I'll write an unbiased review here on what I think....
- Stainless steel construction of the KW's vs the competition
- B + G's - read lots of good things about them, but also see lots of threads about creaking and popping noises that won't go away. I didn't want to take that chance, and wanted to try the KW's.
- Limited lifetime warranty on the whole coilover (not including abuse)! Many other manufacturers only warranty the spring for the life, and the shock for 1 year.
I'm not trying to plug KW here - just writing some facts down. So far, IMHO, the KW's seem like a superior value. However, I have yet to drive on them and cannot comment on their feel. Others here have them installed and love them. But hey, I'm an engineer, so I mostly look for specs and #'s......
As soon as I get them installed I'll write an unbiased review here on what I think....


