Author Topic: KW V3 - instalation and impressions (Read 21661 times)

Kelu · « **on:** June 27, 2010, 06:29:55 PM »

First of all I have bought KW V3 used so I can't give any information about assemble of the coilovers (if the come disassembled) or setting them up.
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KW V3 vs oem coilovers:
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The operation is pretty straight forward and nothing is complicated, took me and my friend about 4 hours without rushing and doing only a wheel once.

The mess:
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No need of such a mess, you need 3 different wrenches 13mm, 15mm and 18mm and an optional 8mm one.

Please have a good jack, not like me

and gave us a lot of trouble and time spent with it
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Front:
I took only upper swing arm off, nothing else, after that unscrewed shock nuts for below and upper (in engine bay next to wheel well)
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Slide the oem coilover out and put the KW one in place and screw the nuts back, I used oem nuts because they fit and I didn't had others:
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After doing the front ones and dropped the car already there was lower:
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Before there was room for 3 finder, now only one (don't forget the rear was stock):
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I did same for rear but there I took off also the control arm to be able to make room for coilovers.
Before:
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After first drop:
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Later after a test drive I could barely stick one finger there.

Kelu · « **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2010, 06:30:12 PM »

Remember the cigarettes from below the front bumper? After doing the rear suspension too, that packet got smaller:
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Some overall pictures with the car (mind the dirt, from here I drove directly to car wash):
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My buddy who did most of the work, I was just helping and assisting:
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Finally car looks as I wanted and drives far better. I measured the differences from ground to the fender top corner it was 65cm and finished at 62cm, rear from ground to top point of the fender arch was 73cm and after was 67cm.

I did cut the holes in the trunk to access the shock adjuster.

Now I need some help especially from KW V3 owners. Because I bought this used I don't have any key/adjuster tool and no information how to adjust it, I will love if someone can help me with some pictures for the tools for adjusting the suspension and some info about how to do it.

So here are the manuals from KW:

Installation Instructions:
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Set up Manual KW - Variant 3
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Sol Asylum · « **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2010, 07:59:32 PM »

Looks like Critter taught you how to "work" on a car in that last picture.

Critterman · « **Reply #3 on:** June 27, 2010, 08:07:25 PM »

SA-we all have our specialties

Mine is to look good and supervise others work.

Kelu- Contact DDMWorks, they sell KW's and might be able to help you

Kelu · « **Reply #4 on:** June 27, 2010, 08:12:12 PM »

Sol Asylum: mind you, but that was the exact reason why I posted that picture, I wanted to see if someone is thinking same me

Critterman: I don't like to disturb people especially busy ones, I hope there are people around with KWs who might give me a hand.

DeepBlueGXP · « **Reply #5 on:** June 27, 2010, 09:27:17 PM »

Great job!!!

Damn your car is dirty

JimmyBaja · « **Reply #6 on:** June 27, 2010, 09:55:07 PM »

Outstanding job Kelu! Looks good with the lower profile, think you could get some more whole car pictures (after it's clean of course) to see the lower stance of the car.

Uranium-238 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 27, 2010, 10:55:05 PM »

Yep, these cars look a million times better lowered.

BTW kelu, that's pretty much what things looked like when Larry and Ben did the shocks on my car...they did all the work, I fetched tools and watched. Good to see I'm not the only one who did that.

Arabas · « **Reply #8 on:** June 28, 2010, 02:41:11 AM »

Great work Kelu, directing people to do a job, always needs inspiration

!
are you going to leave it lowered like that or are you going to add some height?

Megas just installed his KW, maybe you could drop him a pm and i m sure he will be glad to let you know of the suggested adjustments by KW for the GT!!

Kelu · « **Reply #9 on:** June 28, 2010, 04:53:50 AM »

DeepBlueGXP and JimmyBaja damn racers, I already said after finishing the suspension I drove directly to car wash

I will try to take better pictures soon.

Uranium-238: I unbolted some nuts also, searched on the internet to confirm which are for front and which for rear, bringing the beer and many others

Arabas: I would like to see you doing it by your own

For the moment I will leave it as it is I will decide in 2-3 weeks if I will make it higher or not. Mailed to Megas, thank you for pointing to him

Arabas · « **Reply #10 on:** June 28, 2010, 05:16:48 AM »

i can t even wash the car on my own, so installing suspension is like assembling Columbia for me...
Megas is a great guy and has researched a lot regarding KW. i m pretty sure he will direct you to the optima set up!

DeepBlueGXP · « **Reply #11 on:** June 28, 2010, 05:24:57 AM »

Don't forget to get an alignment

Arabas · « **Reply #12 on:** June 28, 2010, 05:27:21 AM »

Quote from: DeepBlueGXP on June 28, 2010, 05:24:57 AM

Don't forget to get an alignment

as i hear, it's not necessary.. is it?

Kelu · « **Reply #13 on:** June 28, 2010, 05:43:51 AM »

I updated the 2nd post with installation and setup manuals.

As far as alignment, I planned to do it after I decide how low I will keep it, I'm looking for settings of the alignment.

DeepBlueGXP · « **Reply #14 on:** June 28, 2010, 07:13:39 AM »

From what I've seen with DDM doing the spring installs here and from the several I've installed, it basically put his alignment within the race specs except for some toe in, those specs are great for Auto X but not for drag racing. The kit you have is similar to what we put on Go-N Def's car and You'll need an alignment if your primary sport is drag racing.

Kelu · « **Reply #15 on:** June 28, 2010, 07:21:01 AM »

Understood boss, any suggestions for values of the alignment for street driving and drag racing?

snaponbob · « **Reply #16 on:** June 28, 2010, 07:38:55 AM »

Quote from: Arabas on June 28, 2010, 05:27:21 AM

as i hear, it's not necessary.. is it?

YES if the car has been lowered. The toe settings at both ends will have been affected. Drag racing requires more contact patch so stock alignment would be best to keep the rear tires as vertical as possible. Throw in 3/4 degree of negative camber in front will give you better steering response while close to awro rear camber will plant the contact patch for launches at the drags.

DeepBlueGXP · « **Reply #17 on:** June 28, 2010, 11:19:47 AM »

Quote from: Kelu on June 28, 2010, 07:21:01 AM

Understood boss, any suggestions for values of the alignment for street driving and drag racing?

Stock alignment specs, http://www.kappaperformance.com/forum/index.php?topic=4395.0

Kelu · « **Reply #18 on:** June 28, 2010, 12:26:05 PM »

Thank you gents, I will go with stock with 3/4 degrees negative in front

kennysabarese · « **Reply #19 on:** June 28, 2010, 12:30:05 PM »

Any need for camber adjustment for drag racing SOB?

snaponbob · « **Reply #20 on:** June 28, 2010, 01:18:44 PM »

Quote from: Kenny on June 28, 2010, 12:30:05 PM

Any need for camber adjustment for drag racing SOB?

Kelu is doing street and drag, but apparently not Solo or track events, so no great need for negative camber in back. But if there is a lot of racing involved with OCCASIONAL drag racing, just leave it alone and dump the clutch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kennysabarese · « **Reply #21 on:** June 28, 2010, 01:20:38 PM »

sorry. i meant CASTER!

Kelu · « **Reply #22 on:** June 28, 2010, 01:49:38 PM »

You lost me guys

Which is the one which need special GM tools, caster, right?

kennysabarese · « **Reply #23 on:** June 28, 2010, 01:51:41 PM »

caster requires the special tool, but i heard that DDM has a method that doesn't require the GM tool

Kelu · « **Reply #24 on:** June 28, 2010, 01:54:31 PM »

I can do aligment at Opel dealership and I think they might have the GM tools but will cost me double or triple price

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Author Topic: KW V3 - instalation and impressions (Read 21661 times)