KW V1 Coilovers & Cusco Strut Bar build and Review Thread - BMW 330i ZHP

[danewilson77]

And so the install begins......

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Imola%20Bimmer/IMAG0161.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Imola%20Bimmer/IMAG0162.jpg

Packaging is amazing. Very well thought out. Directions.....are useless.....but that's normal.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Imola%20Bimmer/IMAG0163.jpg

Side by side comparison of FK Silverline X and KW V1's. I found it interesting that the coil setups are exactly opposite to one another. Other noted differences. Front spring perches (adjustment rings) are metal on the FK's and consist of 2 rings that lock together, while the KW's are a composite material....and fastened in place with a set screw.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/IMAG0168.jpg

Endlinks are included. Endlinks that are included are Beast. Made in Germany. Back side hold nut is very easy to get to which is very nice.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Imola%20Bimmer/IMAG0165.jpg

New
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/IMAG0166.jpg

Old
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/IMAG0167.jpg

Fronts are done.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Imola%20Bimmer/IMAG0171-1.jpg

Fronts took me 2 hours 45 minutes...taking my time and training Walker as I went.

Cusco strut bar was a simple install. Very elegant and sporty in design. Adds a splash of bling under the hood to go with AFE intake.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/IMAG0173.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/IMAG0174.jpg

Moving to rears tomorrow. Wiped out.

[mimalmo]

:)

Just a suggestion but, you'll probably want to start out with the fronts all the way at the lowest setting.

[danewilson77]

:)

Just a suggestion but, you'll probably want to start out with the fronts all the way at the lowest setting.

LOL.....sure :)

[GMATT]

In for moar pics..................... now now now!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GL with the install!!!!!!!!! Please give us a blow by blow!!!!!!!!!!!:)

[billschusteriv]

Awesome! Not done yet? Teaser thread not authorized. :biggrin. Must have live install updates.

In for moar. This is one of the coilovers I can use on the touring.

BlackBerry. Tapatalk.

[mimalmo]

Dane, you could be the first mafia member to live broadcast your install via webcam!

Make it happen!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Yep. We could embed a link here on the site. Stream it via JustinTV.

[Go Horns!]

I'm sitting here with a beer, ready to watch and no link. And that is what I do best, drink beer and watch other people work.

[danewilson77]

:)

Just a suggestion but, you'll probably want to start out with the fronts all the way at the lowest setting.


Eli....were you serious? I set it to same height as FK's and I gots gap. I am readjusting now.....Spose I will get some relaxation after 5k miles or so though.

Pics update in initial post.

[Johnmadd]

Yep. We could embed a link here on the site. Stream it via JustinTV.

+1 but do eeettt USTREAM, they gotz tigerblood. Great idea.

[static667]

Nice. How much for the old stuff, Dane?

[danewilson77]

Old stuff appears to be in excellent working order. I will clean everything up. The setup has somewhere around 25k miles on it. This is a $1300 setup. I will take $500 from the right person. This setup has 90% of its useful life left I would estimate. No rust. Buyer will pay additional for shipping. These coilovers have a lifetime guarantee from FK. The deal will also come with a 1 week happiness guarantee. You buy.....you don't like....we will figure something out. That's my word.

More install pics added in initial post.

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[static667]

Sweet. The bar looks awesome. Now I just gotta get some "protection money" out of a few people and I'll be able to buy the old set up.

[Johnmadd]

Sweet. The bar looks awesome. Now I just gotta get some "protection money" out of a few people and I'll be able to buy the old set up.

Break a leg, hehe.

[danewilson77]

Sweet. The bar looks awesome. Now I just gotta get some "protection money" out of a few people and I'll be able to buy the old set up.

Whack a knee.

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[Johnmadd]

Whack a knee.

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Lmao, hahahahahah

[mimalmo]

Eli....were you serious? I set it to same height as FK's and I gots gap. I am readjusting now.....Spose I will get some relaxation after 5k miles or so though.

Pics update in initial post.

Maybe I should have said "all the way at the bottom" instead.

[danewilson77]

I have 0.5" of adjustment left. You weren't lying.

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[mimalmo]

Take out the helper springs.

BTW, I found it interesting that the helpers are at the top on KW and the bottom on your old setup.

[danewilson77]

Yeah....I mentioned above in op.

Taking out helper springs will affect overall spring rate?

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[HaloArchive]

In line for the old setup

[mimalmo]

Yeah....I mentioned above in op.

Taking out helper springs will affect overall spring rate?


I'm sure it's bound to.


Did you see what I did there?

[Mtnman]

Great! Thanks for doing this right after I bought a cup kit! Don't get me wrong I love the kit, but for the same price you offer.......this! Someone better be all over this! Looks great dane.

Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk

[danewilson77]

I'm sure it's bound to.


Did you see what I did there?

Yeah...I'm going to leave it the way KW set it up. Rides super nice. If I need to come down that final inch....so be it. Plus I should get some relaxation on the springs. What do you think Eli.....0.5"?

[danewilson77]

This will end up going to the product review section.

Additionally.....If the FK's aren't sold by then...I will start an ad in the classifieds. First to offer $500 + Shipping gets them shipped out next week...all purdied up.

Did I mention the amazing adjustability of the FK's? These can make the car slammed or ride stock height.

[danewilson77]

Coilovers are SOLD.

[Alphatek45]

Coilovers are SOLD.

Nice! Grats to whoever snagged em.

[kayger12]

Who's the lucky dog that snagged that great deal?

[danewilson77]

Who's the lucky dog that snagged that great deal?

ZSP-Mafia (James)

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[kayger12]

OG, ftw.

Very nice.

[ZSP-Mafia]

Dane is my hero... Truly.

Thanks again.

[mimalmo]

Yeah...I'm going to leave it the way KW set it up. Rides super nice. If I need to come down that final inch....so be it. Plus I should get some relaxation on the springs. What do you think Eli.....0.5"?

The KW's will settle a little but probably not a half-inch.

[danewilson77]

The KW's will settle a little but probably not a half-inch.

Thanks Eli. I may need to push it down that last half inch then. I have rings all the way down in rear. Next step would be to remove ring.

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

ZSP-Mafia (James)

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Nice. DW's coilovers will be in San Diego.


iPad. Tapatalk. Bi-winning.

[ZSP-Mafia]

We'll get him here if we have to do it piece by piece. :)

[danewilson77]

We'll get him here if we have to do it piece by piece. :)

Lol...

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[Johnmadd]

Ha, port LA

[Au2bahn]

Dane, The helper spring (on or off) will not affect the spring rate at all and KW assured me on this. All it does is assist and pushes the coil spring when being jacked up and down. With my experience with the KW; with the helper springs installed, you will be limited on lowering the front even with the lowest setting. I had to take my helper springs off to get the height I wanted.

[mimalmo]

Dane, The helper spring (on or off) will not affect the spring rate at all and KW assured me on this. All it does is assist and pushes the coil spring when being jacked up and down. With my experience with the KW; with the helper springs installed, you will be limited on lowering the front even with the lowest setting. I had to take my helper springs off to get the height I wanted.

That's good to know.

[MrMaico]

When you guys mention the helper spring which part are you talking about? That shorter, tighter wound spring?

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/IMAG0168.jpg

[danewilson77]

I think so. I would pull that out then run the ring all the way up to meet the larger spring.

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[mimalmo]

When you guys mention the helper spring which part are you talking about? That shorter, tighter wound spring?

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/IMAG0168.jpg

Yes.

[MrMaico]

I think so. I would pull that out then run the ring all the way up to meet the larger spring.

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Thanks Dane. I can't see how doing that can NOT affect ride quality though. That's what would be called a progressive spring setup.....the smaller spring is for the smaller bumps and the large spring takes up the big hits.:dunno

I could see though that when you're trying to get any significant amount lower than the original ride height you are going to have to compromise somewhere and in this case you'd be giving up your softer initial inch or so of travel since you only have so much travel left to work with. Get what I'm saying?

[danewilson77]

Totally understand. I will probably just bring it down the last half inch before BFe.

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[MrMaico]

Totally understand. I will probably just bring it down the last half inch before BFe.

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Good call. One of these days I'd like to get a ride in a ZHP with coils. I have a feeling they would ride firmer than I prefer but you never know.

[danewilson77]

Good call. One of these days I'd like to get a ride in a ZHP with coils. I have a feeling they would ride firmer than I prefer but you never know.

Probably.....well....maybe. If I adjusted to stock height...I think it might be close.....but then....whats the point?

[zhpnsnv]

Thanks Dane. I can't see how doing that can NOT affect ride quality though. That's what would be called a progressive spring setup.....the smaller spring is for the smaller bumps and the large spring takes up the big hits.:dunno

I could see though that when you're trying to get any significant amount lower than the original ride height you are going to have to compromise somewhere and in this case you'd be giving up your softer initial inch or so of travel since you only have so much travel left to work with. Get what I'm saying?

The helper spring does not contribute to a setup being progressive - that's in the actual coil and the helper is for purposes mentioned in a post above.

[billschusteriv]

Good stuff Dane.

:like


Looks like you didn't have to relocate the positive terminal on your battery to install the strut bar?

[MrMaico]

The helper spring does not contribute to a setup being progressive - that's in the actual coil and the helper is for purposes mentioned in a post above.

Thanks for the correction. I guess I'm showing my age here. That is what some progressive sprung motorcycle shocks look (or maybe used to look) like.

Same here then too? Helper springs or progressive? They do mention "progressive spring rates". Those springs seem pretty long to just be a helper spring.

http://www.jlevistreetwerks.com/product_info.php?products_id=1002

[Au2bahn]

http://www.kw-suspension.com/us/kw_faqs.php

My helper spring is fully compressed, is this normal?
Yes, that is how it is designed. When your suspension is fully extended, the main spring is free to move around and can come dislodged from its perches without a helper spring. The helper spring is only there to retain pressure on the main spring when the shock is fully extended so that the main spring stays in place.


Why doesn’t KW provide a rating on its progressive springs?
Progressive springs do not have a “set spring rate”. As a progressive spring compresses, the spring rate increases, unlike a conventional linear spring. This makes it impossible to put a specific rate on the spring because at different points in its travel, the spring rate will be different.

[danewilson77]

Good stuff Dane.

:like


Looks like you didn't have to relocate the positive terminal on your battery to install the strut bar?

Nope....it tucked right under.

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[HokieZHP]

Dane, I saw in your thread over at BMWMafia that you used to have the ECS tuning carbon strut brace. Any reason why you got rid of it in place of the new Cusco brace? Weren't happy with it, didn't perform well, etc?

[danewilson77]

Dane, I saw in your thread over at BMWMafia that you used to have the ECS tuning carbon strut brace. Any reason why you got rid of it in place of the new Cusco brace? Weren't happy with it, didn't perform well, etc?

I just needed a change. And Johnmadd needed a strut bar.

[HokieZHP]

I need a strut bar.................that Cusco one is purty!

jk I am considering picking up one here shortly once I sell the rear sway bar of my Jetta TDI.

[danewilson77]

I need a strut bar.................that Cusco one is purty!

jk I am considering picking up one here shortly once I sell the rear sway bar of my Jetta TDI.

:rofl

There's a couple out there I would like to try on...

[HokieZHP]

Well...if you end up getting another one here soon I'd be happy to adopt your old one. :biggrin

[danewilson77]

Well...if you end up getting another one here soon I'd be happy to adopt your old one. :biggrin

Roger.

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[LivesNearCostco]

Dane, are you able to see how compressed (or not compressed) your rear KW springs are with the car sitting on the ground? A guy on e46fanatics posted a pic (see thread (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=912308)) of his KW v3 rears showing the spring very compressed. Not sure how he took the picture. This morning before going to work I tried to take a similar picture by sticking a small light and a camera up between the control arm and muffler and didn't have much success.

[danewilson77]

The best way to do this... Imho.... Would be to back up on ramps.

Those springs aren't a big deal... Imo... As they have nothing to do (very little) with bound/rebound... And pretty much determine ride height.

I may it a go this weekend, with the pics.

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[LivesNearCostco]

I don't have ramps, maybe buy some later this year. Here are pictures of my left rear spring and height adjuster under static load. Seems like the spring could compress at least 2" more before coilbind but the adjuster would hit the white cone after about 1.5" of bump travel. I guess for maximum bump travel I'd need to raise the height adjusters 0.5". Or the serious track folks with R-comp/slick tires would get even stiffer, shorter (6") springs so they can set ride height even lower but never consume the last 1" of bump travel.
36443643

[danewilson77]

That looks good.

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[TWong1200]

Reviving an old thread. Aside from your install, what are your thoughts on these coilovers? I'm on the verge of picking up a set. Still running them?

[danewilson77]

Yes. I'm still running these. Love the ride and adjustability, and don't need dampening.

"No flamesuit required"

[Vas]

How would you describe the fixed dampening?

[danewilson77]

How would you describe the fixed dampening?
Ummm....you can't adjust it?

Lol.

Or are you looking for a description on ride quality/comfort?

"No flamesuit required"

[Vas]

Yeah. Do the fixed dampening of the shocks feel appropriate to the springs?

[danewilson77]

Slightly more aggressive ride than stock. Less body roll, etc. Easy to DD though.

"No flamesuit required"

[TWong1200]

Thanks. I think I'm sold on them. They shall be mine

[WOLFN8TR]

I'm running these also, excellent setup. [emoji106]

[TWong1200]

Good to know. What are you guys running for FSM and RSM?

[TWong1200]

Just received my KW's today. I ended up buying OEM FSM and RSM as well as re-enforcement kits. I also purchased Z4M front and rear bushings with limiters. Going to tackle this all at once so that I can align it just once. Can't wait..hope I'm not disappointed in these coilovers!

[ELCID86]

Just received my KW's today. I ended up buying OEM FSM and RSM as well as re-enforcement kits. I also purchased Z4M front and rear bushings with limiters. Going to tackle this all at once so that I can align it just once. Can't wait..hope I'm not disappointed in these coilovers!

Good idea on all at once. Looking forward to your review.


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[TWong1200]

Dane - can you tell me how much thread space you have on your coilovers? I like the height of your car and I'm looking for a baseline to start with when I install mine this week. Any suggestions?

[danewilson77]

Fronts are bottomed. Rear at at about 3/4" from bottom of perch.

"No flamesuit required"

[TWong1200]

To clarify, rear perch sits on top of spring. So 3/4 from bottom meaning you still have a lot of space to go lower?

Do you have the helper springs up front installed?

Can you post the most recent photo you have of your car please?

[danewilson77]

Helper springs are installed. Yes. I have space to go lower in the rear. My current setup and the dimensions given, are not for the stance in my sig. That was on FK's.

"No flamesuit required"