Bilstein Or Kw Coilovers?

[mystery machine]

Hi folks,

Still trying to decide what to do with my Hawkeye STI's suspension. Lowered springs aren't an option because of the inevitable 'knocking shock' problem.

Currently looking at the Bilstein B14 coilover kit:

http://www.motorsportworld.co.uk/framefix....&PID=792989

Also considering the KW variant 1 kit (about a third of the way down this page):

http://www.just-subaru.com/suspension-hawk-eye-69870-0.html

Both are adjustable for ride height but not for damping, and both are a few hunner more than Tein & BC... but the general opinion seems to be that you get what you pay for (esp. with regards to ride quality)...

Cheers.

Edited August 6, 2010 by Mystery Machine

[rig-pig]

bilstein & KW have always been a very good quality shock manufacturer's

[mystery machine]

Cheers, RP.

Edited August 7, 2010 by Mystery Machine

[craigdmcd]

I had a set of KW's that I sold to Terzo Neil, and we both agree that they are excellent units. The only difference is that I had the adjustable units. Bilstein stuff is generally very good, but you do find the GT-B boys complaining that the standard units do wear out, but only after a long period of time.

[mystery machine]

Thanks Craig.

I'd be most grateful if you could answer a few questions...

What model Impreza were you running them on?

How did they compare with standard ride and handling (or whatever suspension you had before)?

Did you play with the damper adjustments much, or stick to one setting?

Why did you horse them?

Sorry for all the questions, but it all helps me make an informed choice

[scooby222]

id try and get a ride in a few cars with the setups your thinking about - i had an integra with teins,handled amazing but even on soft settings it was rock hard

got bc's in my 05 sti now and run them just on the firm side of halfway (theyre 32 stage damping adjustable) so i think if you put them right back to soft theyd give a better ride than standard.

certainly when i got mine they were half the price of the equivalent spec teins and and kw's,ast, exec tec or bilsteins were all a lot more - dont get me wrong you get what you pay for,at some point when i have the cash il upgrade to exectec probably but theres nothing wrong with the bc's as a budget option

[mystery machine]

id try and get a ride in a few cars with the setups your thinking about - i had an integra with teins,handled amazing but even on soft settings it was rock hard

got bc's in my 05 sti now and run them just on the firm side of halfway (theyre 32 stage damping adjustable) so i think if you put them right back to soft theyd give a better ride than standard.

certainly when i got mine they were half the price of the equivalent spec teins and and kw's,ast, exec tec or bilsteins were all a lot more - dont get me wrong you get what you pay for,at some point when i have the cash il upgrade to exectec probably but theres nothing wrong with the bc's as a budget option

Cheers mate.

Never heard of exec tec, do you have any links to those?

Thanks.

[terzo neil]

just had my geometry done today and set up on kw coilovers on moffified P1 settings

the car is glued to the road, handling superb

pity John Stevenson phoned this morning to progrip trying to get a cheeky friday date whilst he has half way thro my set up

[StrikE]

Cheers mate.

Never heard of exec tec, do you have any links to those?

Thanks.

Google is your friend.............. or i will just copy the link i had

exe-tc

[scooby222]

http://www.exe-tc.co.uk/

have a look there, theyre about 2k though i think

[mystery machine]

Google is your friend..............

Erm, aye - but not much joy searching for "exec tec" (which was all I had to go on!)

or i will just copy the link i had

exe-tc

Cheers, Deek

[mystery machine]

http://www.exe-tc.co.uk/

have a look there, theyre about 2k though i think

Thanks again mate - aye, going a bit outside my budget - but good to know what's out there

[craigdmcd]

Thanks Craig.

I'd be most grateful if you could answer a few questions...

What model Impreza were you running them on?

How did they compare with standard ride and handling (or whatever suspension you had before)?

Did you play with the damper adjustments much, or stick to one setting?

Why did you horse them?

Sorry for all the questions, but it all helps me make an informed choice

I actually had the KW's on an original Series 1 Legacy RS. They were bought secondhand, used for about a year and then taken off because I was selling the car on, and the next owner wanted it returned to standard. They fitted straight on to Neil's Terzo, and simply needed some height adjustment to get them right. The ride quality was outstanding even with 215/40R17 Yokohama Parada's on it, with most small bumps not noticed, and reasonable control over large jolts. I've since fitted them for Neil, and believe thet are still working as well (god knows I would have heard about it if they weren't!).

The only comment I would make, is to pay the extra (£300 I believe) for the adjustables, just in case the non-adjustables damping isn't to your taste.

Hope this helps

Craig

[mystery machine]

Thanks again Craig.

It certainly seems worth the extra £200-odd for the option of damper adjustability... only snag is that the photos I've seen of the V1s appear to show a more conventional 'wider diameter' spring on two units. I'm speculating here, but could that make the V1s more suitable for road use?

Edit: had it confirmed that the V1/V3 spring rates are the same.

Edited August 6, 2010 by Mystery Machine

[terzo neil]

the kw coilovers are working a treat on the classic with the other suspension mods and now properly set up,

really enjoy pushing the classic to 100% now on the roads, esp the back roads

grinning all day long, after a serious blast, yesterday done 177 miles of sheer fun after getting the geometry done, best day of classic driving so far

[mystery machine]

You're saying all the right things, Neil... or all the wrong things, from ma wife's perspective!

[terzo neil]

roll on the run on thursday night

getting the newage's geomtry done on thursday morning as well, hopefully thats going to handle alot better as well, as its twitchy as fook on re070's

made the classic feel young and responsive again, also had the classic fuly decatted on a 1 box system, love going thro the tunnel on full chat, cannae beat it either

[dan_jess]

CDF Racing are offering 15% off KW products

http://bbs.scoobynet.com/trader-announceme...r-from-cdf.html

[mystery machine]

CDF Racing are offering 15% off KW products

http://bbs.scoobynet.com/trader-announceme...r-from-cdf.html

Cheers Dan.

[mystery machine]

If anyone's interested, I ordered a set of KW Variant 3 today. I went for KW over Bilstein because I decided adjustables would be better and the KW adjustables are a couple hundred cheaper than the Bilsteins - couldn't find any reason to pay extra for Billies.

In addition to the coilovers, the place doing the supply & fitting persuaded me to augment the new suspension with a Whiteline Anti-lift kit* and rear camber bolts.

Just need to book a slot for fitting now - quite excited

Thanks everyone for all the useful input - will post a review after the new kit is fitted

* An apparently little-understood fact...

Did you know that the Whiteline ALK actually increases front-end lift under acceleration and increases front-end dive under braking? Therefore, it should correctly be referred to as an 'pro-lift' kit, or 'anti-anti-lift' kit, if you prefer . The increased lift/dive is a side-effect of the softening of the suspension that the ALK introduces under accel/decel, the purpose of which is to increase front-end grip and therefore reduce understeer during these conditions, making the car's grip characteristics more neutral. Don't take my word for it:

http://www.whiteline.com.au/articles/Effec...0WL%20ALK_b.pdf

Nevertheless, I am assured that, in combination with the stiffening effect of the new coilovers, I shouldn't experience an increase in lift/dive compared to the stock setup (hopefully less!). In any case, I wanted the ALK more for the positive effect on steering feel brought about by the increased caster angle... any reduction in understeer is more of a bonus, I don't generally find the car too understeery (the opposite in fact, given enough throttle at the right point in a bend!).

Edited August 7, 2010 by Mystery Machine

[StrikE]

Would be interested to feel the ride quality after KW are fitted!

Hint hint

[mystery machine]

Derek - there's a slim chance I'll have them fitted for the FW meet... that would certainly be a good time/place to test ride quality - the road that leads up to the back of the wheel is one of the most uneven in the Falkirk area! (tree roots trying to escape from under the tarmac).

Is your hatch still on the stock suspension then? I remember you were asking about coilovers but can't remember if you bought some...

[StrikE]

Still on bouncy castle suspension atm hopefully changing in a while :-)

50/50 just now if i can make the wheel yet

[craigdmcd]

Good choice on the coilovers and ALK, you won't be disappointed. Derek if you have a shot in a properly set-up car with KW's it doesn't leave you any option. Definately well worth the money

[StrikE]

..... just slowly taking the hint.