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KW V3 spring rates?

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  • KW V3 spring rates?

    I see that there's been a bit of discussion on KW spring rates in the past, but no mention of specific rates. Has anyone ever found out what the actual rates are, I'm particularly interested in the front ATM.

    I did a rough measurement earlier using a set of bathroom scales, a steel rule, a press and a calculator & came up with 346lb/inch; sound feasible, but I'd like to know what the actual spec is!

    I also came up with the helper springat circa 85ibs.
    2000 Cosmos Black S50, Kyalami/Black interior, KW V3s, H&R ARBs, Supersprint exhausts, Apex ARC8s.
    1996 Dark Aubergine Escort Cosworth Lux with leather, GGR 305 chipped, GGR/Koni suspension, Black Diamond discs.
    2008 Orange/Black Westfield Megabusa, FW rear, Widetrack/Nitron Suspension, AP/Westfield 4 pots.
    Lots of Land Rovers!
    No wife or kids!!

  • #2
    You won't get the information from KW catalogues but the information can be found here: http://store.vacmotorsports.com/kw--...-on-p1521.aspx

    It says:
    Application Specs:
    BMW - Z3M (1997-on) Coupe, Convertible
    Front Lowering (inches): 1.2-2.7
    Rear Lowering (inches): 1.2-2.3
    Front Spring Rate (lbs/inch): Linear 400 lbs/in
    Rear Spring Rate (lbs/inch): Progressive with rate tweaks for either Coupe or Roadster


    You weren't that far out with your testing.
    /// Exdos ///
    "Men who try the impossible and fail spectacularly are infinitely superior to those who reach for nothing and succeed" --Napoleon Bonapart

    Comment


    • #3
      The rear springs are normally a stiffer poundage due to their location in the trailing arm but not sure how you "rate" a progressive spring. You probably already know but if you're after stiffer springs then get the V3 Clubsport which are stiffer and linear all round afaik.

      There's some spring rates on the net for E30s, not directly comparable but a similar chassis.

      There's a place in Sheffield (http://www.coilsprings.co.uk/index.htm) that does custom springs which I think I might take a look at next year as I feel mine are too soft all round.
      Last edited by c_w; 05-12-2011, 10:34 AM.

      Comment


      • #4
        Chris, are you already running KW?? If not, I have a set of V3 MC springs sat in the garage, fr & rear, if you want to try them.
        Black S50

        Comment


        • #5
          KW V3 Spring Rates: 400 front, Progressive rears
          http://www.suspensioncenter.com/p-28...1998-2002.aspx

          KW Clubsport Spring Rates: 685 front, Progressive rears
          http://www.suspensioncenter.com/p-28...1998-2002.aspx
          /// Exdos ///
          "Men who try the impossible and fail spectacularly are infinitely superior to those who reach for nothing and succeed" --Napoleon Bonapart

          Comment


          • #6
            Big increase in stiffness on the Clubsport then! Thought they were linear all round though!

            Originally posted by chippy View Post
            Chris, are you already running KW?? If not, I have a set of V3 MC springs sat in the garage, fr & rear, if you want to try them.
            Hi Tony, no I'm running the Bilstein dampers so "OEM" sized springs; I think only the rear V3 would therefore fit as the front coilover is a smaller spring - thanks for the offer though but I'm going to prob go down a stiffer OEM spring setup with custom springs.

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by c_w View Post
              Big increase in stiffness on the Clubsport then! Thought they were linear all round though!
              KW try to con everyone with their photos into thinking that their coilover kits for the MC include rear coilovers, when they actually use the same configuration as OEM at the rear. That's why the rear springs are of the "progressive" type.
              /// Exdos ///
              "Men who try the impossible and fail spectacularly are infinitely superior to those who reach for nothing and succeed" --Napoleon Bonapart

              Comment


              • #8
                Thanks Guys,
                will explain what I'm up to when I have more time!
                2000 Cosmos Black S50, Kyalami/Black interior, KW V3s, H&R ARBs, Supersprint exhausts, Apex ARC8s.
                1996 Dark Aubergine Escort Cosworth Lux with leather, GGR 305 chipped, GGR/Koni suspension, Black Diamond discs.
                2008 Orange/Black Westfield Megabusa, FW rear, Widetrack/Nitron Suspension, AP/Westfield 4 pots.
                Lots of Land Rovers!
                No wife or kids!!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by exdos View Post
                  KW try to con everyone with their photos into thinking that their coilover kits for the MC include rear coilovers, when they actually use the same configuration as OEM at the rear. That's why the rear springs are of the "progressive" type.
                  I think it's common practice for that as we know the rear damper top mount area isn't designed for spring loading, but linear OEM style springs are plentiful from US tuners like TC Kline

                  http://www.tcklineracing.com/webdocs...Details487.cfm

                  700lb sounds quite nice

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by c_w View Post
                    I think it's common practice for that as we know the rear damper top mount area isn't designed for spring loading, but linear OEM style springs are plentiful from US tuners like TC Kline

                    http://www.tcklineracing.com/webdocs...Details487.cfm

                    700lb sounds quite nice
                    I think they may be a little harsh for on UK roads, although I do admit that my V3's feel a little soft on the rear and go through their travel very easily. Does anyone sell something equivalent to a 500lb spring?

                    Paul

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Wav View Post
                      I do admit that my V3's feel a little soft on the rear
                      Do you operate a pneumatic drill for a living?

                      What damper settings are you using?
                      /// Exdos ///
                      "Men who try the impossible and fail spectacularly are infinitely superior to those who reach for nothing and succeed" --Napoleon Bonapart

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Wav View Post
                        I think they may be a little harsh for on UK roads, although I do admit that my V3's feel a little soft on the rear and go through their travel very easily. Does anyone sell something equivalent to a 500lb spring?

                        Paul
                        They do! http://www.tcklineracing.com/index.c...y&Category=313

                        400-700lb in 100lb increments. Shame they don't do OEM sized front springs otherwise I'd probaby get a set of those than going for largely untested custom ones.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by exdos View Post
                          Do you operate a pneumatic drill for a living?

                          What damper settings are you using?
                          Something like that I really meant that they can, on occasion, go through their travel very easily.

                          Cheers CW, I may be tempted by the 500lb springs. Has anyone tried them?

                          Paul

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by c_w View Post
                            They do! http://www.tcklineracing.com/index.c...y&Category=313

                            400-700lb in 100lb increments.
                            Doesn't say if they lower the car or not though!
                            2000 Cosmos Black S50, Kyalami/Black interior, KW V3s, H&R ARBs, Supersprint exhausts, Apex ARC8s.
                            1996 Dark Aubergine Escort Cosworth Lux with leather, GGR 305 chipped, GGR/Koni suspension, Black Diamond discs.
                            2008 Orange/Black Westfield Megabusa, FW rear, Widetrack/Nitron Suspension, AP/Westfield 4 pots.
                            Lots of Land Rovers!
                            No wife or kids!!

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Yea, that's definitely worth an email; I doubt they're factory ride height my bet is they are lowering springs of around 30-40mm but used with a coilover style rideheight adjustment (or different thickness pads) you can alter it a bit to suit.

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