I've been doing some research on KW v3s, and just have a few quesitons/clarifications.

The stock springs are 60mm and have a 140mm free length?
What brand spring are people using when they replace the stock springs? I've found Hypercoil and H&R springs. I'm assuming the H&R springs would probably be the best suited, as I've found 60mm springs that are 140mm tall.
Also, about how high of spring rates is the stock valving good for? I'm assuming it should be able to run 600-700lb springs no problem, as the CS runs ~575lb springs.

Thanks all!

 

hyperco and swift will be good brand springs. as far as the rates, you should probably call kw for that

 

I have hypercoil springs on mine. 650 front 750 rear. as long as you get the 5.5 inch free length they are the same size. I actually put 2.5id 7 inch free length on the rear without the helper spring and they work just fine.

 

Are you using the stock valving still? How is it?
I'm assuming that as long as I'm not maxed out on either adjustment its still OK.

I'll look into the hypercoils.

 

Yes, I'm still on stock valving, have been for about 2000 miles now. I'm doing the first auto-x of the season this weekend so I'll see how it goes. I don't have any oil leaking past the shaft seals, no clunking or anything abnormal.

 

.....haha shaft.

OK cool. I wouldn't expect them to fail with higher spring rates, just more curious as to if the valving could keep up with that stiff of spring.
Thanks a bunch for the advice!

 

Personally I would'nt go down this road without calling KW first. When I talked to them about custom springs they recommended against it. they actually spend alot of time testing before production so I'd heed there advice.

 

You want 60mm I.D. and 5.5" free length when changing springs on KW V3's (if you plan to retain the tender springs). 650F/550R Hypercoils are what I put on most of our customer's track cars with good results.

-Aaron

 

Just did an auto-x this past sunday with them, and they worked great. Changing the springs allowed me to put power down earlier coming out of the corner and got rid of most of the push that I was incuring on corner entry. There are still little tweeks that can be done to get rid of it completely.

Again, so far so good. Things are meant to be tinkered with, there is no harm in changing the springs on these shocks and it seems lke stock valving will handle 750 lbs springs without issue.

 

Thanks for your input counice. I'll remember that

Good to hear chetly! I am palnning to do a spring swap on mine as well. I absolutely love my V3's, I just feel they can benefit from a better, slightly more aggressive spring.

I too agree things are meant to be tinkered with. Most things off the shelf are catered to the general public. And a great shock like the KW's is capable of being modified to better suit the owners preferences.

I am looking at going with the Swift 12k front and rear while retaining my 225/255 stagger. Then when I go nonstaggered I will see how it is and adjust sway bars and alignment accordingly. I am on factory sway bars right now and I love the balance.