I'm looking at purchasing a set of KW Variant 1 coilovers next month once I get my insurance sorted, i've no experience with coilovers so i'm looking for some advice. I wont be going for a huge drop if that makes any difference.

1) Is there anything other than the coilovers I need to buy (read about shortened droplinks somewhere recently)?

2) Any specific tools I will need to fit them?

3) Any tips that will make the job easier?

Basically any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Michael

+1 as could do with the info too!

1) Is there anything other than the coilovers I need to buy (read about shortened droplinks somewhere recently)?

KW keep the bracket in the correct location for the lowring so shorter droplinks are not nessassary (they are not on the Weitecs i have, which are just a cheeper version of KW)

Get new topmounts and Bearing (mightaswell do them while you are under there)

2) Any specific tools I will need to fit them?

Hub seperator/Stron chisel

M14 Spline bit (good quality)

Sping compressors (incase topmounts wont go on)

Vortex ratchet would be ideal for fitting topmounts

3) Any tips that will make the job easier?

A jack with long reach to get good height on the axel stands as i can never seem to get highenough to work comfortable .

replace nuts and bolts where you can to makesure its all secure.

Tourque eveything upto the correct settings so you know it wont fall apart.

A apare pair of hands to help as parts of the job can be a PITA to DIY.

Keep a good selection of hammers to hand for the justincare moments.

Set yourself a good part of the day (all day) take your time, and if its getting frustraiting then get a cuppa tea

You'll need to align it too! After paying for alignment and thinking how much work it was, I just paid the £100 to get it done. Lol. As for the coilovers themselves top banana, much better than my old kit

Matt

1) Is there anything other than the coilovers I need to buy (read about shortened droplinks somewhere recently)?

KW keep the bracket in the correct location for the lowring so shorter droplinks are not nessassary (they are not on the Weitecs i have, which are just a cheeper version of KW)

Get new topmounts and Bearing (mightaswell do them while you are under there)

2) Any specific tools I will need to fit them?

Hub seperator/Stron chisel

M14 Spline bit (good quality)

Sping compressors (incase topmounts wont go on)

Vortex ratchet would be ideal for fitting topmounts

3) Any tips that will make the job easier?

A jack with long reach to get good height on the axel stands as i can never seem to get highenough to work comfortable .

replace nuts and bolts where you can to makesure its all secure.

Tourque eveything upto the correct settings so you know it wont fall apart.

A apare pair of hands to help as parts of the job can be a PITA to DIY.

Keep a good selection of hammers to hand for the justincare moments.

Set yourself a good part of the day (all day) take your time, and if its getting frustraiting then get a cuppa tea

Nice one thanks for the write up, got pretty much everything there except the spline bit but can get that no problem. I think it'll be a job to get done in the garage so I can take my time

You'll need to align it too! After paying for alignment and thinking how much work it was, I just paid the £100 to get it done. Lol. As for the coilovers themselves top banana, much better than my old kit

Matt

I got an alignment after getting my tyres done for about £25 if I remember correctly. I personally prefer doing the work myself, that way I know its been done right (that and its good experience) and cheaper

I was on the KW website earlier and i'm going to save up a little extra and go for the Inox versions, more for peace of mind that they wont corrode over winter.

Thanks for the advice

well worth it, and should be a better ride too

Nice one thanks for the write up, got pretty much everything there except the spline bit but can get that no problem. I think it'll be a job to get done in the garage so I can take my time

I got an alignment after getting my tyres done for about £25 if I remember correctly. I personally prefer doing the work myself, that way I know its been done right (that and its good experience) and cheaper

I was on the KW website earlier and i'm going to save up a little extra and go for the Inox versions, more for peace of mind that they wont corrode over winter.

Thanks for the advice

I Believe Demon Tweeks were doing some good prices on KW.

www.demon-tweeks.co.uk

or try DPM motorsport, they are a site sponsor and Damian is normally on here willing to answer questions and price match where he can (IIRC)

or try DPM motorsport, they are a site sponsor and Damian is normally on here willing to answer questions and price match where he can (IIRC)

Oooh - good shout!

I Believe Demon Tweeks were doing some good prices on KW.

www.demon-tweeks.co.uk

Cheers mate i'll have a look

or try DPM motorsport, they are a site sponsor and Damian is normally on here willing to answer questions and price match where he can (IIRC)

Yeah i've spoke to Damian, sound guy and was a big help

I got an alignment after getting my tyres done for about £25 if I remember correctly. I personally prefer doing the work myself, that way I know its been done right (that and its good experience) and cheaper

Fair enough, I am pretty lazy tbh. On the flip side I am lucky enough to have unit 18 on my doorstep

Matt

Fair enough, I am pretty lazy tbh. On the flip side I am lucky enough to have unit 18 on my doorstep

Matt

That is lucky, heard nothing but good things about Unit 18

On the KW kits you don't need shortened drop links as the ARB attachment is relocated to solve the problem.

Any prices just give me a shout and as always price beat promise

Damian @ DPM Performance

You may need shorter drop links depending on low you go, people always go on about not needing shorter drop links with the KW???? I have KW V2's and i had to fit shorter drop links to stop the drive shaft hitting the anti roll bar!!

You may need shorter drop links depending on low you go, people always go on about not needing shorter drop links with the KW???? I have KW V2's and i had to fit shorter drop links to stop the drive shaft hitting the anti roll bar!!

How low have you gone?

Sure they are genuine?

Iv gone pretty low and not got any clearance problems, plenty of room to go even lower too :wonder:

Whats the difference between the variant 1 and variant 1 basic kit?

Whats the difference between the variant 1 and variant 1 basic kit?

Variant 1's are coated so they don't rust or deteriorate due to salt etc. Variant 1 basics aren't.

IF your not goin for a huge drop then why go for collies mate? I got some konis which dropped mine 25mm which I think is perfect and only cost me a little over 300 quid. LOok at some of my started threads for pics, away on holiday at moment so can't post any sorry.

IF your not goin for a huge drop then why go for collies mate? I got some konis which dropped mine 25mm which I think is perfect and only cost me a little over 300 quid. LOok at some of my started threads for pics, away on holiday at moment so can't post any sorry.

Cos the std shocks are not desgined to run at this height, known a few ppl to have killed there shocks after 6 months of running lowering springs alone.

IF your not goin for a huge drop then why go for collies mate? I got some konis which dropped mine 25mm which I think is perfect and only cost me a little over 300 quid. LOok at some of my started threads for pics, away on holiday at moment so can't post any sorry.

My main reason going for coilovers is it gives me flexability to have the car set up exactly as I want it, just because their coilovers doesn't mean they have to be on the lowest setting possible. I did look at 25mm drop photo's and its just a little higher than I want it

Im not sayin just get springs mate. THe koni str.t kit I have is shocks and springs down 25mm. Normaly coilovers are only used if you want your car slammed right down.

That was a reply for vrssunroof by the way. Lol

No you get coilovers because you want your car to handle well. A decent kit like the V1's will not only out handle other setups, but will still be pretty comfortable too. It also allows tweaking of the ride hight to get the perfect stance. Not only that, they don't even cost much more than shocks & springs.

Coilovers arnt just about slamming it at all.

Matt

You don't need to slam the car just because you have coilovers.

Coilovers are the best way to get the car sitting exactky how you want it front and rear even if that's only a 20mm drop. Once you put springs on your stuck with that drop even if it may not be exactly how you want it to sit.

A spring and shock kit will give you better ride quality for sure, as long as you stick with a good quality kit, but it's hard to beat the adjustability of coilovers.

Damian @ DPM Performance