I might attempt installing my coilovers this weekend, but I want to make sure I won't need any spacers. I'll be installing KW Variant IIIs with my 17x7 et37 Ultraleggeras. What offsets, wheels widths, and spacers (if any), are all you using?

 

Just sharing information even though nobody cares... So by using an wheel offset calculator these offsets should work:

6.5" needs a et43
7.0" needs a et36
7.5" needs a et30
and so on...

JDR is running 5mm spacers with S Winders (6.5" with et48)

Coen_de_K is running 16mm spacers and is a showoff (7" with et52)


RYEPHILE is running 10mm spacers on Rota RB in 17x7.5" et45 with Sumitomo HTR ZIII 215/45-17 (clears by perhaps 2mm!)

 

 

Thanks for the information. Those pictures look very nice as well.

I just installed KW V1's and I am on a 7inch wheel with a 38offset. I could not be happier.

 

So let me guess... No spacer required, right?

 

Thanks for combining all the KW coilover info into one location D Unit!

I'd like to add that the wheel backspacing isn't so critical as that plus the ride height of the coilovers and the tire size being used. If I was running an OEM 205/45-17, I would only need a 5mm spacer most likely. The Sumitomo's I'm running seem to be a bit wide for their size, much like Hankook RS-2 or Dunlop Star Spec. Also, running a higher ride height with the KW's puts the spring perch further away from the tire, meaning there is more clearance for higher offset wheels, larger tires, or thinner spacers.
[Who really wants to make the car sit higher though? ]

I'm running my suspension ride height about 12.2" front and 12.5" rear [that's axle center to bottom of wheel arch apex]. It looks that both JDR and Coen_de_K are running lower than I am, which they can get away with because they're running smaller tires.

I hope that helps
Ryan

 

Also, Vincent. is running KW V1's on his R56, here's a pic:



He's running Web Spokes 17x7 et48 with a 5mm spacer up front and stock tires.

 

i'm sure one of these days...this post will come in handy...

 

No spacers.

 

Just lowered the rears this morning and damn these things get low. I still had plenty of adjustment left and the rear was as dumped as Coen's. I'll probably raise it another 7mm or so and finish the fronts after lunch. BTW, the more you lower it, the less you compress the spring. Does this mean the lower you go, the more comfortable the ride?

 

No, the more you lower it, the less compression travel you have and the more your coilovers become reliant on the bumpstops as springs. The ride will get more jarring on large bumps, just like having lowering springs on stock dampers. There is good logic in KW's instructions on recommended ride height range.

 

I'm thinking of installing KW v1's with 17" OEM flame spokes but on 215/40 tires. What spacers would you recommend, if any on the front and rear axles?

 

I have the KW V3 on KW recommended settings (height/bound/rebound)running 215/40R18s on 18x7 ET52. Nothing else required and no problem!

 

I have Oz chrono Ht (7x18 with Et 42) and I supose I won't need spacers... because I have too many friends with Kw v2 and the same OZ in the R53 model without spacers ..

 

Hi,
with ET42, you will not have a problem with rubbing or clearance problem inside the wheel well as stock 17x7 has ET48. I don't think you need spacers unless you want the wheels to really fill the guards and ET42 will have improved over stock.

what do others think?

 

weird... but I am happy for you.


I just installed my coilovers this past weekend and with my 17x7 with et37, I approximately had about 5mm to spare. I would say you are very very borderline. I think your case will depend on tire width and brand of tires.

 

On a side note, I did run into a problem while I was installing my rear coilovers. Did your guys' coilovers come with this tall/cylinder like washer that is supposed to go between the 2 "donut" bushings in the rear?



I bought mine used from 01CBR929 and the 2 washers he sent me were the exact same size as the ones I pulled out from my stock ones?! This gave me lots of problems because if I tried to use the washer, it would cover up the threads and made it impossible to use. I contacted 01CBR929 and KW, but still waiting a response from the both of them.

Anyways, did yours come with KW washers that had bigger inside diameters? I would really like to know...

 

My stock rear mounting hats, including barrel spacer transferred over to the KWs as KW did not include anything between the spring hat and the locking nut for the rear. You obviously don't need the little ~1/2" washer as the KW spring hat effectively replaces that, but you do use your stock large 1" conical washer between the hat and the nut. It's so similar to stock it's almost tough to describe!

 

EDIT because I totally FUBAR'd my last response: Thanks a lot for trying to help me out RyePhile, I really appreciate it. I kind of understand what you are saying, but I am referring to this piece that installs between the metal shaft of the strut and the 2 barrel spacers that sit on top of each other.



When using the stock ones, this metal piece stops where the metal shaft gets thicker, but still has plenty of thread left on top. But on the KWs, once I use this metal piece, it stops way before and covers ALL of the thread making it impossible to tighten down the top screws.


And for reference...

 

Not that weird really. I was asking a fairly straight forward question that someone with experience could answer... when I install KW v1's I will also look at increasing the track front and rear of my car, what size spacers are recommended to fill the arches, if any? I will be using 17 inch flame spokes wearing 215/40 tires. As I have no experience I was hoping someone could help.

Sorry if this seemingly straight forward request seems 'weird'.

 

Sorry Ben-Ja-Mini, but that response was actually meant for Works8 when I read his response below. I was just surprised he had a et52 with no spacers which contradicted everyone else's experience here.

According to a quick google search, your flame spokes are 17x7 et48. Since you need an offset of about et36, you would require a 12mm spacer to get it there. I am willing to bet you could probably get away with a 10mm spacer since I had about 5mm left on my 17x7 et37 with no spacers. Sorry about the confusion Benjamin....

 

Not a problem, and thank you for the info!

Would you recommend spacers for both the front and back axles?

 

Personally I only like using spacers out of necessity. Since you won't need them in the rear, I say use them in the fronts only.

 

I see exactly what your troubles are.... it certainly seems as though I mixed them up. Once you find out how much they are please let me know b/c it was not my intentions. I wish I still had my Mini so I could yank them off and ship them to you asap.... but I sold it several months.

 

Chris you're a class act. Don't worry about it. I am currently working it out with KW, even though their customer service hasn't really been stellar. I'm gonna make a trip to Lowe's and will keep my fingers crossed looking for a part that's close enough to fit.