KW S/O kit, Corner Balancing, Alignment and Driving Impressions

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by Tim B.

Car looks nice, love the drop

Thanks!

[kerkiraios00]

I know this an old thread but wondering if you still are using the kw sleeves and your still happy with them? Thinking about pulling the trigger on a set. But I'm rubbing now but minimal so I'm afraid of even more of rubbing?

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by kerkiraios00

I know this an old thread but wondering if you still are using the kw sleeves and your still happy with them? Thinking about pulling the trigger on a set. But I'm rubbing now but minimal so I'm afraid of even more of rubbing?

Yes, I'm still on KW S/O's and very happy with them. I have over 3,000 miles and 8 track days on them. The ride is very comfortable and grip on track exceptional with EDC in sport mode. My lap times have improved an average of 1-2 seconds over the Eibach sport springs.

[kerkiraios00]

Originally Posted by ortho281

Yes, I'm still on KW S/O's and very happy with them. I have over 3,000 miles and 8 track days on them. The ride is very comfortable and grip on track exceptional with EDC in sport mode. My lap times have improved an average of 1-2 seconds over the Eibach sport springs.

Thanks just installed them today there awesome great ride not bouncy or rough

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by kerkiraios00

Thanks just installed them today there awesome great ride not bouncy or rough

That's awesome! Glad you are happy with them. Enjoy!

[ILSMKU]

What are the fender measures of? Your car height AFTER corner balancing?

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by ILSMKU

What are the fender measures of? Your car height AFTER corner balancing?

Yes, after installation of KW S/O and corner balancing with driver weight.

[ILSMKU]

Originally Posted by ortho281

Yes, after installation of KW S/O and corner balancing with driver weight.

Is its roughly 1/2" higher on the driver side to compensate for you being in the car right?

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by ILSMKU

Is its roughly 1/2" higher on the driver side to compensate for you being in the car right?

We corner balanced with 140 lbs, so the drivers side is approx 3/16" higher than the passenger side without anyone in car.

[CMBeamerM5]

I'm thinking about the KW adjustable springs or the Ground Control Coilover conversion kit with camber plates. I have the EDC systems and would like to keep it. Track the car about 12 times a year. What if any difference with either set up???

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by CMBeamerM5

I'm thinking about the KW adjustable springs or the Ground Control Coilover conversion kit with camber plates. I have the EDC systems and would like to keep it. Track the car about 12 times a year. What if any difference with either set up???

The GC includes linear (coil over diameter) springs and a set of GC camber plates. The KW S/O includes progressive (OEM diameter) springs without camber plates, but can be paired with the OEM spring perch or the Vorshlag camber plates (OEM springs). I have a friend that has the GC setup and it rides and handles similar to my KW S/O with Vorshlag plates. The GC camber plates are more prone to making noises, while the Vorshlag is a very solid unit and noise free. The GC can be ordered with different spring rates, while the KW only comes with one spring rate.

Good Luck choosing!

[CMBeamerM5]

Thanks ortho281, for your reply. I've read that there were problems with the GC plates and the studs breaking under less than the required 14 lbs. of torque. Since my wife tracks this E92 M3 with me and I'm currently running GC plates in my E39 M5, I may still go with them as along as the problems have been resolved. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

Originally Posted by ortho281

The GC includes linear (coil over diameter) springs and a set of GC camber plates. The KW S/O includes progressive (OEM diameter) springs without camber plates, but can be paired with the OEM spring perch or the Vorshlag camber plates (OEM springs). I have a friend that has the GC setup and it rides and handles similar to my KW S/O with Vorshlag plates. The GC camber plates are more prone to making noises, while the Vorshlag is a very solid unit and noise free. The GC can be ordered with different spring rates, while the KW only comes with one spring rate.

Good Luck choosing!

[meez]

I was under the impression that the only way corner balancing is worth it is if you can adjust the rebound/compression of each individual corner. You can't do those with the S/O kit can you?

Teach me, for I am willing to learn.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by meez

I was under the impression that the only way corner balancing is worth it is if you can adjust the rebound/compression of each individual corner. You can't do those with the S/O kit can you?

Teach me, for I am willing to learn.

Corner balancing is adjusting the ride height at each corner (with or without driver's weight) so that each tire is tire is pressing down on the ground with equal force. This is important in trying to maximize the amount of grip each tire can give and is important for stability when at the limits of adhesion.

Adjusting the rebound and compression is changing the characteristics of the dampeners to maintain tire adhesion over bumpy sections, under braking, cornering and hard acceleration by controlling up and down movement of the spring and tire.

Although both corner balancing and adjusting compression/rebound both affect tire adhesion, one is affecting the force of tire pushing down on ground and the other is trying to keep the tire on the ground as much as possible for the given road conditions.

[meez]

Originally Posted by ortho281

Corner balancing is adjusting the ride height at each corner (with or without driver's weight) so that each tire is tire is pressing down on the ground with equal force. This is important in trying to maximize the amount of grip each tire can give and is important for stability when at the limits of adhesion.

Adjusting the rebound and compression is changing the characteristics of the dampeners to maintain tire adhesion over bumpy sections, under braking, cornering and hard acceleration by controlling up and down movement of the spring and tire.

Although both corner balancing and adjusting compression/rebound both affect tire adhesion, one is affecting the force of tire pushing down on ground and the other is trying to keep the tire on the ground as much as possible for the given road conditions.

[Koldun]

How did you like their service overall?

They are kind of hard to get in touch with, so I haven't pulled the trigger on getting any work done there.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by Koldun

How did you like their service overall?

They are kind of hard to get in touch with, so I haven't pulled the trigger on getting any work done there.

I'm very pleased with their service. Sometimes the service manager, Mark is hard to get a hold of because the receptionist does not forward his messages. Just wait a day and call back because he probably did not get your message.

Driver Source 281-479-1000

[gabadoo]

I just ordered the KW S/O kit myself. I noticed you were running the 19" OEM 220 wheels at some point. Did you run them with the S/O kit? And if so, did you use spacers? I had ordered some spacers (12" / 15") which I was going to use with the Spec R springs, but ordered the S/O setup instead. I am wondering if they may be too much if i drop too far. I like how your car looks. Ive had my M for 2 weeks now. Love it.

Thanks

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by gabadoo

I just ordered the KW S/O kit myself. I noticed you were running the 19" OEM 220 wheels at some point. Did you run them with the S/O kit? And if so, did you use spacers? I had ordered some spacers (12" / 15") which I was going to use with the Spec R springs, but ordered the S/O setup instead. I am wondering if they may be too much if i drop too far. I like how your car looks. Ive had my M for 2 weeks now. Love it.

Thanks

Yes, I use the 19" OEM 220's as my DD and the Apex 18x10's as my track wheels. With the 220's and KW S/O's you can run 15 mm front/10 mm rear spacers, depending on your camber setting and choice of tires. You may experience a slight rubbing on rear fender liner, depending on what tire you run.

Good Luck!

[Stronie]

Awesome set-up

[SlowSaloonM3]

does this actually improve handling vs. the stock suspension? what about without the camber plates? i have an opportunity to get my hands on one but do not want to throw away all that R&D M has done on the stock setup.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by Stronie

Awesome set-up

Thanks!

Originally Posted by pkim1079

does this actually improve handling vs. the stock suspension? what about without the camber plates? i have an opportunity to get my hands on one but do not want to throw away all that R&D M has done on the stock setup.

Good question! I saw a 2-3 sec improvement in my lap times with the KW S/O corner balanced, over previous Eibach pro-kit at three different tracks. I realize this is not a direct comparison to the stock set up, but 2-3 seconds is quite a bit. Also, because of its adjustability, it is very important to set up correctly, corner-balance and lower equally front/rear for track use!