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Mike Kojima posted on July 14, 2011 21:27 
KW Suspensions New Coil Over System for Nissan's 300Z
By Mike Kojima
One of the reasons why we like KW Suspensions so much besides the fact that they make some of the best performing mid price coilovers on the market is that they have a wide product line up with offerings ranging from European to Japanese and Domestic markets. We think that it’s cool that many of our readers might be driving something that KW makes suspension for.
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| The KW Clubsport and Variant III coilovers are super high quality twin tube gas pressurized shocks with independently adjustable compression and rebound damping. Independent adjustment was until now only in the range of full race exotic shocks but KW has let their race technology trickle down to affordable enthusiast models. |
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| Some of the many spring rates for main and tender springs, and bump stops we tried during testing. |
KW has been looking at their product line up and has made a decision to start adding some applications for some of the classic Japanese exotics from the Japanese supercar heyday of the early to mid 90’s. KW has already come up with coilovers for the MK IV Supra and the NSX. The FD RX-7 is on the R&D schedule and we helped with the R&D for the latest Japanese classic addition, the Nissan Z32 300ZX.
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| Variant III's are more daily driver street oriented and use the stock upper mounts. Clubsports are more hardcore and use these spherical bearing upper mounts. |
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| KW Technicians had taken careful measurements on our Z months before and developed the prototype shocks which were now fitted on our car and the measurements double checked. Clearance to suspension members and the body were checked in full compression and full extension and no significant contact was tolerated. The body length was then made as short as possible to allow as much wheel travel and as low of a ride height as possible. |
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| Stainless steel bodies with engineering plastic spring seats means no rusting all weather coilovers, perhaps the only true all weather coilovers on the market. KW offers a lifetime guarantee on their shocks as well. |
Friday, July 15, 2011 1:34 AM
I'm glad to see a quality company like KW making parts for the Z32. I might have to look into changing coilover setups. Will the KW clubsports be used on your track only 300zx when its finished? How is the ride on the dreaded 405?
Friday, July 15, 2011 2:41 AM
Any idea of price range?
Friday, July 15, 2011 7:01 AM
Guess it pays to be a free spokesman huh? Is this the same Z we used to see in SCC? Are we going to see an update on the old bird soon? Oh and how about an update on the Bionic Z? I've been wanting to see how that went for a while now.
Friday, July 15, 2011 7:57 AM
bigdave, they are usually around $2k for the V3 and $2.5k-$3.5k for the Clubsports.
Friday, July 15, 2011 10:30 AM
@ Beaters: I'm sure Mike's doing more than talking up the product by giving his inputs on valving, rates, etc. KW is likely getting more than their money's worth by giving him some shocks. :) So, when're you going to see what that beast will do at Willow Springs Mike? ;-p
Friday, July 15, 2011 11:01 AM
That Powertrix upper link looks to eliminate that source of bottoming out (still like the purple accents on the Midori though)! I'd love to see before and after comparos (ie. Slalom or even lap times if they were affordable enough). The Z32 still has gorgeous lines to this day and is now BY FAR the most affordable of the 90s Japanese sports/supercars. Therefore, golf clap to KW on this move because I think we're going to be seeing more Z32s in the future :)
Friday, July 15, 2011 11:32 AM
I am scared to drive it at big willow. Hopefuly some modern tires will make it more manageable.
Friday, July 15, 2011 11:37 AM
These shocks make me want to get my Zed up and operational so bad. Is there any word on the possibility of KW specing some slightly different spring rates to accomodate the NA crowd? NAs are a couple hundred pounds lighter than the TT cars. Is that really even a significant enough amount to worry about?
Friday, July 15, 2011 11:49 AM
Not really. The spring rates we ended up using is on the soft side but there is a lot of platform control through the shocks. The rear rates on the Clubsports are higher than the VIII's. The Clubsports rates are the ones I liked and the V III's are the ones KW came up with.
Friday, July 15, 2011 12:34 PM
I (Toyota MR2) was driving behind you on the 91West Wed. afternoon, luckily I was able to follow all the way to Vermont. Really impressed with the way you set up the suspension. The Z seemed to float over bumps and looks fantastic.
Friday, July 15, 2011 12:57 PM
I really, really, REALLY want to get KW variant 3s for my Mustang. I think that might be a possible future upgrade.
Friday, July 15, 2011 5:17 PM
Are you at liberty to at least give a ballpark of what kind of rates to expect? Most of the successful street Z32 coilover sets I've seen run about a 8kg/6kg rate, with the more aggressive sets running 12kg/8kg and only a rare few running higher. Would be nice to know whether these are going to mix things up a bit and in which direction.
Friday, July 15, 2011 6:52 PM
I love that they have stainless steel bodies, peace of mind knowing they won't rust :)
Friday, July 15, 2011 8:45 PM
Clubsports are 9kg front 8kg rear. V III's are going to be 8kg front 6 kg rear.
Saturday, July 16, 2011 1:40 AM
if they consider for a moment making MA70 supra coilovers im super duper down lol
Saturday, July 16, 2011 10:26 AM
KW would consider building parts if 30 units could be sold. I only know two people that have MA70's anymore. I think if 30 could be pre sold through a distributor they would do it.
Saturday, July 16, 2011 8:13 PM
Any chance Powertrix makes an upper link like that for the p10/11 chassis... Those look great.
Sunday, July 17, 2011 2:57 AM
while there's a lot of active mk3 owners (look at socalsupras or supramania) most are damn cheap. :(
Sunday, July 17, 2011 8:42 AM
Then there is probably no chance KW will make it unless 30 sets can be sold.
Monday, July 18, 2011 6:33 AM
@ PureDrifter: I'd go with some Konis from ProParts. You'll be in charge of guesstimating spring rates (and eating it if they're wrong), but you'd get a pretty good damper custom-made for your vehicle. Unfortunately, cost would be somewhere north of $2k for a setup.
Monday, July 18, 2011 8:47 AM
Pro Parts is probably your best bet for odd or old cars where there is no other solution for quality suspension. Good idea!.
Monday, July 18, 2011 12:27 PM
I have been considering a custom koni or bilstein +ground control setup with hyperco or ERS springs, but i'm having a hard time justifying the cost over say custom spec BC coils or even Stance GR+ at the level i'm at. mind you it's all on hold until my swap is done and i have a better idea of weight.
 
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