chitownc32

Just installed the kw's on my c32 no gap in front and tucked in the rear. My question is what setting have any of you guys set the stiffness to? I know neal set his all the way stiff. Does anyone have any recommendations? Any help would do? Thanks in advance

nukblazi

Neal's are toooo freaking stiff... LOL!!!!

I tried 1/4 turn down from full +, not a pretty thing. Not enough travel and on the serious turns I was bouncing all over the place. Bounce = lost traction.

On the track at CMP I ran the fronts at -.5 turn from full + and the rears at -1 turn from full +. The set up worked very nicely, I maintained inside tire spin to almost none less the 4,5,6,7 turn combo, high speed carousel.

That setting is a little too stiff for the street. For a nice comfy ride, turn both front and rear down to the middle +1.5 turns from full soft. Nice neutral ride, unless you're worrying about trottle-on oversteer????

chitownc32

thanks nuk i appreciate the help right now they are all -1 turn from the stiffest setting Since i tucked the backs about .5 inch under i wanted to keep it a little stiff in the back so it wont scrape at all for optimal street performance what do think i should set to? mine turn 3.5 turns so now they are at 2.5 should i out them all at 2 thanks again nuk

BlackC230Coupe

LOL, yeah people cant even talk without their voice jumping in my car its so stiff on a bad road. I think it may be to stiff, i will make it a bit softer one of these days. On a hard turn with a small bump the car does jump.

Btw, Afrim, u still need those pics under the hood? i forgot to take them. We need some pics of your car now!

nukblazi

See what feels right. Find that corner with the bump in it, if you "skip" through the turn, they are too stiff. Light up the rears, see if you get wheel hop. The other good test is in the rain. What's good (stiffness wise), could be a nightmare in the rain causing snap oversteer. That's never cool.

The thing is to get them "dialed" is depends on raod conditions, weather, etc. In the rain you'll want them softer. I started at +1.5 turn open but had "throttle-on understeer" in the turns at CMP, so I stiffened the rear + 1/2 turn (F+.5/R+1). Then it rained, so I set them to all to 1.75 turn open (very soft), and had a great wet track session. In the dry I could've used a little more oversteer (stiffer rear or softer front rebound). Adjustability is fun but can also be a total PITA!

I've had a scary moment on the HWY when these were new. I had read some of the BMW guys were running there rears at full soft. I almost understeered myself off the HWY at 85 mph. Not cool.

Following the adjustment procedure, 1. Turn to full stiff, then dial down, on the street I am running +1.5 open at four corners. The fiance doesn't complain and when the kid screams faster I can still give it a little go.

If you start in the middle, you can adjust from there. Don't adjust front and rear at the same time, one or the other. And never more than 2 "clicks" (.5 turn) at a time.

vraa

Only girls think that's way too stiff

Don't forget, the tire pressure might make a difference in your ride quality as well.

nukblazi

My hats off to you. Very valid information...

Basically, take a piece of chalk and mark your sidewall, upto and onto the tread sholders. Get your tires heated up (some hwy driving), then go take the closest to whiteknuckle turn you know and go see what scrubbed off. You want to use the as much of the tread shoulder as possible, not onto the sidewall, but not 1 inch away either.

Edit- Vraa, chicks like it stiff, you'll learn one day. You might be "funny" if you like it stiff too....

vraa

nukblazi, I learn from the best (reading your posts!)

I'm telling your wife...