KW V3's on R36

[Timlin]

Hi all

Well, I took the deep, deep plunge and had the full catastrophe suspension upgrade done... KW V3 coilovers on each corner and KR swaybars at each end, as well as performance bushes fitted at every joint!

Not a cheap exercise at all, but, worth it so far...

I finally picked the car up this arvo from CPC. It feels way more pointy and directional. Very much more responsive. I was expecting a considerably harsher ride, but no, its certainly not that at all. Its well tighter for sure, but the rebound is considerably better over the bumps. It doesn't "hop" around as much on bends if you come across bumps and corrugations on corners. It just sits way better and leans considerably less - it feels at least 50% more "controllable" if thats a word.

One downside of the 15mm lowering is that I do hit my driveway unless approached with extreme caution. I did hit the ground with my L/H exhaust on my first exit from my driveway and I now have the dreaded "drone" noise at idle, so, I must have cracked/disconnected something in that area. I'll have that dealt with in due course, right now I'm just enjoying the massively improved feel of the driving experience.

I did also get the HPA Supaloy control arms as well, but the dealer supplied the wrong units, so they've been returned for a refund.

But, I have also heard a rumour that the OEM versions and the Supaloy versions are EXACTLY the same hardware, albeit, the OEM one is a matte-black finish and the Supaloy version is highly polished, but evidently that is the only difference as they both come out of the same factory... Hmm... I don't know if its true or not, but they sure do "look" the same, apart from the polished finish, and they are the same weight too. Anyway, I've had the performance bushes installed at every single suspension joint anyway, so I think I'll not bother with the Supaloy part, after all, it won't stay shiny for too long underneath the car anyway! And besides that, who's gonna see it?

So, now I've got to fit my just arrived Gen 4 HALDEX unit with the wireless remote, the carbon fibre side mirror covers along with the side mirror smoked lenses and then the DynAudio full speaker upgrade (arrives later next week) and thats it for at least 6 months... the money pit is closing for the time being!

But, when/if it opens again, it'll be the Brembo 6 x pot BBK and 2 x piece rear rotors, 5 x OZ Racing "Vittoria's", then the SuperSprint headers and Hi-Tech muffler cat-back exhaust system... then folks, that is truly it for the upgrades!

Unless of course someone brings out an "affordable" turbo kit for the R36...

Thanks for reading!


Rgd's



Andrew

[R36er]

Hi Andrew,

Congrats on the upgrade - it definitely seems worthwhile. Are V3's the ones with adaptive dampers (like adaptive chassis control)? I have been giving some thought to the V2's as I have heard only good things about KW. Are you running 19" wheels now - if so has the drop caused any rubbing at all? I only ask because I am looking down the path of 19's as well (personally I think 19" wheels and a slight drop make the R36 look perfect).

Your list for the future suggests this is a car to watch. If you go ahead with the supersprint headers / hi-tech cat back I would love to hear it - I am not sure if there is another R36 around here that has the headers. I am sure this will sound amazing. I have the supersprint cat-back and it's not too loud (and no drone) so this should be great.

Congrats again - and enjoy the handling!!

Adam

[Timlin]

Adam

I'm still using 18's and I'll be staying with them too. The car's ride is firm enough now, I think going to a 19" rim will make it just too uncomfortable... I also have a bitch of a driveway to engage daily, so going any lower is just not an option!


Rgd's


Andrew