Copperman05
New member
The car has been back from Promax for a couple of days now since having the Kw-v3 suspension fitted, therefore I thought I would give some feedback on my first impressions for those who may be considering going down a similar route.
The reason for the upgrade was deterioration of 22yr old stock suspension to MOT failure level. As car is a keeper and suspension upgrade a once in a ownership decision I wanted to get it right first time. I wanted a unit that was as future proof as possible, able to cater for future track days but also extended continental road trips too. After glowing reviews here, other forums, feedback from several porsche specialists and current users I decided the kw-v3 was the most suitable option for my needs.
Fitting wasn't completely without issues, the rear beam to body bush bolt was seized and had to be cut free, front control arm was knocking and replaced by s/h unit (free of charge, thanks promax), also some fuel lines were broken and had to be re-fabricated. The only bush replaced was the one listed above, all others including the original top mounts were deemed serviceable by Promax. Looking at cars history alot of the bushes were replaced in 2005 by PO which would explain why few needed replacing. Re-indexing carried out as not enough travel on existing adjustments to get required ride height (promax sent pics of car with kw fitted without re-indexing but there was still too much a gap above rear wheels). Also fitted were 968 castor mounts + full geo completed.
I have to say the ride height is now pretty much spot on with wheel arches just above top of tyres, no issues with speed bumps so far.
On 16" 993 wheels, semi matt by Lepsons, 18mm spacers needed for rear and on order. (sorry about crummy iphone pic)
I know any suspension replacement is going to feel much better after 22 years but the kw-v3 do feel very different from the stock units. Set at the Kw recommended factory settings by Promax the result is a pronounced improvement (as one would expect). Using harder than stock spring rates the ride at slower speeds is more bumpy, you feel most of the small bumps and small changes in road surface (a good thing), this is to be expected in a sports suspension upgrade, the trade for comfort over road holding though is a welcome one as this is where the kw really excel.
Body roll during cornering is reduced, not non existent, but much reduced. I know body roll is largely controlled by ARB's but the kw have made a noticeable difference here, this makes for a much more confidence inspiring drive. Also largely gone are forward pitching and rear squatting after heavy breaking and acceleration.
Where I thought the kw's also excelled was at higher speeds on major roads, being much more compliant than stock over bumps and dips at speed on our motorways and dual carriageways, the car never felt unsettled or twitchy but very planted and keeping all wheels well balanced on the road. The kw appear to offer road holding characteristics of a fairly firm suspension setup but with comfort/compliant levels of a more soft/stock setup, at least for high speed bumps, this I imagine being down to there well known valve system.
With our current winter conditions I haven't been able to test the kw's as much as I would like as pushing the car in these conditions is asking for trouble. So far though I'm very impressed with them. At factory settings the ride is harder at slower speeds but its never too much and I'm willing to put up with that for the return it gives in better cornering and road compliance.
Not a cheap upgrade by any means but definitely the best one I've done to the car so far, with the ability to change settings for more comfort or better performance on track the setup has the ability to cater for most future driving needs.
For now the car feels like it has a new lease of life and I'm looking forward to summer already...[
]
Edd
The reason for the upgrade was deterioration of 22yr old stock suspension to MOT failure level. As car is a keeper and suspension upgrade a once in a ownership decision I wanted to get it right first time. I wanted a unit that was as future proof as possible, able to cater for future track days but also extended continental road trips too. After glowing reviews here, other forums, feedback from several porsche specialists and current users I decided the kw-v3 was the most suitable option for my needs.
Fitting wasn't completely without issues, the rear beam to body bush bolt was seized and had to be cut free, front control arm was knocking and replaced by s/h unit (free of charge, thanks promax), also some fuel lines were broken and had to be re-fabricated. The only bush replaced was the one listed above, all others including the original top mounts were deemed serviceable by Promax. Looking at cars history alot of the bushes were replaced in 2005 by PO which would explain why few needed replacing. Re-indexing carried out as not enough travel on existing adjustments to get required ride height (promax sent pics of car with kw fitted without re-indexing but there was still too much a gap above rear wheels). Also fitted were 968 castor mounts + full geo completed.
I have to say the ride height is now pretty much spot on with wheel arches just above top of tyres, no issues with speed bumps so far.
On 16" 993 wheels, semi matt by Lepsons, 18mm spacers needed for rear and on order. (sorry about crummy iphone pic)
I know any suspension replacement is going to feel much better after 22 years but the kw-v3 do feel very different from the stock units. Set at the Kw recommended factory settings by Promax the result is a pronounced improvement (as one would expect). Using harder than stock spring rates the ride at slower speeds is more bumpy, you feel most of the small bumps and small changes in road surface (a good thing), this is to be expected in a sports suspension upgrade, the trade for comfort over road holding though is a welcome one as this is where the kw really excel.
Body roll during cornering is reduced, not non existent, but much reduced. I know body roll is largely controlled by ARB's but the kw have made a noticeable difference here, this makes for a much more confidence inspiring drive. Also largely gone are forward pitching and rear squatting after heavy breaking and acceleration.
Where I thought the kw's also excelled was at higher speeds on major roads, being much more compliant than stock over bumps and dips at speed on our motorways and dual carriageways, the car never felt unsettled or twitchy but very planted and keeping all wheels well balanced on the road. The kw appear to offer road holding characteristics of a fairly firm suspension setup but with comfort/compliant levels of a more soft/stock setup, at least for high speed bumps, this I imagine being down to there well known valve system.
With our current winter conditions I haven't been able to test the kw's as much as I would like as pushing the car in these conditions is asking for trouble. So far though I'm very impressed with them. At factory settings the ride is harder at slower speeds but its never too much and I'm willing to put up with that for the return it gives in better cornering and road compliance.
Not a cheap upgrade by any means but definitely the best one I've done to the car so far, with the ability to change settings for more comfort or better performance on track the setup has the ability to cater for most future driving needs.
For now the car feels like it has a new lease of life and I'm looking forward to summer already...[
]Edd
