Tein RA vs KW V3
- Thread starter Dimer
- Start date
They are both similar in performance, so either choice would be excellent. The Tein is made from aluminum so it will be lighter. However, it will not have the same level of durability as the KW, which is made from stainless steel.
Tein RA's are garbage, don't waste your time or money on them. The setup that I had on my NSX were shot with less that 40 track events on them.
If you are serious about trackwork you will be better off spending the money on a good setup than havng to buy a set and having to swap them out later on.
If you are serious about trackwork you will be better off spending the money on a good setup than havng to buy a set and having to swap them out later on.
Dimer - Have you considered DG-5s? Not pushing the product.. just throwing it out there since pricewise they're about the same yet they come stock with Swift springs and your choice of spring rates which was a plus for me.
I saw pros/cons choosing between the KW V3 and the DG-5s. I eventually went with the DG-5s but I know of only 3 people running them in the US (on an NSX) so tough to get average feedback. FWIW I love them though i'm still playing around with spring rates. A good buddy of mine recently switched from RAs to DG-5s but we're still in the process of installing them.
KWs are developed in your area though so perhaps they're marginally better tuned for the Euro tracks?
I saw pros/cons choosing between the KW V3 and the DG-5s. I eventually went with the DG-5s but I know of only 3 people running them in the US (on an NSX) so tough to get average feedback. FWIW I love them though i'm still playing around with spring rates. A good buddy of mine recently switched from RAs to DG-5s but we're still in the process of installing them.
KWs are developed in your area though so perhaps they're marginally better tuned for the Euro tracks?
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- 1 December 2009
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Loving the Kw V3's Best suspension i've owned on any car let alone the NSX. Have tracked them 3 consistent years so far and they have been absolutely flawless.
Not to mention you CAN drive them on the street without breaking your back.
I will be making a 4k round trip on them soon!
Not to mention you CAN drive them on the street without breaking your back.
I will be making a 4k round trip on them soon!
+1
Dimer, I believe your father had the special Konis from Comptech in those days?
I remember that one of his wheels was actually of the ground as he moved around the pits on an incline...
The suspensions you are contemplating are far softer than that Koni setup!
Good for the street but maybe not for full racing?
Of course, the car might no spin as quickly with a softer setup?
I've personally beeing riding for years on yellow Bilsteins with Zanardi springs as I have to drive to the tracks...
I like the fact that the front springs have a higher rating than the rear ( like the OEM setup).
You can compare all spring ratings for the NSX on Dali's site for further info!
Hi Dimer,
I have been using the Tein-RA for the last five years, but mostly for street driving and some track use. Have been using them with the 12kg/12kg setup on both front and rear (most are using the 10/12 setup).
I remember Detlef from PROCar running some very good Nurburgring times with the Tein-RA suspension some years ago.
I like this suspension a lot, have it setup at 9 clicks from soft, but it is a VERY stiff setup. Especially over short bumps or uneven roads it is a bit jittery.
And certainly more so now I have the Recaro Pole Positions installed as well.
It could be that the Tein-RA would perform better on a lighter car than mine (I am at 1360 kg with a full tank). Yours is heavily modified but I don't know what your weight is.
This all said however, if I would have to buy a set again, I would probably go for the KW3. They are not that expensive in Europe as they are in the US.
The heavier weight I is a disadvantage, but I like the fact that the KW3 has a better adjustability and it is probably more comfortable on the street.
I have been using the Tein-RA for the last five years, but mostly for street driving and some track use. Have been using them with the 12kg/12kg setup on both front and rear (most are using the 10/12 setup).
I remember Detlef from PROCar running some very good Nurburgring times with the Tein-RA suspension some years ago.
I like this suspension a lot, have it setup at 9 clicks from soft, but it is a VERY stiff setup. Especially over short bumps or uneven roads it is a bit jittery.
And certainly more so now I have the Recaro Pole Positions installed as well.
It could be that the Tein-RA would perform better on a lighter car than mine (I am at 1360 kg with a full tank). Yours is heavily modified but I don't know what your weight is.
This all said however, if I would have to buy a set again, I would probably go for the KW3. They are not that expensive in Europe as they are in the US.
The heavier weight I is a disadvantage, but I like the fact that the KW3 has a better adjustability and it is probably more comfortable on the street.
Thank you all for the feedback!
I run Tein RA right now. My dad has ordered the KW V3 for his car, but is willing to trade. He wants to lower his car and wants a set he can use for road/track, where I don't really car for street driveability.
With that in mind, should we trade? Or should I just keep my RA's? I could also take the KW's and get some stiffer springs?
I run Tein RA right now. My dad has ordered the KW V3 for his car, but is willing to trade. He wants to lower his car and wants a set he can use for road/track, where I don't really car for street driveability.
With that in mind, should we trade? Or should I just keep my RA's? I could also take the KW's and get some stiffer springs?
Not sure how many setups you have compared against the Tein RA's on the NSX, but the Tein RA are a joke of a suspension compared to other suspensions when it comes to dampening.
If you are only focusing on track work, finding a good set of double adjustable dampers with remote reservoirs would be the best option IMHO.
Since you are in Europe how about trying to source a good set of JRZ RS Pro's for a decent price? CL65Captain is running them on his NSX that sees quite a bit of track work and he seems to be pretty happy with the setup.
Moton is no longer what used to be Moton (ever since they declared bankruptcy and AST purchased their assets). How about contacting the folks that used to be the core members of Moton USA at MCS (Motion Control Suspension) and see if they can work something out with you given that your NSX has had magazine coverage.
If you are only focusing on track work, finding a good set of double adjustable dampers with remote reservoirs would be the best option IMHO.
Since you are in Europe how about trying to source a good set of JRZ RS Pro's for a decent price? CL65Captain is running them on his NSX that sees quite a bit of track work and he seems to be pretty happy with the setup.
Moton is no longer what used to be Moton (ever since they declared bankruptcy and AST purchased their assets). How about contacting the folks that used to be the core members of Moton USA at MCS (Motion Control Suspension) and see if they can work something out with you given that your NSX has had magazine coverage.
chalk another one with Tein RA, the system is very old (they have monoflex and super racing now) However, for the same $$ you spent, you will have much better choices out there.
I started my tracking with stock suspension and then Tein RA. I can tell you same car same setup, I put on my Koni, i got 2 seconds right the way, with more fine tune and got used to the setup I'm running 4's.
Tein RA is never seems to have good control on rebound, thus you have the pogo effect, yet, you have no choice to stiffening the compression (I used to go full stiff on track) and then it starts hurting the traction.
Anyway, don't waste money on Tein products.. unless you want a sort of decent suspension for street driving and can tell people you have a "race suspension", go for it.
I started my tracking with stock suspension and then Tein RA. I can tell you same car same setup, I put on my Koni, i got 2 seconds right the way, with more fine tune and got used to the setup I'm running 4's.
Tein RA is never seems to have good control on rebound, thus you have the pogo effect, yet, you have no choice to stiffening the compression (I used to go full stiff on track) and then it starts hurting the traction.
Anyway, don't waste money on Tein products.. unless you want a sort of decent suspension for street driving and can tell people you have a "race suspension", go for it.
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