YN-TGL Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Replacing my 4 year old BC Racing coilovers which are clunking and creaking and driving me crazy, not to mention the fact that they ride like shit. I want to get a "real" set of coilovers, the RCE's are a little more expensive and seem to be pretty legit. I know the KW's have a pretty good track record and a good ride. These will be primarily for street use, very limited track time (if any), mostly I just want that slammed look while still trying to maintain some comfort. Can anybody with some experience help me decide between these two options? TIA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoplightAssassin Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 The RCE T1s are KWs revavlved specifically for the Legacy. I believe RCE can also give you specific spring rates you decide on. Can't go wrong with either one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubaruTim Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Tarmac 1's are the way to go. My car is pretty slammed and it still rides amazing. I'm not exagerating whatsoever. I couldn't believe the comfort of the ride at that low. Not to mention they are stainless steel and wont corrode in the winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpmarky Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 If you're not tracking the car, I don't think you'll notice the difference between the KW and RCE's. I went from BC BR 6k/8k's to RCE T1 7k's. The difference was night and day. BC's were great for the price, but I love the Tarmacs. I upgraded to 9k springs recently, and they are still more comfortable than the BC's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Th3Franz Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 So does RCE valve them more aggressively? -Franz The end of a Legacy http://www.youtube.com/th3franz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubaruTim Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 I think they are resprung and revalved for our specific car. Don't quote me though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpmarky Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 same springs rates, but RCE's springs are more linear. The dampers are valved accordingly to account for that, and according to RCE's research of our cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YN-TGL Posted May 5, 2011 Author Share Posted May 5, 2011 Thanks for the responses guys. Can someone give me a 10 cent explanation of spring rates and what the numbers represent? Like my BCs have 6k/8k spring rates. So that's 6k front, 8k rear, correct? What does the number mean, and is a higher number a softer or stiffer spring? Sorry for the n00b question. TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolksey85 Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Thanks for the responses guys. Can someone give me a 10 cent explanation of spring rates and what the numbers represent? Like my BCs have 6k/8k spring rates. So that's 6k front, 8k rear, correct? What does the number mean, and is a higher number a softer or stiffer spring? Sorry for the n00b question. TIA Higher spring rate means it takes more effort to compress the spring. Or in laymans terms, a stiffer spring. Like let's say you're going up in spring rate. That would be going from 6k/8k to 7k/9k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpmarky Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 the 7k tarmacs were more comfortable than my 6k/8k BC coils. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YN-TGL Posted May 5, 2011 Author Share Posted May 5, 2011 Gotcha thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpmarky Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 higher spring rates = stiffer springs But higher spring rates doesn't mean harsher ride. The dampening contributes more to how hard the ride is. That is where the KW's and RCE's shine over BC's or Megans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Th3Franz Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 Do RCE's come with Swift springs then? -Franz The end of a Legacy http://www.youtube.com/th3franz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bbc84 Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 So when choosing RCE's whats the spring rate that should be picked for a mostly street driven car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kneedragger Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 They come standard with 7k/7k (400/400) front and rear. I thought they were undersprung on the rear so put on a set of 9k swifts (rear only) and that stopped the back squatting so much and the ride quality was virtually the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saul_Good Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 The difference between the RCE and the KW is more aggressive valving and springs. The KW have a progressive rear spring. The RCEs have linear race springs front and rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sumfoo1 Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 If getting RCE Tarmacs should one get the spec B top-hats or go with camber plates? If street driven but frustrated by under-steer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YN-TGL Posted May 10, 2011 Author Share Posted May 10, 2011 Only reason for camber plates IMO is if you autocross or in my case, need the fender clearance for aggressive fitment wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBlueGT Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 The KW have a progressive rear spring. Mine don't. Are you sure about that? Full tune of 68HTA, KSTech 73 MAF, Racer X FMIC and ID1000s................by the DataLog Mafia!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sumfoo1 Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 do the kws still have the helper spring? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saul_Good Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 Mine don't. Are you sure about that? Take a pic of the rear if you could please. I don't want to be spouting off the wrong info. But from what I remembered in the past, the rear springs were progressive. edit: The rear spring pictured in this link looks like a progressive and not a linear spring to me. Someone correct me if im wrong. Thanks! http://kw-store.com/products/complete-coilover-kit/kw-coilover-kit-v2/kw-coilover-kit-v2-03-subaru-legacy.html editv2: This thread has all the differences listed. Lighter, linear race springs, aggressive valving, etc. http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/racecomp-engineering-tarmac-1-coilovers-70040.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubaruTim Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 My rears are linear and they have helpers front and rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpmarky Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 If getting RCE Tarmacs should one get the spec B top-hats or go with camber plates? If street driven but frustrated by under-steer? Don't get camber plates for a street driven car. That will just eat up your tires faster, and won't be as comfortable. To address understeer, I would recommend either a 22mm fsb/25mm rsb setup with 7k/7k. Or if you want to help the car turn more, try special ordering a 6k/8k setup. I have a 22fsb/25rsb setup right now with 9k/9k, understeer is minimal. If you want the car to turn like a RWD car, you could look into a 35/65 center diff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sumfoo1 Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 Yeah i'm going for the 6 speed swap some day so that will come then (not really cause i want 6 gears but because i'm building the power side of the car now and to have ppg gears and a helical front diff installed costs about 1.5 times what just swapping to the 6 speed does and has more gear whine.) I'm not really looking for it to turn like an rwd car i love AWD and that's why i got it. I'd just like it to turn in a little better while off throttle. Basically i want the car to rotate into the turn and straighten out when i get on the throttle to exit. Who makes a 25mm rear bar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YN-TGL Posted May 11, 2011 Author Share Posted May 11, 2011 I know Perrin used to, they may have discontinued it though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.