For a variety of classic cars young and old, KW, the renowned suspension manufacturer, offers the perfect suspension for every demand. Coming into 2017, KW has presented a wide range of products for various suspension product groups including some legendary cars.
In addition to suspension systems for historic motorsports, KW also offers Clubsport applications for regular track days that pair well with semi slick tires, as well as street performance suspension kits for the road
Depending on the vehicle-specific application, the various suspension kits are made of aluminum, stainless steel or steel alloys.
Made for the different types of use, the high-performance dampers have different valve technologies for an independent adjustment of the compression and rebound stages.
Our KW special solutions department produces individual suspension applications for numerous classic cars and young classics at the customer’s request.
For a long time we have been helping drivers of models like AC Cobra, Audi Quattro, BMW 2002, Ford Escort I, Morgan Plus 8, Mercedes-Benz 190, Opel C-Cadet, Opel Manta, and legendary replicas of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL AMG with modern suspension applications.
As the demand for suspension kits are still increasing, we have launched our own KW Classic line and put great importance on an increased everyday suitability and retrofitting a modern suspension technology does not require any great effort.
We are now providing complete parts for a large number of vehicles where formerly, the series spring struts had to be adapted or replaced by replacement spring struts.
This eliminates elaborate work during the classic restoration and the young classics and classic car friends save money.
Currently we have KW suspensions available for Audi Coupé (Type 89Q), Audi 200 (44Q), BMW 3.0 CSL (E9), BMW 3-series (E30), Lancia Delta Integrals and of course the classics such as VW Beetle, VW Golf I and the DeLorean DMC-12 (known from the movie “Back to the Future”).
One of our customers was even driving around the world with his DeLorean in 2015, but we are even more pleased that we can now offer the most comprehensive suspension offer for classic Porsche models in our new KW classic line.
Modern suspension technology for the Porsche sports car icon, the 911
With the KW Variant 3 dampers that are independently adjustable in compression and rebound stage, it is possible to adjust the Porsche driving behavior of all 911 manufactured from 1973 to 1989 (from model year 1973, including 930) individually to your personal driving demand. When replacing the serial dampers with the adjustable KW dampers, an entry into the vehicle papers is not necessary.
Due to the forged spindle for the wheel mounting on the front axle dampers, the suspension installation can be made without major modifications such as the removal of the standard Porsche torsion bars and time-consuming spring strut mountings with replacement damper cartridges. We also develeoped an different spindle for a lowering of 19 mm like it was the standard in the Group 4.
Driving dynamics is also increasing enormously and the classic 911 can be controlled much more easily at the limit, without losing their world-renowned character. A classic Porsche 911 equipped with the adjustable KW dampers has much more direct handling compared to the standard suspension.
On the drive axle, the tire grip increases significantly, the typical oversteer is clearly more controllable now, and the KW dampers give a much safer driving feeling. In the case of an impact occurring, like it does when driving over wavy ground, the preconfigured high-speed compression damping allows a quick deflection and prevents a wheel from coming off the ground.
Since we delivered the first classic suspension kits for the Porsche G models, we get a lot of encouragement from Porsche purists.
From racing to the street with part certificate
For the Porsche 911 G model, for all kind of historic motor sports, KW also manufactures independent compression and rebound settings, depending on the different racing sport suspension regulations.
The damper technology used is based on our OE motorsport dampers, as they are used in the current 911 GT3 R (991) in the Porsche customer motorsport program.
On the basis of this experience, the KW Clubsport kits are also equipped with racing spring systems, adjustable aluminum Unibal top mounts and 2-way high-performance dampers in the inverted monotube configuration at the front axle as well as aluminum damper housings on the rear axle.
The suspension manufacturer has also developed various suspension kits for Porsche Rally cars and for “younger” Porsche 911 generations (993 and 996) and the Porsche 944 and 968.
Photos A.K. Bauer, W. Inhester, KW
