When you see these colors, there’s no mistaking which suspension company’s products you’re looking at. KW Suspension’s setups come in three different flavors, which feature height-only adjustable (Variant 1), single-adjustable shock (Variant 2) and it’s top-of-the-line double-adjustable shock (Variant 3). From closest to furthest on the left, we’re looking at the Variant 1 coil-over for the F33 BMW 428i convertible; Variant 3 coil-over for Scion FR-S; Variant 3 coil-over for Porsche 997 Turbo; and finally, a Variant 3 setup for the Mercedes-Benz AMG SLS on the far end.
Performance Racing Industry: Part 2
There was so much to show you at PRI 2014 that we had to split it up over three big articles. If you haven't clicked through PART 1, make sure you take a gander. There are some crazy parts and cars featured there, and you'll get to see close-ups of new AEM, BorgWarner, Whiteline, VAC Motorsports, Wilwood, Crower, and Fuel Injector Clinic products, to name a few. Plus, we have more racecar stuff, and much more!
In this second part, we’ll be showing you several suspension setups, more big brakes and turbos, my dream steering wheel, some killer formula racecars, what it’s like to walk the show with Mike Kojima, and a whole lot more. Let's continue…
In the picture above, The coil-over setup in the foreground is for the F80/F82 2015 BMW M3, and to the left of it is for the BMW E46 M3. To the left of that is a coil-over the Porsche 997 GT3. The closest one to our right is for the F10 BMW M5.
If KW Suspensions demands more coin than you can handle, their ST line of suspensions is also a top choice for those looking for a good street vs track compromise. Seen here are ST’s coil-over suspension systems for Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S in the middle, alongside an E46 M3 coil-over unit, which sits to its left.
When I first met up with the rest of the MotoIQ.com guys, we split up into two groups. Three of the nerds got to go off on their own, while I was given the privilege to follow the man, Mike Kojima. Taking a stroll with Mr. Kojima is not as simple as it sounds, however. His little Asian eyes will never miss a suspension setup.
When Mike saw this rear Ford Racing suspension setup from a 2005 Ford Mustang, he was on it like stink on rice. In fact, I left him here, grabbed a Latte, came back, drank it in front of him, and as he straightened up and noticed me there, he asked me if I wanted to grab a quick coffee. “Uh…sure, Mike.”
Here, Mr. Kojima was extraordinarily puzzled over this black linkage on the 2015 Ford Mustang GT suspension. “I’m just confused—why did they put this here?” he asked. Mike literally spent over 5 minutes on that link.Seriously, Mike. Everyone knows that is what Ford calls an “integral link”, which transfers acceleration and braking forces from the knuckle through the control arm to the subframe. Did I look that up? Maybe…
