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Although it is risky for a manufacturer to invest time and money to develop parts for a car whose production ceased 15 years ago the Z32 is an iconic sports car which is now considered a cherished classic car. Since the 300ZX was the best selling and the most widely produced of the Japanese classic supercars, it made sense to do a decent suspension for it.
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| The KW Clubsport and Variant III’s are twin tube shocks. We happened to have a see through KW around our office so we can show you how it works. The shock has an inner and an outer tube. The rod and piston are in the inner tube with a foot valve controlling fluid flow between the inner and outer tubes. There must be a space between the tubes filled with pressurized nitrogen gas to allow room for fluid displaced by the volume of the piston rod. |
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| When the shock is fully compressed, you can see the large amount of fluid that has flowed between the inner and outer tubes though the foot valve. This is the fluid that allows for adjustment to the compression damping. |
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| The rebound adjuster is found at the top of the shock and it turns a rod that adjusts preload on a spring loaded needle valve that controls fluid flow past the piston as the shock is extending. |
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| The compression adjuster is found on the bottom of the shock and it also controls preload on a spring that puts pressure on a needle valve that controls fluid flow between the inner and outer tubes as the shock is being compressed. |
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| You can see the foot valve assembly here. It generates most of the compression control. |
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| You can see the piston here. Most of the rebound control is generated here. |
KW will have two offerings for the 300ZX The first offering is a Variant III coilover system which is an independently adjustable in compression and rebound super high quality, stainless steel bodied twin tube coil over system designed for uncompromised high performance street use. The Variant III uses the stock rubber mounts for smoothness and quietness with a totally corrosion resistant stainless body with engineering plastic spring seats for all weather, real street use. The spring rates are still aggressive at 8kg front and 6 kg rear and the damping adjustment range is wide to accommodate everything from smooth daily driving to trips to the track.
1 comment
Anything new about this really interesting and well documented project?