KW V3 classic coilover kit for Opel Kadett C

Thomas Wachsmuth June 27, 2022 -> Cars from AZ, -> Tuner from AZ, KW Automotive GmbH, News vehicles, Opel, Tuning classics

Reading time 5 Min.

In its chassis developments for classic automobiles, KW automotive focuses primarily on vehicles from the 3s and 1973s. The KW V1979 classic coilover kit for the Opel Kadett C is new to the KW delivery program. With its dampers that can be adjusted independently in compression and rebound stages, it gives the Opel models built between 25 and 50 sporty, modern driving characteristics. The Kadett drives more on track with the KW classic suspension. The handling is much more direct and the body structure is better supported. Thanks to the multi-valve damper technology used in the KW classic coilover suspension, the Opel Kadett C gains a great deal of driving comfort. In addition, the dampers can be adjusted separately in compression and rebound and lowered by 2.320 to 3 millimeters. The KW V1973 classic coilover kit made of stainless steel, available from 1979 euros, is available for all two- and four-door Opel Kadett C sedans built between XNUMX and XNUMX, as well as for the Kadett C Coupé.

Coilover suspension in the Kadett C

In the past few decades, there has been an immense change in the automotive industry and in vehicle accessories. The easiest way to see this is with tires. What used to be considered wide tires is now standard. Some new cars are optionally available with 21-inch wheels. On the other hand, the technology of many replacement dampers and chassis for older vehicles remained at the high standard of original equipment at the time.

KW V3 classic coilover kit for Opel Kadett C

But just as tires have been further developed, there has also been a huge innovation boost in chassis and shock absorbers. "With all our retrofit chassis for classic automobiles, we have made it our mission to offer significant added value," explains KW classic car expert and brand manager Sascha Daucher. "Our classic dampers and classic coilovers already differ from conventional oldtimer chassis spare parts due to our vehicle-specific and intelligent tuning methodology, which goes far beyond subjective driving tests."

With the help of a driving dynamics test bench, such as that used by Formula 1 teams, the chassis manufacturer analyzes, among other things, the resonance frequencies of the bodywork when developing KW classic applications for oldtimers and youngtimers. Even before the first driving tests take place, what exactly happens when driving over a bump is simulated. “In this case, the chassis spring is compressed and the resulting vertical or upward movement of the wheel is slowed down. The shock absorber, actually the vibration damper, slows down the vibrations of the chassis springs caused by the vehicle movements and also controls the entire process," says Sascha Daucher, explaining how a chassis works. "With the KW V3 classic suspension for the Opel Kadett C, the damper characteristics can be individually adjusted to be more sporty or more comfortable."

Modern multi-valve technology for driving comfort and driving dynamics in classic cars

The KW V3 classic coilover kit is built with modern KW multi-valve dampers. These can be individually adjusted separately in the compression and rebound stages with a click setting. "But that has nothing to do with old accessory dampers," continues Sascha Daucher. “Adjustable dampers were already available in the XNUMXs, but that was more of a wear adjustment that many people confused with an adjustment in hardness, so they tried to tune their chassis to be sportier. Basically, however, a sporty chassis design has nothing to do with hard damping.

Direct handling, more body structure control and maximum tire grip are elementary for safe and sporty driving behavior.” With the KW V3 classic coilover kit for the Opel Kadett C, a bypass channel in the valve is manually opened or closed via the integrated rebound stage click adjustment with 16 clicks. Among other things, this influences how quickly the chassis rebounds when the springs are compressed when the load changes. Rebound can also be described as how the body is attached to the road. With the low-speed compression stage, twelve clicks are available to reduce or increase the cross-section in the low-speed compression stage valve in order to adapt the damping to the respective route profile.

The low-speed compression stage has a targeted influence on body roll when turning in and pitching behavior when braking and accelerating. The damping of long bumps is also influenced by the low-speed compression stage. In the event of abruptly increased damping excitations, in addition to the low-speed valves, the preloaded high-speed valves, which cannot be further adjusted, open for rapid compression. This prevents the tires from losing grip on bumpy road surfaces, transverse gaps or bumps.

Stepless lowering up to 50 millimeters

The KW V3 classic coilover kit has shorter damper housings than the standard components. This lowers the center of gravity of the Opel Kadett C body by 25 millimeters. The body can be infinitely adjusted by a further 25 millimeters to a lowering of 50 millimeters via the thread millings and the spring plate. The KW V2.320 classic coilover kit made of stainless steel, available from 3 euros, is available for all two- and four-door Opel Kadett C sedans built between 1973 and 1979, as well as for the Kadett C Coupé.

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