OHLINS DFV vs KWs V3, my track experience.

[SRT101969]

So I am not trying to be here a suspension guru, just want to share my personal experience after taking my M3 BMW with Ohlins DFV setup.

My BMWs E92 M3 setup:
VF620 supercharger +/- 650 hp
Catless X pipe
Custom tune
Ap Racing 15" front brakes
OHLINS DFV coilovers
Swift springs 450 F, 800 R rates
Weight 3582 LBS, 52/48

My Gen III Viper setup:
Gen IV uprgrade kit, ex, catless, tune +/- 730 hp
Stoptech BBG front 15" kit
KW V3 coilovers
Front: 514 lb/in
Rear: 1085 lb/in
Weight 3380 lbs, 48/52

Ohlins DFV is superb feeling, at recomended track settings they feel softer in bumpy street than the Kws at the softest setting.
Weight transfer feeling when braking is more responsive with Ohlins than Kws, the same happens when cornering.
Ohlins feels to stay always in contact with track, small track imperfections are not an issue. KWs track setting feels very hard, you have to play a lot with diffreent settings in order to match track.

I am not a Ohlins worker or whatever interest. I am posting my experience, this is my conclussion:
1. KWs are standard quality
2. Ohlins DFV are far much superior
3. Ohlins DFV system just do in excellent way what they claim to do: soft in imperfections, solid in cornering + braking

I wonder if anyone around here that owns Motons or Penskes with their Vipers have any similar experience to mine (vs Kws), I understand these are 2 different cars but it´s such an amazing experience that I am considering switching my setup to Penske or Moton. Too bad there are no Ohlins for Vipers.

 

[TrackAire]

So I am not trying to be here a suspension guru, just want to share my personal experience after taking my M3 BMW with Ohlins DFV setup.

My BMWs E92 M3 setup:
VF620 supercharger +/- 650 hp
Catless X pipe
Custom tune
Ap Racing 15" front brakes
OHLINS DFV coilovers
Swift springs 450 F, 800 R rates
Weight 3582 LBS, 52/48

My Gen III Viper setup:
Gen IV uprgrade kit, ex, catless, tune +/- 730 hp
Stoptech BBG front 15" kit
KW V3 coilovers
Front: 514 lb/in
Rear: 1085 lb/in
Weight 3380 lbs, 48/52

Ohlins DFV is superb feeling, at recomended track settings they feel softer in bumpy street than the Kws at the softest setting.
Weight transfer feeling when braking is more responsive with Ohlins than Kws, the same happens when cornering.
Ohlins feels to stay always in contact with track, small track imperfections are not an issue. KWs track setting feels very hard, you have to play a lot with diffreent settings in order to match track.

I am not a Ohlins worker or whatever interest. I am posting my experience, this is my conclussion:
1. KWs are standard quality
2. Ohlins DFV are far much superior
3. Ohlins DFV system just do in excellent way what they claim to do: soft in imperfections, solid in cornering + braking

I wonder if anyone around here that owns Motons or Penskes with their Vipers have any similar experience to mine (vs Kws), I understand these are 2 different cars but it´s such an amazing experience that I am considering switching my setup to Penske or Moton. Too bad there are no Ohlins for Vipers.

BBG in Sacramento has Ohlins for your car. Saw detailed photos of them he posted.

Ohlins are probably king of the hill as a majority of real race cars and race bikes use them.

 

[Paul Hawker]

Had a similar experience on my 09. It came with KW's when I bought it. Was the least expensive way to lower the Viper at the time.

Never became impressed with the KW shocks. They had a unnerving pogo stick ride, did not allow the suspension to move very much. Skittered over bumpy roads and were harsh riding.

Switched over to MCS shocks from Woodhouse, and the transition was simply amazing. You could feel the suspension being used through it's full range of motion. Bumps were being absorbed and not trundled over. The skittering was gone, along with the pogo stick ride.

These shocks made me smile every time I took the car out. The car tracked better, sounded more solid, and gave a feeling of confidence in the suspension.

 

[Viper X]

The older Motons and now the new MCS shocks seem to be the most "sorted out" shocks for combination Street / Track Vipers.

I have about 20K track miles on 3 way Motons installed on my 09 ACR and with stiffer springs than OE ACR, they are marvelous compared to the ACR OE KW's, with OE springs, IMHO.

You did not mention if your car had and Aero equipment installed. If not, your spring rates are a bit high, if so, you are about what the OE ACR spring rates are.

No experience with Ohlin on Vipers, so cannot comment here.

Dan

 

[bluesrt]

my pick overall would be ohlins. Have had the feel of alot of quality manufactures.ohlins is top notch when comes to it in expert needed handling.but thats my opinion. Everyone also has a differant style. So some may beg to differ

 

[zombiesnake]

ohlin is a great shock company. one of the best. i had penskes on my other viper before it was wrecked by a shop. that car handled like it was one rails. im hoping they can rebuild the fronts and that theyre not too damaged so i can put all 4 on my current viper

 

[SRT101969]

The older Motons and now the new MCS shocks seem to be the most "sorted out" shocks for combination Street / Track Vipers.

I have about 20K track miles on 3 way Motons installed on my 09 ACR and with stiffer springs than OE ACR, they are marvelous compared to the ACR OE KW's, with OE springs, IMHO.

You did not mention if your car had and Aero equipment installed. If not, your spring rates are a bit high, if so, you are about what the OE ACR spring rates are.

No experience with Ohlin on Vipers, so cannot comment here.

Dan

No Aero, I just bought second hand APR front splitter and then going after GTC-500 wing.

 

[Viper X]

No Aero, I just bought second hand APR front splitter and then going after GTC-500 wing.

Without Aero, your spring rates are a bit high as mentioned, making it tougher for the KW's to work well.