Evening all, struggling to find definitive info on what topmounts I can use for my mk3 275 with ohlins? AST, silverproject, compbrake seem to be the main choices. Is there one people would recommend over the other? Also with regards to modifying the turret, do all require cutting to access and adjust the mounts? Would I need to get smaller diameter springs or can the standard ones be used? Sorry, lots of questions, any help much appreciated!
I have an KW V3 with top mounts, so I can you tell about this. When I mounted it last August, I was wondering about the big space around the springs, with coilovers there shouldn´t be any problems with space limits. I´m even pretty sure that you could adjust (with whatever top mounts) the stock struts to minimum 1,5° Camber ( Maybe by slotting the stock holes) I didn´t cut the turrets to access the top Mounts, but it´s really tricky to adjust the camber if you don`t cut. My top mounts have marks for the camber, I pre-adjusted them through the turrets center hole before I fixed the top mounts by tilting them a bit to get access to the bolts. Then you fit the tops, put the car down and check the camber. If it´s not ok, you have to jack it up again, loosen the top mounts again and readjust it again. Since the shifting of the top mount is realtivly big to get - let say - 2° of Camber, it´s not that big problem to get it adjusted after 2 or 3 attempts. For sure, cutting out the turrest is much more convenient to access the bolts, but I wouldn´t like to cut my 4 year old car this way. You would have to weld a ring and some reinforcement stuff outside together with painting, I don´t know if the next owner would be satisfied about those operations….
Thanks for the feedback, cutting holes... I did want to avoid if I could. Spoke to Ktec today who can get the ast topmounts which work with the ohlins however has got me thinking should I just switch to kw Clubsports or nitrons (which apparently can be adjusted from below?). Could always sell the ohlins and recoup some of the cost.
As far as I know, you can lowering the car with the Öhlins just by 10 or 15 mm, that´s really a joke for coilovers. My car is about 30 mm lower as the Trophy setup, looks not overstated and handles great together with 2°10´camber. Don´t know the AST, I´m happy to be German since I´m located 40 kms away from KW where a friend of mine is head of the Workshop, they adviced me all the best and the topmounts of KW are best quality on the market.
TBH, they are the top mounts of the clubsport version whats normally isn´t accepted by the V3 due to its short damper rods. Be careful, some rumors are telling that you can use Special extended nuts to accept the clubsport top mounts on the V3, there are such nuts offered by whomsoever…..I let double-check it by KW refering to the drawings and they said there´s no way unless fitting longer damper rods to use the top mounts. If you use these special nuts, you have a screw-in depth of about some mm or sth. whats really suitable to suicide yourself on the track. They rebuilded my struts straight with all internals new together with the extended rods. Then the V3 is quasi the same as Clubsport, but without high/lowspeed adjustment, only bump /rebound. I´m very happy with it, used 70 kg springs on the front additionally and put the camber on 2°. On the straight, the car is a bit more nervous, but acceptable, but such a sort of turn in, it´s really awesome…. I made 1,3 g lateral acceleration with Michelin Sport Pilot S 4, no semis……...
Anyway, I could imagine ( not verified) that you could extend the holes in the turrets and tilt the struts a bit more inboard even with the stock top mounts. Surely no problem with the smaller KW springs. Even with stock springs it will work for a maybe smaller amount, I reckon 1,5° maybe possible. It´will be some more work on the axle alignment device to get it adjusted properly. Don´t forget to readjust the toe afterwards. 5´of toe open will support turn in of the car. I forgot: My car ist a RS 275, but that matters nothing, all versions are identically regarding the Suspension.
