SEMA 2007 Spotlight: A new "twist" on coilovers from K-Mac
by Damon Lavrinc on Nov 2nd 2007 at 11:29AM 
Trolling around the Center Hall at SEMA, we came across a new innovation for a familiar product so simple yet so ingenious that we had to bring it to your attention -- and naturally, the Aussies developed it. K-Mac, a company dedicated to all manner of suspension goodies, has developed a new "Ratchet" system for adjusting your ride height that dispatches with C-wrenches, lock rings and even jacking up your car. Simply grab your electric drill, fit the appropriate socket and you can increase or decrease your ride height with just a few squeezes of your finger. The only two issues that sprung to mind is the accuracy of the height adjustment and how it could play havoc on your camber settings. Regardless, it's utterly cool and entirely too easy. Applications for the front are universal (simply cut the strut to length and wrench it down) and the rear arrangement is made for the Mustang, GTO, BMW E36, E46, and Z4, plus anything running the last generation of the Mercedes E-Class (i.e. Charger, 300 and Magnum).
We've got a video of the "Ratchet" system in action after the jump.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jerk Face 11:42AM (11/02/2007)
That is really hot. More applications please!
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mr 12:18PM (11/02/2007)
How do you adjust these on the car without removing the wheel for clearance?
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Jason 1:46PM (11/02/2007)
It wouldn't change camber any more than wrench adjusted coilovers. I have a set of Tein Luxury Sport Cruising Master full coilovers on my TSX and the camber changes with ride height.
What really gets you is a Macphearson setup in the front... where not only does camber change with ride height, but toe changes DRAMATICALLY and absolutely requires a full alignment every time the height is changed.
With dual wishbone front and rear (and it seems multilink rear, as on the TSX) you can change height a good amount before having to get a toe alignment.
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Tyson 2:52PM (11/02/2007)
while i applaud you for recognizing toe changes with ride height, it is also very sensative for double wishbone suspensions, just like the TSX.
i definately agree, any time you change ride height, you need to readjust your toe as incorrect toe is the reason for uneven tire wear. not camber, as commonly thought.
Jason 3:55PM (11/02/2007)
Agreed.
The macphearson in the front is a lot more sensitive than the wishbone setup like the TSX has.
Previous to this car I had an RSX Type-S (which has the macp setup) with some Tein SS-P's on it. We didn't lower it nearly as much as the TSX is lowered, and it was almost undrivable. The steering wheel was turned about 40 degrees one way and the car went straight. When we took it around the block to make the springs settle a bit and test ride quality (they had adjustable dampening), it came back stinking like rubber and the tires were insanely hot.
They were toed in so bad that the way down to the alignment shop (where we actually got up to over 25 mph, unlike before) you could hear and feel the tires fighting each other, steering wheels till cocked 40 degrees to the left while we were going straight. Thankfully the alignment shop was only 8 or so blocks away.
Once they aligned it, the car rode excellent and the wheel was straight. After that I even had super soft winter tires (some 16" Winterforce) on the car and drove it the whole winter (even with some negative camber) and in the spring there was a very even tire wear pattern across the tire. The winter was mostly dry, so I was really impressed by that.
I had lowered Civics and Integras before (dual wishbone setup in the front and rear) so I figured the TSX would be the same - and it was. Easily drivable even without an alignment after lowering. The steering wheel is still straight and I've put almost 2500 miles on the car (I should go get it aligned, I know - I will but I'm putting it up for winter) and the tires don't smell like burning rubber when I stop, and haven't had noticeable uneven wear yet even though they're the stock, soft, crap HXMXM4's.
I did notice on the TSX though that the multilink rear end on that cambers out a LOT more than the dual wishbone setup on the Civics/Integras when the ride hight is reduced. I've never had to run a camber kit on Civ/Tegs before, but I think I'm going to get a kit for the TSX. Sucks that it's around $130 per side, but that's cheaper than 2 new tires. :-)
I've owned one Tein spring setup, and two Tein full coilover setups (SS-P's and now the Comfort Sports) and both are EXCELLENT. I'd highly recommend either.