Jump LinksProsConsPricing: Things Can Get CostlySummary: An Essential Early ModificationSuspension can make or break a great car. Take all the sports cars we love, like a Porsche 911, a Mazda MX-5, or even a Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. They might all be for completely different people, but what they have in common is that meticulous care has been put into the chassis and suspension tuning using coilovers. But what are coilovers? And should you put them on your car?When modifying a car, it's one of the first things we think about, especially as a car ages and its suspension gets worn down. Coilovers can help not only with sporty driving on track, but also with the way the car responds to bumps under normal driving. There are lots of benefits of coilovers - but there's also a big cost associated with them.All information has been gathered from reputable sources, and you should use your due diligence when modifying a car. Some modifications may void your warranty. Technical Breakdown: What Do Coilovers Do? Roush PerformanceSimply put, a coilover refers to a type of vehicle suspension that combines the coil spring and shock absorber into one, usually adjustable, unit. This can reduce the amount of space required for both components, and is commonly found on double wishbone and MacPherson strut systems. The two main components, the spring and the damper, compliment each other's uses, too. So what exactly do coilovers do? The spring absorbs the car's travel over bumps, while the shock controls the unwanted oscillations after the bump has occurred.There are multiple designs for coilovers, ranging from single-adjustability, which controls firmness overall, to dual-adjustable, which can change the compression and rebound separately. This allows for much finer tuning. Some high-end setups also use a separate hydraulic fluid reservoir that allows the shock to run cooler under sustained usage. Many coilovers are made from both aluminum and steel for different parts of the system. How To Adjust Coilovers Roush What does a coilover replace? Almost the whole system; that's why adjustability is such an important aspect. The adjustability comes through many different forms, and can change the ride height, stiffness, and sometimes, even the toe and camber. There are many types of coilovers, some of which can be adjusted electronically, some that have knobs at the top for easy access, and some that you have to remove the wheel to access.Ride Height: You can change the way the car sits on the ground through rotating spring perches on a threaded shock body. This is why coilovers are preferred to simple lowering springs, as the spring platform can be adjusted to suit your needs. Preload: This is how much the spring is compressed before the car's weight is placed on it. This can change both ride height and how much force the spring needs before it compresses further, changing the car's handling characteristics. Without a ride height adjuster, this is how you change how high the car sits. Compression: Compression and rebound are one of the first things people change when adjusting the car for track and road usage. This simply changes how much the shock will compress and extend back when hitting a bump. This is done via knobs that will change the hydraulic resistance within the damper through valves. Camber & Toe: Lowering a car on coilovers usually increases negative camber and may alter the toe amount as the suspension arms are at different angles to their factory setting. Some coils also have adjustments built in to change these settings. History: Where Did Coilover Suspension Come From? Lotus As with many road car technologies, coilovers started out in motorsport. Before coilovers became the standard on cars, it was leaf springs and solid axles from horse-drawn carriages that were the norm. But when the coil spring arrived around the 1940s, it allowed for better wheel control and a more compact design. Shock absorbers were designed at the same time, but it was in Formula One where the technology really started to make its mark.The Lotus 25 was one of the first examples of modern coilover suspension in racing. This design allowed the team to quickly adjust the car's settings between sessions so they could fine tune their setup for what the track required. The Lotus 25 was also the first car to use a monocoque design, and with its extra stiffness and predictability, it was the right stage to showcase the new tech. It won both the drivers' and teams' championship that year.Coilovers became more accessible during the 1980s and 1990s through Japanese car enthusiasts who wanted to modify their cars. HKS, a legendary Japanese car part producer, was one of the first companies to sell suspension packages focused on street usage instead of the track. The technology got cheaper to mass produce and now many OEMs are using these setups as standard. Pros And Cons Of Coilover Suspension Toyota Pros Adjustability: One of the main reasons to install coilovers is to fine tune your car's setup for road, track, or comfort. Being able to drive your car to the circuit in one configuration, then twist one knob to change its behavior is a big plus for those who don't have a dedicated track car. ImprovedAppearance: We've all looked at a car and thought: "That would look better lowered and with better fitment." This suspension type allows you to do that easily and adjust it to suit the car perfectly without the commitment. You can always change the ride height with a few tools if you need it higher or lower. ImprovedDynamics: Many older cars suffer from suspension that is worn, too stiff, or too soft. Changing the suspension is one of the biggest improvements you can make to the way your car behaves on the road, and it's not just for those who drive at ten-tenths all the time. You can set the suspension to be softer than the factory, improving comfort and compliance. UR Quattro V8 / Facebook Cons Cost: You can find coilovers for a range of prices, but for them to be worth it, they can be pretty expensive. Some may even encroach on the total value of the car, making it one of the most expensive parts to fit. That's also before you find a mechanic happy to fit them for you at a reasonable price. Setup: Installing new suspension may look easy, but setting it up properly is quite difficult. It also usually requires a lift that makes it easier to place the car down flat, as finding the perfect ride height and fitment may take some attempts. It's usually best to ask a professional to install them, which only increases cost. Stifferride: Many owners have found that while there is adjustability, the dampers are still stiffer than the factory option. This may be good for when you're pushing on track or a country road, but for normal usage, it may get tiring. It's best to test drive a car with them already installed so you know what it could feel like before spending the money. Cost & Summary: Are Coilovers Worth It? Pricing: Things Can Get Costly Ohlins As with many car modifications, the range of pricing options is huge. Every car is also different, and it all depends on the type of suspension you want and what you need to do with it. Some commonly affordable options can slip in for under $1,000 from companies like Tein or Ksport. Most enthusiasts believe that you should spend four figures on a decent set of suspension though, as the purpose of coilovers is to upgrade, not to make it feel the same or worse.Most people will go for the mid-range options from BCRacing or Bilstein, though. These companies have a longer history of developing suspension, so you can feel more confident in the way they make your car feel. If you want to go all-out, though, you can look at setups from HKS or Ohlins; these are some of the most trusted names in motorsport and enthusiast circles, but a decent set of coils from them can cost over $3k, depending on the car. They usually come with a lot more adjustability and compliance, though. Summary: An Essential Early Modification Hennessey The price may be high, but that's for good reason. Coilovers can completely change the behavior and use case for your car, and they should be on your list of things to do when modifying. That doesn't only go for those who are driving their cars on track, as street-specific setups are super popular for dealing with bumps in the road. We'd look at something from the mid-range with most cars, but if you already have a high-end sports car, like a Nissan GTR, make sure you have deep enough pockets to make the upgrade worth it.
