If you're deciding between coilovers and lowering springs, you're not alone. This is one of the most common debates in the performance and tuning world. Whether you're building a daily driver, a drift car, or a track weapon, your suspension choice can make or break your setup.
What Are Lowering Springs?
Lowering springs are shorter, stiffer versions of your factory coil springs. They install directly onto your existing struts and shocks, dropping your ride height by 1–2 inches on average. The goal? Better stance, reduced body roll, and a sportier feel — without a full suspension swap.
Pros of Lowering Springs
- Affordable: Lower cost than full coilover kits
- Simple install: Direct replacement for factory springs
- Better than stock: Reduced body roll and lower center of gravity
Cons of Lowering Springs
- No adjustability: You're stuck with one height and rate
- Factory shocks wear faster due to stiffer springs
- Not ideal for track or drift use
What Are Coilovers?
Coilovers combine the shock and spring into a single adjustable unit. They allow you to fine-tune ride height, compression, and rebound, depending on the design. Some coilovers (like 3-way setups) give even more control for competitive driving environments.
Pros of Coilovers
- Fully adjustable: Ride height, damping, and sometimes camber
- Superior handling: Perfect for drifting, autocross, and time attack
- Better longevity: Designed to work together as a matched unit
Cons of Coilovers
- More expensive than lowering springs
- Installation may require more setup or alignment
- Cheap coilovers may ride worse than stock — quality matters
Coilovers vs Lowering Springs: Which Should You Choose?
| Feature | Lowering Springs | Coilovers |
|---|---|---|
| Ride Height Adjustability | No | Yes |
| Cost | Low | Medium to High |
| Handling Performance | Moderate | High |
| Comfort | Depends on match to stock shocks | Tunable via damping |
| Best For | Street, Budget Builds | Drifting, Track, Versatility |
Why Coilovers Are Better for Drifting and Track Use
Drifting and racing demand control, consistency, and tunability. Coilovers allow drivers to dial in corner balance, preload, rebound, and camber all in one system. Lowering springs simply can't provide that level of control, making them less than ideal for high-performance applications.
What About Ride Quality?
Many people assume coilovers ride rough — but that depends on the spring rates and damping settings. A high-quality coilover system like the ones from SLR Speed is built to ride comfortably on the street while still delivering exceptional track performance.
Conclusion: Choose Based on Your Goals
If you just want to lower your car for looks and don’t need adjustability, lowering springs are a great budget option. But if you plan to push your car in drifting, track days, or spirited mountain runs, a properly tuned coilover setup is worth every penny.
Still not sure which is right for you?
Check out our full coilover lineup or reach out and we’ll help you spec a setup that fits your driving style and goals.
