What Is a Coilover and Why Does It Matter?
A coilover is a suspension component that combines a coil spring and shock absorber into one adjustable unit. Unlike traditional spring and strut setups, coilovers offer a significant performance advantage by providing ride height adjustability, damping control, and superior handling characteristics. Whether you're building a street car, drift machine, time attack racer, or track weapon, upgrading to the right coilover is one of the most effective ways to transform your vehicle’s performance. See more about what are coilovers here.
Why You Need a Coilover Upgrade
Factory suspension systems are built for comfort, cost-efficiency, and general-purpose use—not performance. If you want your car to corner harder, respond quicker, and stay stable under load, you need a quality coilover setup that can be adjusted to your driving style and goals.
Key Benefits of a Coilover:
✔ Ride Height Adjustability – Lower your car for better center of gravity and improved aerodynamics.
✔ Damping Control – Fine-tune how your suspension absorbs bumps and weight transfer.
✔ Stiffer, Tuned Spring Rates – Minimize body roll and maximize road feedback.
✔ Improved Tire Contact – Keep your wheels planted through aggressive turns.
✔ Better Aesthetics – Lower stance with a performance purpose.
Types of Coilovers: Which One Is Right for You?
1. Single Adjustable Coilovers
Single adjustable coilovers let you tune compression and rebound together. They're ideal for most drivers who want simple tuning with a wide range of performance improvement.
Perfect for: Street performance, beginner drift setups, weekend track days.
2. 2-Way Adjustable Coilovers
Two-way adjustable coilovers allow for independent adjustment of compression and rebound, offering finer control over chassis behavior. They’re a must for competitive motorsport environments where grip and response need to be dialed in to the highest degree.
Perfect for: Pro drift builds, competitive racing, advanced tuning.
Best Coilovers for Drifting and Performance – SLR Coilovers
When it comes to purpose-built coilovers, SLRspeed’s Drift Spec Coilovers stand out from the rest. Unlike many brands that use generic spring rates and damping curves, SLRspeed designs their coilovers specifically for drifting and performance driving.
SLR Drift Spec Coilovers – Starting at $985
✔ 32-Way Adjustable Dampening (Single-Way)
✔ Drift-Specific Spring Rates for maximum forward bite and transition control
✔ Race-Grade High-Viscosity Damper Oil
✔ Perfect for E36, E46, 350Z, S13, Miata, and more
✔ Built in the USA for quality, consistency, and durability
SLR Drift Spec MAX Coilovers – Starting at $1970
✔ 32-Way 2-Way Dampening – Independent Compression and Rebound
✔ Custom Valving and Spring Rates Available for track, circuit, drag, or street
✔ Used in Pro-Am and Formula Drift-level builds
✔ Fully rebuildable and serviceable
SLR’s coilovers are built with the drifting community in mind, but they also support custom setups for any motorsport, making them one of the most versatile and effective coilover solutions on the market.
How to Choose the Right Coilover for Your Car
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Define Your Use Case – Are you daily driving, drifting, grip racing, or all of the above?
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Set a Budget – High-end coilovers cost more but offer broader tuning range and durability.
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Check Compatibility – Make sure the coilover is designed for your exact chassis and intended use.
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Prioritize Adjustability – Choose between single or two-way depending on how deep you want to go with tuning.
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Look for Support – Choose a coilover brand that offers support, replacement parts, and rebuild options.
Final Thoughts: The Coilover Is the Heart of Handling
No matter what type of car you drive, the right coilover will make it feel faster, tighter, and more responsive. From entry-level performance upgrades to full-on race builds, SLRspeed coilovers offer unbeatable value, adjustability, and engineering tailored for high-performance motorsport.
If you’re ready to transform your handling, it’s time to upgrade to the best coilover setup available.
