If you’re modifying your car for drifting, racing, or even just spirited daily driving, you’ve definitely heard people talk about “coilovers.” But what are coilovers exactly — and why are they better than stock suspension?
Coilovers = Coil + Over the Shock
The word “coilover” comes from “coil spring over shock absorber.” In a coilover suspension, the shock and spring are combined into a single, compact unit — giving you more control, adjustability, and performance than a separate spring/strut setup.
Key Features of Coilovers
- Height adjustment: Lower your car properly without cutting springs
- Preload control: Fine-tune how stiff or soft your spring sits on the shock
- Damping adjustment: Control how fast your suspension compresses and rebounds
- Compact design: Saves space and integrates well with performance suspension arms
Why Coilovers Beat Lowering Springs
Lowering springs might give your car a better stance, but they often mismatch with your OEM shocks — causing a bouncy ride, reduced grip, and faster wear. Coilovers, when properly matched to your driving goals, give:
- More grip
- Better cornering response
- Longer component life
- Proper alignment geometry after lowering
How Coilovers Help in Drifting
In drifting, suspension isn’t just about comfort — it’s about control. A proper coilover setup lets you:
- Balance grip front-to-rear
- Prevent body roll and float
- Hold big angle without upsetting the car
- Control rebound during transitions and flicks
Choosing the Right Coilovers
The best coilovers are valved correctly for your driving style and use high-quality materials. At SLR, we offer drift-spec coilovers designed around actual track data — not just a generic spring combo.
If you're still wondering what coilovers are and how they affect your suspension setup, check out our full guide where we break it all down with diagrams, setup tips, and platform-specific advice.
Coilovers are the foundation of any serious build. Don’t just buy whatever’s cheap — get something that works.
