If you’re looking to improve your car’s handling, adjust its ride height, or fine-tune its suspension for racing, drifting, or daily driving, you’ve probably heard of coilovers. But what are coilovers, and why are they one of the most popular suspension upgrades for performance cars?
This ultimate guide will break down what coilovers are, how they work, their advantages over stock suspension, and how to choose the best coilovers for your car. By the time you're done reading, you’ll know everything there is to know about coilovers and how they can transform your vehicle’s performance.
What Are Coilovers?
A coilover (short for coil spring over shock) is a self-contained suspension unit that combines a shock absorber and a coil spring into one adjustable assembly.
✔ Shock Absorber – Controls the motion of the suspension by damping oscillations.
✔ Coil Spring – Supports the vehicle’s weight and determines ride height.
✔ Adjustability – Most coilovers allow for ride height adjustment, and higher-end models include damping and camber adjustments.
Coilovers vs. Regular Shock & Spring Setup
In traditional suspension setups, the shock absorber and coil spring are separate components. In a coilover system, they are combined into a single, compact unit, allowing for greater control over suspension tuning.
🚗 Stock Suspension (Separate Spring & Shock)
- Fixed ride height.
- Non-adjustable damping.
- Softer ride for comfort but reduced performance.
🏁 Coilovers (Integrated Shock & Spring)
- Adjustable ride height.
- Optional damping and camber adjustability.
- Stiffer, performance-focused setup for better handling.
How Do Coilovers Work?
Coilovers function by controlling how a car's suspension compresses and rebounds during movement. When a car hits a bump, accelerates, or takes a corner, the coil spring absorbs the energy, while the shock absorber dampens the movement, preventing excessive bounce or instability.
The adjustability of coilovers allows you to customize your car’s handling, stability, and ride comfort to match your driving style.
Benefits of Coilovers – Why Upgrade?
Upgrading to coilovers provides significant advantages over stock suspension, especially for enthusiasts, racers, and performance drivers.
🔥 1. Adjustable Ride Height
- Lower your car for improved aerodynamics and handling.
- Raise it for better ground clearance on rough roads or track curbing.
🔥 2. Improved Handling & Stability
- Less body roll during cornering.
- Better weight distribution for more precise control.
🔥 3. Customizable Damping & Stiffness
- Fine-tune compression and rebound damping to match road conditions.
- Softer settings for daily driving, stiffer for track use.
🔥 4. Better Steering Response & Feedback
- Reduces suspension flex, improving driver control and feedback.
🔥 5. Enhanced Traction & Grip
- Keeps tires planted to the road, optimizing grip for drifting, racing, or spirited driving.
🔥 6. Increased Durability
- Aftermarket coilovers are stronger and more durable than OEM suspension.
Types of Coilovers – Which One is Right for You?
Not all coilovers are created equal. Choosing the right set depends on your driving needs and performance goals.
1. Full Coilovers vs. Sleeve Coilovers
🔵 Full Coilovers – A complete shock and spring assembly, designed for maximum adjustability. These are ideal for performance applications, track use, and drifting.
🔵 Sleeve Coilovers – A lower-cost option that converts stock shocks into height-adjustable coilovers. However, they lack damping adjustability and may not perform as well as full coilovers.
2. Street Coilovers vs. Track Coilovers
🚗 Street Coilovers
- Designed for daily driving and spirited driving.
- Softer ride for comfort while still improving handling.
🏁 Track/Drift Coilovers
- Stiffer springs and adjustable dampers for maximum grip.
- Built for high-speed cornering, aggressive braking, and precision handling.
3. Adjustable vs. Non-Adjustable Coilovers
🛠 Adjustable Coilovers
- Allow for fine-tuning of damping, rebound, and ride height.
- Best for drivers who want full control over suspension tuning.
🛠 Non-Adjustable Coilovers
- Pre-set damping and ride height.
- Good for budget-conscious drivers who want a simple performance upgrade.
Key Features to Look for in Coilovers
If you’re shopping for coilovers, here are the most important features to consider:
✔ Spring Rates – Determines the stiffness of the suspension. Higher rates = better handling, but stiffer ride.
✔ Damping Adjustability – Allows fine-tuning of how the shocks react to bumps and turns.
✔ Ride Height Adjustment – Lets you lower or raise the car for better aerodynamics or clearance.
✔ Camber Adjustment – Some coilovers include adjustable top mounts for fine-tuning wheel alignment.
✔ Material & Build Quality – Look for CNC-machined aluminum components for maximum durability.
✔ Monotube vs. Twin-Tube Design
- Monotube Coilovers – Better heat dissipation, superior damping response, used in high-performance racing.
- Twin-Tube Coilovers – More affordable, softer ride, but less responsive to extreme driving.
Coilover Installation – What to Expect
Installing coilovers requires mechanical knowledge and tools, but it’s a doable DIY job for experienced car enthusiasts.
🔧 Installation Steps:
1️⃣ Lift the car and remove the wheels.
2️⃣ Unbolt the stock shocks and springs.
3️⃣ Install the new coilover assembly.
4️⃣ Adjust ride height and preload.
5️⃣ Reinstall wheels and perform a professional alignment.
🔴 Important: After installing coilovers, always get an alignment to prevent uneven tire wear and handling issues.
Coilovers vs. Lowering Springs – Which is Better?
Many people wonder whether coilovers or lowering springs are the better suspension upgrade.
| Feature | Coilovers | Lowering Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Ride Height Adjustability | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Damping Adjustability | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Handling Performance | ✅ Better | ⚠️ Limited |
| Cost | 💰 Higher | 💰 Lower |
| Best For | Performance, track, street tuning | Simple lowering, mild improvement |
💡 Verdict: If you want true suspension adjustability, go with coilovers. If you just want to lower your car on a budget, lowering springs are a cheaper alternative.
Final Thoughts – Are Coilovers Worth It?
If you’re serious about improving handling, lowering your car, or dialing in your suspension for high-performance driving, coilovers are one of the best upgrades you can make.
💨 Key Takeaways:
✔ Coilovers improve handling, reduce body roll, and enhance stability.
✔ Adjustable coilovers allow for ride height, damping, and camber tuning.
✔ Ideal for street, track, drifting, and performance driving.
✔ Better than lowering springs if you want full suspension control.
✔ Professional installation and alignment are recommended.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a competitive racer, or just want better handling, coilovers are a must-have upgrade for any performance car.
🚀 Now that you know what coilovers are, are you ready to upgrade your suspension and transform your driving experience? 🚀
