Coil-overs VS struts and springs.

[Da'Flea]

Will there be a difference in ride quality between coilovers like these
http://www.whiteline.com.au/images/products/1K4007_02.jpg

and just strut inserts and lowered springs ?

Say both the coilovers and the springs/insert combo have the same rebound rates, etc.



Thanks :)

[ray_sir_6]

Ok, coilovers are suspension setups with the strut unside of the coil springs. Most, not all, coilovers come with height adjustment, and damping adjustment. Alot of cars use "coilovers" stock (Macpherson strut).

Having the same damping and spring rate will equal the same ride quality if your car has a stock coilover already.

Problems with that is also that most aftermarket coilover systems are linear rate springs, while most aftermarket "lowering springs" are progressive rate. This will give the coilover a harsher ride over small bumps, but the same ride over larger bumps. This can be helped by using "helper springs" on the coilovers to give a softer intial rate, which is similar to what a progressive does. If you aren't familiar with the differences between progressive and linear, it's pretty simple....

A progressive rate starts soft and gets firmer as the spring is compressed...IE: gets progressively stiffer

A linear has the same rate throughout...IE: the stiffness is linear

Pros - Cons

Linear - PRO: predictable handling due to consistent spring "performance"

CON: harsher ride (fix with "helper springs")

Progressive - PRO: better handling with similar OEM ride quality

CON: Unpredictable handling due to changing stiffness during cornering....the handling will be soft at first, then tight when you get into the firm coils in the spring, and then soft again on exit


Now, to my personal opinion/advice...

If you are looking to put coilovers on your car, I doubt you are wanting to drive like your mom/sister/grandma, so do it right the first time, upgrade the suspension to upgrade the handling, not just the LOOKS. Get the "lowering springs" if you want to win at car shows, get the coilovers if you want to win at the track.

[Wojtek]

Hi,

I think Da'Flea was asking for a comparison between replacement type lowering spring with replacement (sport) shock absorber package to a "coil-over" kit, which is general term used for a suspension kit with ride height adjustment (always) and shock adjustment (sometimes).
These two product groups, replacement lowering springs and sports shocks vs. "coilovers" are in quite different categories of suspension.

Replacement springs and shocks;
- Main purpose is to improve handling of a ROAD CAR for STREET USE using STREET TYRES.
- Are dimensionally and functionally similar to standard.
- Shocks are usually dimensionally the same. Very rarily a replacement type shock is shorter in body length then (compared to OE). Some aftermarket replacement shocks offer some type of force adjustment.
- Spring and shock rates are moderately uprated from standard, tuned for performance street tyres.
- Springs are available in both linear and progressive designs. A replacement type lowering spring does not automatically mean that it is progressive design, and vice versa.
- Fixed ride height

?Coilover? kits;
- Main purpose is to improve handling of a RACE CAR for RACING using RACE TYRES
- Are designed as a complete unit.
- Spring and shock rates are significantly higher then OE, tuned for race tyres.
- Ride height is adjustable ? allows for suspension tuning and corner weights balancing. This is the major reason for height adjustment. There is still a limit to optimal amount of lowering, a ?coilover? is not designed and shouldn?t be assumed that a ?coilover? somehow miraculously allows for excessive lowering.
- Usually superior quality and specification compared to OE.

Progressive rate design is mostly used to overcome design limitations of a linear spring, and is not a defining factor about ride quality.

There is a lot of information on these subjects on our website:
http://www.whiteline.com.au/faqsprings.htm#What are they?
http://www.whiteline.com.au/faqsprings.htm#What is "Spring Rate" and why should I know about it?
http://www.whiteline.com.au/faqsprings.htm#I want "progressive springs", but
http://www.whiteline.com.au/faqshocks01.htm

Wojtek.

[Sp 01]

As Wojtek mentioned the main difference is the "tuneability" of coil overs.

You could certinally match ONE setting with inserts and springs, but thats it.