coilovers vs shocks?
05-29-07 | 05:03 PM
#1
coilovers vs shocks?
I have been looking online at some suspension parts for a little while. I have a question: Coilovers are the shocks and springs together and the shocks are just shocks. So the only difference is one comes with springs and the other doesnt?
05-29-07 | 08:08 PM
#2
strike up the paean
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,495
Likes: 2
From: fort lee, nj
ill break it down for you
shock - traditional shock. non height adjustable.
coilover sleeve - threaded body that goes over a traditional shock, allowing for single height adjustment by preloading or drooping the spring
integrated coilover (single height adjustable) - an integrated spring/shock unit that allows for height adjustment by way of preload/droop, done by adjustment of the spring perch
integrated coilover (dual height adjustable) - an integrated spring/shock unit that allows for height adjustment by way of preload/droop, done by adjustment of the spring perch AND a seperate height adjustment by way of lengthening/shortening the shock casing.
advantages of height adjustment
-ability to corner weigh
-ability to set height for aesthetic purposes (collective groan)
advantages of coilovers
-integrated shock/spring unit *should* mean the shock is adequately valved for the spring it comes with. but this is not a universal, especially with 'lower end' coilovers.
advantage of dual height adjustability
-allows for height adjustment without disturbing the preload/droop of the spring.
what is droop
-droop means lowering the coilover by shock perch, creating empty space between the spring and the shock at no load. the car will compress the shock by the amount of droop before it comes to sit on the spring. this allows you to lower the car more, but the spring could in theory come loose if the car 'catches air.' additionally, it may move the range of shock operation beyond its effective range.
what is preload
-preload means tensioning the spring by compressing it when everything else is at rest. this 'tensioning' of the spring raises the car. it has the side effect of making the car feel stiffer at that corner.
shock - traditional shock. non height adjustable.
coilover sleeve - threaded body that goes over a traditional shock, allowing for single height adjustment by preloading or drooping the spring
integrated coilover (single height adjustable) - an integrated spring/shock unit that allows for height adjustment by way of preload/droop, done by adjustment of the spring perch
integrated coilover (dual height adjustable) - an integrated spring/shock unit that allows for height adjustment by way of preload/droop, done by adjustment of the spring perch AND a seperate height adjustment by way of lengthening/shortening the shock casing.
advantages of height adjustment
-ability to corner weigh
-ability to set height for aesthetic purposes (collective groan)
advantages of coilovers
-integrated shock/spring unit *should* mean the shock is adequately valved for the spring it comes with. but this is not a universal, especially with 'lower end' coilovers.
advantage of dual height adjustability
-allows for height adjustment without disturbing the preload/droop of the spring.
what is droop
-droop means lowering the coilover by shock perch, creating empty space between the spring and the shock at no load. the car will compress the shock by the amount of droop before it comes to sit on the spring. this allows you to lower the car more, but the spring could in theory come loose if the car 'catches air.' additionally, it may move the range of shock operation beyond its effective range.
what is preload
-preload means tensioning the spring by compressing it when everything else is at rest. this 'tensioning' of the spring raises the car. it has the side effect of making the car feel stiffer at that corner.
Last edited by aznpoopy; 05-29-07 at 08:16 PM.
05-30-07 | 12:15 AM
#4
^Depends what you consider "best" I prefer the Koni for a street and track driven car. Unless you *already* are a group A driver or instructor or autox superstar anyway...
FYI Konis have height adjustable spring perches so you do have some height adjustability.
IMO, None of the advantages of coil overs matter much unless you are already an accomplished driver or building a show car where you want to drop it to the ground. I tried them and didn't like them on a street car. Too stiff and uncomfortable and it made the car realy twitchy and much harder to control and drive. That and other reasons is why you normally see them on Race cars.
FYI Konis have height adjustable spring perches so you do have some height adjustability.
IMO, None of the advantages of coil overs matter much unless you are already an accomplished driver or building a show car where you want to drop it to the ground. I tried them and didn't like them on a street car. Too stiff and uncomfortable and it made the car realy twitchy and much harder to control and drive. That and other reasons is why you normally see them on Race cars.
