Coilovers are suspension components that consist of a shock absorber and a coil spring. They allow you to adjust the ride height, damping and sometimes the camber of your car. Coilovers can improve the handling, performance and appearance of your car, but they also require careful selection and installation. Here are some tips on how to choose the right coilovers for your car.
Determine Your Goals and Budget
Before you start shopping for coilovers, you need to ask yourself what are your goals and budget for your car. Do you want to lower your car for a more aggressive look? Do you want to improve the cornering ability and responsiveness of your car? Do you want to use your car for street driving, track racing or both? How much are you willing to spend on coilovers?
Depending on your answers, you may need different types of coilovers. For example, if you want to lower your car for aesthetics only, you may opt for a basic coilover kit that offers height adjustment only. If you want to fine-tune the handling and performance of your car, you may need a more advanced coilover kit that offers damping adjustment, camber adjustment and more. If you want to use your car for both street and track, you may need a coilover kit that has a wide range of adjustability and durability.
Research Different Brands and Models
Once you have a clear idea of what you want from your coilovers, you can start researching different brands and models that suit your needs. There are many coilover manufacturers in the market, each with their own features, benefits and drawbacks. Some of the popular brands include:
BC Racing
Megan Racing
Tein
KW Suspension
HKS
Bilstein
You can find information about these brands and their products on their websites, online forums, reviews, and videos. You can also compare their prices, specifications, warranties and customer service.
Some of the factors that you should consider when comparing different coilovers are:
Spring rate: The stiffness of the coil spring measured in pounds per inch (lb/in) or kilograms per millimeter (kg/mm). A higher spring rate means a firmer ride and better handling, but also more harshness and less comfort.
Damping: The ability of the shock absorber to control the movement of the spring. Damping can be adjusted by changing the oil flow inside the shock absorber. A higher damping setting means more stability and less bounce, but also less compliance and more noise.
Ride height: The distance between the ground and the chassis of the car. Ride height can be adjusted by changing the position of the spring perch on the shock absorber. A lower ride height means a lower center of gravity and better aerodynamics, but also less ground clearance and more risk of scraping.
Camber: The angle of the wheel relative to the vertical axis of the car. Camber can be adjusted by changing the position of the top mount or using camber plates or arms. A negative camber (wheel tilted inward) means more grip and cornering ability, but also more tire wear and less straight-line stability.
Enjoy Your New Coilovers
Once your coilovers are installed, you can enjoy your new ride quality, handling and appearance. However, you should also remember to maintain your coilovers regularly by checking their condition, alignment, adjustment and lubrication. You should also follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on how often to service your coilovers.
Coilovers are a great way to upgrade your car’s suspension system, but they also require careful selection and installation. By following these tips, you can choose the right coilovers for your car and enjoy them for years to come.
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