Coilovers have long been a popular choice among automotive enthusiasts looking to enhance the performance of their vehicles while achieving a lower ride height. The science behind coilovers is fascinating, as these suspension components play a crucial role in achieving both improved handling and a sleeker appearance for your car. Now find out that is it true coilovers make your car lower. This article delves into the inner workings of coilovers, exploring how they lower your ride height and contribute to overall performance.
Table of Contents
The Basics of Coilovers
Coilovers, short for “coil-over-shock absorbers,” are a type of suspension system that combines a coil spring and shock absorber into a single unit. They are designed to replace the factory suspension components, offering greater adjustability and customization options. Coilovers are commonly used in various motorsports, such as drifting, road racing, and autocross, due to their ability to fine-tune a vehicle’s suspension characteristics.
Adjustability for Precision Handling
One of the key features of coilovers is their adjustability. Unlike stock suspension setups, which often have limited adjustability, coilovers allow for precise tuning of your vehicle’s ride height, damping, and rebound characteristics. This adjustability is essential for achieving optimal handling performance.
Ride Height Adjustment
Coilovers enable you to lower or raise your car’s ride height by adjusting the spring perch or threaded body. Lowering the ride height can have several advantages for performance. First, it lowers the car’s centre of gravity, reducing body roll during cornering and improving stability.
This results in better grip and handling, particularly in tight turns.
Second, a lowered ride height can also enhance aerodynamics. By reducing the gap between the car’s body and the road, you reduce air turbulence underneath the vehicle. This can lead to improved fuel efficiency and increased high-speed stability.
Damping and Rebound Adjustment
Coilovers also allow you to fine-tune damping and rebound characteristics. Damping controls how fast the suspension compresses and rebounds when subjected to forces like bumps or cornering loads. Rebound, on the other hand, determines how quickly the suspension returns to its extended position after compression.
By adjusting damping and rebound settings, you can tailor your car’s suspension to suit your driving style and the specific conditions you encounter. Whether you prefer a firmer setup for track days or a more comfortable ride for daily commuting, coilovers offer the flexibility to find the perfect balance.
Improved Weight Distribution
Lowering your car with coilovers can also contribute to improved weight distribution. When you lower the front and rear ends evenly, you create a more balanced weight distribution between the two axles. This can enhance the car’s handling by reducing understeer or oversteer tendencies, resulting in better cornering performance and control.
Coilover Components
To understand how coil overs work their magic, let’s take a closer look at their key components:
- Coil Spring: The coil spring is responsible for supporting the weight of the vehicle and providing the necessary suspension compliance. It can be adjusted to set the ride height and spring rate, influencing how the car handles different road conditions.
- Shock Absorber: The shock absorber, or damper, is crucial for controlling the motion of the suspension. It regulates the speed at which the suspension compresses and rebounds, ensuring a comfortable and controlled ride.
- Adjustment Mechanisms: Coilovers feature various adjustment mechanisms, such as threaded bodies, collars, and knobs, that allow you to fine-tune the suspension settings.
- Mounts and Bushings: These components help secure the coilovers to the chassis and allow for smooth movement and articulation of the suspension.
The Science of Lowering
Now that we’ve covered the basics of coilovers, let’s explore the science behind how they lower your car’s ride height.
Spring Preload Adjustment
Coilovers come with a threaded body that allows you to adjust the spring preload. Spring preload refers to the amount of compression applied to the coil spring when the suspension is at rest. By increasing or decreasing the spring preload, you can alter the initial ride height of the vehicle.
When you increase the spring preload, the coil spring becomes more compressed when the car is at rest. This effectively raises the ride height. Conversely, decreasing the spring preload allows the spring to expand further, lowering the ride height.
Threaded Body Adjustment
In addition to adjusting spring preload, coilovers often feature a threaded body that can be raised or lowered along the shock absorber’s shaft. This threaded body is responsible for fine-tuning the ride height to your desired level.
By turning the threaded body clockwise, you compress the spring further, raising the ride height. Conversely, turning it counterclockwise allows the spring to expand, lowering the ride height. This level of adjustability provides precise control over the car’s stance.
Balancing Act: Ride Quality vs. Performance
It’s important to note that while lowering your car’s ride height with coilovers can greatly enhance performance, there are trade-offs to consider. A significantly lowered ride height can result in a harsher ride, as the suspension has less travel to absorb bumps and imperfections in the road. Additionally, extreme lowering may lead to increased wear on suspension components and reduced ground clearance, which can be problematic in certain driving conditions.
Therefore, finding the right balance between ride quality and performance is crucial. This is where the adjustability of coilovers shines, allowing you to fine-tune your suspension to meet your specific needs and preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, coilovers are a powerful tool for improving the performance and aesthetics of your vehicle by lowering its ride height. The science behind coilovers involves precise adjustments to spring preload, damping, and rebound settings, all of which contribute to enhanced handling and control. This article has the answer to the question is it true coilovers make your car lower.
However, it’s essential to strike a balance between ride quality and performance, as extreme lowering may have drawbacks. By understanding how coilovers work and making informed adjustments, you can achieve the perfect combination of style and performance for your car. Coilovers are not just a means to lower your ride; they are a means to elevate your driving experience.
