When you hear the word "coilover" it is actually a term that is short for "coil spring over strut." The coilover is a shock absorber with a coil spring around it, assembled and installed as a unit in the vehicle. Coilovers are very stuff and were originally designed for racecars. They are similar to lowering springs, so many people get confused about what the difference is.

What do they do?

Some coilovers let you adjust the height of your ride by using a spring perch. The main difference between a coilover and lowering springs is that lowering springs set you at one specific, designated height. Coilovers on the other hand allow you to make adjustments. With lowering springs you need to buy the struts but coilovers will generally be pre-assembled. There are basic and more advanced coilovers. While the basic coilovers use a spring perch, more advanced racing coilovers use a threaded shock body and have a lower mount. That’s what allows you to adjust your own ride height to suit your preferences. A lot of racers want to be as low as they can get. These systems also have an adjustment knob to damping-or stiffness, as it’s more commonly called.

Coilovers and the Auto Market

Coilovers have grown in popularity because they are no longer limited to racing teams. Once upon a time it was only speed racers who had access to racing coilovers thanks to their designated budgets to create auto performance parts. Nowadays however coilover suspension systems are widely accessible to everybody. You can go to your preferred auto parts retailer or you can do all of your browsing, research and buying online. Racing coilovers are everywhere! Today’s auto market is all about tailoring your individual driving experiencing to your personal tastes. Lowering features (as an example) let you customize your ride and get that "racecar feel" without being a speed racer. For anyone who does indeed race, recreationally or professionally, coilovers are an important auto accessory in the industry.

Pros and Cons

Coilovers are very stiff, much more so than standard. Even when you adjust your coilovers as far down as they can go, they will still be stiff, so take into account the type of driving you do. You don’t want to waste your money or be uncomfortable to the point of distraction. The point of auto accessories is to make your ride better, not worse. On a brighter note though, if you’re looking for superior vehicle handling, coilovers will win you over. They boost your confidence on the road and give you unique capabilities that you may have never experienced. You can glide around corners with ease. Drivers like coilovers because they get a thrill from noting the difference between normal and premium handling. Plus many drivers like to have that option of adjusting their suspension to their preferred height.

You can also achieve custom lowering between the front and rear of the car, which is great if your sound system is in the back. So consider your options and shop around to determine if racing coilovers are a good choice for you.