Would coilovers make my ride comfort better?

"TurboSloth" (TheTurboSloth)
03/07/2014 at 12:03 • Filed to: None

So I have some lowering springs, which are still on stock shocks. The ride is super stiff, and really hard. I was wondering, if I got new coilovers, would my car be more comfortable and less stiff?

DISCUSSION (26)

Mattbob > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 12:04

TurboSloth > Mattbob
03/07/2014 at 12:05

Short and to the point. I like it.

crowmolly > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 12:05

Well, are the shocks adjustable? Spring rates?

Mattbob > Mattbob
03/07/2014 at 12:06

just get softer springs/shocks. If you don't need the adjustability, coilovers are a waste of money.

puddler > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 12:06

whats your desired travel & current springrates?

those doubles would be nice.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 12:07

A rough ride is the product of both the springs and the damping. Coilovers are typically pretty stiff, if you're looking for a more comfortable ride you should probably just get some softer lowering springs.

TurboSloth > crowmolly
03/07/2014 at 12:07

I don't know the current spring rates for my springs. Would I want a higher rate or lower rate for less stiffness?

It's a "Porch-uh" > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 12:09

It all has to do with the spring rates and shock adjustibility. Most off the shelf coil-over setups are for the track, so the spring rates will be higher. For it to work out for what you want, you'd have to go with a custom setup, which many high-end companies will build for you (KW for instance).

dogisbadob > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 12:13

Lowering springs can blow stock shocks. Coilovers won't give you a better ride, and eBay coilovers are garbage. The only ones worth buying are expensive as fuck.

Get some Gabriel quick struts for your car :)

Frank Grimes > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 12:13

I dont mean to post jack but anyone ride a miata with lowering springs on stock shocks?

I know every miata.net nerd says not to do this and I trust them but I cant stand the 4x4 stance.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 12:23

They could do. Depends entirely on what the spring rate is compared to the ones you've got at the moment.

What weight springs have you got now, and what coilovers are you looking at?

vdub_nut: scooter snob > Frank Grimes
03/07/2014 at 12:35

On every car forum I've ever had the (dis)pleasure to visit, the general consensus seems to be that the mismatched height of low springs/regular height struts wears out struts asap. I've read that it can make the ride worse and kill handling too.

N/A POWAAAHH > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 12:36

Depends on spring rate. Lower rate for less stiffness, probably not more comfortable though

HammerheadFistpunch > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 12:38

I think you've heard truth here today, but I will add that because people who buy coilovers are after the performance, you would be hard pressed to kind a coilover that that had less stiffness than your current setup, though in theory...they should be slightly better...all things being equal...since there is less system play.

D > Frank Grimes
03/07/2014 at 12:44

I can sympathize; every NA owner wants a cheap solution to the factory "lift"

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 13:04

If your car is very stiff from the factory and you spend real money to get GOOD coilovers then yes it can. Case in point: Mazda3 on KW V3's rides much more comfortably and handles way better than stock. It's all about the quality of the dampers.

crowmolly > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 13:04

Lower rate or progressive.

Adjustable shocks can help too.

crowmolly > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 13:06

New post so you don't miss it.

How many miles are on your current shocks? Maybe they are worn out.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 13:06

Spring rate is the amount of force to compress the springs. Typically measured in Kg/mm or lb/in. The higher the number, the stiffer the spring.

puddler > puddler
03/07/2014 at 13:07

my truck ran big block coils on the front because camper special & 351m. i swapped to 6cyl f100 springs and it made it ride much nicer (took a middle leaf out of the rear). when the nose began to sag i made thicker rubber springcushions (tib woes).

Frank Grimes > D
03/07/2014 at 13:21

It has me looking at racelands even thought everyone says they suck.

Inflame333 > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 13:24

Ride comfort is nearly entirely dependent on valving/dampening. I run some very high spring rates on my M3 for slicks but the car is still streetable because I have very very good dampeners on it. It is way more comfortable than say a pair of Megan/BC ebay crap that you can buy.

That being said, your springs are fine, get good dampeners.

D > Frank Grimes
03/07/2014 at 13:26

Everybody says it sucks and then there's always the one guy that's like "I use lowering springs on stock shocks and it's fine, car handles well and looks good" and you're like AAAARG WHY CAN'T THAT BE ME

Textured Soy Protein > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 13:29

I would add new shocks to your existing lowering springs, rather than go to coilovers.

The most comfortable-riding performance shocks are Koni FSD which are adaptive, they do this mechanically with special valves rather than electronically.

Other possibilities are Koni Sport (adjustable), Bilstein HD, Bilstein Sport, KYB AGX (adjustable).

Xander, Proud of BOXER > Frank Grimes
03/07/2014 at 13:36

Generally, lowering springs are only marginally stiffer than stock springs and with a progressive rate so it doesn't have much an effect on damping. The reduced travel should be better for shocks anyway.

Xander, Proud of BOXER > TurboSloth
03/07/2014 at 13:37

You're going to get a worse ride because usually coilover systems use linear springs and if you're not shelling out over 2k for them, the dampers are going to be crappy too. Not worth it. Get some Koni Yellows, generally consensus is that these are pretty comfortable.