springs vs coilovers: I need help Options

[Greyform]

so I'm trying to decide on whether I should go with springs or full coilovers when I lower my celi, cause I've heard many point of views from both sides and I wanted your guys opinions. at the moment im leaning more towards springs because of the price factor as I only work part time so I don't make that much money but id like to see some opinions

also not sure how much to lower it with my setup, ive got 17" rims, invader rear and sides, with a varis airising Ii front. anyway id like to know what you guys think thx

[azian_advanced]

for such a low front bumper, i'd go with coilovers. if you just get the springs, your shocks are likely to blow sooner than usual and in the end you might as well get coilovers.

advantages of coilovers (in order of importance):

• height adjustability - adjust btwn looks (low setting) or functionality (higher setting)
• damper adjustability - can be set to a stiff setting to protect your invader front from bottoming out while going over sudden dips in the road
• may come with camber plates - reduces uneven tire wear (tires are $$$ so better treat them right)
• smaller spring diameter - will allow wider wheels/tires if needed (more beneficial to gt4 due to power to rear wheels)
• statically lighter in general (haven't measured but it's about a 5 lb savings per corner iirc)
• lighter = less unsprung mass so it transmits less vibrations to the interior (but the ride harshness sorta defeats that )

This post has been edited by azian_advanced: Sep 24, 2011 - 11:40 PM

[Hanyo]

This is not 100% true.

for such a low front bumper, i'd go with coilovers. if you just get the springs, your shocks are likely to blow sooner than usual and in the end you might as well get coilovers.

advantages of coilovers (in order of importance):

• height adjustability - adjust btwn looks (low setting) or functionality (higher setting)
• damper adjustability - can be set to a stiff setting to protect your invader front from bottoming out while going over sudden dips in the road
• may come with camber plates - reduces uneven tire wear (tires are $$$ so better treat them right)
• smaller spring diameter - will allow wider wheels/tires if needed (more beneficial to gt4 due to power to rear wheels)
• statically lighter in general (haven't measured but it's about a 5 lb savings per corner iirc)
• lighter = less unsprung mass so it transmits less vibrations to the interior (but the ride harshness sorta defeats that )

advantage of springs vs coil-over set up:

• height adjustability - adjust btwn looks (low setting) or functionality (higher setting)
• damper adjustability - CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED. damper adjustibility is determined by the spring rate (lbs or newtons)
• smaller spring diameter - will allow wider wheels/tires if needed (more beneficial to gt4 due to power to rear wheels)
• statically lighter in general (haven't measured but it's about a 5 lb savings per corner iirc)
• lighter = less unsprung mass so it transmits less vibrations to the interior (but the ride harshness sorta defeats that )

Coil overs will never ride as good as lowering springs. Lowering springs have a progressive spring rates that allow the springs to absorb small bumps. Where as coil overs have one spring rate through out the travel of the suspension.

Notice the springs are closer together near the top of the spring and further apart at the bottom? That is the progressive spring rates that give you a smoother ride.


These are pretty standard coil overs. They have one spring rate through out the whole spring. They are good for racing applications to fine tune preload spring rate and height adjustment:

[azian_advanced]

This is not 100% true.

for such a low front bumper, i'd go with coilovers. if you just get the springs, your shocks are likely to blow sooner than usual and in the end you might as well get coilovers.

advantages of coilovers (in order of importance):

• height adjustability - adjust btwn looks (low setting) or functionality (higher setting)
• damper adjustability - can be set to a stiff setting to protect your invader front from bottoming out while going over sudden dips in the road
• may come with camber plates - reduces uneven tire wear (tires are $$$ so better treat them right)
• smaller spring diameter - will allow wider wheels/tires if needed (more beneficial to gt4 due to power to rear wheels)
• statically lighter in general (haven't measured but it's about a 5 lb savings per corner iirc)
• lighter = less unsprung mass so it transmits less vibrations to the interior (but the ride harshness sorta defeats that )

Coil overs will never ride as good as lowering springs. Lowering springs have a progressive spring rates that allow the springs to absorb small bumps. Where as coil overs have one spring rate through out the travel of the suspension.

Notice the springs are closer together near the top of the spring and further apart at the bottom? That is the progressive spring rates that give you a smoother ride.


These are pretty standard coil overs. They have one spring rate through out the whole spring. They are good for racing applications to fine tune preload spring rate and height adjustment:

i was referring to springs as general lowering springs + oem-spec struts, as opposed to full coilover setups (Megans or D2's for example). not just the springs.
sorry for the misunderstanding.