The Coilover is arguably one of the most important parts you will get for your car's suspension systems. Coilover kits are a huge contributor to your safety on the road. The aftermarket coilovers are getting more popular and for a reason. Once you install them on your car, the ride comfort, tire life, handling performance and general performance of your car will improve. We will look at the best Coilover brands that performance enthusiasts buy today.
What Are The Smoothest Coilovers?
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What is a Coilover kit?
Coilovers give you control over the vehicle's suspension system. Unlike the shock absorbers, coilovers offer a much more performance-based experience to increase the ride quality. Coilovers form part of the suspension system in a car and offer more than the typical shock absorbers will offer. If you wonder whether the Coilover suspension kit will replace the shock absorber, the answer is no, and it will not. The Coilover kit comes with the spring and the shock absorber, adding better performance and a comfortable ride.
Best Coilover Brands
1. Rev9 Coilover
Rev9 R9-HS2-010 Hyper-Street II Coilover Suspension Lowering Kit, Mono-Tube Shock w/ 32 Click...
- Compatible With Honda Civic (FA/FG) 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
- Spring Rate: Front - 8 kg/mm (448 lbs/inch) | Rear - 10 kg/mm...
- Specially Designed Coil Springs Over Shock Kit To Lower The...
- Mono Tube Shock With Steel Alloy Body And Valving Allows 32...
- These Coilovers are "Lowering Kit" and DOES NOT adjust to Factory...
Rev R9 coilovers are the best you can find in the market. You are lucky if the brand makes coilovers for your car because you will enjoy premium experiences at an affordable price. Rev R9 coilovers make height adjustment a breeze as the suspension lowering kit is easy to operate. Ride height adjustment has never happened more perfectly than the Rev R9 coilovers. You can find monotube Rev R9 coilovers, which are a better choice than the twin tubes.
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2. maXspeeding Rods
maXpeedingrods Coilover Adjustable for Honda Civic 1989-2000 CRX 1989-1991 Delsol 1993-1997 for...
- 【Fit Perfectly】 For Honda Civic 1989-1991 ED2 ED3 ED4 ED6 ED7...
- 【24 Rebound Force Levels】 Level 0-8 suggest for race tracks...
- 【Spring Rate】 Front Spring rate: 8 kg/mm (448 lbs/in) & 5...
- 【Adjustable Height】 The height is adjustable for 1-3 inches,...
- 【Twin-tube Structure】 Compared to mono-tube construction, the...
MaXspeeding rods are not your typical Coilover springs. Instead, the springs offer an option with damping level settings. You will hardly find this feature on any other spring. The Coilover has multiple spring rates to choose from, and you can easily find one for your car. Even people with car models such as the Acura Integra has an option. You can pick the rebound force level that suits you, and the suspension allows you to customize the spring down to your last preferred combination.
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3. SCITOO Coilover Suspension Kit
Coilover Suspensions Shock Struts Spring Assembly SCITOO Full Set Shocks Struts Kits for 1990-1993...
- 【FITMENT】The Coilover Suspensions Kits fits for 1990-1993...
- 【SAFETY AND COMFORT】Easy to control, significantly improves...
- 【FEATURE】 the Coilover Suspensions Strut’s height and...
- 【ADVANTAGE】Durable construction and precise design to improve...
- 【NOTES】Please double confirm the compatibility before...
SCITOO is a one-of-a-kind brand that brings safety and comfort to the table. Most Coilover kits are uncomfortable once fitted, bringing slight but very noticeable changes to your comfort in the car. However, SCITOO has a durable construction that will last you years without the need to change to a new Coilover suspension system. In addition, the Coilover spring improves the vehicle's control, making it great for making your driving experience more worth it.
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4. LODHSOCK Coilover suspension systems
LODSHOCK Coilover Struts Spring Shocks Adjustable Coilovers Suspension coilover springs Absorber...
- FIT FOR TOYOTA COROLLA 87-02 AE92 AE111
- Factory Outlet-Strict quality control and perfect after-sales...
- Adjustable ride height: Yes & Adjustable camber plate: Yes
- Damper: Non-adjustable Damper
- Warranty: 2 Year
LODSHOCK is the perfect aftersales maintenance system that you need for your car. The system has an adjustable height, and better yet, an adjustable camber plate system, which most springs do not have. LODSHOCK products have been inspected thoroughly before leaving the factory, making the brand one of the safest options you can opt for. With a warranty of two years, you can be sure that you are getting a legitimate product.
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5. OCPTY Coilovers
OCPTY Coilovers Suspension Lowering Kit Adjustable Height Full Coil Springs Struts Shock fit for...
- FITS THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES - The Coilovers Struts fit for...
- IMPROVE HANDLING PERforMANCE - We use shock absorption with...
- ENHANCE DURABILITY - The coilover suspension shock is made of...
- IMPROVE DRIVING STABILITY - After installing the adjustable...
- ATTENTION - Our Coilovers struts are perfectly matched to the...
OCPTY are the coilovers good for your car. The coilovers are sure to improve your handling and control when on the road. The brand is an incredible choice when making changes to your car, and you have a lot of positive experiences coming your way. The springs enhance durability, and you can be sure you will not think about coilovers again in the years to come. The system is made with high-quality materials that assure durability and strength.
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How to Choose a Coilover Kit
a) Spring Rate
Every Coilover kit has a spring rate. Not all hot rods or suspension systems have are built equally. The differences come in with the owner's preferences. Different people prefer their cars to be a certain way. Your setup has an integral, which is the spring rate. Your car needs to maneuver uneven terrain with ease, and that is where the spring rate will play an important role when you install coilovers. The best coilovers will make your car have a bounce to it to absorb bumps when on the road. Coilovers with good fine-tuning will give you the smoothest ride you can imagine.
The other thing is that having Coilover kits fit in your car model helps create a low body roll when loaded with weight. If your car has a higher spring rate, it will need more force to compress the installed spring. Coilover kits improve your car's steering response, and the vehicle control is more predictable because of the controlled response. The vehicle responds through the action inertia and moments whenever you accelerate or decelerate. When you make a turn, you will feel a force act on you, and you can rest assured that the car is feeling it more. Coilovers do a great job in such situations.
The spring rate, in simpler terms, is the amount of force you have to use to compress the spring by 1 inch. For example, if the spring rate is 250 pounds per spring, you will need 250 pounds to compress the spring by 1 inch. Spring compression has a constant rate. If you add 250 pounds on top of the first weight to get 500 pounds, the spring will compress by two inches. However, the rate remains constant.
Spring rates differ depending on the situation at hand. For example, what is the purpose of your car, and why do you need the Coilover suspension installed? If you use the car for drifting, drag racing, street racing or normal daily driving, different Coilover kits with different spring rates will be installed in each car.
b) Adjustable Spring and Valve
When making suspension upgrades, you want to avoid a bouncy ride depending on your application. The height adjustment feature on the Coilover kit gives you many options to work with. You can fine-tune the coil spring the way you want to suit your car. Installing a Coilover kit will is equivalent to a ride height adjustment. Height adjustments affect the car's performance on the road. Road grip, maneuvering and other factors change greatly as you change the car's height. During the installation process, know exactly the height you are going for. Imagine what Coilover suspensions with full-length adjustability can achieve.
A good Coilover with adjustable damping will be the difference between great handling, body roll control and grip on the road and poor performance. Know your damper settings and where to make the minor adjustments, and you will be enjoying your time on the road.
c) Monotube Vs. Twin Tube Damper
When looking for a Coilover spring, you will come across two types of springs, the monotube and the twin-tube spring. The twin-tube works by using both an inner and outer tube to create suspension. Twin-tube dampers are some of the best Coilover kits. Suspension systems with the twin-tube system may sound complicated if they are not. The inner tube will hold the piston shaft, oil and valve. The outer tube holds damper oil and nitrogen gas. This type of suspension system is a fun one to understand and use.
When a compression force is applied onto the inner tube, oil is forced into the outer tube. When the piston moves back in place, the oil is sucked back into the inner tube, creating suspension in the process. The ride quality is greatly improved through this process because of better suspension stroke.
Enter the monotube. The monotube works by holding the gas and the shock in one tube. The tube holds more oil compared to the twin-tube. A floating piston in the tube separates the liquid from the gas, making the process more efficient. The damper piston is pushed, pushing the oil, which goes through the chambers on the valve itself. The gas is compressed, creating a quick reaction. One of the advantages of the monotube is that you can use it either way up, unlike the twin dampers.
The monotube performs better than the twin-tube damper on streetcars or track performance.
d) Top Mount
The Coilover kit needs to be fixed on the car, and the point of contact with the car is the top mount. The top mount plays an important role by bolting everything together and fixing the Coilover to the car. The top mount has two different types of bushings; rubber or pillow ball bushing. Rubber deflects a lot of energy, working not exactly as required as the point of contact between the car's suspension system. A stiffer rubber reduces the deflection and lasts longer.
A pillow ball is around a metallic spherical joint. Unlike the rubber bushing, the pillow ball does not move, creating a more precise judgment from the suspension system and steering. Proper installation of the pillow balls is required. Otherwise, the metal bearings tend to be a bit noisy and have a lot of vibrations, giving you a less comfortable ride. Suspension products have a lot of impact on the nature of ride you will have, and you must pick the right one for you even if you are on a tight budget.
e) Weight
Weight is one of the most important factors to consider when picking Coilover kits. Other features like adjustable height and damping adjustment are equally important, but the weight will play a huge role in the Coilover. The shock absorbers and spring package will do a great job of supporting your vehicle's weight and dampening outside forces. However, you will sometimes see vehicles over-sprung. Sometimes all you need is a 180 lb spring instead of a 300 lb spring. That figure is almost half what you think you need, and most people are surprised by this when their cars work better and have better control with a lower spring rate.
You can use a race scale to measure the weight of a system before you decide which spring you will go for. Get a spring you can easily adjust and change when you need to change your preferences. Remember to sit in the car when it's weighed.
f) Motion Ratio
The wheel will act upon the suspension system, and you need to know how much. The control arms have a lever effect on the spring that affects the rate of compression on the spring. So while the shock design is a factor, the wheel still plays an important role when interacting with the spring. The motion ratio influences how fast or slow and how much depth the spring is compressed.
g) Coil Spring Angle
The wheel gap and the locking mechanism are affected by the spring's angle. Spring bowing can be one of the things caused by the coil spring angle. You can use a simple protractor to measure the angle and ensure the angle is appropriate for your vehicle during the installation process.
h) Spring Length and Shock Stroke
The spring length will affect your ride height and other features on your car once you are done with the installation process. An adjustable ride height can depend on the spring. You will find that low cars work just as well with the Coilover kits installed in them. The shock design can either be on the bump stops or just above them. As long as you know how to go about the strut assembly, you will be well on your way to enjoying the ride.
When installing the spring, you will need to leave at least two to three inches of space for the shock absorbers to have enough space to operate.
How to Install a Coilover Suspension
The Coilover kits are installed manually, and it is something you can do at home. You can be free to take the car to a mechanic, but if you follow the steps carefully, you will enjoy doing this right in your garage. Here are the things you will need for the installation process:
- Socket seat
- Breaker bar
- Penetrating oil
- Measuring tape
- Antisieze
- Bushings if needed
- Torque wrench
- Socket set
- Jack stands
Note: Working with loaded springs is not very safe, and you have to take all the precautions required. Replacing the entire factory strut is all you need, and it is understandable. However, your safety comes first. When handled incorrectly, you will not get to enjoy the bc racing spring as much as you thought. You are dealing with thousands of pounds of pressure compressed in the springs.
Every step is important as you are dealing with your car's suspension system and not any other thing.
i) Measuring and Planning
You need to ensure the vehicle-specific valving and correct measurement of parts when installing a new Coilover kit. The ride height you are dealing with is specific to inches, and you can not afford to get the measurements wrong. Ensure the car is on a flat surface, and the ride height is even before you start worrying about the spring preload or the damping. To make your work easier, spray penetrating oil on the parts you will be unscrewing to save you time and energy because you might end up dealing with things like rusted nuts.
Now is the time to replace everything you have always thought of replacing. From the inner bump stop to the upper mounts, stock shocks, dual locking perches and other suspension upgrades you might want to make. It is better to replace all four springs when changing your car. Plan to get the right Coilover kits for your car. If you have a Honda Civics, you will not get the same product as a Mazda Miata. Know whether you are going for the racing BR series coilovers or the bc racing BR series coilovers.
ii) Remove the Wheels
Jack up the car before removing the wheels. You need to know the right places to jack and the points where the jack sits. You do not need to be under the car for longer than you need. If you are unsure how to do that, you can always ask for help from your mechanic or call the dealership to help you out.
iii) Remove Struts
The struts on the front and the rear of the car are not similar. Before removing the struts, know the ones you need to remove and how many they are. You will find about three bolts and one center nut for the shaft. You will likely find just one bolt for the shaft on the rear wheels. This is the perfect time to identify any bad bushings and replace them.
iv) Take Further Measurements
You will need to measure the unsprung struts and keep the measurements for reference. Set the height by placing the struts and the Coilover kits side by side. The best coilovers will have preload springs to handle the height adjustment more easily. Lowering springs will require the height adjustment tool that you can buy alongside the best coilovers according to your preference.
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations carefully to get the steps right.
v) Install the Coilovers
The best coilovers should not be hard to work with. You need to know where the Coilover kits go in this installation stage. The Coilover spring will be at the place where the struts were. If you can avoid using the impact wrench, please do so. The impact wrench can damage the seals by spinning the shaft inside the shock assembly. The torque will be based on the manufacturer's directives.
This might be the right time to install the camber plates part of the kit. The brakes that you unhooked will go back during this stage. Applying antisieze to the coilover's preload adjustment threads will save you a lot of work in the future.
vi) Reinstall the wheels
It is time to put back the wheels and hit the road. Regardless of how excited you are about this part, you can not cut corners with it. Your goal will be to feel whether the car is high enough and whether you have gotten the best coilovers that you were hoping to get. Once you have installed the wheels, you should drive the car around for a few yards and feel the difference. The height difference should at least be obvious. If the car feels just right, you are good to go.
Ensure you get an alignment once you install the wheels and are satisfied with the results. As long as you have touched bolts and nuts o the wheels, you have to get wheel alignments done. Regardless of whether you have the best coilovers in the market, they are no good without wheel alignment.
Final Take
Comfort is one of the key factors that most car brands go out of their way to ensure their clients get. You can not downplay the role of comfort and safety when on the road. Coilover springs make a huge difference in your car. Apart from height adjustments, the springs change how the driver experiences the handling and control of the car. Therefore, this is a very important decision that you must make and make corrections. If you make the wrong choices for your car, it might cost you more than just your money. Involve your dealership or mechanic in such decisions, and do in-depth research on Coilover before trying anything.
Take note that coilovers are made specific to car brands.