Coilovers and lowering springs are the two main options for vehicle owners looking to upgrade their suspension and increase handling. When your car is lower to the ground, you can grip the corners better and get the high performance you want. As the saying goes: “Decrease the altitude, increase the attitude.” Both coilovers and lowering springs can get you there.
The Pros to Lowering Springs
Lowering springs are the simpler, faster and cheaper way to get better handling. First, they are physically shorter than original engine manufacturer (OEM) springs, so when you swap them out, they immediately bring your car lower to the ground.
The ride quality won’t be as smooth, but the trade-off is that you get more control over handling because there is less body roll, keeping your car even and level, even when tackling tight corners.
Lowering springs are beneficial because you don’t have to alter your suspension to accommodate them — you simply add them to your system. It’s a good “set it and forget it” upgrade, since you don’t need to make any tune-ups or adjustments after the installation. Your car is ready to go.
But beware — sometimes it can wear down your shocks prematurely since the lowering springs weren’t designed for them. Talk to a performance auto professional for more information.
Are Coilovers a Better Choice?
The term coilovers is slang for “coil spring over strut,” meaning this is a much more involved installation process than simply swapping out springs.
Coilovers give the vehicle owner so much more flexibility. You can adjust the height of the car whenever you like. For example, in the winter you can raise the height to accommodate the snow. In summer, just lower it again.
You can control damping as well, which gives you either a harder or a softer ride.
With coilovers, all components of the suspension are specifically designed to work with each other, so you will see a reduction in the wear and tear on the system. Overall, you’ll get the same increase in handling, albeit a much smoother experience.
Still, coilovers are a more expensive upgrade, so you should make sure they’re what you’re looking for before buying.
Still Have Questions?
Choosing between coilovers and lowering springs isn’t the easiest decision, and it’s not a choice you can make after just reading one blog post on the topic. Instead, get in touch with us so we can answer your detailed questions and give you specific recommendations based on your car’s make and model.
Laketown Speed and Sound offers full-service performance upgrades designed to help your vehicle reach its maximum potential.