Other than adjustability, what're the other differences between coilovers and shocks/springs?

 

depending on the quality of the coil overs and shocks you have with them, the ride on coilovers can be the roughest ride you will ever have or can be near stock. if you go and spend good money on shocks for coil overs and good coils the it will be good but if you buy ebay coils and throw them on stock shocks, i think a tank has a smoother ride.

its all in the setup. my suspension thread in my sig below has many setups with opinions and other components you can add to your car

 

Adjustiblity is the best part of coilovers. I say spend an extra $100 and get some Ground Control coilovers rather than new springs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chowmien &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Adjustiblity is the best part of coilovers. I say spend an extra $100 and get some Ground Control coilovers rather than new springs.</TD></TR></TABLE>
well see i wouldnt get new springs without new shocks...I thought coilovers were pretty much an adjustable alternative to shocks/springs. Just trying to figure out the difference. I dont care too much about adjustability.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ragecloak &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Other than adjustability, what're the other differences between coilovers and shocks/springs?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Different spring rates. Having a custom spring/strut combo is great as long as your spring rates are right for your type of driving.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ragecloak &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
well see i wouldnt get new springs without new shocks...I thought coilovers were pretty much an adjustable alternative to shocks/springs. Just trying to figure out the difference. I dont care too much about adjustability.</TD></TR></TABLE>

There's full coilovers where the strut has threads and you can adjust it and those are $600+. Pretty much a shock/coilover in one. Then there's coilover sleeves which you can slip onto any shock just like the springs do. Those are cheaper and are in the $250 range for good ones like Skunk2 and Ground control.

 

Ah, so the best combination for the price would be aftermarket shocks and good coil overs?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ragecloak &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ah, so the best combination for the price would be aftermarket shocks and good coil overs?</TD></TR></TABLE>

best ride would be
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chowmien &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There's full coilovers where the strut has threads and you can adjust it and those are $600+. Pretty much a shock/coilover in one.</TD></TR></TABLE>

because the other is a rough, bumpy ride
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chowmien &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Then there's coilover sleeves which you can slip onto any shock just like the springs do. Those are cheaper and are in the $250 range for good ones like Skunk2 and Ground control.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Sorry, i dont understand the way you responded...the best ride comes from full coilovers or coilovers on aftermarket shocks? Sorry for the confusion.

 

Ill put it this way. I have the Tein basic kit which in my opinion is a waste of money..but my car rides almost stock like. Custom rate Ground Controls and Koni Yellows will also ride close to stock. But to get a stock ride while being lowered be prepared to spend close or under a grand. Or you could try to find a lowering spring with a fairly stiff spring rate.

 

In the suspension world there's a whole lot you can choose from. The full damper setups which are the shocks and coilovers in one are all height adjustible, but some have dampening adjustments which control how stiff your shocks are. Those are generally more expensive than those without dampening adjustments. Omnipower, Skunk2, and Tein Basic are examples of full coilovers that do not have dampening adjustiblity. They hover around the $600 range. Then there's Tein SS which is a full coilover that has dampening adjustiblity. I'm not sure how much they cost, but probably around $1200 brand new.

For sleeve type coilovers there are Omnipower, Skunk2, and Ground Control just as examples. Yes Omnipower and Skunk2 have both the full coilover type and sleeve type. I think the Omnipower ones are just under $200, but are really stiff.
You should pair these coilover sleeves with dampening adjustible shocks such as Kyb Agx ($250+), Tokico Illumina ($300+), or Koni Yellows ($500+).

The coilover sleeve + aftermarket adjustible shocks setup will give you better comfort for the money compared to the full setups in my opinion. Remember, the stiffer the springs are, the harsher the ride will be on city streets unless you have a good shock to compensate for it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chowmien &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The coilover sleeve + aftermarket adjustible shocks setup will give you better comfort for the money compared to the full setups in my opinion.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Besides the price difference, the Tein flex will out perform any coilover sleeve+ aftermarket adjustible shocks. If your willing to spend the money..a full coilover setup is the way to go.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Built to Spill &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Besides the price difference, the Tein flex will out perform any coilover sleeve+ aftermarket adjustible shocks. If your willing to spend the money..a full coilover setup is the way to go.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep, I can only dream of owning such a setup