ok, so i understand somewhat about srping rates, and lowering & all that, but I don't understand how exactly coilovers work. is it just a spring w/ a special mount that you can use to compress/un-compress the springs thus causing the car to raise/lower? sorry, i'm sure that this question may seem simple to everyone else, but I've always had springs, and I am trying to get an understanding. TIA

 

Coilovers raise and lower the car by using an adjustable perch system. You move the perch up or down based on where you want the car to sit. Sleeve coiolvers use a sleeve that slips over the strut while full style coilovers us a threaded strut.

 

you can see in the picture above the threaded sleeve that 91civic talks about. when you move the sleeve, you can raise/lower the car.

 

which of teh 2 types are better? or, do they each have their qualities about them? Thanks ya'll

 

the threaded strut design seems to be better in that its all one piece.

on the other hand, ground control has MANY types of springs you can choose from, which is nice. they have custom lengths, diameters, spring rates, and linear or progressive type springs. you can't go wrong when you get the ground control coilovers.