Coilover vs. Springs Question

[aerospike2002]

Say that there was a set of coilovers and it was being compared a set of lowering springs. Both products were from the same company, and the coilovers utilized the same spring that it is being compared to.

Besides offering adjustability, is there any benefit to purchasing the coilover as opposed to just the lowering spring?

In my situation, I could care less about the adjustability, I just want to get the vehicle to a good level, and maintain proper handling and ride characteristics.

TY in advance.

aerospike

[WRENCHHEAD]

if you don't have a need for adjustability then just get springs. sleeve type coilovers like GC, skunk2 etc. you may run into creaking and knocking sounds

[All_MTR_GTS]

doh!!! its so true i have those noises.

[dmaxd03]

when you are making the comparison remember to factor in the new struts you will have to get as well. It makes coilovers look like a much better deal.

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by dmaxd03
when you are making the comparison remember to factor in the new struts you will have to get as well. It makes coilovers look like a much better deal. :werd:
The only struts that will continually handle lowering springs are custom Konis. All other struts, aftermarket or stock, will die faster the lower they go. Coilovers' struts are matched to their springs, so they'll last a lot longer, especially if you set them on soft (which isn't the same "soft" as the stock suspension ;) ).

Springs used on coilovers are stiffer than lowering springs (except maybe Hotchkis), so you'll get better handling and response with coilovers, even if you drop your car the same amount with just springs.

[Hungster]

Originally posted by Blue Bomber
:werd:
The only struts that will continually handle lowering springs are custom Konis. All other struts, aftermarket or stock, will die faster the lower they go. Coilovers' struts are matched to their springs, so they'll last a lot longer, especially if you set them on soft (which isn't the same "soft" as the stock suspension ;) ).

Springs used on coilovers are stiffer than lowering springs (except maybe Hotchkis), so you'll get better handling and response with coilovers, even if you drop your car the same amount with just springs.

:werd: i was reading this thread like are you serious, you get so much better handling with true coilovers, why cause those struts that people are too cheap to buy and just get springs are made to be responsive and handle, here is a good example between a bouncing car and a responsive car. A bouncing car lowers their car with just springs, as it drives and hit say a pothole or a line on the road depending on what kind of suspension you have, your car bounces up and down, not just once but maybe twice or more depending on how good the suspension is and how hard the bump is right? well say you have a full suspension setup, and you hit the same line or bump in the road, your car drops and does a hard shake from hitting it, but instead of a bounce it reacts and only hits once, it will never bounce more than that really. Its very responsive. Ive gone through tons of suspension setups including just springs to teins SS, to full hotchkis race coilovers, and to something else now which will be a surprise, well not really but i have my reasons. Than you can go into which coilovers are better and why.....

[aerospike2002]

Originally posted by WRENCHHEAD
if you don't have a need for adjustability then just get springs. sleeve type coilovers like GC, skunk2 etc. you may run into creaking and knocking sounds


Are the Hotchkis Race Coilovers sleeve type?

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by aerospike2002
Are the Hotchkis Race Coilovers sleeve type? Nope, they're full replacment. You can tell by the price. If they're over $700, they're full coilovers. If they cost $50, they're sleeve type. ;)

[Butt Dyno]

If you are not going to do the work to get your coilovers dialed in, IMHO they are not worth it. I have a spring/strut combo and zero complaints. Focus on driving first and start fiddling with suspension fine-tuning when you really need to.

john

[Redneck GT-S]

You know, that's my rational heading into upgrading my suspension as well. Sure, saying you have JIC coils on all four corners would be nice, but do you really need them? I don't get to the track enough to justify having nearly $1500 in bounce control alone.
Everything I've read about the TRD spring/strut combo specifically tells me that for what I intend to do with it, I'll be happy as a pig in ****.

[aerospike2002]

Great info guys....

Yeah, like I said, I could care less about the adjustability option.

In specific, I was comparing the Hotchkiss TVS Stage II kit (street coils) vs. the Hotchkis TVS Stage III Kit (coilovers w/ race coils). I know they don't use the same coils for each one, I was just kind of theorizing there:D

Anyway, I think I'm pretty much set with the Hotchkis TVS Stage II kit. The drop is nice, and it seems that it comes with everything I need (perhaps even more than I need as some have said the rear camber links are kind of un-needed) for a high quality suspension.

I'm focusing more on autoX than track anyway. Was it not the TVS Stage II kit that was used to set the handling records with the Hotchkis Celica? I don't believe they had the Stage III kit developed yet when they set those records....

[Hungster]

Originally posted by aerospike2002
Great info guys....

Yeah, like I said, I could care less about the adjustability option.

In specific, I was comparing the Hotchkiss TVS Stage II kit (street coils) vs. the Hotchkis TVS Stage III Kit (coilovers w/ race coils). I know they don't use the same coils for each one, I was just kind of theorizing there:D

Anyway, I think I'm pretty much set with the Hotchkis TVS Stage II kit. The drop is nice, and it seems that it comes with everything I need (perhaps even more than I need as some have said the rear camber links are kind of un-needed) for a high quality suspension.

I'm focusing more on autoX than track anyway. Was it not the TVS Stage II kit that was used to set the handling records with the Hotchkis Celica? I don't believe they had the Stage III kit developed yet when they set those records....

dude i have the race coilovers from hotchkis for sale for a very reasonable price, it comes included with the front camber and strut, all you need are sways and rear end camber links to complete the kit, if your looking into the kit, why not save tons of cash and get the full race set from me :)

Originally posted by Redneck GT-S
You know, that's my rational heading into upgrading my suspension as well. Sure, saying you have JIC coils on all four corners would be nice, but do you really need them? I don't get to the track enough to justify having nearly $1500 in bounce control alone.
Everything I've read about the TRD spring/strut combo specifically tells me that for what I intend to do with it, I'll be happy as a pig in ****.

you havent driven with different suspension types to really know how it affects the handling, ive seen such a big upgrade in cornering from switching from shocks and springs combo to teins, and even a bigger difference from switching teins to hotchkis race coilovers. ummm if you do the track racing i do, yea its worth it... escpecially if you live 15 minutes away from laguana seca ;)

[Hungster]

Originally posted by aerospike2002
Great info guys....

Yeah, like I said, I could care less about the adjustability option.

In specific, I was comparing the Hotchkiss TVS Stage II kit (street coils) vs. the Hotchkis TVS Stage III Kit (coilovers w/ race coils). I know they don't use the same coils for each one, I was just kind of theorizing there:D

Anyway, I think I'm pretty much set with the Hotchkis TVS Stage II kit. The drop is nice, and it seems that it comes with everything I need (perhaps even more than I need as some have said the rear camber links are kind of un-needed) for a high quality suspension.

I'm focusing more on autoX than track anyway. Was it not the TVS Stage II kit that was used to set the handling records with the Hotchkis Celica? I don't believe they had the Stage III kit developed yet when they set those records....

dude i have the race coilovers from hotchkis for sale for a very reasonable price, it comes included with the front camber and strut, all you need are sways and rear end camber links to complete the kit, if your looking into the kit, why not save tons of cash and get the full race set from me :)

Originally posted by Redneck GT-S
You know, that's my rational heading into upgrading my suspension as well. Sure, saying you have JIC coils on all four corners would be nice, but do you really need them? I don't get to the track enough to justify having nearly $1500 in bounce control alone.
Everything I've read about the TRD spring/strut combo specifically tells me that for what I intend to do with it, I'll be happy as a pig in ****.

you havent driven with different suspension types to really know how it affects the handling, ive seen such a big upgrade in cornering from switching from shocks and springs combo to teins, and even a bigger difference from switching teins to hotchkis race coilovers. ummm if you do the track racing i do, yea its worth it... escpecially if you live 15 minutes away from laguana seca ;)

[Redneck GT-S]

Originally posted by Hungster
you havent driven with different suspension types to really know how it affects the handling, ive seen such a big upgrade in cornering from switching from shocks and springs combo to teins, and even a bigger difference from switching teins to hotchkis race coilovers. ummm if you do the track racing i do, yea its worth it... escpecially if you live 15 minutes away from laguana seca ;)

Yea, but I don't. That's why I said if I got to the track more it would be worth it to me.

[Hungster]

well it all depends on what you want for your car thats all it is... ;) and if your goal is to hit 1.0 g's on a skidpad, your going to need more than just lowering springs and shocks...

[Redneck GT-S]

With good tires, street legal ones at that, and strong sway bars coupled with springs and shocks I think its doable.
I read that the TRD sways with their shocks/springs have pulled .90 lateral g(with their 18" wheels and Parada Spec-II tires). I think it's realistic to say with the layout I'm thinking about, Hotchkis competition sway bars and the TRD shock/spring package with 17x7 wheels wrapped in Yokohama AVS-ES 100 tires you could reach very close if not attain that 1.0 lateral g.
Is this too far out of question?