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    • Coilovers vs Lowering Springs : The Hard Decision

    Posted

    Coilovers or Lowering Springs – an age old debate when first starting to modify your suspension. It’s true; upgrading your car’s suspension with stiffer lowering springs or coilovers dramatically changes the way the car feels and corners, not to mention the much better look that comes with a lower stance on the car.

    For this article, we are using TEIN’s suspension components as examples – note the S-Tech Springs and Super Street Coilovers pictured above in their signature green color. Guerilla Racing carries this full line of high quality, Japanese engineered suspension products if you’re looking to get some new springs or coilovers on your vehicle.

    What’s the Difference between Lowering Springs and Coilovers?

    Lowering Springs
    Coilovers
    Daily Drivable
    Yes
    Yes
    Max Drop
    ~2.5″
    ~4-5″ (depending on coilover)
    Vehicle Specific
    Yes
    Yes
    Reduces Body Lean
    Yes
    Yes
    Height Adjustable
    No
    Yes
    Plug and Play Installation
    Must manually replace OEM springs with new lowering springs on OEM shocks
    Yes
    Dampening Rate Adjustable
    No
    Yes

    Lowering Spring Kit

    Contains only four replacement springs to go on to your stock OEM shock to replace each corner of the car
    Some kits contain bushings for noise reduction and squeaking (TEIN kits do)
    Costs around $200-$400 for a full kit
    Coilover Suspension Kit

    Fully pre-assembled shock and spring replacement for each corner of the car – includes new rear spring and rear shock if it is a separate spring/shock setup for your rear axle
    Most coilover kits come with new upper mounts to bolt in to your chassis, if not, then you re-use your stock upper mount from your stock struts that you’re replacing
    Height Adjustable – you can raise and lower your ride height at your command with an included wrench
    Dampening Adjustable (most higher end coilovers) – you can change the hardness of your ride from cushy to tight
    Costs around $850-$3000 for a full kit


    If you’re looking to get that super low stance, then you’ll definitely need to go with coilovers. Additionally, since coilovers are mated to shocks to handle the higher load, they will last longer than the lowering spring / stock shock mix.

    The Bottom Line
    If it’s your first time modifying your suspension and want a complete package, we would definitely always recommend coilover suspension due to the versatility of the height adjustment, new shocks meant for the lower springs, and overall it’s just a better deal in the long run than lowering springs.



    However we all have budgets and a $850 set of coilovers might not be the best thing for you right now to do to your car, and that’s where the compromise of the lowering springs comes in. Lowering springs are just fine if you’re looking to reduce some wheel gap (empty space between your tire and the fender) since they are inexpensive and make a world of difference on the aesthetic and handling of your car.



    For all your handling needs including lowering springs or suspension, hit up the guys at Guerilla Racing for a complete package and free advice on what you need for your car.

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