Coilover Suspension, Car Suspension Coilover

Coilover Suspensions - Pros and Cons
By Duane Boodasingh


Why are they so popular and do they really improve the handling
of a car. In theory, when you lower your car, you also lower it
center of gravity therefore reducing body roll, thus improving
its handling. However, handling characteristic of the car are not
only determined by the center of gravity. You also have to
consider the dampening system, spring rate, condition of the
road, side-walls of your tires, unsprung weight, tire grip,
geometry of the suspension and so on.

Right now we are only interested in the ever so popular coilover
set up. There are a lot of aftermarket manufacturers coming up
with different brands and types of coilovers. Coilovers are
popular with racers due to their adjustability. You can adjust
the right height and in some cases you can also adjust the
dampening thus produce superb handling.

There are two types of coilovers. They are true coilovers and
sleeve type coilovers. True coilovers are a set up where the
shocks have a threaded-body, when as the other one utilize a
'sleeve type' thread. One of the older, well-known manufacturer
for coilovers is H&R. Now, there are different companies such as
Tein, Intrax, etc also making coilovers. However, Ground Control
was the pioneer of sleeve designed coilovers. We have no doubt
about the benefits of true coilovers. But what about the sleeve
type'? Does it work? In theory, it works the same as true
coilovers. In real life, it doesn't even come close to the non
coilovers shocks and springs setups.

Ground Control, the pioneer in sleeve design technology' utilizes
aluminum body sleeve with Eibach race springs. The base of the
spring is supported with a single rotational plate with an Allen
screw-locking device. What's wrong with this design you ask? Like
all 'sleeve type' coilovers, there is good chance for the sleeve
to rotate and thus make the spring slip. This can happen to the
enthusiast drivers who like to push the car to the limit. The
other thing that worries me is the Allen screw-locking device. A
screw that small is given the duties to hold the tension and
twist that are generated by the car when an enthusiast drives it.

Weapon-R Tuner 2 coilover conversion. This one is basically the
same with Ground Control except it added the extra locking plate
(with the same allen screw locking it in place) supposedly for
added security.

Skunkworks and Arospeed. These two companies utilize true
coilover type locking devices. Double plates interlocking each
other. This is by far the best set up yet. But how bout the
sleeve? Some thing must be done to secure the sleeve.

These disadvantages not only can create clunking noise, but it
can also be very dangerous. Imagine this: you are taking corners
very fast, relying on that big buck suspension to do it job, when
the sleeve/locking plates shifted thus creating a sudden jolt in
your suspension (like when your driving thru rough road surface)
and therefore lifted your tire of the ground thus losing
traction……….

So why is it so popular? Cause it cheap ($249-$399US) compare to
true coilovers ($1,200US and up). It looks cool, it's adjustable,
and again it makes your car look cool….

Drivers Beware

The proper way to adjust a threaded coil-over suspension involves
using a set of scales. The whole idea of this type of suspension
adjustability is to equal out the loads on tires (or bias them
for circle track) for cornering ability. The fact that you can
lower the car with them is just an added benefit but it is NOT
their primary function. You should be aware that you can hurt the
performance of your car if you don't adjust them at least
reasonably close. At best, the car may not corner as well as it
used to.

At worst, you may change the handling to the point of being
dangerous. This sounds like an exaggeration but with a threaded
setup you could load the front right and the left rear tires and
create a car that turns left really well, but won't turn right
worth a damn. Even, possibly, spinning out. All this with the car
sitting perfectly level. You have the suspension, now take the
time to set it up right. Find a tyre shop with some corner scales
and work with them to adjust tire loading and ride height. The
object is to get the cross weights (diagonal weights) even. It's
not as important to get the other weights even. It's the cross
weights that will sneak up on you.

Duane Boodasingh http://www.trinituner.com



Content Courtesy : choosetoprosper.com