The purpose of coilovers is to enhance a vehicle's performance by providing superior control, handling, and stability.
In racing, coilovers play a crucial role in maximising a car's cornering ability, responsiveness, and overall track performance. By allowing precise adjustments to ride height and damping, coilovers enable race teams to fine-tune the suspension setup to the specific track conditions and driving dynamics.
However, while coilovers are often associated with high-performance racing applications, their benefits extend to everyday driving as well. For drivers seeking a more responsive driving experience, coilovers offer a significant upgrade over stock suspension systems.
What are the differences between coilovers in racing vs everyday driving?
Adjustability
In racing, coilovers are often highly adjustable to allow for precise tuning of ride height and damping to optimise performance for specific track conditions and driving styles. Because everyday driving conditions are less demanding, coilovers used in this context require less adjustments.
Prioritisation
For racing applications, coilovers are primarily focused on maximising performance metrics such as lap times, cornering speeds, and grip levels. For street use, coilovers aim to enhance general handling and responsiveness.
Stiffness
Coilovers used in racing tend to be set up with stiffer spring rates and damper settings to minimise body roll, pitch, and weight transfer for improved handling and responsiveness. Everyday racing coilovers don’t prioritise stiffness as heavily, as driving conditions are more predictable.
Weight Reduction
Lightweight construction and materials are prioritised in racing coilovers to reduce unsprung weight and rotational mass, improving acceleration, braking, and cornering performance. Weight savings are still desirable but may be less of a priority compared to racing applications, considering cost and durability factors.
Durability
Racing coilovers are designed to withstand the high loads and extreme conditions encountered in competitive racing environments. Street coilovers need to be designed for long-term durability and resilience against everyday driving conditions, including potholes, speed bumps, and varying road surfaces.
What are the key considerations when transitioning from racing to everyday coilovers or vice versa?
If you are switching from one setup to the other, it is strongly recommended that you consider the following to ensure an optimal driving experience:
- Damping Settings: Adjust damping settings to accommodate the transition to either the precise control needed in racing to a softer, more general setting for everyday driving.
- Ride Height Preferences: Modify ride height preferences based on the shift in driving environment. Transition to an aerodynamically optimised lower ride height for racing or a more moderate height suitable for daily road conditions.
- Alignment Considerations: Reevaluate alignment settings to ensure they are suitable for the demands of either racing or daily driving. Proper alignment contributes to stability, handling, and tire wear.
- Tire and Wheel Considerations: Assess the compatibility of tires and wheels with the new driving scenario. Adjustments may impact tire wear, and it's important to ensure proper alignment with the chosen tire and wheel combination.
What kinds of coilover setups are better for racing vs. everyday driving?
The following coilovers are better for racing:
- Adjustable Damping: These are ideal for racing due to the ability to fine-tune damping rates, providing precise control necessary for optimal handling on the track.
- Adjustable Camber: These are suited for racing as they allow fine-tuning of wheel alignment, essential for optimising tire contact with the road during aggressive turns.
- External Reservoir: Typically found in high-performance and off-road applications, they are suitable for racing due to their ability to manage heat effectively during intense or prolonged use.
- Inverted: These are favoured in racing applications for improved handling and responsiveness, with the upside-down shock absorber design enhancing rigidity and reducing unsprung weight.
- Two or Three-Way Adjustable: Two-way adjustable coilovers allow the user to adjust rebound and compression damping separately. Three-way coilovers allow the user to adjust rebound and compression separately, with compression being able to be adjusted in high-speed and low-speed bumps.
The following coilovers are better for everyday driving:
- Height Adjustable: Valuable for optimising aesthetics, practical considerations, and ride comfort, making them versatile for everyday driving scenarios.
- One-way Adjustable: One dial to adjust both rebound and compression damping. The simplicity of this system allows the user to make straight-forward damping adjustments without intricate knowledge of compression and rebound damping.
