What Are Coilovers?
The term “coilover” literally means a coil spring mounted over a shock absorber. The aftermarket tuning industry has adopted the term ‘Coilovers’ when referring to a height adjustable performance suspension kit, although the term is not always 100% accurate to its literal meaning!
They are commonly used in performance cars, motorsport vehicles, modified road cars, and increasingly on enthusiast vehicles where improved handling and adjustable ride height are desired.
How Do Coilovers Work?
A vehicle’s suspension has two main jobs:
Support the weight of the vehicle.
Control the movement of the wheels over bumps and during cornering.
In a Coilover assembly:
• The coil spring supports the vehicle’s weight and absorbs impacts from the road.
• The damper (shock absorber) controls the speed at which the suspension compresses and rebounds.
• An adjustable threaded body allows the ride height to be raised or lowered.
Main Components of a Coilover Kit:
Coil Spring – The spring carries the vehicle’s weight and determines how stiff or soft the suspension feels. Stiffer springs generally reduce body roll and will make the ride firmer.
Shock Absorber – The damper controls suspension movement. Without damping, the vehicle would continue to bounce after hitting bumps.
Threaded Body – Prosport Coilovers feature a threaded shock body that allows adjustment of ride height by moving the spring adjusters (sometimes called ‘perches’) up or down.
Shortened shock absorbers – when a kit contains separate components for the rear, the shock absorbers will have shortened travel to prevent ‘bottoming-out’.
Height-adjustable rear lowering springs – in kits that include separate rear components, the kit comes with lowering springs and ride height adjusters (sometimes called ‘adjuster cups’).
Types of Coilovers:
There are two main types of Coilover Kit
• Kits supplied containing front and rear Coilovers
• Or a set of front Coilovers with separate rear springs, shock absorbers and ride height adjusters.
There are other styles of Coilover kits (see examples below), when the above configurations won’t work – the kits listed on the Prosport website include images showing the actual product, so you can be sure that what you see is what you’ll get!
Advantages of Coilovers:
Improved Handling – Coilovers reduce body roll during cornering and provide more precise vehicle control.
Adjustable Ride Height – Owners can lower the vehicle for a sportier appearance or optimise suspension geometry for performance driving.
Better Weight Transfer Control – allows drivers to manage how the vehicle responds during braking, acceleration, and cornering.
Disadvantages of Coilovers:
Firmer Ride? – Prosport Coilovers are engineered to provide the best balance between ride comfort and handling. Coilover suspension is normally firmer than standard and will get firmer the lower you go.
More Maintenance – Threaded adjustment collars can seize if not maintained properly, particularly in areas where roads are salted during winter.
Setup Complexity – Incorrect set up or installation can worsen handling and tyre wear. Prosport products must be installed by a professional mechanic, preferably with experience of installing performance suspension systems.
Coilovers vs Lowering Springs:
Many vehicle owners compare Coilovers with lowering springs – Lowering springs are generally a budget-friendly way to reduce ride height, while Coilovers offer significantly more adjustability and performance potential.
Are Coilovers Worth It?:
Coilovers can be an excellent upgrade if you:
• Need a cost-effective solution to updating tired suspension
• Enjoy spirited driving.
• Want adjustable ride height.
• Need a suspension setup tailored to specific driving conditions.
Conclusion:
Prosport Coilovers offer improved looks, better handling and ride height control, making them a popular choice among performance car enthusiasts. While they can be more expensive and require careful setup, a Prosport Coilover system can dramatically improve a vehicle’s driving dynamics when properly installed and adjusted.
Here is a selection of images showing some of the different types of Prosport Coilover Kit:
