Coilovers VS Shocks & Springs with Goodwin Racing

Summary

In this video, Ryan from Good Racing discusses the nuances between shocks and springs versus coilovers, highlighting their features, differences, and considerations for vehicle upgrades. He clarifies misconceptions, emphasizing that coilovers aren't necessarily easier to install despite being a complete assembly. Ryan also addresses the importance of spring rates and shock tuning, cautioning that budget coilovers often compromise on shock quality for ride comfort. He suggests that for street cars prioritizing ride quality, high-end coilovers or a combination of shocks and springs might be more suitable.

Takeaways

• 🔧 Shocks and springs are interchangeable with factory parts, allowing for piecemeal upgrades over time.
• 🌟 A coilover is a full assembly that replaces the entire shock and spring assembly, providing a more integrated system.
• 🔩 The adjustable features of coilovers, such as threaded bodies, allow for infinite ride height adjustments.
• 🚗 The installation of coilovers can be more involved due to the need for fine-tuning the ride height and shock settings.
• 🏎 Coilovers are designed for improved handling and performance, often with stiffer spring rates than factory setups.
• 💸 Budget coilovers may compromise on shock quality and tuning, which significantly impacts ride quality.
• 🛣 For street use where ride comfort is a priority, higher-end coilovers or a combination of shocks and springs may be more suitable.
• 🔨 Installing shocks and springs requires a spring compressor and can be a more straightforward process compared to coilovers.
• 🔄 Adjustable shocks allow for personal preference in terms of stiffness and can be easily adjusted without major installation hassles.
• 🏁 On a track, budget coilovers can provide a fun experience, but their ride quality may suffer on regular roads.
• ⚖️ The choice between shocks/springs and coilovers should be guided by the car's intended use and personal preferences for ride and handling.

Q & A

What is the main difference between shocks and springs versus coilovers?

The main difference is that coilovers are a full assembly that replaces the entire shock and spring assembly on a car, while shocks and springs are interchangeable with factory parts and can be upgraded piecemeal.

Why are coilovers sometimes referred to as 'shocks and springs' in the older car community?

In the older car community, 'coilovers' might refer to a different setup where the shock is in one place and the spring is somewhere else in the suspension system, unlike modern coilovers where the spring is over the shock.

What is the advantage of having a removable spring perch on shocks?

A removable spring perch allows for adjustments in ride height by moving the perch to different grooves on the shock body, providing some control over the ride height that is not typically available with just shocks and springs.

How does the adjustability of coilovers affect the installation process?

The adjustability of coilovers means that during installation, the car will need to be raised and lowered multiple times to achieve the desired ride height, making the installation process more involved compared to shocks and springs.

Why might coilovers come with stiffer springs than factory springs?

Coilovers are designed to improve handling and performance, and stiffer springs help with cornering, reducing dive and nose-dive under braking, which are essential for performance driving.

What is the misconception about budget coilovers that the video script aims to clarify?

The misconception is that budget coilovers are suitable for street cars that are not used for racing, as they are thought to be sufficient for occasional spirited driving. However, the video explains that budget coilovers often compromise on shock quality and tuning, which affects ride quality on the street.

Why are higher-end coilovers recommended for street cars where ride quality is a priority?

Higher-end coilovers, like Öhlins, are recommended for street cars because they offer better shock tuning and quality, which translates to a better ride quality despite having stiffer spring rates.

What is the role of bump stops in a suspension upgrade and why are they important?

Bump stops prevent the suspension from bottoming out, and they are important to replace when lowering a car, as worn-out factory bump stops can be harsher than new ones. Replacing them at the same time as shocks and springs avoids the need for additional work.

What is the purpose of the threading on the body of a coilover?

The threading on the body of a coilover allows for infinite adjustability of the ride height by threading the bottom cup and lower spring perch up or down the shock body.

Why might someone choose shocks and springs over coilovers for their vehicle?

Someone might choose shocks and springs over coilovers if they prefer a simpler installation process, want to maintain the ability to use factory parts, or if they are looking for a more straightforward upgrade without the complexity of adjustable components.