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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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Coilcover Q
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Sat, 01 January 2005 01:25
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Hi Guys,
Now this is a rather embarrassing question, but I may as well ask it here...
Am I right to assume when you use coilcover suspension you no longer need to use a separate set of spring springs like with a normal shocks setup, because the springs are already attached to the shocks. I could be right, or totally wrong.... 
So if I bought a set of coil covers and got them fitted I wouldn't need anything else...
Also whats the benefit to coil covers, is it just there adjust ability, or is there something else?
Yay embarrassing question over, least I'll know in the future
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
April 2004
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Re: Coilcover Q
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Sat, 01 January 2005 08:21
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Theyre not attached as in welded. But they are in a sense that they are completely captive to the strut. Coil covers as in a coilover sleevekit? If they include the springs (which they should) they should mention it. If they dont then its just the kit minus springs... and you'll need to get some.
Coilovers are a mechanical advantage in the way they're designed to simply give better suspension response. Simply put it's just a better design and works better. Adjustability is just a byproduct/plus.
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Location:
Tasmania
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Coilcover Q
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Sun, 02 January 2005 05:45
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Sorry, but coilovers do not give a mechanical advantage as you say. Adjustablility is the main advantage, not a by product.
To answer the original question, it depends what type of supension you are replacing. It's best to understand looking at pictures.
The main reasons for "coilovers" is:
-you use a standard diameter spring, so you can easily use any generic race type spring to swap around and change your spring rate. The spring is not model specific, just a 65mmID spring for example.
-The smaller diameter spring can allow for more clearance, sometimes needed for different camber/caster angles.
-The ride height is adjustable.
Coilovers will not change the way your car handles at all if you use the same spring rate and shocks. But once you go to a coilover setup, you have a greater choice of springs and other aftermarket things.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
April 2004
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Re: Coilcover Q
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Sun, 02 January 2005 08:11
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Byproduct was the wrong word to use there.
However a coilover setup is definately an advantage of design.
Take an older car for example.
And old worn top hat and non-captive lower cup design
vs
A totally captive system.
Adjustability is not the only factor.
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Location:
Montrose, VIC
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Coilcover Q
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Sun, 02 January 2005 08:21
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I guess we should also ask for what reason most people get 'coilovers' fitted. Maybe it's got something to do with shiny bits and colourful springs??
Think of turbo timers here - is it anything to do with making your turbo last longer, or something to do with suckers getting sold a cheap timer with coloured lights that they've been told will do something...
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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Registered:
January 2004
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Re: Coilcover Q
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Sun, 02 January 2005 09:09
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Oh yeah , they will make that beasty handle like a dream, a bit how you going on sydneys great roads...lol.
but on a good road they are great , i got a set on the ST184 and they are jus gold....
hope ya buy and if ya do , you will enjoy cornering very fast!
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Coilcover Q
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Sun, 02 January 2005 10:01
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Take a coilover strut with a spring rated at X lb/in. Then take a conventional McPherson strut with a spring also rated at X, and with the same strut insert. The difference between the two will be ZERO; there is no "mechanical advantage", they both work in exactly the same way.
The advantage of the coilover strut is adjustability, and the ability to easily purchase springs in 25 lb/in increments. This is very useful on the track, but on a street car it's little more than wank factor.
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
January 2004
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Re: Coilcover Q
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Sun, 02 January 2005 23:09
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Another advantage of coil overs is that you normally run a shorter strut, with a short stroke shock inside. this is better for handling, the only other way to get a short stroke shock in a normal length strut is to put something inside the strut to give the shock something to sit on, and ive heard that thats not good to do.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
melbourne
Registered:
June 2002
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Coilcover Q
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Mon, 03 January 2005 07:14
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The basic answer to this thread is;
"If you don't know what coilovers are, you don't need them!"
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: Coilcover Q
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Wed, 05 January 2005 14:09
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But there is certainly no harm in trying to learn, is there? Anyway thanks for the help guys.
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
December 2004
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Location:
England
Registered:
November 2004
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Re: Coilcover Q
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Wed, 05 January 2005 19:43
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I have adjustable coil overs on my Datsun 260Z. Now I can get the car corner weighted for better distribution. Better weight distribution = better handling 
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