I installed my BC Racing coils the other day and i like them so far, but i have come up with a few questions. I know there is a point to where the handling is as good as it can be, and id like to get close to it. Questions are as follows.

How low can you go before it starts actually hurting the car’s abilities?

How stiff should the springs be for optimal handling capabilities?

P.S. these are probably super noob questions.

 

31 views and no suggestions? am i really that dumb? lol

 

Those are hard questions to give an accurate answer too. Probably know body has answered because they simply don't know. My best advice is just to play with the settings and until you find a setup you like. What are you using the Coilovers for? Looks? Racing?

EDIT: Also there is more to handling than just lowering a car and getting stiffer springs and shocks. Camber, Toe, and Caster all affect handling as well.

EDIT2: Also sway bars. But messing with all that on your own might not be a good idea lol

 

its all about suspension travel for handling. so anything that gives you less than 4 inches of wheel travel is no good, 6 inches of total wheel travel is better.

 

Lol mine have 1" of travel

 

bump bump bumpity bump

 

Is that 6' from full droop to full compression?

OP most coilovers for our cars have static shock travel meaning u cant change it. all u can do is change the height of the total shock/strut which raises/loweres the car. as long as ur not rubbing ur inner fenders ur not really hurting performance. than again The coilovers for our car except for the KW V2 isnt really a step in the performance direction, u can track on them but u wont be as composed as say a pedders/koni set up.

 

im going to get sway and strut bars and get an alignment before summer. The suspension is for looks, but obviously since i want it perfect i am going to be doing some autox or maybe some track days this summer depending on our local track closing :/

unsure how to measure travel...elaborate?


Mine are BC racing, they were used for a few hundred miles, and i have an ls, so anything will help over stock, and i know they arent the best, but i was under the impression they were pretty good. youve kindof discouraged me hahaha, but any help is much appreciated.

I WANT TO GIVE MEGA THANKS FOR SOMEONE STEPPING UP AND REPLYING TO THIS. Please keep the suggestions coming, im doing some fine tuning tomorrow at my buddies shop.

 

6 feet from droop? Lol
OP, I would take mister Powell's advice.And pm him with specific questions. This is part of the reason I nanny gone with coilevers yet. Don't know enough about proper handling yet...

 

Hav'nt...damn "smart" phone.

 

Well dont be discouraged, just dont expect superb handling. i have my HSD coils paired with a Johnny Powell hardcore bar and the handling isnt bad, but it isnt mindblowing either. Ill be tracking my car this year on the coils with the bar and see how it is, ill also be getting some 7k rear springs to stiffen up the rear end a bit.
Iv have also set up my coils to have the best amount of shock travel. at my current ride height when jacking up the car i have 4inches of droop. not much compared to stock but more than most coilover guys have. last thing i want to do is go air bound.
IMHO i rather have decent handling and low ride height than good handling and monster truck ride height.

 

I was under the impression that just lowering your center if gravity would improve handling even without stiffening the springs

 

A lower center of gravity helps, but you must also consider the geometry of your suspension and what the parts do when they are actually in action. What i have always though (i read it forever ago) is that the "perfect" drop for 100% handling is the drop that gets your control arms the closest to parallel with the ground. In theory i could see how having everything on the same plane could help with lateral movement.


Honestly, there are so many factors that contribute to handling that no one setup will ever be perfect for everyone.

 

Yeah but you're gay so...