Lowering Springs Vs Coil Overs Vs Air Suspension

When it comes to customizing your car’s suspension, you have several options, each offering unique benefits depending on your driving style, performance needs, and aesthetic preferences. Lowering springs, coilovers, and air suspension are the most popular choices for enthusiasts looking to enhance their vehicle’s stance and handling. But which one is right for you? In this blog, we'll break down the differences between these three options to help you make an informed decision.

1. Lowering Springs

Lowering springs are the most straightforward and cost-effective way to lower your vehicle’s ride height. These springs are designed to replace your car’s factory springs, providing a fixed amount of lowering, typically between 1 to 2 inches.

Benefits:

• Affordability: Lowering springs are generally the most budget-friendly option. They offer a noticeable improvement in aesthetics and handling without a significant investment.
• Improved Handling: By lowering the car’s center of gravity, lowering springs can reduce body roll during cornering, leading to more responsive handling.
• Simple Installation: Installation is relatively straightforward, especially for those familiar with basic automotive work. You can often use the stock shocks and struts with lowering springs, though it's recommended to pair them with performance shocks for the best results.

Drawbacks:

• Fixed Ride Height: One of the main limitations of lowering springs is the fixed ride height. Once installed, you cannot adjust the height of your vehicle, which might not be ideal if you need flexibility for different driving conditions.
• Ride Comfort: Depending on the spring rate, lowering springs can lead to a stiffer ride, which might not be suitable for those who prioritize comfort over performance.

2. Coilovers

Coilovers offer a more versatile and performance-oriented suspension solution. A coilover combines a shock absorber and a coil spring into a single unit, and most coilovers allow you to adjust the ride height and damping settings.

Benefits:

• Adjustable Ride Height: Coilovers give you the ability to fine-tune your vehicle’s ride height to your exact preference. This adjustability is ideal for those who want to achieve the perfect stance or need to adapt their vehicle for different driving environments.
• Enhanced Handling: Coilovers are designed to provide superior handling characteristics. Many coilovers offer adjustable damping settings, allowing you to customize the ride stiffness and responsiveness.
• Customizable Performance: With coilovers, you can tailor the suspension setup to your driving style, whether you're looking for track performance or daily driving comfort.

Drawbacks:

• Cost: Coilovers are more expensive than lowering springs, making them a larger investment. However, the performance gains and adjustability often justify the cost for enthusiasts.
• Complex Installation: Installing coilovers is more complex than lowering springs, often requiring professional installation and potentially additional components like camber kits.

3. Air Suspension

Air suspension is the most advanced and versatile suspension option, offering on-the-fly adjustability and a smooth ride. Air suspension systems use air springs instead of traditional coil springs, with the ability to adjust ride height and firmness via an onboard compressor and air management system.

Benefits:

• Ultimate Adjustability: Air suspension provides the ability to adjust your ride height at the touch of a button, allowing you to raise or lower your vehicle as needed. This is particularly useful for show cars or vehicles that need to navigate different terrains.
• Comfort and Versatility: Air suspension systems offer a smooth and comfortable ride, as the air springs can absorb road imperfections more effectively than traditional springs.
• Show-Worthy Stance: Air suspension is popular among car show enthusiasts due to its ability to achieve an ultra-low stance while parked and then raise the vehicle for driving.

Drawbacks:

• High Cost: Air suspension systems are the most expensive option, both in terms of the initial purchase and installation. The advanced technology and components involved contribute to the higher price.
• Maintenance: Air suspension systems require regular maintenance to ensure the components, such as the air compressor and air lines, are functioning correctly.

Conclusion

Choosing between lowering springs, coilovers, and air suspension comes down to your specific needs, budget, and how you plan to use your vehicle. Lowering springs offer an affordable and straightforward solution for improving aesthetics and handling. Coilovers provide a more customizable setup, ideal for enthusiasts seeking adjustable performance. Air suspension offers the ultimate in adjustability and comfort, perfect for those who want both show-stopping looks and practicality.

At KOW Performance, we offer a wide range of suspension solutions to meet your needs. Whether you’re looking to upgrade to lowering springs, coilovers, or air suspension, our expert team is here to help you make the best choice for your vehicle.