Coils vs springs

[D.J.]

What was surprising was how smooth the coilovers ride. Yes there adjustable for both.
The springs were just saggy and soft

Which ones did you get?

 

[socalvn]

Which ones did you get?

Riaction custom build for the car.
Just finished my alignment got it dialed in

 

[Volfy]

Are they adjustable for both compression and rebound - independently?

Most coilover kits are singles, where there is one adjuster that change compression and rebound at the same time. You can get duals or 2-way, which is typically done by adding a remote reservoir, which adds an additional adjuster (typically compression) on the remote can.

Duals are really useful for dialing in suspension tuning precisely, but it's best done at the track, where you can adjust between sessions, then repeat the same corners and gauge response, both initial turn-in and terminal. Otherwise, just driving road you'd be hard pressed to judge anything other than ride comfort and high-speed stability. Singles do that just fine. That is why the vast majority of coilovers sold are singles.

A lot of folks who complain about a particular suspension setup being too rough/harsh or too soft/wallowy blame it on the springs. Typically, that is not the case. Most often, the dampers are what the driver feels.

 

[RM7]

What was surprising was how smooth the coilovers ride. Yes there adjustable for both.
The springs were just saggy and soft

Yes, coilovers will grip like crazy AND improve the ride significantly.

Slammed cars are dumb IME when they lose the ability to corner, go fast, etc. It's all fine to a point, but past that point it's just ridiculous, you've got this great chassis and car, but you can't take advantage of it.

Buddy converted his C5 Z06 to coilovers recently. In the races he was already doing well...but it's next-level now in how it grips in situations that blow the mind.

And yes, with an electronic suspension tune and lowering springs, you might get a not-bad-setup, I did this with my BMW, but still nowhere near coilovers. They'll ride much better AND do the other stuff (corner, lower it, etc.).

 

[k8blackout]

Yes, coilovers will grip like crazy AND improve the ride significantly.

Slammed cars are dumb IME when they lose the ability to corner, go fast, etc. It's all fine to a point, but past that point it's just ridiculous, you've got this great chassis and car, but you can't take advantage of it.

Buddy converted his C5 Z06 to coilovers recently. In the races he was already doing well...but it's next-level now in how it grips in situations that blow the mind.

And yes, with an electronic suspension tune and lowering springs, you might get a not-bad-setup, I did this with my BMW, but still nowhere near coilovers. They'll ride much better AND do the other stuff (corner, lower it, etc.).

i already know the answer, but at least to what degree would you say the increase in performance / handling / traction is from getting a mando ECS unit and tuning the stock coilovers vs getting aftermarket coilovers and tuning those?

 

[RM7]

i already know the answer, but at least to what degree would you say the increase in performance / handling / traction is from getting a mando ECS unit and tuning the stock coilovers vs getting aftermarket coilovers and tuning those?

I've driven both styles. A mando ECS style is acceptable. Coil overs are next-level.