Coilovers vs springs

[firstorbit84]

has anyone actually driven (or ridden in) a sonic with coilovers and one with just Springs?

what was the difference in ride quality and handling between the 2?

 

[slitzell]

The ride quality on coilover is adjustable. On springs it is stiffer than stock, but on coilovers you can go lower while adjusting the dampeners to retain stock ride quality, or go stiff for racing.

If i could afford the pedders i would def go with them, but they are a little out of my league at the current time

 

[firstorbit84]

The ride quality on coilover is adjustable. On springs it is stiffer than stock, but on coilovers you can go lower while adjusting the dampeners to retain stock ride quality, or go stiff for racing.

If i could afford the pedders i would def go with them, but they are a little out of my league at the current time

I know that in theory the coilovers should be able to deliver better handling and a more comfortable ride. I really want to know if anyone who has experienced both on the sonic thinks that there is a huge difference in ride quality.

I'd like to avoid having to do my suspension twice if I'm not crazy about the springs

 

[Foxbox]

I know that in theory the coilovers should be able to deliver better handling and a more comfortable ride. I really want to know if anyone who has experienced both on the sonic thinks that there is a huge difference in ride quality.

I'd like to avoid having to do my suspension twice if I'm not crazy about the springs

Adding springs AND compatible dampers is the ideal package for most users. Just throwing springs on your stock dampers is not the way to go IMO.

If money was not a factor I personally would choose coilovers every time due to their adjustability. However, if you don't race often and are just looking to lower the vehicle and stiffen it up a bit then springs and new dampers would be ideal.

Ride quality will be dependent on what type of suspension you purchase. Not all spring and shock/strut combos have the same ride quality. Some cheap coilovers will ride terrible and some ill matching spring and strut combos will also ride terribly. It's all about pairing the right springs with the appropriate dampers.

 

[rdss]

Foxbox, you do not think that Eibach and the others put any R&D into their springs on stock struts/shocks? For 90% of us dropping for street cred it's a perfectly acceptable option. I do agree it's not the most ideal way to do things though (especially if you're planning on running it on the track), a new set of struts/shocks that are adjustable will be the best way to go though.

 

[slitzell]

I havnt noticed any drop in ride quality with my springs. I actually prefer it a lil more stiff i dont like bouncing up and down when i hit a bump. The car handles much better and looks ausome with the springs. For my needs, the springs more than do what I need.

That being said, if money wasnt an issue I would buy coilovers bc of the adjustability

 

[firstorbit84]

I agree that ideally I would like to get springs and struts/shocks or coilovers, however there are no aftermarket struts and shocks for the sonic yet. so that kind of limits my choices

coilovers are so expensive compared to Springs, which is why I brought up this question in the first place.

the LT with 15 inch wheels have been confirmed to have the stiffest stock dampeners.

the reason that I am considering springs is mainly for the handling improvement; looks (or "street cred") are secondary. I do try to autocross anywhere from 6 to 8 times per year, but even then 99 percent of my driving will be on the street, and no one has answered my question yet

 

[Foxbox]

Foxbox, you do not think that Eibach and the others put any R&D into their springs on stock struts/shocks? For 90% of us dropping for street cred it's a perfectly acceptable option. I do agree it's not the most ideal way to do things though (especially if you're planning on running it on the track), a new set of struts/shocks that are adjustable will be the best way to go though.

No I don't believe they do any long term testing with the factory equipment.

You said yourself "I do agree it's not the most ideal way to do things though". Thats exactly why I would always swap springs along with matching dampers, because its the correct way of doing things.

The stock dampers were designed to be used with the stock springs, nothing shorter or taller. Adding shorter (and stiffer) springs will be detrimental to the life of your shocks and struts therefor decreasing ride quality and performance.

 

[Foxbox]

I agree that ideally I would like to get springs and struts/shocks or coilovers, however there are no aftermarket struts and shocks for the sonic yet. so that kind of limits my choices

coilovers are so expensive compared to Springs, which is why I brought up this question in the first place.

the LT with 15 inch wheels have been confirmed to have the stiffest stock dampeners.

the reason that I am considering springs is mainly for the handling improvement; looks (or "street cred") are secondary. I do try to autocross anywhere from 6 to 8 times per year, but even then 99 percent of my driving will be on the street, and no one has answered my question yet

If performance is important then save until you can afford the coilovers.

/thread.

 

[slitzell]

just save for the coilovers if your plan is to replace shocks. aftermarket shocks are usually around 500. Combine that with the springs and your at about 800. So just save another 200 and get the bc coilovers

 

[rdss]

No I don't believe they do any long term testing with the factory equipment.

You said yourself "I do agree it's not the most ideal way to do things though". Thats exactly why I would always swap springs along with matching dampers, because its the correct way of doing things.

The stock dampers were designed to be used with the stock springs, nothing shorter or taller. Adding shorter (and stiffer) springs will be detrimental to the life of your shocks and struts therefor decreasing ride quality and performance.

Thanks for answering the question. I hope they do more than throw springs on and drive it on the streets for a couple of weeks and do some track time, it takes time for them to release their products and I guess I just have high hopes. I do believe that they will work for the street cruiser (location dependent though. FL is flat and generally has great roads, Maine, not so much), unless you're bottoming out the stock shocks all the time and that would even be hard on a coil over set up.

 

[slitzell]

plus the strock strut in like 60bucks brand new so if my struts wear out in a couple yrs then it will be a cheap fix


I dont plan on letting my sonic see track or drag strip time so i think springs will suffice for me. I have nice paved roads here where i live

 

[MrSnuggles]

I agree that ideally I would like to get springs and struts/shocks or coilovers, however there are no aftermarket struts and shocks for the sonic yet. so that kind of limits my choices

coilovers are so expensive compared to Springs, which is why I brought up this question in the first place.

the LT with 15 inch wheels have been confirmed to have the stiffest stock dampener.

My LT has the 16" wheels would that make a difference in dampeners or is what im asking more just the change in wheels?

 

[firstorbit84]

Lt with 16" wheels has the softer dampeners iirc

 

[slitzell]

my sonic came with the 15in rims which means I already have stiffer shocks than sonic's with bigger wheels correct?

 

[firstorbit84]

Right!

 

[laborsmith]

Part numbers for the dampers are posted for the 2012 model year Sonics on this forum. The numbers for the 15" and 16" wheels were the same and for the 17" not the same. The firmer springs would not be those that come with the 17" rims.

If I may, a Camaro comment. It appears many Camaro owners who start with lowering springs than move to coilovers regret they did not go coilovers first. I have been informed that a Camaro and a Sonic have significant differences so what concerns a Camaro owner may be somewhat different than what concerns a Sonic owner, so this comment may have no meaning to any Sonic owner. But I have made the comment anyway, so there it is.


Laborsmith

 

[firstorbit84]

yeah, i think i'm going to wait and get coilovers... i'd rather get a little more use out of my stock setup, and then only upgrade once, and do it right the first time, instead of having to do it twice when i become unsatisfied with just the springs, or decide to add shocks. plus the b-spec kit hasn't been released yet, so i'd kinda be jumping the gun.

i asked because I have about $200 burning a hole in my pocket and i think i'm going to go for the budget tune instead. thanks for the responses everyone!

 

[sx sonic]

Part numbers for the dampers are posted for the 2012 model year Sonics on this forum. The numbers for the 15" and 16" wheels were the same and for the 17" not the same. The firmer springs would not be those that come with the 17" rims.

If I may, a Camaro comment. It appears many Camaro owners who start with lowering springs than move to coilovers regret they did not go coilovers first. I have been informed that a Camaro and a Sonic have significant differences so what concerns a Camaro owner may be somewhat different than what concerns a Sonic owner, so this comment may have no meaning to any Sonic owner. But I have made the comment anyway, so there it is.


Laborsmith

Oh you. If I'm to take that with the same credence (did I spell that right?) Then you are syaing the optimum coilovers/springs shocks is the way to go?!? I can agree with that.

I have eibach springs and I can tell you now they make a substanial difference in ride quality and greatly improve handling characteristics. No you're not going to pick up 10mph around a corner as some have set (i'd love to see them post a you tube leaving tire tracks around an entire on ramp /nuff said) but they are an amazing addition, and significantly improve the feel.

That said if I was not on strike for many months and now on lay offs, then coil overs/springs struts would be the choice. They are inherently better, if you think you'll have the money for them in 6 months I would strongly suggest the full on suspension setup. If its leaisure "I want but don't need" money then get the springs.

 

[sx sonic]

Ok so I'm really drunk and my last post was lacking many transitional words so I hope you got what I meant!

Anyway, FirstOrbit it sounds like you really want a great setup: save for the coilovers, if you plan to autocross as much as you posted you'll likely enjoy the results more. Also that money burning thru your pocket will be INFINETELY more enjoyable thru the tune than any suspension setup...... unless you plan on only driveing 80 plus ;p