How Low Are Coilovers

[djinuk 2]

I have a set of avo coilovers, i just want to know roughly how low the mid point will be , and how low there lowest setting it. thanks

[Jrod 7]

So many variables. Spring length, stiffness, engine, what make etc.

 

Just put them on and jack it up to adjust them until happy

[welshpug 1,657]

the height the cars sits at is purely dependent on spring choice if you set them up properly, they are not intended to adjust the height, it just so happens that you can.

[bales 1]

the height the cars sits at is purely dependent on spring choice if you set them up properly, they are not intended to adjust the height, it just so happens that you can.

 

Don't think I would agree with that if you are using your car for competition then surely the height you run at is going to be dependent on what sort of motorsport you are doing and the surface you are on.

 

In a very basic terms I would have thought that for circuit use it is going to be a compromise of how low you can go before you end up fundamentally changing the suspension geometry and handling characteristics of the car at. As in the lower you go the more that the wishbones change angle and your roll centre pisses off upwards, and the more of an angle CV joints run at so more friction, and your camber will alter (unless you have eccentric top mounts).

 

As in my (relatively basic) understanding the lower your car is the lower the centre of gravity and this affects where your roll axis is and the lower the polar moment or inertia etc....and the quicker the car will change direction. The height of the back isnt really an issue either as on a car with a rear beam the roll centre is effectively ground level all the time anyway.

 

So I guess what you are saying is that on a road car if you had the correct spring rate and dampers then a standard height car would handle as well as a lowered which -which I don't think it would really (in terms of outright grip anyway)

 

So erm...I guess what I was tryoing to say before I got a bit carried away is that I think that coilover are designed to lower the height so that you can adjust the height to suit whatever environment you are in, whether that be road or track.

 

To answer the question I have GAZ coilovers on mine and I have lowered the beam at the back 1 spline and just set the front to match - though I will say that it is quite low. When I first put them on at the lowest setting the sump was about 2" from the floor. Mine is an xu10 by the way so will be abit lower. I would guess that it is lowered all around approx 50mm

 

Alex

 

(oh and the most vital bit of information that I forgot, my springs are 200lb and my car is fully stripped)

Edited February 28, 2008 by bales

[pete1986 2]

I have spax coilovers on mine, set at the lowest ride height but yet it is still not much lower than standard. They are meant to be -90mm at the lowest setting and -50mm at the heighest. The rear is lowered 1 spline and yet is lower than the front?! Whats going on??

 

I have been thinking of getting some softer springs, so maybe i could get some that are a bit shorter as well...

[brianthemagical 1]

As the front lowers, the role centr lowers. In therms of inherent body roll, the closer th roll centre and mass centroid, the less roll but inner wheel jacking can occur. On Mac struts, the lower the fornt the less camber, not good. The adjustment in height is more for corner weighting, rather than heigh adjustment, as it would be possible to buy the correct height sus compnents.

[taylorspug 7]

I have spax coilovers on mine, set at the lowest ride height but yet it is still not much lower than standard. They are meant to be -90mm at the lowest setting and -50mm at the heighest. The rear is lowered 1 spline and yet is lower than the front?! Whats going on??

 

I have been thinking of getting some softer springs, so maybe i could get some that are a bit shorter as well...

 

Pete, with yours it almost seems as though the body of the shock is too long, or there isnt enough adjustment. IIRC i measured the springs length at around 8 inches, which is quite short. Yes it could prob do with a softer set as the front end is too stiff, but i doubt it is going to make all of that difference up...

[j_turnell 137 3 Cars]

Course they are intended to adjust the height, thats why they are used in motorsport, tarmac, gravel etc and able to change stiffness also. It would be pointless having fixed body struts if you racing on different surfaces.

 

I know there were two different lengths of springs when i bought my avos, cant remember off the top of my head what they were but they are listed on their website. The ones i had the shorter of the two allowed a 35mm drop, but the longer springs think you could get around 50ish.

[paul_portsmouth 3]

kinda related

 

what affects wold a leaky coilover show to handling ?

 

would it give the same affect as a cut spring?

[j_turnell 137 3 Cars]

It wont be damping as well so prob be quite crashy over bumps etc and obv make the handling slightly unpredictable if all the other shocks are in good order.

[Dan Ingram 1]

I've found that if you wind them to low down then you don't get enough suspension travel as the bodies are too long. You only get a couple of inches of travel if that which is no good at all. I'm now on the look out for some shocks with a shorter body so I can run it at the height I want but with more travel. I'm struggling though.