Different kinds of coilovers - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

gpvecchi · 11-22-2020, 09:59 AM

I noticed that there are 2 main types, one like Ohlins that can be height adjusting without changing spring preload, and another one like KW that can be height adjusted via spring preload.
What are defects and advantages of both types?
I know that in second type, lowering will reduce excursion.

DarkPira7e · 11-22-2020, 10:31 AM

The advantage is exactly as you've outlined- being able to control ride height separate from the spring pre-load. I think the only disadvantage to adjusting them separate is that you're intruding more adjustments, which is more complex.

Think of it like buying a rifle without a scope, vs buying a rifle with a scope. Yes, the gun will still shoot and function without a scope. Adding the scope with allow you to dial in your aim properly though, but adds complexity in that it's one more setting you have to adjust.

Adding a scope = Separate pre-load adjustment

new2subaru · 11-22-2020, 10:50 AM

Check this out.

marco_mc22 · 11-22-2020, 11:30 AM

In this specific case Ohlins has the separation of preload from ride height because they’re travel limited (as most monotube shocks), and most coilovers with that system suffer from that.
The disadvantage of the spring perch adjustment is what you already know, but in the case of Kw’s which are twintube it’s not a big problem unless you run too much low/high ride heights outside of the range. In both cases you will have other problems before you’re even near of the maximum/minimum.
Other big factor is spring rate, the more you run stiffer springs the less travel problems you will end up with, generally with low spring rates you need as much travel you can get.

Racecomp Engineering · 11-22-2020, 12:23 PM

Almost always a cost saving measure that has been marketed as an important feature.

You'll notice most very high end shocks do not have separate ride height and preload.

It can be a good thing to have if you know how to use it and it's designed right, but that is uncommon.

A few more details:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9J1M8Un..._web_copy_link

- Andrew

EndlessAzure · 11-22-2020, 09:38 PM

Height independent coilovers tend to have shorter shock travel (shorter stroke, less distance until bottoming out).

11-22-2020, 09:59 AM	#1
gpvecchi Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Drives: Toyota 86 GT Limited PP (Model G) Location: Italy Posts: 1,018 Thanks: 406 Thanked 335 Times in 187 Posts Mentioned: 14 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Different kinds of coilovers I noticed that there are 2 main types, one like Ohlins that can be height adjusting without changing spring preload, and another one like KW that can be height adjusted via spring preload. What are defects and advantages of both types? I know that in second type, lowering will reduce excursion.

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11-22-2020, 10:31 AM	#2
DarkPira7e Rust bucket enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: 2013 Turbo Firestorm FRS Location: Vermont Posts: 3,934 Thanks: 3,200 Thanked 4,095 Times in 2,045 Posts Mentioned: 31 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The advantage is exactly as you've outlined- being able to control ride height separate from the spring pre-load. I think the only disadvantage to adjusting them separate is that you're intruding more adjustments, which is more complex. Think of it like buying a rifle without a scope, vs buying a rifle with a scope. Yes, the gun will still shoot and function without a scope. Adding the scope with allow you to dial in your aim properly though, but adds complexity in that it's one more setting you have to adjust. Adding a scope = Separate pre-load adjustment

11-22-2020, 10:50 AM	#3
new2subaru Weight Weenie Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: 15 FR-S Location: Canada Posts: 2,586 Thanks: 5,016 Thanked 2,330 Times in 1,346 Posts Mentioned: 12 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Check this out.

11-22-2020, 11:30 AM	#4
marco_mc22 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Drives: Toyota 86 Location: Italy Posts: 135 Thanks: 42 Thanked 70 Times in 55 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	In this specific case Ohlins has the separation of preload from ride height because they’re travel limited (as most monotube shocks), and most coilovers with that system suffer from that. The disadvantage of the spring perch adjustment is what you already know, but in the case of Kw’s which are twintube it’s not a big problem unless you run too much low/high ride heights outside of the range. In both cases you will have other problems before you’re even near of the maximum/minimum. Other big factor is spring rate, the more you run stiffer springs the less travel problems you will end up with, generally with low spring rates you need as much travel you can get.

11-22-2020, 12:23 PM	#5
Racecomp Engineering Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: 2016 BRZ, 2012 Paris Di2 & 2018 STI Location: Severn, MD Posts: 5,408 Thanks: 3,420 Thanked 7,242 Times in 2,963 Posts Mentioned: 303 Post(s) Tagged: 9 Thread(s)	Almost always a cost saving measure that has been marketed as an important feature. You'll notice most very high end shocks do not have separate ride height and preload. It can be a good thing to have if you know how to use it and it's designed right, but that is uncommon. A few more details: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9J1M8Un..._web_copy_link - Andrew

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