Coilovers decrease suspension travel, should I care?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 593
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From: Pleasanton CA
Coilovers decrease suspension travel, should I care?
I'm halfway through installing the replacement coilovers I got from Eibach after the right rear broke, and I'm surprised by the decrease in suspension travel with the coilover compared to stock shocks. Here's a shot of the right rear that still has the stock shock. Note that the antiroll bar end link is bolted on both ends.
Now walk around to the driver side that has the Callaway/Eibach coilover installed. The antiroll bar end link is still adjusted for the stock shock. All 4 corners of the car are supported by jack stands, and the suspension is at full droop.
It appears that the Eibach shock provides quite a bit less travel than the stocker. The questions are, should I care, and if so, why?
Jeff
Now walk around to the driver side that has the Callaway/Eibach coilover installed. The antiroll bar end link is still adjusted for the stock shock. All 4 corners of the car are supported by jack stands, and the suspension is at full droop.
It appears that the Eibach shock provides quite a bit less travel than the stocker. The questions are, should I care, and if so, why?
Jeff
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
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IDK but it is interesting. I am not sure there is less compression travel than stock, maybe only less droop travel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix AZ
It is normal to have much less droop with coilovers than the factory spring. Mine was a dramatic difference too and sat lower with the tires on the ground also. The spring rates and shock valving are very stiff so I have had no issues, and I've been running them for a while now. Here's a photo of my car with coil overs on a lift, it almost looks like a stock one would sitting on the ground:
And stock before coil overs:
And stock before coil overs:
Last edited by vetracer; Dec 27, 2008 at 10:55 PM.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
If you're concerned about reduced suspension travel with the coil-overs, you might find a short video by Lou Gigliotti at LG Motorsports of interest. In the demonstration Lou repeatedly drives over a 6" x 6" wood beam which destroys the wheel and well wheel but the coil-over shock doesn't bottom out and survives the impact(s) unscathed. Granted, the coil-overs in the demonstration are different than yours but there may be similarities.
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...roducts_id=272
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...roducts_id=272
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If you're concerned about reduced suspension travel with the coil-overs, you might find a short video by Lou Gigliotti at LG Motorsports of interest. In the demonstration Lou repeatedly drives over a 6" x 6" wood beam which destroys the wheel and well wheel but the coil-over shock doesn't bottom out and survives the impact(s) unscathed. Granted, the coil-overs in the demonstration are different than yours but there may be similarities.
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...roducts_id=272
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...roducts_id=272
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Lake Forest IL
I'm halfway through installing the replacement coilovers I got from Eibach after the right rear broke, and I'm surprised by the decrease in suspension travel with the coilover compared to stock shocks. Here's a shot of the right rear that still has the stock shock. Note that the antiroll bar end link is bolted on both ends.
Now walk around to the driver side that has the Callaway/Eibach coilover installed. The antiroll bar end link is still adjusted for the stock shock. All 4 corners of the car are supported by jack stands, and the suspension is at full droop.
It appears that the Eibach shock provides quite a bit less travel than the stocker. The questions are, should I care, and if so, why?
Jeff
Now walk around to the driver side that has the Callaway/Eibach coilover installed. The antiroll bar end link is still adjusted for the stock shock. All 4 corners of the car are supported by jack stands, and the suspension is at full droop.
It appears that the Eibach shock provides quite a bit less travel than the stocker. The questions are, should I care, and if so, why?
Jeff
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
It is normal to have much less droop with coilovers than the factory spring. Mine was a dramatic difference too and sat lower with the tires on the ground also. The spring rates and shock valving are very stiff so I have had no issues, and I've been running them for a while now. Here's a photo of my car with coil overs on a lift, it almost looks like a stock one would sitting on the ground:
And stock before coil overs:
And stock before coil overs:
They look nice!
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Tech Contributor
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
If you're concerned about reduced suspension travel with the coil-overs, you might find a short video by Lou Gigliotti at LG Motorsports of interest. In the demonstration Lou repeatedly drives over a 6" x 6" wood beam which destroys the wheel and well wheel but the coil-over shock doesn't bottom out and survives the impact(s) unscathed. Granted, the coil-overs in the demonstration are different than yours but there may be similarities.
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...roducts_id=272
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...roducts_id=272
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
