Blog Post: Suspension Upgrades 101 — How to Choose Between Coilovers, Lowering Springs, and Air Suspension

Title: Suspension Upgrades 101: How to Choose Between Coilovers, Lowering Springs, and Air Suspension

Subtitle (optional): Find the right suspension setup for your ride — performance, comfort, and flexibility explained

Introduction

Upgrading your suspension is one of the smartest moves you can make to improve your vehicle’s handling, aesthetics, and ride quality. But with so many options—coilovers, lowering springs, air suspension—it can be overwhelming to decide what fits your goals. In this guide, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each suspension type, what to consider before choosing, and recommendations for different use cases (street, track, show, daily driving). By the end, you’ll know which upgrade path is right for your car or truck.

1. Why upgrade your suspension?

• Better handling — reduces body roll, improves cornering, and gives more responsive steering

• Improved aesthetics — allows you to lower stance, reduce wheel gap, and get that aggressive look

• Adjustability — more control over ride height, damping, and ride feel

• Safety & comfort — quality components can maintain ride comfort while improving control, especially on harsh roads

But you’ll want to pick the setup that aligns with your goals and budget.

2. Lowering Springs

What they are

Lowering springs replace your factory springs with stiffer, shorter springs to lower your vehicle by a set amount (e.g. 1–2 inches). Shocks/struts are usually reused, or you may upgrade them in tandem.

Pros

• Lower cost than coilovers or air suspension

• Simple install (spring swap)

• Aesthetic improvement (lower ride height)

• Some improvement in handling due to reduced center of gravity

Cons

• No ride-height adjustability

• Stiffer ride can get harsh if springs are aggressive

• You may still need upgraded shocks/struts to handle added spring rates

• Fixed drop—less flexibility for mixed use

Best for

• Someone wanting a moderate drop with minimal complexity

• Street drivers who want improved looks and mild performance gains

• Budget-conscious builders

3. Coilovers

What they are

Coilovers combine springs and shock/strut into a single adjustable unit. Most come with threaded bodies to adjust ride height and often include damping (compression/rebound) adjusters.

Pros

• Full ride-height adjustability

• Adjustable damping (on many models)

• Better handling potential

• Good for mixed use (daily + occasional spirited driving)

• Wide aftermarket variety (track, street, comfort-biased)

Cons

• Higher cost than springs

• More complex installation & setup

• Poorly tuned coilovers can lead to harsh ride

• Need to properly tune and corner-balance for best results

Best for

• Enthusiasts who want flexibility and performance

• Those who track occasionally

• Cars that will see both daily and spirited use

4. Air Suspension (Air Ride)

What it is

Air suspension uses air bags or air springs instead of metal springs, allowing you to inflate or deflate to change ride height on the fly. Some setups include electronic control, presets, ride-height memory, etc.

Pros

• Maximum adjustability (raise for speed bumps, lower for show)

• Comfortable ride when set up properly

• Dramatic stance capabilities (low “show mode,” high drive mode)

• Appeal for show/stance/stance-style builds

Cons

• High cost (components, controllers, air lines, tank, compressor)

• More complexity and maintenance

• Potential for air leaks or reliability issues

• Requires space and plumbing

Best for

• Show cars and stance builds

• Those willing to invest in quality components

• Builders who want dramatic adjustability without dismantling suspension

5. How to Choose Based on Use Case