What Are Coilovers? Your Ultimate Guide

On the road, on the trail or at the track, performance suspension built to handle is key to a great driving experience. For high horsepower applications and when wheels & tires are larger than factory and you need that perfect stance – this is where coilovers come in. When it comes to coilovers, no one knows them better than we do here at Aldan American. We’ve been developing high performance coilovers for over 40 years, all made here in the U.S.A. from the finest materials available, backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

Here’s a brief coilovers 101 guide to help you understand how they work, and how to install them. 

What Are Coilovers? Pure American Engineering at Its Finest

Let’s cut right to it. What is a coilover? Well, take the best shock absorber you can imagine, wrap it with a precision-engineered coil spring, and you’ve got the foundation of something special. But we’re not talking about just any coilovers here. 

At Aldan American, we machine ours from lightweight, high-strength 6061-T6 billet aluminum – and we do it for a reason. That aluminum construction isn’t just about saving weight; it’s about superior heat dissipation. Lower shock operating temperatures save seals, O-rings and shock oil providing a longer shock life and a better ride.

What Do Coilovers Do? Transform Your Ride

You know that feeling when everything just clicks? When your car becomes an extension of yourself? That’s what great coilovers deliver. Here’s what our American-made systems bring to your ride:

The Stance You’ve Always Wanted

Coilovers offer ride-height adjustability. The height adjustment allows lowering, stock height or lifting all with the spring adjusters on our coilovers. The choice is yours, and the power is in your hands. Our threaded shock body designs lets you dial in that perfect stance with precision.

Handling That Makes You Grin

Every Aldan American coilover is dialed in for your specific setup. No matter your engine size or wheel & tires size, we’ve got you covered. Choose from three levels of adjustability:

• Factory pre-set: Perfect for the street enthusiast who wants set-it-and-forget-it performance
• Single-adjustable: Fine-tune your rebound or compression for that perfect balance
• Double-adjustable: Independently adjust both rebound and compression for ultimate control

Your Complete Guide to Coilovers – From Street to Strip

Understanding coilovers isn’t rocket science, but it’s the key to unlocking your vehicles true potential. Let’s talk about what makes these systems the backbone of serious performance.

Start with the foundation – premium 6061-T6 billet aluminum construction. This isn’t just fancy marketing talk. That aluminum dissipates heat like nothing else, leaving steel in the dust while keeping weight down where it counts. Every component is built with performance and durability in mind, because coilover longevity lives in the details.

We’ve engineered our coilovers to be as versatile as possible with various damping characteristics that offer a smoother or firmer ride quality based on your vehicle type and driving use. 

Our modular coilover mounting designs allow multiple mounting options for custom and OEM like fitments. Every coilover we offer is designed to be matched with the correct spring length and rate for your application, delivering the perfect ride and stance when combined.

Takin’ It to the Streets – and the Track

Take it to the streets, and you’ll feel the difference immediately. Cars and 2wd pickups will have improved cornering with the lower center of gravity and a more responsive ride with the adjustability from the coilovers. For trail rigs, towing and street driven 4×4’s – Coilovers allow added clearance for larger wheels and tires and deliver longer travel and shock tunability for a smoother, more controlled ride quality. Brake diving becomes a thing of the past. Body roll? Gone. Your tires stay planted exactly where you need them, giving you the confidence to push your ride further.

Got a track car? Hit the track. This is where Aldan American engineering truly shines. The dampening control on our coilover track setups allow fine-tuning of your shock adjustment designed to keep your tires planted under hard cornering, acceleration and extreme braking. Handle every corner with our coilover track setups.

Lap after lap, the performance stays consistent – exactly what you need when you’re hunting for that perfect time.

Guide to Coilovers Installation: No Advanced Degree Required

Here’s the truth – if you can turn a wrench, you can install coilovers. With moderate mechanical skills, you’re looking at a 4-8 hour job. Here’s what you need to know:

The Basics:

• Complete bolt-on components
• Clear, no-nonsense instructions
• All necessary hardware included
• Spring rates matched to your setup

Essential Tools:

• Standard socket set
• Torque wrench
• Spring compressor (if removing springs)
• Jack and jack stands
• Basic hand tools

Pro Tips from the Trenches:

• Get an alignment after installation
• Follow torque specs precisely
• Check all connections twice
• Plan for a full day of work
• Have a helper on hand

Universal Fitment and Flexibility:

Whether you’re building a classic car or truck or upgrading a modern pickup or late model car, our universal coilovers and coilover kits offer:

• Modular mounting options
• Adaptable configurations
• Custom chassis compatibility
• Adjustable ride heights
• Variable spring rates

Coilovers 101 Dialed In: American Suspension Mastery

So, what do coilovers do for a car? Let’s talk about how our coilovers unleash the true potential of Detroit’s finest iron.

Mustang Magic

The Mustang wrote the book on American performance, and our suspension systems take that legacy to the next level. From classic fastbacks to new model Mustangs, we’ve engineered the perfect stance and handling combination. 

Our coilovers work seamlessly with your pony car’s stock or modified control arms, giving you the bite in corners that makes Mustangs legendary.

Camaro Command

Chevy’s F-body platform demands serious hardware, and man, do we deliver. Our systems give first-gen Camaros that perfect stance while injecting modern handling prowess into that classic muscle. Our aluminum construction thrives under pressure, delivering peak performance when you’re pushing the limits.

Guide to Coilovers From the Street to the Strip: The Racing Edge

Time to talk about what happens when the Christmas tree drops. Our coilovers shine brightest under pressure, delivering track-proven performance that’ll make you grin like a kid on Christmas morning.

Track day warriors, this is your moment. Our double-adjustable setups let you dial in the perfect balance for every corner on your favorite track. That billet aluminum construction keeps the heat at bay lap after lap. 

At the drag strip, it’s all about consistency and control. Our specialized spring rates manage weight transfer like a pro, giving you the perfect launch every time. Run after run, you’ll get the same stellar performance that puts you at the top of the time sheets.

But here’s the real beauty – these same coilovers will get you to work on Monday morning in perfect comfort. No harsh ride, no compromise, just pure American engineering excellence. You’ll appreciate that perfect stance at every stoplight, and the improved handling on every corner of your daily commute.

Universal Fitment and Flexibility

Whether you’re building a classic hot rod or upgrading a modern muscle car, our universal coilovers offer:

• Modular mounting options
• Adaptable configurations
• Custom chassis compatibility
• Adjustable ride heights
• Variable spring rates

The Bottom Line

Understanding what coilovers do is just the beginning. With Aldan American, you’re investing in more than just suspension – you’re choosing a legacy of American performance. Our coilovers and coilover kits are engineered for enthusiasts who demand the best, built by craftsmen who accept nothing less.

Every system comes with:

• Premium materials throughout
• Multiple adjustment options
• Lifetime serviceability
• Forever Guarantee
• Made in USA quality

Ready to take your ride to the next level? Our team of genuine gearheads is here to help you dial in the perfect setup for your machine. Whether you’re building a show car, a trail rig, 4×4 or the ultimate street machine, Aldan American coilovers deliver the performance, quality, and support you need to achieve your vision.