Just want to check out others opinions about “anti-sway bars” vs. “coil covered shocks“. I was watching one of those “fast n loud’ car programs, (I think it was “Fast ‘n Loud , not sure) They were talking about installing coil covered shocks vs. HD anti-sway bars.

The jist of it was that even though heavy duty anti-sway bars offer some support on the suspension inc cornering that the coil covered shocks where much better in that they held up on cornering much better and recovered far faster. They said that anti-sway bars are “too slow“. Reason I ask? I do have IPDs HD anti-sway bars front and back, and HD shocks, but what ”they” said perked my interest.

I'm not saying I will go right out and change over, but I’d at least like to know if the comment was valid and figured people here would have, hopefully, knowledgeable replies.

Thank you!

Also check Turbobricks site in the performance & suspension forum.
Movies are kind of the wrong place to get real, factual information. It's Hollywood, you know?

Coilovers are exactly the same thing as your McPherson struts except for two things:

Standardized spring diameter with multiple lengths, rates and levels of progressiveness

Adjustability...minimum ride height but on some high end dampers also compression and rebound damping (on-the-fly, under-hood thumb wheel or even shim stack)

Sway bars basically "share" a portion of the damping and spring rate between sides when the load is greater on one side than another.

As you can see, two totally different purposes. The sway bar is a great compromise on the street as it does not increase spring rates for going over frost heaves or expansion joints but does flatten the car a bit under hard cornering.

So is you know there is a proven system of dampers, springs and sway bars (do not forget bushings) out there, coilovers gain you nothing on the street. If you are experimenting, coilovers offer great bang for the buck but you need to start with a good baseline or you will be buying a lot of springs to get exactly the result you want.

I'm sure that what they are referring to is "coilover" shocks. What that is, is a shock absorber with a built in platform to support a coil spring - a self contained unit to replace the original separate spring and shock absorber (or in the case of McPherson struts to allow adjustablility). They would have the feature of having a threaded exterior that the spring platform threads onto--allowing the ride height to be easily adjusted---and the ability to change springs for different handling characteristics. Unless you are running your car on "track days" coilovers would be total overkill. If you have never driven your car on a track you should try to do so. There are many clubs like Porsche Club of America (PCA) and BMW Car Club of America (BMWCCA) that operate what are called High Performance Driver Education (HPDE) days at race tracks all across the country (most "Marque" clubs allow other type cars to participate). Those "marque" clubs, as well as Time Trial and Race organizations - such as the Eastern Motor Racing Association - EMRA - (emraracing.org) - which I am affiliated with - are non-profit and offer the least costly way of getting on track. Commercial race and track "schools" offer the same experience--generally at a higher cost. You drive your own car at these events - receiving in-class instruction as well as a ride along instructor. You drive on the track in sessions of 20-30 minutes - EMRA provides 4 sessions per day for each "group" (groups based on experience). Loaner or rental helmets are usually available for first timers.
Without actually being on a dedicated track the average person has no idea of the intensity and dynamics of track driving--unless you happen to be a total maniac on the street. If you should follow up and do one of these track days you will understand that coilovers would be a total waste of money for a street only vehicle. A good set of performance oriented shocks, properly balanced sway bars and perhaps lowering springs are all you need for vastly improved street performance - as well as being suitable for the occasional track day. Sorry for the long post. -- Dave

I thought of this later--lest you be confused about the function of coilovers. They are not a replacement for sway bars--they perform the same function as stock springs and shocks. The springs hold the car up. The shocks control the springs. Coilovers are an efficient way of having a suspension system that is easily adjusted. One track may call for softer or harder springs. Weather (wet) can be a factor in spring selection. Choosing to use sway bars (or not -- wet weather may call for a bar to be disconnected) and what size bar(s) is a decision made after the springs are selected. -- Dave