Coilovers, do I need/want compression dampening?

[nofearhawk]

So whats the difference between rebound and compression dampening in coilovers? This is the difference between some of the upper range, KW v3 and bilstein pss9, and midrange kw v2 and stasis ss. One has compression dampening, other doesn't.

Is compression dampening how much travel there is in the shock (up down movement), and rebound how quickly it bounces back? I feel like this is sort of the same thing.

The extra $3-500 isn't a big issue between these kits, but if compression dampening is a feature I don't need, why pay for it? I want to be able to adjust the rears for less suspension travel, stiffer ride (prevent rubbing on those dips), keep current ride height in the rear(my rear sport suspension seems to be lower than others). I see no track days, just some spirited driving on the street. Thanks.

P.S. I searched and found information like H&R is stiffer, koni softer, but nothing really about dampening and compression

[Capt. Obvious]

In a nutshell: dampening is how "stiff" the shock is when it compresses, rebound is how quickly it it lets the springs return to their normal height. On a normal street car, you will probably set this once and never touch them again, and you probably won't be able to tell the difference from the hard setting to the soft setting. IMO, it's not worth the extra money for a set of PSS9's or V3's or whathaveyou over the cost of a set of "normal" coilovers, like the Stasis Streetsports, which are ready to go out of the box.

[andre.e.adams]

Are the Streetsports a good set for solid every day use and also to lower the car? I noticed they're another few hundred cheaper than the KW V2's. I guess I'm asking how those two compare to each other (?)

[Capt. Obvious]

I've never had V2s on any of my cars, but I have had the Stasis coils. They are very nice coilovers and they ride and handle great, stiffer than stock, but still a very OEM-like ride.

[nofearhawk]

So then with only rebound being adjustable you can't control how stiff the shock is? You need compression dampening to control stiffness? I can see rebound adjusting that plush feeling when you go over bumps, but I guess compression then controls how far the suspension is able to travel up and down. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[shoppingcart111]

Normally on suspension you have your spring which controls your weight transfer. Then you have High speed compression on Low speed compression and Rebound. High compression controls the small hits and Low compression controls the overall compressive stroke, and rebound controls the rate at which the shock returns to the extented position. The High and Low compression on a street car would be too much to setup as most people wouldn't for one, know what their doing and second want to mess with it. The rebound control would be nice because you could control ride comfort to a degree. All three would be good for a track/race car as you need to be able to set the suspension for different track types/conditions. Unless you want to mess with the rebound or know what your doing with it, I would stick with a set that is driveable out of the box. I race motorcycles so I'm always playing with the different controls to find that happy medium.

[EBG 18T]

Honestly if you are not 100% sure how to properly setup the rebound & compression settiings you will be better served with a setup that comes preset (non-adjustable) of the box.

[Mike@PureMS]

Honestly if you are not 100% sure how to properly setup the rebound & compression settiings you will be better served with a setup that comes preset (non-adjustable) of the box.

Agree 100%.. Improperly setup shocks can make your car handle worse, be less comfortable, and just make driving miserable. I prefer to recommend fixed dampers, as they're usually set great for 95% of the customers.. Vogtland, H&R, etc..

[Matt@EuropaParts]

The Stasis coils are set up out of the box to be at a good compression/rebound level. I have to third what Mike and Eric said...if you don't know how to properly set up a suspension, you'll be better off with something out of the box. The Streetsports are a great blend between daily driver coils that will respond to some performance driving. They're not what you want if you track the car a lot, but if you like canyon runs on the weekend and drive the car to work during the week, than it's an ideal setup. We're currently have them on sale, and they're back ordered for a while.

Stasis Streetsports: http://www.europaparts.com/stasis-st...7-quattro.html

[nofearhawk]

How easy is it to adjust the Stasis SS on the car? I actually will raise and lower my car during the different seasons vs people who say they will and never do. That is why I'm leaning towards the KW's, I heard there is a nut you just have to twist on the bottom which you can reach with a socket wrench. Vogtland's also have my interest for this reason.

Reasons why I wouldn't want to go with the Stasis SS is their made the same as the Koni coilovers(which if you dial in right are exactly the same), and I hear their a pain to adjust while on the car.