3-Way Adjustable Coilovers vs. 1-Way/2-Way: Why Professionals Choose Them

The world of performance suspension offers various levels of adjustability, from basic 1-way systems to highly sophisticated 3-way setups. For serious enthusiasts and professional racers, the choice often narrows down to advanced multi-way adjustable coilovers. This article will explore the distinctions between 1-way, 2-way, and 3-way adjustable coilovers, highlighting why the precision and control offered by 3-way systems make them a preferred choice for high-performance applications.

YellowSpeed, a manufacturer of adjustable coilovers, categorizes their products into different series, including “Dynamic Pro Sport 1-way,” “Club Performance 2-way,” “Club Performance 3-way,” “Pro Plus Racing 2-way,” and “Pro Plus Racing 3-way,” each designed for specific performance needs.

Understanding the Coilover Spectrum

• 1-Way Adjustable Coilovers: These systems typically feature a single damping adjustment that simultaneously affects both compression and rebound. YellowSpeed’s “Dynamic Pro Sport 1-way” is designed for enthusiasts seeking a balance of handling and comfort for daily driving and occasional track use. Their “Premium Competition 1-way” is tailored more for motorsports, focusing on durable and competitive damping setups. A “Super Low 1-way” option is also available for significant vehicle lowering. These systems generally offer 33-way damping settings.
• 2-Way Adjustable Coilovers: Offering a step up in control, 2-way systems provide separate adjustments for compression and rebound damping. YellowSpeed’s “Club Performance 2-way” and “Pro Plus Racing 2-way” systems fall into this category. A key feature of these higher-performance systems is an external canister (reservoir), which increases oil capacity and aids in superior heat dissipation, allowing for prolonged operation and improved performance due to more stable damping rates. These systems typically feature 33 levels of separate rebound and compression damping adjustment.
• 3-Way Adjustable Coilovers: Representing the pinnacle of adjustability, 3-way systems add a critical layer of control by further dividing compression damping into independent low-speed and high-speed adjustments, in addition to separate rebound control. YellowSpeed’s “Club Performance 3-way” and “Pro Plus Racing 3-way” offer this advanced capability. These systems typically provide 50 clicks for high-speed compression, 24 clicks for low-speed compression, and 33 clicks for rebound damping, enabling fine-tuning for diverse road conditions.

The Distinct Advantage of 3-Way Systems

The ability to separately control high-speed and low-speed compression, alongside rebound, provides significant advantages for serious performance driving:

• Precision Chassis Control: Low-speed compression helps manage body roll and weight transfer during turning, acceleration, and braking, allowing a driver to “feel the weight of the car” more effectively. High-speed compression, on the other hand, isolates the damping for quick, sharp impacts, maintaining tire contact over rough surfaces. This separation means the suspension can be tuned to be firm for body control without being overly harsh over bumps.
• Enhanced Heat Management and Consistency: Like 2-way systems, 3-way coilovers from YellowSpeed utilize an external canister. This design significantly increases oil volume, which is crucial for dissipating heat generated during aggressive driving. Superior heat dissipation leads to more stable damping rates over extended periods of use, preventing performance degradation due to fluid overheating.
• Superior Compromise for Diverse Conditions: An expert observed that 3-way suspension provides a “much, much better compromise” than 1-way, especially when encountering bumps and potholes. This adaptability allows for setups that can handle varied road cambers and “B-roads,” as demonstrated by the use of softer custom spring rates (front 120 Newton meters, rear 70 Newton meters) on a GR Yaris for “rally special stage roads” which are significantly softer than typical circuit setups.
• Optimized for Competition: YellowSpeed’s “Pro Plus Racing 3-way” coilovers are specifically developed through extensive testing and actual racing experience for “any track/circuit race, endurance race or circuit lap record competition,” with racing tires recommended for optimal performance.

Expert Application and Setup Nuances

Setting up a 3-way system involves starting from a “full soft” position and adjusting in three-click increments, eventually transitioning to one-click fine-tuning once a good baseline is established. The process emphasizes recording every change and the resulting driving sensations. This meticulous approach is what allows drivers to extract the maximum performance and feel from their vehicles across a spectrum of driving conditions.

Conclusion

While 1-way and 2-way adjustable coilovers offer valuable performance enhancements, the independent control provided by 3-way adjustable systems makes them the preferred choice for drivers and teams seeking the ultimate precision and adaptability. Their ability to manage distinct damping forces, coupled with features like external reservoirs for thermal stability, enables vehicles to perform optimally across highly varied and demanding conditions, from complex road courses to rough rally stages.

For those considering the advanced control offered by 3-way adjustable coilovers, reputable manufacturers like YellowSpeed provide detailed specifications and competitive solutions across their “Club Performance” and “Pro Plus Racing” lines. Inquiring about their options for your specific vehicle could help in finding a suitable system for your performance needs.