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.

Ultimate Guide to Setting Up Your 3-Way Adjustable Coilovers

Adjustable coilovers are a critical component for fine-tuning a vehicle’s handling, and among them, 3-way adjustable coilovers offer the highest level of precision. These sophisticated suspension systems allow drivers to independently control high-speed compression, low-speed compression, and rebound damping. Understanding how to properly set them up can significantly enhance your driving experience, whether on daily roads or dedicated track days. This guide draws insights from expert experiences, offering practical steps to optimize your 3-way setup.

The Expert’s Starting Point: From Full Soft to Precision

When beginning the setup process for a 3-way adjustable coilover system, an expert approach involves starting from a “full soft” setting and making adjustments “three clicks by three clicks”. This methodical approach allows for a controlled understanding of how each adjustment impacts the vehicle’s behavior. Crucially, it is recommended to record your settings and driving sensations after each change. This documentation helps pinpoint what works well and what could be improved.

Navigating Compression Adjustments

Compression damping controls how quickly the shock compresses under force, providing more control over the chassis platform. In a 3-way system, this is split into high-speed and low-speed.

• High-Speed Compression: This setting primarily affects how the car reacts to sudden, rapid impacts like potholes or bumps, and can prevent “bottoming out”. An initial recommendation is to set high-speed compression at “three clicks from soft”. If the vehicle frequently bottoms out, stiffening this setting may be necessary. Conversely, if you feel a lack of consistent wheel contact, a slightly softer setting might be explored, though this is often a delicate balance.
• Low-Speed Compression: This adjustment influences how the car settles and transfers weight during slower movements such as turning, accelerating, or braking. To test this, raise the setting “three clicks at a time” to observe when the car starts feeling “too dodgy on the steering wheel” or overly reactive to road imperfections. The goal is to find a point where you “feel the weight of the car while turning the steering wheel,” ensuring the steering doesn’t feel “too immediate” or “too easy”. This test should be conducted at low, medium, and high speeds, as vehicle weight perception changes with speed.

The Critical Role of Rebound

Rebound damping controls how quickly the shock extends after compression, essentially “pulling the car up from the sides”. This setting has a significant impact on the car’s overall performance and steering feel. While a natural inclination might be to set rebound to full stiffness, this can be counterproductive. Excessive stiffness can reduce traction, as the damper may not return to its relaxed position quickly enough, potentially leading to tire overheating due to reduced contact patch weight. Rebound settings are particularly felt in the steering and significantly influence the “mid-corner phase” of how the car feels. Adjustments can be differentiated between the front and rear axles.

Fine-Tuning for Perfection & Long-Term Performance

Once an initial satisfactory setup is achieved, especially with a high-quality system, adjustments can be made with even greater precision, moving “one click by one click” instead of three. The inherent adjustability of 3-way suspension systems provides a “much, much better compromise” compared to 1-way systems, particularly when dealing with varied road surfaces and imperfections.

Additionally, 3-way coilovers offer an advantage as they age: when the suspension dampers begin to wear out, the available adjustment range provides “headroom” to increase settings, allowing you to “get back to where your sweet spot was”.

YellowSpeed’s Engineering for Performance

Manufacturers like YellowSpeed incorporate advanced engineering into their 3-way adjustable coilovers to ensure durability and consistent performance:

• Monotube Internal Design: Features a high-rigidity 52mm shock body, which increases oil capacity for more stable damping, contributing to agile steering and vehicle stability.
• High-Quality Materials: Piston rods are made from S45C steel, undergoing heat treatment for rigidity and durability. Springs are produced from SAE9254 high-strength steel for optimal durability and resistance to long-term wear.
• External Canisters: A key feature in their 2-way and 3-way Club Performance and Pro Plus Racing models, these external reservoirs provide increased oil volume for superior heat dissipation, ensuring stable damping rates even during prolonged, aggressive use.

Conclusion

Mastering the setup of your 3-way adjustable coilovers is an iterative process, requiring patience and meticulous observation. By understanding the distinct roles of high-speed compression, low-speed compression, and rebound, and applying a systematic adjustment methodology, drivers can unlock the full potential of their vehicle’s handling characteristics. The advanced design and material quality found in these systems provide the necessary precision and durability for demanding applications.

For those looking to explore high-performance 3-way adjustable coilovers, considering options from manufacturers like YellowSpeed, who offer various adjustable coilover solutions including their Club Performance and Pro Plus Racing 3-way systems, could be a next step. Their products feature comprehensive adjustability and robust construction designed for demanding conditions.