Car Must Haves For Better Handling & Control

Depending on if you are looking for performance or comfort it totally up to you and should be the deciding factor in bushing selection. Make sure you maintain your bushings!

#2: Coilovers

This is probably the most praised component for suspension – and for a good reason!

Price: $700-$3,800

Pros:

• Adjustable ride height
• Better performance than stock
• On high performance models, you can adjust the shock stiffness for a smooth or stiff ride
• Better handling
• More durable than stock
• Better aesthetics

Cons:

• High cost for parts and installation
• Ride can be stiff depending on the coilovers you bought and your settings
• Can be noisier going over bumps
• Improper installation can hurt the performance and longevity of your car

Depending on your requirements, coilovers can be a great performance option for better handling and suspension!

#3: Performance Anti Sway Bar (Rear & Front)

A high performance anti-sway bar is a crucial component of any suspension system. It stiffens the ride and reduces the side to side sway significantly.

Price: $200-$1,000

Pros:

• Affordable parts cost
• Thicker high performance anti-sway bars can significantly reduce body roll when cornering
• Great for improving handling performance
• Better weight distribution
• Stiffens up the ride – makes your car more sporty
• High performance ones are often adjustable to tune your desired stiffness

Cons:

• Can be expensive to have a professional install it for you
• Ensure the front and back anti-sway bars are appropriate thicknesses, otherwise this can cause understeer/oversteer
• Can stiffen the car ride, reducing the smoothness of the ride
• Can increase stress on suspension components

If the cons don’t outweigh the pros for you, this is definitely a worthwhile and affordable upgrade! It is one of my go-to’s with my all project cars!

#4: Wheels & Tires

This is one of my favourite upgrades, not only does it greatly improve performance, but it also adds your unique style to your car.

Price: $800- $4,000+

Pros:

• Performance tires can greatly improve grip and handling
• Lots of variations in tires for things like durability, grip, tire softness or hardness, weather conditions, and tread patterns
• Improved aesthetics
• Thicker tire sidewalls can vastly improve grip

Cons:

• Can be very expensive depending on your setup
• Tires can wear out over time and need replacement
• As tires wear out, their grip strength is reduced
• Need to ensure your tire pressures are at the proper level, improper pressures can lead to uneven wear patterns in your car or lead to flat tires
• Rims can be very costly

Overall, tires and rims can be one of the best upgrades you can do for performance, not only does it increase grip, but it show off your unique aesthetic as well.

#5: Strut Bars (Rear & Front)

This is a quick installation that will improve handling and tighten up your suspension!

Price: $60-$500+

Pros:

• Quick and easy installation
• Instantly increases suspension performance
• Not as expensive as other options
• Very good aesthetics
• Better steering response
• Less chassis flex, ensures your suspension components can do their job more effectively

Cons:

• Can increase stress on suspension components
• Can make the ride stiffer
• Ensure proper install, it can damage your car if not properly installed
• Some types of strut braces, you may need to drill into the strut towers, this may be too invasive for some cars and can cause other issues if not done properly
• Can cause engine bay accessibility issues
• Can add extra weight
• May not be as effective as better tires or anti-sway bars

These strut bars are always a good option to increase performance. However, the performance difference may be more subtle compared to other options on the list.

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FAQs

Q: Which upgrades are the best bang for your buck?

A: The best bang for your buck is definitely anti-sway bars, and bushings. These are on the cheaper end and will greatly improve performance. Coilovers and tires will add more performance, but cost significantly more.

Q: Should I install these items myself?

A: We highly recommend that you contact a qualified mechanic to install these items for you, as improper installation can lead to significantly more costly issues down the road. Not to mention improper installation could also put your driver safety at risk.

Q: Should I use polyurethane or rubber bushings?

A: It is entirely your preference, rubber bushings can increase the smoothness of the ride and make it more enjoyable for some drivers. Whereas, polyurethane bushings can stiffen up the ride significantly, but also decrease the drivability of your car on the street. Sometimes the stiffness of the ride on polyurethane bushings is too significant for pot holes and rough streets.

Q: How effective are coilovers at increasing my performance?

A: Coilovers are extremely effective at increasing vehicle performance, the added adjustability definitely makes it worth it as you can quickly adjust your settings depending if you are on the street or track. The biggest downside is cost, which is significant.

Q: Why should I try and upgrade my cars handling?

A: Your cars handling is very important, it can make your driving experience more enjoyable, adjust your car aesthetic more to your liking, and help start conversations with other car enthusiasts.

Conclusion

All of these upgrades can significantly improve handling performance, and with all of these upgrades combined, you are looking at a very high quality handling setup. Ensure that you maintain proper maintenance for your new parts, or they will wear out quicker and this can lead do a decrease in performance over time.

Stay tuned for the next article!

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