“I need new shock absorbers. What do you recommend?” This question comes up daily on automotive forums and groups. Inevitably, someone suggests: “Get coilovers.” This is bad advice. Coilovers can be excellent, and the Fortune Auto 500s I installed on my Honda Civic Si were remarkable. But even the best coilovers represent a significant commitment, drastically altering the personality of the vehicle they are mounted on. After testing three distinct types of suspension on my Civic, I have valuable insight for anyone looking to change their shocks, mounts, and springs.
Fortune Auto – Rebuildable High-End Coilovers, Made in America
I met a Fortune Auto representative at a SEMA show a few years ago, which led the company to entrust me with a set of their Series 500 coilovers equipped with Swift springs for testing and presentation. We already covered the fundamental differences between coilovers and standard shock/spring suspensions last year, and we also looked into setting alignment parameters.
Now that I’ve driven several thousand miles on the road and used them in various competitions, I can finally provide a detailed report. Here’s the short version: At their best, they are fantastic. At their worst, they are still tolerable. Ultimately, I recommend them, but only to drivers ready to significantly shift their car’s “performance/comfort” balance towards increased stiffness.