The Best Suspension Upgrades for Street and Track: A Comprehensive Guide

Whether you’re carving through mountain roads or pushing the limits on track days, a well-tuned suspension system is crucial for performance, comfort, and safety. The right upgrades can transform your car’s handling, making it more responsive, stable, and enjoyable to drive in any condition. In this guide, we’ll explore the best suspension upgrades for both street and track use, helping you find the perfect balance between performance and daily drivability.

1. Performance Coilovers: The Foundation of Handling

Coilover suspensions are one of the most effective upgrades for drivers who want precise control over their car’s ride height, damping, and spring rates. Unlike factory shocks and springs, coilovers allow for adjustable ride height and damping settings, making them ideal for both street comfort and track performance.

Key Benefits:

• Customizable Ride Height – Lower your car for better aerodynamics and center of gravity or raise it for daily driving comfort.
• Adjustable Damping – Fine-tune compression and rebound for aggressive track use or smooth highway cruising.
• Stiffer Springs – Reduce body roll and improve cornering stability.

Top Picks:

• KW Variant 3 – Excellent for street and occasional track use with independent rebound and compression adjustments.
• Ohlins Road & Track – High-end dampers with dual-flow valve technology for smooth street manners and track-ready performance.
• Fortune Auto 500 Series – Affordable yet high-quality coilovers with customizable spring rates.

2. Sway Bars (Anti-Roll Bars): Reducing Body Roll

Sway bars connect the left and right sides of your suspension, reducing body roll during cornering. Upgrading to thicker or adjustable sway bars can dramatically improve turn-in response and mid-corner stability.

Key Benefits:

• Sharper Turn-In – Less body roll means quicker steering response.
• Balanced Handling – Adjustable sway bars allow you to fine-tune understeer or oversteer characteristics.
• Improved Grip – Keeps tires planted for better traction.

Top Picks:

• Eibach Sway Bar Kit – Offers a great balance between street comfort and track performance.
• Whiteline Adjustable Sway Bars – Allows for fine-tuning based on driving conditions.
• Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars – Ideal for aggressive street and track setups.

3. Performance Bushings: Eliminating Slack

Factory rubber bushings can flex under load, leading to vague steering and suspension movement. Upgrading to polyurethane or spherical bearings (for track-focused builds) enhances precision and feedback.

Key Benefits:

• Tighter Steering Feel – Reduces compliance for more direct input.
• Improved Suspension Response – Less deflection means better wheel control.
• Longer Lifespan – Polyurethane bushings last longer than rubber.

Top Picks:

• Energy Suspension Polyurethane Bushings – Great for street performance.
• SuperPro Bushings – High-quality polyurethane with improved articulation.
• Spherical Bearings (for track use) – Maximum precision but less forgiving on the street.

4. Strut Tower Braces: Increasing Chassis Rigidity

A strut tower brace connects the front or rear shock towers, reducing chassis flex under hard cornering. This upgrade is particularly useful for unibody cars that lack a full frame.

Key Benefits:

• Sharper Steering Response – Minimizes flex in the front suspension.
• Improved Cornering Stability – Keeps the chassis more rigid.
• Easy Installation – Bolt-on modification with no major modifications needed.

Top Picks:

• Cusco OS Strut Bar – Lightweight and strong for track use.
• Megan Racing Strut Bar – Affordable and effective for street applications.

5. Adjustable Control Arms & Camber Plates: Fine-Tuning Alignment

Factory control arms often limit alignment adjustments, making it difficult to achieve optimal camber, caster, and toe settings. Upgrading to adjustable arms or camber plates allows for precise tuning.

Key Benefits:

• Custom Alignment Settings – Ideal for track setups with aggressive camber.
• Corrects Geometry After Lowering – Prevents uneven tire wear.
• Improved Cornering Grip – More negative camber enhances tire contact patch during turns.

Top Picks:

• SPL Parts Adjustable Control Arms – High-end, race-proven components.
• Vorshlag Camber Plates – Allows for camber and caster adjustments.

6. Performance Tires: The Final Piece of the Puzzle

No suspension upgrade is complete without the right tires. High-performance tires maximize grip, ensuring your suspension modifications translate into faster lap times and better street handling.

Top Picks:

• Michelin Pilot Sport 4S – Excellent for street and light track use.
• Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS – Ultra-grippy for track days.
• Nitto NT01 – Semi-slick for dedicated track builds.

Conclusion: Finding the Perfect Balance

The best suspension setup depends on your driving style and priorities. For a street-focused car with occasional track use, a quality coilover system, sway bars, and performance tires will provide a great balance. For serious track enthusiasts, spherical bearings, aggressive alignment settings, and ultra-stiff springs may be necessary.

By carefully selecting the right components, you can transform your car’s handling, making it sharper, more responsive, and more enjoyable on both the street and the track. Whether you’re chasing lap times or simply want a more engaging drive, these upgrades will elevate your driving experience to the next level.

What suspension mods have you tried? Share your experiences in the comments!