Are Hardrace Coilovers Good? Tech guide cover with HARDRACE coilover spring, top mount and collar close-ups
Buyer's Guide

Are Hardrace Coilovers Good? HS Spec, CS Spec and Which Kit Fits Your Car

Are Hardrace coilovers any good? How the HS Spec and CS Spec kits are built, how to set damping and ride height, and which Hardrace kit suits your car.

GFB Diverter Valves vs Blow Off Valves: What's Actually Different? Reading Are Hardrace Coilovers Good? HS Spec, CS Spec and Which Kit Fits Your Car 15 minutes
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Short answer: yes, for the right car and the right use. Hardrace coilovers are a sound choice for Japanese street cars and track day cars when you want adjustable ride height and damping in a kit made for your exact chassis. The main HS Spec range pairs a 44mm piston and a 52mm electroplated steel damper body with 33 levels of damping adjustment, car-specific spring rates, and rubber or pillow ball top mounts, many with front camber adjustment.

For a GR Yaris on track tyres there's the stiffer CS Spec (Club Spec), and for a dedicated Civic or Integra race car Hardrace builds a 2-way adjustable kit to order. This guide covers how the kits are built, how to set them up and which one suits your car. Every spec comes from Hardrace's own pages.

HARDRACE CS Spec coilover kit for the Toyota GR Yaris: front struts, rear dampers, springs, spring seats and C-spanners
The CS Spec (Club Spec) kit for the GR Yaris, shown with its spring seats and C-spanners.

Who makes Hardrace coilovers?

Hardrace Co., Ltd. is a Taiwanese suspension company. It was founded in 1998, launched its own brand in 2005 and has been headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, since 2014. Hardrace says it designs, manufactures and markets reinforced chassis parts for race and street cars. It also says professional drivers test its new products on track and that it refines them from that feedback.

In Australia the range comes through Hardrace Suspension Australia, the Sydney-based distributor. Its product pages are where Hardrace publishes the coilover range and the specifications used in this guide.

The Hardrace coilover ranges

Hardrace offers HS Spec as its main range, CS Spec as a firmer club kit, and a 2-way race kit built to order.

HS Spec CS Spec (Club Spec) 2 Way Adjustable Custom Race
What it is Main range, matched car by car Club kit for tyres under 200 treadwear Race kit, custom made to order
Cars Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Suzuki Toyota GR Yaris Honda Integra (DC2), Civic (EG/EK)
Damping 33 levels 33 levels 2-way adjustable
How to order Pick your car, top mount and spring rate Order for your GR Yaris Contact us before ordering

HS Spec

HS Spec is the core range. Each kit covers all four corners (Hardrace calls it a 4-piece kit), with spring rates set for that car and either rubber or pillow ball top mounts. Some cars get a choice of spring rates or top mounts, and older Honda kits are matched to the type of rear lower control arm.

HARDRACE HS Spec coilover kit for the GR Yaris on a dark background, with blue lock collars, adjuster knobs and spanners
The HS Spec GR Yaris kit runs 7K/6K springs, against 12K/12K for the CS Spec.

CS Spec (Club Spec)

The CS Spec for the Toyota GR Yaris runs 12K/12K springs, much firmer than the 7K/6K of the HS Spec GR Yaris kit. Hardrace designs it for tyres with a treadwear rating under 200, which typically means semi-slicks and other track-focused tyres. Its product page lists the same damper specification as the HS Spec.

2 Way Adjustable Custom Race

The 2 Way Adjustable Custom Race kit suits the Integra (DC2) and Civic (EG/EK). Hardrace makes each set to order and asks buyers to get in touch first, so talk to us about your car and how you'll use it before ordering.

HARDRACE 2-way race coilover kit for Civic EG/EK and Integra DC2, with tools and adjustable links (product illustration)

How Hardrace coilovers are built

Hardrace publishes the same damper description on its HS Spec and CS Spec pages:

  • Piston: 44mm diameter.
  • Damper body: 52mm diameter, high-strength steel, electroplated to resist rust and corrosion.
  • Oil seals: chosen to handle high temperatures and stop leaks.
  • Piston rod: S45C steel, thermally refined and high-frequency induction hardened for rigidity and durability.
  • Damper oil: formulated to resist foaming and hold a constant viscosity across operating temperatures, so damping doesn't fade as the oil heats up.
  • Springs: SAE9254 spring steel, chosen for durability and high tensile strength.
  • Wave spring washer: on MacPherson strut kits, a wave washer sits between the lower locking collar and the bottom mount. The extra friction stops the bottom mount spinning or working loose.

The heat-stable oil and high-temperature seals matter most on track, where dampers get hot over a session, and Hardrace says the body is treated to withstand harsh motorsport conditions.

Top mounts: rubber or pillow ball

HS Spec kits come with rubber top mounts (part numbers ending in -R) or pillow ball top mounts (ending in -PB), depending on the car. Rubber mounts soak up more vibration and road noise, which suits a daily driver. Pillow ball mounts swap the rubber for a spherical bearing, so the steering feels more direct and the alignment holds better under load, with more noise reaching the cabin. Many Hardrace pillow ball kits are listed with front camber adjustment, which lets you dial in negative camber once the car is lowered.

Blue HARDRACE coilover top plate with mounting studs and centre nut above a black spring (product illustration)
Hardrace's blue top plate. Check each listing for whether your kit has rubber or pillow ball mounts.

Adjusting damping and ride height

Damping: 33 levels, soft to hard

Hardrace lists 33 levels of damping force adjustment on its HS Spec and CS Spec dampers, and says you'll feel a difference every 2 to 3 levels. The adjuster knobs are marked from S (soft) to H (hard).

A simple way to set up:

  • Count the clicks from full hard so you always know where you are, and set all four corners the same to start, near the middle of the range.
  • Change one end of the car at a time, in steps of 2 or 3 clicks, and drive the same roads after each change.
  • Go firmer to cut body roll and pitch. Go softer if the car skips over bumps or feels busy on rough roads.

Our guide on how to adjust coilovers goes deeper, and 1-way vs 2-way vs 3-way coilovers explains what the extra adjusters on race dampers do.

Two HARDRACE damper adjuster knobs marked S to H, with two C-spanners for the lock collars
The damper knobs turn from S (soft) to H (hard). The C-spanners lock the height collars.

Ride height

Ride height is set with the lock collars on the damper body, as Hardrace's photos show. Wind the collars to the height you want, then tighten them against each other with the C-spanners so the setting can't creep. On MacPherson strut kits, the wave spring washer under the lower collar helps keep the bottom mount from turning.

Measure each corner from the wheel centre to the guard before and after each change, keep left and right matched, and lower only as far as your tyres and suspension travel allow.

Close-up of blue lock collars and spring seat on a HARDRACE coilover damper body (product illustration)

Spring rates: what 8K/6K means

Hardrace lists spring rates front then rear in the usual kg/mm shorthand, so 8K/6K means 8 kg/mm at the front and 6 kg/mm at the rear. A higher number is a stiffer spring. Rates are matched to each car, from 6K/4K on light hatches like the Jazz and Swift Sport up to 18K/8K on the Supra (JZA80) and Chaser, and 18K/10K on the Lexus GS300 (JZS160). Some cars give you a choice:

Hardrace coilovers vs factory suspension

Typical factory suspension Hardrace HS Spec
Ride height Fixed Adjustable with lock collars on the damper body
Damping Fixed on most cars (adaptive on some, like the FK8) 33 levels, soft to hard
Spring rates Chosen by the carmaker, usually for comfort Set per car in kg/mm, with a choice on some cars
Top mounts Rubber Rubber or pillow ball, many with front camber adjustment
Damper build Varies by car 44mm piston, 52mm electroplated steel body, induction-hardened S45C rod

Which Hardrace setup suits how you drive?

Street and daily driving

Choose rubber top mounts where your car offers them, take the softer spring rate where there's a choice, and run the damping toward the soft end. Keep the drop modest so the car still clears speed humps and steep driveways.

Street plus track days

Pillow ball mounts with front camber adjustment, the firmer spring rate and a few more clicks of damping suit cars driven to the track and home. The kits for the Civic Type R (FK8), Toyota 86, GR86 and BRZ and Lancer Evolution X all come with pillow ball mounts and front camber adjustment.

Club motorsport on track tyres

On a GR Yaris running tyres under 200 treadwear, the CS Spec with 12K/12K springs is the kit Hardrace designs for that grip level. For a dedicated Integra or Civic race car, ask us about the 2 Way Adjustable Custom Race kit. If you want more adjustment than this, see the higher-end kits in our coilovers range.

How to choose your Hardrace coilover kit

  1. Match your exact chassis code. Kits are car-specific. The FD2 Type R kit, for example, doesn't fit the FD1.
  2. Older Honda: check the rear lower control arm. Civic, CRX and Integra kits come in fork, eyelet or bushing versions to match the rear arm. If you've fitted aftermarket arms, tell us which ones.
  3. Pick the top mount: rubber for quiet daily driving, pillow ball for sharper steering and, on many kits, front camber adjustment.
  4. Pick the spring rate where there's a choice: softer for the street, firmer for track work and stickier tyres.
  5. Read the listing notes. The FK8 kit, for example, includes an electric damping cancellation kit for the car's factory adaptive dampers.

Honda

Nissan

Toyota, Lexus and Subaru

Mitsubishi and Suzuki

See every Evo part in Hardrace for the Lancer Evolution, the full Hardrace range, or every coilover kit we sell. If your car isn't listed, contact us and we'll check with Hardrace.

HARDRACE HS Spec four-piece coilover kit with blue top plates, C-spanners, adjuster knobs and washers (product illustration)
Many HS Spec listings share this kit photo. Hardrace notes its photos may not show the exact model.

Installation and setup

  • Use a professional. Coilovers are a safety-critical part, and Hardrace Suspension Australia's warranty requires fitting by a licensed mechanic.
  • Set the height first, then align. Changing ride height changes camber and toe, so book a wheel alignment once the final height is set. Our guide to camber explained covers how much to run for street and track.
  • Check clearances. With the car on the ground, check the tyres clear the guards and inner panels at full steering lock and over bumps, and that the car still has usable bump travel.
  • Re-check after settling. Measure the ride height and check the lock collars are tight again after the first few hundred kilometres.
  • Refresh while it's apart. Tired bushings undo good dampers. Our guide to Hardrace hardened rubber vs pillow ball bushings explains which to pick.

Before fitting coilovers to a registered car, check your state's rules on modified suspension and ride height.

Hardrace Suspension Australia covers its coilovers with a 12-month warranty from the date of purchase, in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law. The warranty requires fitting by a licensed mechanic and doesn't cover accident damage, misuse, modification or parts installed outside the manufacturer's guidelines.

Hardrace coilover FAQ

Are Hardrace coilovers good?

Yes, for street and track day use on the cars they're made for. The HS Spec has a 44mm piston, a 52mm electroplated steel damper body, an induction-hardened S45C piston rod, heat-stable damper oil, SAE9254 springs and 33 levels of damping adjustment. Kits are matched to each chassis, with rubber or pillow ball top mounts.

Where is Hardrace from?

Hardrace Co., Ltd. is a Taiwanese company headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, and has made reinforced chassis parts since 1998. Hardrace Suspension Australia, based in Sydney, is the Australian distributor.

What is the difference between Hardrace HS Spec and CS Spec?

HS Spec is the main range, with kits for many cars and spring rates matched to each one. CS Spec (Club Spec) is offered for the GR Yaris with 12K/12K springs and is designed for tyres with a treadwear rating under 200, while the HS Spec GR Yaris kit runs 7K/6K. Both product pages list the same damper specification.

Should I choose rubber or pillow ball top mounts?

Rubber top mounts are quieter and suit daily driving. Pillow ball top mounts give sharper steering and hold the alignment better under load, at the cost of more noise in the cabin. Many Hardrace pillow ball kits also add front camber adjustment, which suits track days.

How many damping settings do Hardrace coilovers have, and can I adjust them on the car?

Hardrace lists 33 levels of damping adjustment on its HS Spec and CS Spec coilovers, turning from soft to hard, and says you'll feel the difference every 2 to 3 levels. Damping is set with an adjuster knob, so it can be changed with the coilovers fitted wherever you can reach the adjuster. Ride height is easier to change with the wheel off and the car safely supported.

Can I daily drive Hardrace coilovers?

Yes. For a daily driver, choose rubber top mounts where your car offers them, the softer spring rate where there's a choice, and run the damping toward the soft end. Keep the drop modest so the car clears driveways and speed humps.

Do I need a wheel alignment after fitting coilovers?

Yes. Changing ride height changes camber and toe, so have a professional wheel alignment done once the final height is set. Re-check the height after the first few hundred kilometres.

What warranty do Hardrace coilovers have?

Hardrace Suspension Australia gives coilovers a 12-month warranty from the date of purchase, in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law. The kit must be fitted by a licensed mechanic, and the warranty doesn't cover accident damage, misuse or modification.

Not sure which kit suits your car? Contact our team at sales@chicaneaustralia.com.au.

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