FORMULA, MCA, RIVAL MCA Red Series Coilovers

MCA Red Series coilovers, also known as MCA Reds, are custom-configured adjustable suspension systems designed for drivers who want their spring and damper setup matched more closely to how their vehicle will be used.

Rather than treating every application as requiring the same suspension characteristics, MCA selects the spring rates and damper valving according to the customer's requirements. This gives the Red Series a particularly broad scope, ranging from comfort-focused street applications through to competitive tarmac motorsport.

Each system combines springs and dampers into an adjustable suspension package with MCA Fusion Valving Technology, custom spring selection, 12-click damper adjustment and adjustable ride height. MCA Reds are designed, developed and assembled in Australia, with dampers dyno tested and tuned as part of the production process.

Individual specifications can vary according to the application and intended use, making it important to check the relevant product information when selecting a Red Series setup.

Custom Valving and Spring Rates for Your Intended Use

The defining characteristic of MCA Reds is not simply that they are adjustable coilovers. It is the ability to configure the valving and spring package around the intended application.

Spring rate and damper valving work together to influence how suspension responds to load, road inputs and vehicle movement. A setup intended primarily for road driving may therefore require different characteristics from one being prepared for regular circuit use or another form of tarmac motorsport.

When configuring MCA Reds, factors such as intended use, existing handling modifications and the desired balance between comfort and performance can be considered when determining the suspension package.

This approach makes Red Series particularly relevant when an off-the-shelf suspension tune does not adequately reflect what the driver wants from the vehicle.

MCA Fusion Valving

MCA Red Series dampers use Fusion Valving Technology as the basis of their damping system.

Damper valving controls the movement of oil through the damper as the suspension compresses and rebounds. Changing the valving characteristics changes how the damper responds to suspension movement, making it an important part of determining how a suspension setup behaves.

For MCA Reds, the valving is configured according to the customer's requirements rather than relying solely on one standard tune for every intended use.

MCA also dyno tunes and tests its Red Series dampers. A damper dynamometer measures damper behaviour through controlled movement, allowing the characteristics of the assembled damper to be checked as part of the setup and quality-control process.

Custom Spring Selection

Spring selection is another important part of the Red Series approach.

MCA selects custom spring rates according to the customer's requirements, allowing the springs and damper valving to be considered as a complete package rather than independent upgrades.

The appropriate spring rate depends on more than whether a driver simply wants a softer or firmer ride. Vehicle configuration, intended use and the overall suspension setup can all influence what is appropriate.

For this reason, there is no single spring rate that represents all MCA Red Series coilovers. The specification should be considered in the context of the individual order and application.

Adjustable Damping with 12 Settings

MCA Reds provide 12 clicks of hard-to-soft damper adjustment, allowing the driver to fine-tune damping after the underlying spring and valving package has been selected.

The adjustment changes bump and rebound damping together. This is commonly described as one-way damping adjustment because a single control alters both characteristics rather than providing separate bump and rebound adjusters.

This adjustment provides a practical way to change the suspension's damping behaviour without altering the springs or internal valving.

The firmest setting is not automatically the most suitable. The appropriate adjustment depends on the vehicle setup, tyres, road or track surface and the driver's requirements. Starting from the supplied setup information and making controlled changes can help maintain a useful balance rather than treating maximum firmness as the objective.

Ride Height and Suspension Travel Setup

MCA Red Series coilovers also provide adjustable ride height, with height adjustment made through the spring-seat position.

The appropriate height range is not identical across every Red Series kit. MCA states that the possible range depends on the specifics of the order, which is particularly relevant because Reds can be configured for substantially different applications.

Wheel-travel range can also be adjusted through the bottom mount and is pre-set by MCA as part of the suspension configuration.

These two concepts should not be treated as interchangeable. Ride height determines where the vehicle sits, while available suspension travel determines how much movement the suspension has to manage compression and extension.

For that reason, setting up coilovers should involve more than selecting the lowest achievable ride height. The intended use, available travel, clearance and suspension geometry all need to be considered when establishing the final setup.

From Street Driving to Tarmac Motorsport

MCA Reds have traditionally been associated with tarmac motorsport, including circuit, time attack, drift, drag and other performance applications. However, the Red Series is not limited to competition use.

Because the springs and valving can be configured for the intended application, MCA also offers Red Series setups for street use, including applications where comfort remains an important priority.

This versatility is one of the key differences between MCA Reds and a coilover range built around a single predetermined suspension tune.

For a road-focused setup, the objective may be to combine adjustability and controlled suspension behaviour with an appropriate level of everyday usability. A motorsport-focused setup may place greater emphasis on the characteristics required for a particular discipline, vehicle configuration and tyre package.

Neither setup is automatically represented by the name ?Red Series?. The final suspension specification depends on what the system has been configured to do.

Application-Specific MCA Red Series Features

While MCA Reds share a common underlying design philosophy, not every Red Series kit has exactly the same hardware.

Depending on the suspension design and application, additional features may include camber-adjustable top mounts, camber washer lower mounts, damper adjuster extenders, and reinforced lower mounting arrangements.

These features are application-dependent and should not be assumed to be included with every kit.

The suspension layout can also vary. Different applications may use different front and rear damper or coilover configurations, while available ride-height ranges can change according to the specific order.

Check the individual product specifications before purchasing rather than relying on the general Red Series feature set alone.

Installation, Setup and Wheel Alignment

A custom-configured coilover system still needs to be installed and set up correctly to work as intended.

Installation should follow the relevant MCA instructions, with ride height and damper settings established appropriately for the supplied suspension package. Any application-specific mounting, camber adjustment or adjuster-access requirements should also be checked during installation.

A wheel alignment should be carried out after installation, particularly where ride height has changed or adjustable mounting components affect wheel geometry.

For performance-oriented applications, setup can go further than a basic alignment. Ride height, wheel alignment and damper settings can be considered together and adjusted according to how the vehicle is being used.

The flexibility of MCA Reds is most useful when those adjustments are approached as part of a complete suspension setup rather than changed independently without considering their effects on the rest of the vehicle.

Shop MCA Red Series Coilovers with Fulcrum Suspensions

Compare Red Series with the rest of the MCA coilovers range, including MCA Pro Sport coilovers for road-focused performance.

Shop MCA Red Series coilovers through Fulcrum Suspensions and find the appropriate kit for your application and intended use. With Red Series suspension offering considerably more scope for individual setup than a conventional off-the-shelf coilover, Fulcrum can also assist with professional installation and wheel alignment to help complete the suspension upgrade correctly.