GC/Koni setup on a 2G

[watchdog153]

I have a 95' gst currently getting rebuilt in my garage. It will be running a forced performance big t28 turbo. Ill tune it somewhere between 300-350hp.

After reading the forums here ive decided to buy the Ground Control/Koni Sport combo thats been suggested. Ive got a bonus check coming a month from now, thats when ill buy.

So far the forums ive read were for a 1g... Do I need a camber plate kit for a 2g? Also should i request a stiffer spring rate? I will be driving back and forth to work on the freeway so i want it to be reasonably comfortable. I want to go as low as i can without screwing up the ride quality on the freeway. It doesnt need to be a track day setup but if i can have good ride quality, good cornering and low as possible all in one ill take it, Thanks for any replies

 

[snowborder714]

2g's do not have camber plates as the 1g's do. If you need to adjust the camber on a 2g, you need to purchase aftermarket ball joints for the upper control arms.

What spring rate does it come with? I would guess maybe a 500/250 combo or so. If that's around the rates, I would say to stick with them and don't go any stiffer. It won't make for a nice ride in a DD.

 

[watchdog153]

I didnt see any info on what spring rates it comes with on their website. Wish i new ill have to call them. So how low can i go with this setup? Ive been reading more then like 1.5 inches will cause problems. I guess the GC's can adjust between 0 and 3 inches? Also how do i set the shocks to match the spring rate? Dont I need stiffer springs the lower I go?

 

[SpawnedX]

Dude if you want streetable, but can be used for the track on occassion, just get some Megan's and call it a day. Koni Yellows & GCs > Megan, but I wouldn't want to drive to work on it.

 

[snowborder714]

So how low can i go with this setup? Ive been reading more then like 1.5 inches will cause problems. I guess the GC's can adjust between 0 and 3 inches?

Now you're opening up a whole new can of worms. Lowering is definitely something that you'll need to do, then get your alignment checked, and then fix anything that is out of spec.

Also how do i set the shocks to match the spring rate? Dont I need stiffer springs the lower I go?

Don't worry about setting the shocks to match the spring rates. That's way too advanced for what you're doing. Yes, a stiffer spring rate helps with a lowered car, but again, you won't like the ride.



Might want to look into Michael's idea of a cheaper coilover set. So do some research on here about that.

 

[watchdog153]

I dont mind paying for the konis since they are capable of handling a lowered spring. Are there cheaper shocks that will do the job? I will keep researching...

Thanks for the replies

 

[ramsack]

I don't think any shock is so incapable of handling a lowering spring, it's the fact that most lowering springs (cheap) are softer than stock for some reason. Also, it makes me wonder how cars like Vettes and other high-end cars can have super-stiff suspensions and not bounce all around and have harsh rides.

 

[99gst_racer]

I don't think any shock is so incapable of handling a lowering spring, it's the fact that most lowering springs (cheap) are softer than stock for some reason. Also, it makes me wonder how cars like Vettes and other high-end cars can have super-stiff suspensions and not bounce all around and have harsh rides.

It's not a spring rate problem. Small variances in rate will have minimal affect on spring deflection. The problem with the Konis specifically is shock travel. Without moving the perch, any amount that you remove from the spring height also takes away from shock travel. And it doesn't take much before you're bottoming out the shock. I don't know where their limit is, but 1.5" sounds about right. This isn't to say that Koni doesn't make a nice shock; they're just not designed to support the "slammed" look or even a few inches of lowering for that matter.

 

[ramsack]

And most people don't bother using bump stops or at least making stiffer ones doesn't help, too.