Ground Control Coilover Compatiblilty/Questions

[shiftdrift06]

Hey everyone, I just got some used GC with KYB GR-2's. I am pleased with my car new appearance. However the ride is quite bumpy as you can imagine.
So I wanted to upgrade to better shocks.
But people say that GC are custom made for certain shock brands. So am I limited to KYB AGX's? Also, how do the GC coilover secured to the shock on the bottom portion? is it just simply slipped on?

 

[shiftdrift06]

Any help would be greatly appreciated..

 

[Ludachris]

I was just going to post my reply when I realized you have a 2G... I'll let someone else answer. On my 1G, the GC front sleeve works for both KYB and Koni. The rear is specific to one or the other. You can call GC and find out for sure though.

Go with Konis if you want really good handling. Go with KYB if you're on a limited budget and don't mind settling for less.

 

[shiftdrift06]

Thanks Ludachris. I am gonna settle for AGX. But I have noticed that Driver Side Front when adjusted all the way up. Leaves very little clearance. I know that on 2g's, that the driver side is usually lower, But could this be caused by the springs going bad? Or perhaps the Struts?

 

[kronus]

Thanks Ludachris. I am gonna settle for AGX. But I have noticed that Driver Side Front when adjusted all the way up. Leaves very little clearance. I know that on 2g's, that the driver side is usually lower, But could this be caused by the springs going bad? Or perhaps the Struts?

So are you saying you have lost range of adjustibility? Because if you have then it's neither the struts or springs. I would assume that the placement of the sleeve is placed/mounted too low on the strut?

 

[jtmcinder]

Do not settle for AGX. Yuk! Worst case, you get new insert rings (that go inside the sleeves) from GC to match the new shocks. Probably quite cheap. Call them.

- Jtoby

 

[Ludachris]

Do not settle for AGX. Yuk! Worst case, you get new insert rings (that go inside the sleeves) from GC to match the new shocks. Probably quite cheap. Call them.

- Jtoby

I'm with Jtoby - please don't settle for AGX unless you have no other choice. For just a little bit more you can get a Koni shock that is soooo much better. I wish people didn't settle for inferior suspension products so much in the DSM world.

 

[kronus]

Do not settle for AGX. Yuk! Worst case, you get new insert rings (that go inside the sleeves) from GC to match the new shocks. Probably quite cheap. Call them.

- Jtoby

I'm with Jtoby - please don't settle for AGX unless you have no other choice. For just a little bit more you can get a Koni shock that is soooo much better. I wish people didn't settle for inferior suspension products so much in the DSM world.

Agreed. I'm wishing I would've just shelled out a bit for Konis. Because those AGX. Yeah, the suck.

 

[shiftdrift06]

So are you saying you have lost range of adjustibility? Because if you have then it's neither the struts or springs. I would assume that the placement of the sleeve is placed/mounted too low on the strut?

Yes I have lost the range of adjustibility. I will jack it up tommorow and look but I believe its the same placement as the passenger.

Do not settle for AGX. Yuk! Worst case, you get new insert rings (that go inside the sleeves) from GC to match the new shocks. Probably quite cheap. Call them.

I'm with Jtoby - please don't settle for AGX unless you have no other choice. For just a little bit more you can get a Koni shock that is soooo much better. I wish people didn't settle for inferior suspension products so much in the DSM world.

I see where you guys are coming from. I look around and Konis are quite pricey . And looking at the Tein Coilovers are not to far away and I am gonna save up for those. Thanks for the input you guys!

 

[Ludachris]

I'd go for Konis and GC over Tein if you are serious about performance. Just because it's a "true" coilover compared to a sleeve/perch/shock setup doesn't automatically mean it's a better choice. Konis are awesome. And yes, they're more expensive than KYBs and almost as expensive as Teins, but they're better than anything you'll get for under $1800. They're a bargain for what they offer in terms of performance.

But then again, what do I know?

 

[jtmcinder]

Asian shocks have too much compression for the amount of rebound and seem to always adjust both at the same time. You would have to have the Teins revalved to match the damping of Konis and then you've paid more than for Konis in the first place.

- Jtoby

 

[shiftdrift06]

I see, thanks for the much needed info. I have stuck here still deciding between koni's and true coilovers. Heres where I stand/ vision on how I want my setup

I have Used GroundControl/KYB Gr2's

Might have a problem with front driver side setup since it sit much lower then rest
I want to lower my car around 2.5-3 inches
I don't want the harsh ride though
I do not autocross/compete in road racing
I do however like spirited driving(nothingcrazy), and like the firm feeling of control oppose to boucing everywhere.

So my feelings are like 3/10 on appearance, 3/10 on comfort, 2/10 on performance and 2/10 on reliablilty.

Should I go ahead get the koni's? Or buy truecoilovers, sell this set up?

 

[kronus]

Asian shocks have too much compression for the amount of rebound and seem to always adjust both at the same time. You would have to have the Teins revalved to match the damping of Konis and then you've paid more than for Konis in the first place.

- Jtoby

I don't have personaly experience with the Tein's, but I would listen to jtmcinder. This man knows pretty much everything when it comes to suspension set ups. So I would most definitely go Koni. However, lowering your car that much will most likely give you a harsh ride anyway. Going that low will probably put you on your bumpstops (please don't ride without these) and your ride will go to heck.

 

[Ludachris]

I see, thanks for the much needed info. I have stuck here still deciding between koni's and true coilovers. Heres where I stand/ vision on how I want my setup

I have Used GroundControl/KYB Gr2's

Might have a problem with front driver side setup since it sit much lower then rest
I want to lower my car around 2.5-3 inches
I don't want the harsh ride though
I do not autocross/compete in road racing
I do however like spirited driving(nothingcrazy), and like the firm feeling of control oppose to boucing everywhere.

So my feelings are like 3/10 on appearance, 3/10 on comfort, 2/10 on performance and 2/10 on reliablilty.

Should I go ahead get the koni's? Or buy truecoilovers, sell this set up?

In that case just get the AGX's for your Ground Controls. It doesn't sound like you're into good handling, only a "tighter" feel for spirited driving. If appearance and comfort are your main concerns you don't need to spend much money. Just keep in mind the car won't handle as well and the shocks won't last as long as the Konis, especially when you lower the car more than one inch.

And if you lower your car 2.5-3 inches the suspension is going to be at a disadvantage no matter what you go with. You're going to be hitting the bump stops regularly unless you go with super stiff spring rates, which you don't want to do on a street car. Lowering it that much will not make it comfortable and it will not handle well. You'll have to sacrifice some appearance for comfort - you can't "slam" these cars without looking like a min truck driver bouncing around in his seat while he's driving down the street.

 

[jtmcinder]

TrueChoice or Koni-NA can shorten the front shocks for a 2G by an inch, greatly reducing the issue of running out of suspension travel. Expect to pay about $100 each to have it done. Expect to wait a long time, however, since it's the wrong time of year to be asking.

You don't need to do this with serious springrates, such as 550 or more, unless you plan to over-lower the nose.

- Jtoby

 

[denniegst]

I'd go for Konis and GC over Tein if you are serious about performance....

How will Konis and Eibach Pro Kit (or even sportlines) compare to the Koni and GC combo?