Ground Control Coilovers- JUNK?

[GSX21]

Are the Ground Control Coilovers junk? They seem like a pretty affordable option to non-kit coilovers. Any horror stories about these? People have em and happy with em or should I just stick with springs? Any input about installation or after-effects of installing them would be helpful. Thanks, -J

 

[jtmcinder]

Are you referring to Advanced Design coilovers (which are true coilovers sold by GC) or to the GC kits you wrap around OTS shocks?

The latter are definitely worth the money, although the lack of a pillowball and coaxial springhat in the front is a serious issue.

- Jtoby

 

[Red97Eclipseboy]

I got the Skunk2 coil-overs w/ my Tokico 5 ways. IMO, they're a very excellent street setup.

 

[GSX21]

I was referring to the ones that were around 399 dollars. The ones you wrap around the OTS shocks. Thanks for the replies. Keep them coming please. -J

 

[jtmcinder]

For $1000 for a 2G, I don't think that anything comes close to GC coilovers around Koni Sports, so take this as a thumbs up. And now go read the bloody archives.

- Jtoby

 

[theTuner]

if all you want is adjustable ride, ground controls are perfect for you... but if youw ant to do some real turning, go all out and dont regret it, full coilovers

 

[DSMSpyder99]

how about the Tien Basic Coilovers its approx $700 for all 4 and you know its quality

 

[blackNboosted]

I've got Ground Controls and KYB AGX shocks. Best investment I've made to my car yet. The car rides/handles incredibly. I paid $356.00 + shipping at http://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/

 

[cait sith]

Originally posted by DSMSpyder99
how about the Tien Basic Coilovers its approx $700 for all 4 and you know its quality

I trust Koni yellows more than I trust 700 dollar entry-level Tein stuff.

 

[hoffman]

^Agreed

If someone says they have Tien's that can match Koni/GC price for price and I'll show you someone thats full of shit.

I love my koni/GC.

 

[Dallas J]

Originally posted by DSMSpyder99
how about the Tien Basic Coilovers its approx $700 for all 4 and you know its quality

The Basics are just that...Basic. They are made so the end user can say "yeah, I got teins"

They cant compare to a good GC/Koni setup which has been proven on the tracks.

-Dallas J

 

[3literpwr]

A coilover sleeve is a coilover sleeve....thats the least imporrtant part of the suspension equation.....

you should worrie about the dampers more than the coils.....

Dont even think about buying the GC advanced design shocks as they are junk!!!!! The KNOBS DO NOTHING TO THE DAMPING FORCE!

larry
#622 club rally

 

[Dallas J]

The whole theory about sleves being garbage is crap. Even bilstein has a sleve kit for their springs. Let me hear someone say bilstein is crap, ill give them the smack down they need

Yeah, Dampning is the important thing. You need just enough rebound to get your spring back to natural position as fast as possible without bouncing. And you need enough Dampning to control your spring and their spring rates.

-Dallas J

 

[badboyr66]

I have a question, how come alot of places ask what strut you are using when you get GC? Also, I was told that when you get GC, you do not order the same strut as you would if you were using the stock springs. I have seen some setups, and the sleeves look real nice and snig on there, no extra pearch like when u use the stock strut. Anyone have any insite on any of this?

 

[blackNboosted]

Ground Controls are made specific to certain shocks, that's why you have to find out which shock your GC's go with before you buy. They customize the spring rates to fit your shock/struts. GC's that fit KYB's, won't work with Koni's or Tokico's. It's not a great idea to use coilovers with your stock shocks b/c they normally don't last too long (depending on how much you lower your car).

 

[badboyr66]

But what about when you go buy shocks? I mean, usually you order a set designed for you car, but they would have the spring perch, so what shock do you order?

 

[Dallas J]

Well, you have a 1g so Im not totally sure of what you guys do. You can check out diamond star specialties for their coilover set up for 1gs. Its pretty commonly used in 1g cars that Auto-x and I think its the same price as GC's.
Theyve been tuning 1gs for a while too so you would probably be better off to call them and ask then for me to speculate what you should do.

-Dallas J

 

[Tevenor]

Originally posted by badboyr66
But what about when you go buy shocks? I mean, usually you order a set designed for you car, but they would have the spring perch, so what shock do you order?

You have it bass ackwards. Buy the shock, then mate the spring kit to the shock. The spring is just a wound piece of metal and pretty much will always be a wound piece of metal. The only real variable in springs is the spring rate (constant) of the coil.

The damper on the other hand is where the magic happens. Buy the best shock/damper you can and find a spring/coilover kit to mate.

 

[badboyr66]

I know what you are saying, but what I am saying is, take the springs out of the math, and think just shocks. yes I know you must have the correct spring shock combo. What I am talking about is, how do you know what shock , as is part number, fits on the car. Cause if you order the one listed, it will come with a spring pearch

 

[badboyr66]

Anyone at least know whta i am talking about?

 

[Tevenor]

Originally posted by badboyr66
Anyone at least know whta i am talking about?

I guess not.

If you are buying a combo matched setup liek JIC or Teins, then its a moot point. If you are trying to mate a coilover and a shock:

1) Find the shock you want to run based on the rough spring rates you have decided on. Every shock manufacturer should have a body that will mate to the mounts.

2) Tell whoever is makes or sells your coilover kit that you went with X shocks and they will make sure they supply the right collar to mate with the shock body.


For Instance:

Lets say I want to run 500 front and 350 rear spring rates. I know that Koni Yellows will be able to handle those rates. So I go and find myself a place that sells Koni Yellows and buy them to mate to my car (2G AWD). I then call up GC and order a coilover kit with 8" front springs at 500 lb/in and 7" rear springs with 350 lb/in. I also tell them I am running Koni Yellows with this kit and please send the adaptor to make the collar fit the Yellow shock body.

Assemble, install, and drive.

 

[badboyr66]

but when you order shocks for the car, they come with a perch for the stock springs. and they get int the way with GCs. I have seen some that did not have a perch and they were not grinded off. Real clean looking. So how do I got about doing this?

 

[jtmcinder]

Hello? Earth to bad boy. The perch on a Koni Yellow SHOCK (this is a 2G) slides on and off.

Nice try, Sean, but some horses would rather die of thirst.

- Jtoby

 

[badboyr66]

I have a 1G

 

[Tevenor]

Originally posted by badboyr66
I have a 1G

And that is basically the problem. You have struts. Frankly, for a 1G, I would buy the DSS kit.

DSS 1G coilover kit