GC coilover kit install, do i really need to remove the stock spring perch?

[ebox86]

thanks, i will probably need to end up calling GC and explain to them what i'm after. The kit is used and so i got no documentation from the guy i bought it off of. Just new strut inserts from koni, and i freshened up the housing.

The car is going to be my DD and i plan on lowering it modestly, but i like having the ability to lower if even if its not that much. I wanted to start at stock ride height to see how that felt and then compare that to what lowering it .5", 1", 1.5" etc etc.

I shall play around with it, give them a call and post my results.

[Cletonius]

Can you elaborate on this a little bit? I like the way your car sits. Have you cut your tubes to get it that height?

I sectioned one inch from the housing.

I bought my kit all together and when I did, GC needed to know if I was going to section the fronts so they could give me the appropriate length rear springs.

I'm sitting just about the tallest it will go. I had it aligned and setup on scales at the speed shop down the block, they basically just leveled it out for me after I did the install.

I guess I'm just confused on what i need to do, i am certain now that the stock spring perches are fine, its more of a convenience issue with getting to the adjuster, but what is the benefit gained by cutting or shortening the strut tubes?

It depends on what you're doing with the car and the length of your springs.

If you section an inch from the front housings it will make the front of your car an inch shorter even if you throw stock springs on there. You'll have to get new inserts though since yours are full length.

You may want to try calling ground control, they will be able to help you get it dialed in the way you want it and they'll be able to tell you if the parts your putting together will work well. (Since everything looked to be all GC stuff)

[ebox86]

If you are running stock length Koni shocks your can't cut the tubes. If you put IX shocks in they are shorter. This effectively allows you to lower the car before ever making any adjustment to the spring. your going to have to play with ride height man, we cant say, "set it here for stock height". Put it together, set the collar on both sleeves at the same setting and put the car on the ground. you'll probably have to make an adjustment a few times.

yea... thats what i'm thinking, this is something i'm going to have to adjust for the car. Im just trying to learn as much as i can about this before i go and play and make a stupid mistake. Playing with the setup will be the fun part.

Currently both struts are assembled, both sleeves at the same height. Things look good and i can't wait to put them on!

And yea i am running stock length koni's.

thanks for the help!

[IronFreak]

yea i agree, it won't be for long, im sure i will play with it once its on the ground.



Can you elaborate on this a little bit? I like the way your car sits. Have you cut your tubes to get it that height?

I guess I'm just confused on what i need to do, i am certain now that the stock spring perches are fine, its more of a convenience issue with getting to the adjuster, but what is the benefit gained by cutting or shortening the strut tubes?

If you are running stock length Koni shocks your can't cut the tubes. If you put IX shocks in they are shorter. This effectively allows you to lower the car before ever making any adjustment to the spring. your going to have to play with ride height man, we cant say, "set it here for stock height". Put it together, set the collar on both sleeves at the same setting and put the car on the ground. you'll probably have to make an adjustment a few times.

[ebox86]

....and I guarantee you wont run stock ride height when you see the car lowered....

yea i agree, it won't be for long, im sure i will play with it once its on the ground.

If you don't cut your strut tubes you'll probably have to run a longer spring in the back or you'll have some serious reverse rake.

Just for reference, I daily my car at this height. It's almost as tall as the car gets but I don't have to worry about manhole covers or speed bumps... Still drives like a go kart.

Can you elaborate on this a little bit? I like the way your car sits. Have you cut your tubes to get it that height?

I guess I'm just confused on what i need to do, i am certain now that the stock spring perches are fine, its more of a convenience issue with getting to the adjuster, but what is the benefit gained by cutting or shortening the strut tubes?

[Cletonius]

As per your original questions, you don't have to cut anything but it's worth it if you do. Kind of sad your housings are so pretty. :(

Here's what mine looks like on the highest setting. I sectioned one inch from the housing.

I'm guess I'm not looking for stock height permanently, but as this is a daily, and also my first experience with coils, I just want to start at stock height, see where it sits, and then lower it from there to a comfortable position, i just don't want to damage anything like the fender or the tire by lowering it farther than i needed to to start out.

If you don't cut your strut tubes you'll probably have to run a longer spring in the back or you'll have some serious reverse rake.

Just for reference, I daily my car at this height. It's almost as tall as the car gets but I don't have to worry about manhole covers or speed bumps... Still drives like a go kart.

[IronFreak]

Refer to pictures 2 and 3 in this link.....

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=282431

you can cut it down to this point and leave the rest for the sleeve to rest on. it will allow you to adjust without a problem. Just lower you jack slowly, you wont ruin anything....and I guarantee you wont run stock ride height when you see the car lowered....

[ebox86]

Why do you even have coilovers if you want to run stock height?

As far as where to adjust it, set it all the way in one direction, put the car on the ground and see how it sits. If you want it higher/lower, adjust as needed.

I'm guess I'm not looking for stock height permanently, but as this is a daily, and also my first experience with coils, I just want to start at stock height, see where it sits, and then lower it from there to a comfortable position, i just don't want to damage anything like the fender or the tire by lowering it farther than i needed to to start out.

But thank you for the advice, i have the coil perches set almost all the way to the top, with only a couple threads showing. I'll put it on the ground and see where it sits. Lowering it seems pretty easy but i now see why people remove these stock spring perches...

[AndrewBird]

Why do you even have coilovers if you want to run stock height?

As far as where to adjust it, set it all the way in one direction, put the car on the ground and see how it sits. If you want it higher/lower, adjust as needed.

[ebox86]

You add a bit of oil in the strut.
Also you might need to change the strut collar if it rubs against the spring.
I just shaved/cut the collar nut so it would not rub.

Good to know, i will probably shave mine down a hair as well.

Wondering still about the adjustable coil perch, Is there a guide somewhere that shows where to start with these? All i have to go on is the gold adjuster ring which says 'Ground Control <--Down Up-->' not sure where the point of reference to go 'up' or 'down' would be. I am noticing the ones you have shown in your picture are pretty far down there.

Where is stock ride height located on the screw? Is it all the way to the top?

[eLKuRLy]

You add a bit of oil in the strut.
Also you might need to change the strut collar if it rubs against the spring.
I just shaved/cut the collar nut so it would not rub.

[ebox86]

One thing that worries me is that when i put the koni insert in, it was really tight and snug, like really really tight, so tight that i don't think i'll be able to get it out, Has anyone experienced the same thing? Do they losen themselves up with the vibration from being on the road? Or is there a special way that a shop would remove old struts when they're in there pretty good?

Also, does anyone know what stock ride height would look like on the adjuster screw? how many threads from the top should the GC adjuster coil perch sit?

[dirtbag30]

yes just like you have it in the picture.

[trippmann]

the way you have it pictured looks like the proper way. I would wait for someone who has this kit to chime in however.

[ebox86]

ok awesome, thanks!

Which way does the GC adjuster sit on the housing? there is a notch or ring embezeled around the bottom half of the adjuster, does it sit with that notch up or down?