Ground Control ?s

[RCWells]

I have a few questions regarding Ground Control suspension. What exactly are you referring to? The GC website is not very clear, specific as to what they offer. When you speak of GC are you referring to a complete coilover conversion? Or are the springs available separately? Are all GC springs linear rate? Where did you guys that run GC purchase your setup? Thanks, Bobby

[rwh11385]

They are a adjustable height spring perch system (not technically a real coilover system - rear is different). Anyway, you order the springs (which they help you choose out) and the perches, and shocks of your choice.

I think most people look at $1500. But I dunno. Around there I'd say.

There are several members who have them. Maybe someone who purchased theirs could fill in more.

Who all has GC? Me, Stu, e30evolution, Andre (had), Chris (808), rayz, aaron_silva, Brew, Beej '86 325es, Rosica (had), Bryson, that makes 10? Plus Jay (Mystikal) just ordered them.....Bill 84 318i, and maybe a few others.......

[Bryson]

you can buy springs or perches alone, AFAIK all springs for the e30 are linear. I ordered mine through GC on the phone... I got the correct parts the first time, too :)

[rwh11385]

Was that a jab at me? HA. Don't blame me for my previous owner's ghetto slammed rear......
At least he bling'ed me out with Aluminum control arms..... 8)

p.s. Left front strut is leaking a little. Anyone have word on advance design shocks?

Bobby, I think we all purchased the system directly from GC, AFAIK. Springs could be bought seperately, and potentially cheaper, but you'd have to get the numbers from GC.

[Z3Jonathan]

Was that a jab at me? HA. Don't blame me for my previous owner's ghetto slammed rear......
At least he bling'ed me out with Aluminum control arms..... 8)

p.s. Left front strut is leaking a little. Anyone have word on advance design shocks?

Bobby, I think we all purchased the system directly from GC, AFAIK. Springs could be bought seperately, and potentially cheaper, but you'd have to get the numbers from GC.

What type of shock do you have on there now? Bilstien? Koni? Have you checked into the warranty?

IMO, Advance Design shocks are certainly nice, but seem more orienteted towards the track.

[rayz]

400 bucks for the GC coil over sleeve system. its not a TRUE coil-over. and it does not include shocks. although they do offer a true coilover for the front. thats the one that costs alot. I ordered directly from GC. I told them my driving style, and what my intentions were, and they set me up with a set.

[rwh11385]

Koni SAs. No paperwork at all on the suspension. I might sell the rest or something to try to get 4 externally adjustable, right now only the fronts are.

[808BMW]

Koni SAs. No paperwork at all on the suspension. I might sell the rest or something to try to get 4 externally adjustable, right now only the fronts are.

Having all 4 externally adjustable is the shiznit. I waited for like a month for the external ones to be in stock, i didn't want the older ones.

[Z3Jonathan]

Koni SAs. No paperwork at all on the suspension. I might sell the rest or something to try to get 4 externally adjustable, right now only the fronts are.

GC offers externally adjustable rear Konis... accessible thru the trunk. AD shocks are double adjustable, but if you're just starting out on the track, that's one more adjustmant for a newb to try and figure out, and one more adjustment that can go wrong, IMO. Besides, you'll spending quite a few of your first track days trying to fix that loose nut behind the wheel before you ever really start worrying about playing with suspension! :)

[Rosica]

$1450 will get you the complete kit, External Koni SA's, Coil Overs, Front Camber Plates, Rear Shock Mounts, and Bump stops. Four years ago I paid more than that for the kit with regular koni's and no bump stops. With that kit your are well on your way to a great street/track suspension, but you'll still need $500+ for bushings/C-arms/Strut-Bar, etc, $1000+ for a good wheel/tire setup, and $3-500 for sway bars if you so desire.

P.S. Dont trust GC for choosing spring rates, trust members of this board.

[Brew]

I would also recommend asking for the taller rear spring when you order them. The one that comes in the e30 package is too short and tucks the rear tire with the perches in the highest position. I ended making my own, thicker, spring pads for the rear instead of buying the taller springs. It works fine, but obviously the taller spring is a better solution.

[rwh11385]

Koni SAs. No paperwork at all on the suspension. I might sell the rest or something to try to get 4 externally adjustable, right now only the fronts are.

GC offers externally adjustable rear Konis... accessible thru the trunk. AD shocks are double adjustable, but if you're just starting out on the track, that's one more adjustmant for a newb to try and figure out, and one more adjustment that can go wrong, IMO. Besides, you'll spending quite a few of your first track days trying to fix that loose nut behind the wheel before you ever really start worrying about playing with suspension! :)

My rears are SA, but the type you need to remove them, and compress to adjust. It's just something to think about.

As far as track days......will have to wait until I can replace the rear subframe bushings to get out there. I think I could live with a leaky shock for while, during which I save. I'd talk enough time to tune camber front and rear. :twisted: And height. :) But yeah, eventually will probably have either the new type Konis, or spring for AD's. Subframe comes out this summer.....we can see how long the leaky shock can last.

Brew, you are so right. A taller rear spring makes a world of difference. 6in is great.....much better than 5in.

[Bryson]

I have the 5 inch rear springs and my car sits too high :( I guess 318ises really are a lot lighter...
I'm barely tucking in the rear and only have 3/4" to go down

[Beej '86 325es]

As for the rear springs:
I've run 3 different sets in the rear.
450/5", these are way too soft for roads with potholes, they didn't last long before they broke my trailing arms from spring bind.
600/5", these held the weight of the rear a lot better, but the car was still very low in the rear with the adjusters all the way up (see sig picture...but note my car has the higher arches). These springs are way too stiff to use with Bilsteins, it's very bouncy.
Now I have 500/6" 2.5" ID (instead of a 2.25" ID). With my H&R perches all the way down it sits about 1" higher in the rear than in my sig. I like the look though and it works better with the shocks I have.

For a true coilover in the rear, you have to have a welded in roll cage that mounts to the rear shock towers. I talked to a guy that ran Leda coilovers all around and ran the car on the track without a cage with no problems. I looked into the Ledas and they are about comparable prices to the Ground-Control true coilover setup.[/b]

[nando]

My rears are SA, but the type you need to remove them, and compress to adjust. It's just something to think about.

actually, you don't have to remove them if you can get the bump stops out easily. mine fall out when I raise the car, then it's just a matter of rolling the rear up on a pair of ramps, taking off the 19mm trailing arm bolts, compressing them and adjusting them. You might be able to get away with just taking the bump stops out completely, then you wouldn't have to worry about that step.