coil overs or springs?

[TokyoNights]

Hey I got a 97 240 and i wanted to know if anyone on here has the ground control coil overs and what shocks youre using. Is this a good kit or should i just buy springs like the eibach sportlines? Ill propably go with tokico struts. How low can you go with the ground controls and how do they ride compared to springs??

[TokyoNights]

how about these dropzone springs or cheap coilovers on e-bay?

[CrispMofo]

say nooooooo to drop zone.
weak and bouncy shiet.
someone will eventually tell you to use the red search button on this board.
use the search to find out more about ground control kits and etc,.
good luck

[HaLo]

I have Ground Control with custom springs: (425lbs /_375lbs 8" instead of 7" spring) and I love them... Very comfy with KYB AGX... :)

[h3x11]

Originally posted by mikespeed
how about these dropzone springs or cheap coilovers on e-bay?

dropzone will sags on you! don't go cheap on upgrades.

[TokyoNights]

thanks...I figured the dropzones were shiet you get what you pay for i guess.. HALO how low can you set the ground controls? 3in?

[HaLo]

I don't know. I haven't tried and I'm not into low-riding.

[nokeone]

Originally posted by mikespeed
thanks...I figured the dropzones were shiet you get what you pay for i guess.. HALO how low can you set the ground controls? 3in?

yeah they are usually adjustable to 3"...but it's really more an issue of what your shocks and struts can handle...not to mention the preload on the spring..:)

[HaLo]

The thing with Ground controls that make them "better" than other sleeved coilovers is that when you buy them from Ground-Control, you choose your spring rate. :)

[Eyescream]

Most people shouldn't really have that much control over things like that. When a lot of people that I've spoken to about cars see "coilovers" they think "hey, i can make my car REAL low without paying a lot of money for things like airbags or hydraulics, but it's better than just cutting my springs".

I suspect that mike's concern is more with lowering his stance than cornerweighting and things like that.

[rps13sh]

Originally posted by HaLo
I don't know. I haven't tried and I'm not into low-riding.

you have a hicas? did you disable it?

[rps13sh]

i just got my ground controls with recommended spring rates and koni yellows which ill be installing this weekend (saturday) ill let you know how it feels when im done. =)

[HaLo]

REcommended spring rate is garbage for rear: 250lbs

and the worst part of the rear springs is that they are too short. the highest setting makes it look like a 1.5" drop... which is a lot on the rear. 1" in enough to me in the rear.

I did not disable the hicas and I don't see why I should. I like it and i'm not into drifting.

[TokyoNights]

eyescream youre right i just wanna lower stance(for looks not autocrossing) so instead of spending $230 on springs i was thinking about the coil overs since their only a couple hundred more and i could set them exactly how low i want it...(not 3in by the way) I wanted to find out if it was gonna ride like a tank with them or not:D rps let me know your opinion when you get them in..HALO how did you deal with the camber issues and what are better spring rates for the street:confused:

[HaLo]

For street, the recommended setup is ok...

as for camber issues, I'm not dealing with it, for the moment. I don't mind having a bit of negative camber..

[rps13sh]

well they asked if i wanted a specific spring rate but i didnt know what i needed so i just got recommended. yea i love my hicas but i think im gonna have to disable it cause im trying to get into the drift scene. :boink:

[Eyescream]

I *highly* recommend you get new shocks if you get coilovers, mike.

Out of curiousity, rps13sh, what rates front and rear did ground control recommend for what you were gonna do with the car?

I can't decide what a good spring rate would be, and I'm not sure i'm happy with my suspension techniques and want something stiffer.

[HaLo]

Ground Control offers 425/250 lbs springs, which, imo, is too soft for the rear. Also, their rear spring is too short and it takes out the 'adjustment' feature Ground Control offers. I suggest you get a 8" long, 2.5" diameter 350 or 375 lbs spring for the rear. The car is more neutral that way.

[FRpilot]

ground controls are decent coilovers.

if all you want to do is drop your ride, just get springs and shocks. but for the price, you might as well splurge and pay a few hundred dollars and get some coilovers. well, that's my opinion.

coilovers offer stiffer rates and adjustability. most spring kits are just lower and dont offer as stiff rates.

i would go with coilovers if you plan to go tracking. they are adjustable which is a plus.

[Muzzy]

tein S.Tech!!!!!!
delicious!!:drool:
i love them:boink:
nice and stiff!!:wackit:
well i like them...they feel real good
not bouncy
i can definately feel a difference in cornering...less Gs...feels like it to me anyway...but i also have nismo bushings(hard) so that may also contribute to the nice ride

[TokyoNights]

I decided to get the eibach sportlines with some kyb's or tokico's..people at work told me the coilovers kinda suck... thanks for the help tho

[Muzzy]

they suk??
u cant be talkin about real coil overs are u??
like the ones that cost a $G???

[TokyoNights]

no no all the ones under 500 they said

[Muzzy]

ooohh ok..i was gonna saw

[rps13sh]

Originally posted by mikespeed
no no all the ones under 500 they said


most coilovers are under $500. add the shocks and it goes over $1000

[stealthj]

i know someone who used to ride the ground controls with H&R shocks, said it rode REALLY WELL...

[HaLo]

My Ground Controls with AGX are very good... Better than a shock+spring setup..

[Replicant_S14]

Originally posted by HaLo
I have Ground Control with custom springs: (425lbs /_375lbs 8" instead of 7" spring) and I love them... Very comfy with KYB AGX... :)


hey, just curious, how did you come up with those figures when you ordered your springs? I've got my set-up coming along and I'm placing well in auto-x, I'd just like to be a little more scientific about picking parts.

[240racer]

If you want you can use mass/damper frequencies to figure out what springs you should run. This: http://www.240sx.org/links/installs/coilover/coilover/definition.html

and the spring selection page (next one) will tell you everything you need to do. I have made up a spreadsheet on excell that has all the spring rates I can find and their equivilent ride frequency. Most of the aftermarket stuff is close to 2hz. The Tein HA's are 2.13f/2.02r and the pro-kits are about (cause they are progressive) 1.53f/1.40r. Having a little lower frequency in the rear helps with traction a little bit. If you are running an aftermarket bar in the back, then you are already probably having problems with rear wheel traction out of the corners. so if you raise the rear spring stiffness, that reduces the effectivness of the rear bar and gives you more traction. It's all a balance point, but for the 240, I would stick really close to 2hz for performance street and closer to 2.5hz for racing. Oh yeah, stock is 1.23f/1.28r All these were calculated useing 728lbs/corner on the front and 672lbs/corner on the rear.

email me at nord0306 at umn.edu if you want a copy of the spreadsheet

[rps13sh]

Originally posted by HaLo
My Ground Controls with AGX are very good... Better than a shock+spring setup..

whats the difference between a LE and SE?

[rps13sh]

Originally posted by Eyescream
I *highly* recommend you get new shocks if you get coilovers, mike.

Out of curiousity, rps13sh, what rates front and rear did ground control recommend for what you were gonna do with the car?

I can't decide what a good spring rate would be, and I'm not sure i'm happy with my suspension techniques and want something stiffer.

this is what they sent me =

F - 125.64.75
R - 180.64.44

[Replicant_S14]

Originally posted by 240racer
If you want you can use mass/damper frequencies to figure out what springs you should run. This: http://www.240sx.org/links/installs/coilover/coilover/definition.html



Thanks. Sweet. I'm gonna have a geek-out on that info at the shop tomorrow. You gotz mail.