1991EX

I am posting this here hoping for a little help.

I just recieved my koni/ground control set up, and I also ordered new factory spring seat rubber for the inside of the factory top hats. I need to know if I use the new top hat rubber with this set up. The GC's came with a rubber upper spring perch piece, but it is not the same diameter as the factory top hat. It appears to be more of a bushing for the spring.

I have used koni's before with other lowering springs (91 and 96 EX accords), but this is my first time with the GC set-up.

If anyone has installed the Koni/GC set up on a 98-02 accord (or similar) using the original top hats, can you please advise?

Thanks!

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Use the "bushing" that came with the Ground Controls.

1991EX

Thanksfor the reply. The instructions are minimal. Just to be sure I get it.... Discard the stock rubber and use only the ones that came with the GC springs?

I have googled and searched and cannot find any instructions for an accord and factory spring mounts.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

That's what I'm saying. If you were supposed to use the stock "hardware" they wouldn't have included replacements.

1991EX

Installed the front set (rear shocks are backorder). After taking everything apart and doing trial fits, it appears that the upper spring rubber that came with the GC's fits perfectly with the factory rubber installed inside the factory upper shock/spring mount (top hat).

i apologize for not taking pics, but it appears there are no "aftermarket" top hats for the accord so I had to use the factory ones. I am not slamming the car so I really do not need extended top hats. Using the factory top hat and rubber piece along with the GC spring and rubber supplied everything fit together flush and tight (I ordered new factory rubber inserts). There is a lip on the front GC rubber (top of spring) that fits inside the hole for the factory top hat rubber (and around the shock mount hole)and also inside the spring itself. It makes for a really tight fit with very little chance of movement/making noise.

I am not sure yet how the rear GC set up will work yet with factory top hats, but will find out soon.

Also found out that setting the spring perch to the lowest setting during installation makes things really easy. After searching the web quite a bit, there seems to be some very good write up's on koni/GC installations for the civic's, but not so much for the accord.

Hope this helps.

1991EX

So after installing the rear Koni/GC kit I took a 2 hour road trip and the ride seemed a little stiff. Fronts are 430 and rears are 300. I know this is not as stiff as a lot of you are running, and maybe it is just the initial ride change from stock. This is my first Koni/GC set-up as my previous 2 were koni/H&R.

Question........ I called GC about a softer spring rate if I decide to go that route. I was advised to stiffen the rebound on the koni's by 1 full turn to see if that would help (I initially had them on full soft). How does stiffening the rebound on the shock soften the ride? Is it due to spring rate? So far it seemed to help a little (time will tell), but just trying to learn more about suspension dynamics as well


So far I have the following review;

Pro's -

- coilover sleeve adjustment for different ride hieght
- custom spring rates (I may be ordering softer ones)
- ease of installation due to collar adjustment
- very clean looking set-up and quality built

Con's -

- It seems that the GC is stiffer during normal driving due to the GC spring being linear and the H&R springs being progressive

- I am not crazy about the spring becoming loose when jacking up the car. It is necessary to ensure the spring is positioned properly before letting the car back down. Painful process when using a lift

- The top of the spring does not fit tightly in the factory (metal) top hats, especially the rear. It can actually shift off center a little. For my accord, the GC urethane top hats are different from front to back. The fronts fit tighter and are thicker, so I am getting another set of front urethane top-hat isolators to use on the rear (15 bucks a piece).

All in all it is a great set-up. Just have to ask...... how are some of you riding around with 600 to 1,000 pound spring rates on a DD? Arent your fillings falling out? Maybe I am showing my age or just do not have it tuned properly yet. Any freindly advice will be appreciated. I know that raising the car will not provide any relief as the spring/dampener rate on the koni/GC set up remains the same.

It handles like its on a rail, feels great driving, no noise or clunking, just a little stiff for my old bones.....

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Loose springs? Get a set of tender/helper springs if it concerns you. Otherwise it isn't an issue.
Ride too harsh? Get softer rates. Something in the 350ish fonts and 250ish rear ranges.