for my Koni shocks. The dude on the phone said I couldn't run a 350 lb/in spring in front because he said it's too light of a spring. WTF? Don't the GC Special Editions for Integras use front spring rate less than 350? I ended up going with 380F/450R.

 

I though the only difference between the special edition and the regular Ground Control's are the sleeves?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 96dc2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I though the only difference between the special edition and the regular Ground Control's are the sleeves?</TD></TR></TABLE>

The difference between the "special editions" and the "regular" GC's is the spring rate, the specials having a softer rate supposedly to give a less harsh ride for street/show use.

Whatever, I got GC's made specifically for Koni shocks, and custom spring rates. I was just wondering why the dude said I "can't" use 350 lb/in springs.

 

Stiff is better Patty!

That sux that he didnt offer the rates to you. I thought you could get any rates you wanted. What gives? Anyone else had this problem?

 

Yeah you're supposed to be able to get whatever spring rate you want. I told the guy I wanted 350 lb/in springs for the front, and he promptly said "you can't use 350 springs in front", I was like WTF I'll do whatever I want to do smart@$$... I didn't say that though cuz I don't have the Hatorade. So I said well fine go w/ 400 in front, and he was like how about 380? I didn't think they made a 380 lb/in spring, but whatever, so I went w/ 380/450.

 

Ha ha, he sold you some overstock 380lb springs!! Don't let them get away with that crap! You have to be firm, and say I want this!

GC always tries to pull that (I 've ordered 4 different sets of springs from them, plus AD shocks, top mounts, etc.). They want to "move" whatever they have plenty of. The 380lb spring is part of the street/regular GC kit they used to have for Talons/Eclipse I believe (for the rear). As long as the length is 7-8" and 2.5" diameter it'll be alright. You did get 2.5" ID didn't you? Did you specify the length?
Anyway, sometimes they have a legitimate point and tell you, you can't use 350lb/in. in the front if you 're going to lower the car 2.5". You 'll bottom out the shocks. G3 Integras are very heavy in the front. You need plenty of shock travel.
When I had my Konis on the GSR with 400lb springs in the front and lowered 2" or more, I was riding on the bumpstops and it affected handling. As soon as I raised the car up to 1.5-1.75", the car would handle much better (in auto-x) and the bumpstops were not touching the shock body (I had cut a 1/3d off of them). The more spring rate you have in the front, the lower you can go without bottoming out, but believe it or not, now with 650lb springs and Advance Design double adj. racing shocks, I still bottom out if I 'm lowered 2.5" or more. At 2-2.25" I 'm fine. So my advice to you is not to lower your car too much with the 380lb springs if you race or auto-x.

 

I dunno man, I'm lowered 3" right now on H&R Sport springs and Konis and the front doesn't bottom out that I know of. I do know that the upper control arms have not hit the shock towers, as I don't have any dents in them like some people with slammed rides have.

I'm pretty sure they would have to be 2.5" springs as 2.25" probably would not fit the Koni sleeves.

 

true, I overlooked the Konis.. If you 're really lowered 3", you 're definitely riding on the bumpstops because H&R Sports have low spring rates, only 276lbs/in.. unless you had them cut at least in half. Even '88-91 Civics that are much lighter bottom out with a drop at 2.5"+ and many people I race with, have broken their Konis because of that. Again this is under racing conditions, not sure about street driving.

 

i've had this setup (SE GC on Koni Ys) since the begining of time and i've never had any problems or have ever had to comprimise.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by VTEConly &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">true, I overlooked the Konis.. If you 're really lowered 3", you 're definitely riding on the bumpstops because H&R Sports have low spring rates, only 276lbs/in.. unless you had them cut at least in half. Even '88-91 Civics that are much lighter bottom out with a drop at 2.5"+ and many people I race with, have broken their Konis because of that. Again this is under racing conditions, not sure about street driving. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I've had this suspension for 2.5 years now, shocks are fine I'm almost sure. I took them apart back in October to trim the bumpstops, and the front ones were fine, but the rear ones had disintegrated into poweder. So I cut the front ones in half and put the cut pieces on the rear, just so I would have something back there.

Now that these GC's are coming in, I really need to get some polyurethane bumpstops from somewhere. ES has a bunch of different kinds, but I dunno which one I should get.