Ground Control Coilovers - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

RYS13 · 11-08-2006, 07:54 AM

They're the type of coilovers that have the threaded collar on the springs that allows for ride-height adjustment but doesn't come with the shocks. They'd be a cheap alternative for those that want ride-height adjustability but not enough $$ to buy a real coilover setup. I've seen them for sale on some sites but I've never heard anyone in Zilvia mention them so I'm wondering if they even make a set for the 240.

If they do, anybody have any experience with them?

inertiaticism · 11-08-2006, 08:06 AM

Ground Controls on Koni DAs are the de facto performance suspension setup on thousands of autocross and track cars. They're a totally different animal than the ebay coarse threaded high-low sleeves with mystery rate Chinese springs.

They work really well, but the height adjustment is within a pretty small window, and they won't offer the adjustability of threaded body, preload adjusstable coilovers and you'd need aftermarket camber plates to even come close to it.
I loved them on my VWs, but with the huge selection of really nice coilovers available for S-cars, it would be a better investment to save up for some used name brand threaded body coilovers. I'm doing that atm and it sucks, but it will be worth it when I get a better product.

RYS13 · 11-08-2006, 08:30 AM

Much appreciated. Thanks.

*AceInHole* · 11-08-2006, 11:13 AM

Well, if you ran GC's on a threaded body 28-series Koni, you'd have all the preload/ shock travel adjustment you'd need. :P
Actually, I'm still looking into cheaping out by getting Stance or Silkroad 3-ways, but it's hard to justify the price vs. settling for what might be a sub-par damper that I won't be able to revalve as easily (or reliably, as I'd be pretty much in the dark in finding an initial tune). There's that whole "try something new" thing, but Koni's are guaranteed to work (which is why they end up on winning cars).

At the street use level, I wouldn't bother with Ground Controls. If you neglect them at all you'll end up with seized collars pretty easily, and to use them effectively you'll end up spending more on finding shocks for them + custom mounts. You'd probably be getting a better deal using any cheap "full coilover".

11-08-2006, 07:54 AM	#1
RYS13 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Earth Age: 45 Posts: 31 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Ground Control Coilovers They're the type of coilovers that have the threaded collar on the springs that allows for ride-height adjustment but doesn't come with the shocks. They'd be a cheap alternative for those that want ride-height adjustability but not enough $$ to buy a real coilover setup. I've seen them for sale on some sites but I've never heard anyone in Zilvia mention them so I'm wondering if they even make a set for the 240. If they do, anybody have any experience with them?

11-08-2006, 11:13 AM	#4
AceInHole Autox Technician Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: New Haven, CT Age: 44 Posts: 3,961 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: AceInHole Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well, if you ran GC's on a threaded body 28-series Koni, you'd have all the preload/ shock travel adjustment you'd need. :P Actually, I'm still looking into cheaping out by getting Stance or Silkroad 3-ways, but it's hard to justify the price vs. settling for what might be a sub-par damper that I won't be able to revalve as easily (or reliably, as I'd be pretty much in the dark in finding an initial tune). There's that whole "try something new" thing, but Koni's are guaranteed to work (which is why they end up on winning cars). At the street use level, I wouldn't bother with Ground Controls. If you neglect them at all you'll end up with seized collars pretty easily, and to use them effectively you'll end up spending more on finding shocks for them + custom mounts. You'd probably be getting a better deal using any cheap "full coilover". __________________

11-08-2006, 08:06 AM	#2
inertiaticism Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Age: 41 Posts: 320 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Ground Controls on Koni DAs are the de facto performance suspension setup on thousands of autocross and track cars. They're a totally different animal than the ebay coarse threaded high-low sleeves with mystery rate Chinese springs. They work really well, but the height adjustment is within a pretty small window, and they won't offer the adjustability of threaded body, preload adjusstable coilovers and you'd need aftermarket camber plates to even come close to it. I loved them on my VWs, but with the huge selection of really nice coilovers available for S-cars, it would be a better investment to save up for some used name brand threaded body coilovers. I'm doing that atm and it sucks, but it will be worth it when I get a better product.

11-08-2006, 08:30 AM	#3
RYS13 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Earth Age: 45 Posts: 31 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Much appreciated. Thanks.