Ground Control Complete Kit Install and Initial Thoughts
 

Installed the Ground Control complete kit on my BRZ tonight. I figured I'd take some pictures while I worked.

http://s13.postimage.org/47ij0f1uv/GCs.jpg

I ordered these through Adam at GC (he's on the board) and it was super easy, I also got the new beefier sway bar end links. The shocks are Koni Sport SAs and the springs are 435/375.

This isn't a DIY there are already several good ones in the DIY section, anyway on to the obligatory before picture.

http://imageshack.us/a/img521/4053/img0127hk.jpg

Step 1...turn on the heat...concrete gets cold.

http://imageshack.us/a/img7/5807/img0130we.jpg

Got the car up in the air, and ready to begin.

http://imageshack.us/a/img594/2213/img0131gu.jpg

The fronts came off really easy. The only tricky part was the damn little clips holding the sensor lines on. I had to go slow to make sure I didn't break them.

http://imageshack.us/a/img502/659/img0132vd.jpg

Front installed, Victory!

http://imageshack.us/a/img831/3046/img0134cqi.jpg

The rears were a bit more tricky imo. I guess I could have totally unbolted the LCA and made it easier, but this way there was one less bolt to undo.

http://imageshack.us/a/img6/1983/img0135lw.jpg

Beefier sway bar links on rear, and front. Rear ones were easier to just uninstall the bar and reinstall it.

http://imageshack.us/a/img534/6341/img0136tj.jpg

A little bit later, rears on!

http://imageshack.us/a/img24/8664/img0138p.jpg

The strut brace and top mount camber plates.

http://imageshack.us/a/img189/4584/img0140lc.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img694/2696/img0141huq.jpg

All done, woot!

I drove around the neighborhood and I came ohhhhh so close on getting the ride height right on the first try. A little too low though for my tastes.

http://imageshack.us/a/img685/7091/img0142ruf.jpg

I readjusted and I think I got it now. Either way it is getting corner balanced tomorrow and aligned so I am sure some more slight changes will be made.

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BBA2uYBCAAAetYE.jpg

Now I just need my wheels and tires to show up (17x9 RPF1s and 245 Dunlop ZIIs) and Im ready for AutoX season.


First Impressions are great. The car really does not feel that much different than stock under normal driving. You don't really notice the stiffer spring rates, however, you can really tell a difference when you start taking turns and shifting weight. I didn't push too hard because I am not sure where the alignment ended up and I don't want to do something stupid. After the alignment tomorrow I'll be able to push it a bit harder, well as much as I can on the crappy OEM tires.

How did you get the car back on the ground with it being that low?

I use a low profile aluminum jack. It only needs a couple inches clearance.

Height looks perfect now it is slammed in the first pic! How hard are they to adjust the height on?

Super easy once you jack the wheel up you want to adjust first. With some age and grime you'll probably need the spanner wrench but now you can loosen the collar and adjust it by hand. I measured from ground to fender first, then jacked up the corner and raised the collar that much (measured with a caliper). I don't know if it is planned that way, but it seems each full 360deg turn of the collar was 1/8" of adjustment.

Hownmuch did it cost ?
Look for coils (:

What spring rate did you end up going with? How long after you ordered, did it take for you to get them? I have another track day in 3 weeks, and was hoping to have a set before then.

EDIT: I just noticed you specified the rates (375 front / 435 rear). Now I'm just curious to see how long it took for you to get them. Thanks!

Cost is here on their site http://www.ground-control-store.com/...ion.php?II=925


I actually ordered mine on a Friday, they shipped Saturday and I had them (in Kentucky) the next Friday. I didn't really do anything custom with the colors though it was all off the shelf.

Thanks - that's what I was hoping to hear.

How does it feel while casually driving (not aggressive or on the track)? I want to make sure it's not overly harsh for daily driving, but still capable on the track. Is it noticeably more harsh, about the same, or less harsh then stock?

It really feels like the stock ride. It is not overly bumpy or harsh at all. You feel sharp bumps a little more (like uneven pavement or potholes) but I think that could be dialed out with the shock settings if you wanted too. Just driving around town and on the highway it is not even noticeably different than the stock ride, that is with the oem squishy tires though. That could change with a good stiff sidewalled tire.

Hey Eric,

Did you get the alignment? Any new feedback on the ride, handling, etc??

I did

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...97450786_n.jpg

The alignment wasn't too far off after the install, only the toe up front needed decent adjusting.

Ride is still great, handles like a dream. You can really notice a difference on turn in, and powering out of turns. It really plants and goes.

The only downside I see, which is not with the GCs, but the car itself, is the lack of camber adjustment in the rear. I didn't put on LCAs so the rear is sitting at -2.4deg camber and that is where it will be. Adjustable LCAs could dial that more positive, or the shop even mentioned just slotting the holes for slight adjustment. The car is at -1.5deg from the factory so I am not too worried about -2.4 on my tire wear. But if it does become an issue there are plenty of options for fixes out there.

I could get a ton of negative up front if I wanted with the adjustable camber plates, but didn't go crazy since I still like to drive the car outside of to and from AutoX.

Thank you for the NON DIY write up Eric, I'm glad everything went as planned and GC is looking forward to hearing about your future AutoX victories.

Adam

I am excited to get mine too. Just waiting to hear they are ready :thumbsup: