Ground Control faq/video/picture/ideas thread

[GC86]

Ground Control Suspension Systems, also know as "GC" has been building a lot of parts for the FT-86 / BRZ / FR-S.

I wanted to start a thread, and hopefully we will be posting answers from the most frequently asked questions, from the phone, from forums and from Facebook.

Actually, we probably can't answer THE most common question "What spring rate should I get?". This would be like asking somebody what color your car should be. We just finalize spring rates after personal communication, like picking out the paint of your car AFTER you see the colors.

I am attaching one of our prototype videos, a work in progress, but pretty cool and 100% FT86 content.



[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Me6EiSG1_k&list=FLNkhTfxMuIUu5EBdg9etUhg& feature=mh_lolz"]FT86 prototype video.wmv - YouTube[/ame]



A few guys will be posting in this thread, but my name is Jay and I am the guy who tests everything.

[wparsons]

Not really on topic, but want to trade jobs Jay?

Looks like a solid product, it's on my list if I go with coilovers over just springs.

[gmookher]

Can't wait to see mine custom painted and blue anno...

[wootwoot]

1. Does the system allow you to return to stock ride height?
2. How much did you lower the car in the video above? It looks like it doesn't have a lot of travel but it's hard for me to tell.
3. Does your system maintain the same travel as the car is lowered? Or do you lose travel as you lower the car?

Cheers.

[JDMenrique]

I've been waiting for you guys!

[7thgear]

I'm still waiting for someone to make a high-end, height adjustable shock body that works with OEM springs.

I think that Ground Control is in the best position to create something to work with the OEM dampers in conjunction with Inserts.

All the autocross guys will shit over this, remain in stock class while getting the ability to corner balance your car, NOM NOM NOM.


in the case of the BRZ/FRS You can perhaps make a sleeve kit for the REAR shocks to work in conjunction with OEM springs, that way at least there will be some adjustment in the rear so you can play around with cross weights, since it's a straight dampers with no strut element (hence no directional limitations) I think it would be relatively easy to just create the right cup.

[GC86]

Originally Posted by wootwoot

1. Does the system allow you to return to stock ride height?
2. How much did you lower the car in the video above? It looks like it doesn't have a lot of travel but it's hard for me to tell.
3. Does your system maintain the same travel as the car is lowered? Or do you lose travel as you lower the car?

Cheers.

Thanks! These are PERFECT questions.

What makes a perfect question?

You have asked things, that just seem second nature from being around it all the time, so we would easily overlook how fundamental and basic your questions are.

An important question is one that we would have overlooked.

GC is closed today, but I will call some of the guys and try to answer you tonght or tomorrow. I know the answers, but I want to give you the --exact--answers.

[jma]

How difficult is it to remove the front spring seat?
Planning to get your kit, had it on a Miata, it was great.

[dabocx]

If i order later on can i get it in blue still?

[xwd]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

I'm still waiting for someone to make a high-end, height adjustable shock body that works with OEM springs.

I think that Ground Control is in the best position to create something to work with the OEM dampers in conjunction with Inserts.

All the autocross guys will shit over this, remain in stock class while getting the ability to corner balance your car, NOM NOM NOM.

in the case of the BRZ/FRS You can perhaps make a sleeve kit for the REAR shocks to work in conjunction with OEM springs, that way at least there will be some adjustment in the rear so you can play around with cross weights, since it's a straight dampers with no strut element (hence no directional limitations) I think it would be relatively easy to just create the right cup.

You can't change ride height in stock class.

In stock class the lower perch has to be in the same relative position as a stock strut/shock assembly. It's checked by measuring from the mounting holes on the strut/shock to the upper part of the lower spring perch. So if you made the strut body shorter/longer you'd have to move the perch to compensate.

The only way I've seen guys lower ride height in stock is use degassed shocks (some Konis come that way) which can impact the ride height maybe 1/2".

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by dwx

You can't change ride height in stock class.

In stock class the lower perch has to be in the same relative position as a stock strut/shock assembly.

link? was not aware.

[GC_Adam]

Originally Posted by jma

How difficult is it to remove the front spring seat?
Planning to get your kit, had it on a Miata, it was great.

jma, The rear spring seat is just pressed on. A couple lite whacks with a rubber/dead mallet and the lower spring seat falls off. The front spring seat stays attached to the factory strut. Our threaded tube then sits on the perch.

[GC86]

Originally Posted by wootwoot

1. Does the system allow you to return to stock ride height?

There are basically four kits for this car. Race, street, show and stock conversion.

The street kit is designed to always be able to put the car back up to stock height, as is the coilover conversion for the stock struts.

The race kit, not usually, depends on the spring rates. (because different rates will sag different amounts)

The show kit is designed for people who never want to go back up to stock height.

Originally Posted by wootwoot

2. How much did you lower the car in the video above?

In the video, that car is about 55mm lower than stock.

Originally Posted by wootwoot

It looks like it doesn't have a lot of travel but it's hard for me to tell.

In the video, that is the same travel as a STOCK BRZ. I will put the video of stock suspension up soon.

Originally Posted by wootwoot

3. Does your system maintain the same travel as the car is lowered?

Tricky question. We don't use a generic threaded strut, so the travel is designed for each car.

The answer is No, and the reason is that we are trying to have the suspension bottom out before the tires. Conversely, the kit DOES add travel as you raise the car, which telescopic struts cannot do. This gives the best ride in the most settings.

Originally Posted by wootwoot

Or do you lose travel as you lower the car?

You must lose travel as you lower the car. If not, two things will happen: the tires will hit (albeit very rare on FT86) or the suspension will be too soft until whatever bit stops moving over a bump, which gives a bad ride.

This would be like jumping off a building, landing on a giant soft pillow, and then the pillow is so soft you hit the pavement.

[GC86]

Originally Posted by dabocx

If i order later on can i get it in blue still?

Yes, in the next batch. Usually once a month or so, or you can have your own batch. Lots of people do that. Green, pink, black, orange, we have done all kinds of colors