Ground Control Complete coilovers vs RCE Tarmac T2

[knipple]

What are the differences between the Ground Control Complete Coilovers and the RaceComp Engineering (RCE) Tarmac T2 coilovers?

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by knipple

What are the differences between the Ground Control Complete Coilovers and the RaceComp Engineering (RCE) Tarmac T2 coilovers?

Differences? ..The RCE's are better.

Stock length shock bodied Konis don't sound appealing to me (I want more travel..not lose travel after lowering). Also read Koni have a problem with leaking from multiple users. Lastly, read that GC coilover sleeves don't ride so great. Also, read there is problem with max lowering range. Just read too many problems with Koni and GC to even want to deal with it or try them.

Mechanically...completely diff than each other. T2 are compression and rebound double adjustable, a true coilover, doesn't come with upper mounts, motorsports oriented/focused. GC is single adjustable, stock length stroke/travel/shock body, a koni shock with an integrated GC coilover sleeve (not really a true coilover), comes with upper mounts and strut bar.

[wootwoot]

Wow.... So much misinformation I am not sure where to start....

GC uses custom valved koni's for each build. They are built by koni to GC's specifications. The fronts offer an additional inch of travel as they are not stock length. The rears are stock length, but additional travel can be gained by purchasing their rear mounts. They can also be purchased without the camber plates and truss bar. The standard package is rebound adjustable only, but you can upgrade to double adjustable if you like. GC makes each set to order according to your specifications. This way you don't get an over the shelf generic unit but rather a system set up from the factory to your needs.

Not saying one is better than the other. Just clearing up some of the information....

[fooddude]

I didnt really, nor meant, to misinform..I just forgot to mention the front design does add travel over stock design; but from the top plates from what I know (I did not know they too used a shorter body damper like other coilovers...I just always thought they gained travel from the top mounts only). Also forgot to mention they are custom valved. Sorry.

What I said about leaking, harsh ride and doesn't have a big/low ride height range (on the sleeve-only reviews; not the entire kit) isn't misinformation..do a search and you will read the same things from other threads.

Me saying that the RCE's are better was just my opinion and me being bias and a bit arrogant, lol.

[wootwoot]

I have never seen a GC strut leak. I have seen off the shelf koni's leak. I have also never seen a GC strut snap. I have seen off the shelf koni's snap.... Again, GC =\= off the shelf koni.

[knipple]

Does anyone have any information pertaining to this question?

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by knipple

What are the differences between the Ground Control Complete Coilovers and the RaceComp Engineering (RCE) Tarmac T2 coilovers?

GC = Inserts valved to spring specification with threaded bodies to allow you to adjust height.

RCE = revalved KW V3.

Just different methods of packaging a coilover kit. In pretty much most things in tuning, you get what you pay for.

[sprintamx]

Originally Posted by CSG David

GC = Inserts valved to spring specification with threaded bodies to allow you to adjust height.

RCE = revalved KW V3.

Just different methods of packaging a coilover kit. In pretty much most things in tuning, you get what you pay for.

Is that a comment on GC or Koni?

[Racecomp Engineering]

I don't think I have anything bad to say about GC.

Only thing I'll say is that it looks like you can only get double adjustable fronts in that kit, and the rears will be singles (I could be wrong). That and it doesn't look like they come with helper springs or dustboots.

But I generally like Koni shocks and run them on my own personal car.

- Andy

[Wepeel]

I *think* adjusting the rebound on the rears of the GC Konis requires removing the shock, or at least unbolting it, and twisting it. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

[wootwoot]

Originally Posted by Wepeel

I *think* adjusting the rebound on the rears of the GC Konis requires removing the shock, or at least unbolting it, and twisting it. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

No. Adjusts at the top. Remove carpet in trunk and turn from there.

[sprintamx]

Originally Posted by Wepeel

I *think* adjusting the rebound on the rears of the GC Konis requires removing the shock, or at least unbolting it, and twisting it. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Adjustment of the rears requires turning the rod while holding a locking button under a cover plate at the top of the body. That pretty much requires the shock to at least be unbolted at the top, though it will be a two-person job if left mounted to the LCA. Awkward and inconvenient to say the least.

The explanation I have heard for this setup is that the overall length of the insert is shortened to fit the BRZ dimensions and is "too" short to allow for a more standard adjustment fitting at the top of the rod; which the fronts do have. I'm no engineer, so take that for what ever it may be worth. I have the GC Koni package, but don't know if every Koni rear adjustable insert will have the same adjustment mechanism.

The GC front housings (and their camber plates and truss bar) are excellent. Having the top mount adjustment makes dialing-in the fronts easy. The rears are obviously a pain in the a-- since trial and error adjustment is sooooo tedious.

[sprintamx]

Originally Posted by wootwoot

No. Adjusts at the top. Remove carpet in trunk and turn from there.

If by that you mean that you can put a wrench / socket on the locking nut on the top of the rod, that doesn't always turn the rod/shaft. At least that has been my experience.

[TemeCal]

Originally Posted by sprintamx

If by that you mean that you can put a wrench / socket on the locking nut on the top of the rod, that doesn't always turn the rod/shaft. At least that has been my experience.

I adjust the rebound on my rears in seconds (literally). The adjuster is at the top. There is no need to use a wrench, socket, etc... It's just a matter of using the Koni knob provided. Are we talking about the same thing here?

The rears are rebound adjustable only, so I can't imagine we're talking about something different.