Ground controll coilover install
 

i started working on my ground controll coilover kit last week and i wanted to post some pics of the install.

The kit came with whatever spring rate i wanted so i went with 250lbs. it comes with 7 inch springs but i sent those back and exchanged them for 8 inch.

I also bought some tokico blue shocks from the mr2 big diference in price between the blues and the aluminas.

heres some pics
ground controll kit
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0984.jpg
removed the stock spring perch
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0991.jpg
welded on the new collar
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0994.jpg
new shock
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_1034.jpg

so i had to make some parts too make things fit.

i made a bushing so i can use the stock strut tower and teflon sleve to keep the threaded collar centered.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_1030.jpg
the sleeve installed on the strut body
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_1036.jpg
one of the bushing installed before and after
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_1038.jpg
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_1044.jpg

heres some pics of it all together and the diference between the stock shock and the 86 mr2 shock.
I used the stock tower for now because i want the respeed or ground controll camber plate but after buying all the parts i ran out of money but ill get it soon.
the next thing is going to be the rear springs. I bought some circle track springs also I hope they work.

what do you guys think?:icon_tup:

http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_1048.jpg
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_1049.jpg

looks great! keep it up and keep us updated!

so i got everything installed
I havent drove it yet but heres some pics
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_1003.jpg
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_1013.jpg
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_1006.jpg

looks good man!! where did you order the mr2 shocks? i tried ordering them from respeed a few months ago but had no luck. They were out and said it would take a while to get them again

i ordered the shocks on ebay i think the seller was 70after they were $155 free shipping and i got them in 2 days

I have the same setup on my SA22c. Well I have the BBK from respeed too but the coilovers are the same. I do recommend using RTV on the set screw and not tightening it all the way. they are a major pita to get loose if over tight and if under tight they come out. I did mine hand tight (about 15ftlbs) then made a plug with RTV and pulled it out when I adjusted it months later then repeat

OK, obligatory stupid question.
 

OK, obligatory stupid question. Why did you have to weld in new coil seats? Couldn't they use the stock one?

Looks very nice.
Could you post a picture of the whole car? I would like to see how the whole car sits.

Im not sure why you couldn't. I just went based on the instructions ground controll sent me.

here you go
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0845.jpg

Beautiful car! What setup are you currently using for the rear? Please keep us updated!

what kind of wheels are they and what are the specs?

on the rear i curently have some cut racing beat springs tokico shocks and custom lower controll arms.

the wheels are xxr they are 16x8 0 offset on 195/50/16 falkens bolt patern is 4x114
and my car is a gsl

how far do your wheels stick outside your wheel wells or do they? i wanted to do something like that but i was worried about the tires getting cut up by the fenders if i hit a dip or something.

heat gun+rubber hammer thing w/e you wanna call it and hammer the inside edges up while heating up the paint to prevent cracking at a nice angle so you wont scrape its a hassle but worth it i guess

car looks great bro!

I did roll the fenders a bit (just rounded off the edge)but i dont have any rubing issues so far.

because the stock spring perch or seat has a slight drop where the springs goes and these sleeve being flat would make the whole coil-over sleeve seat crooked. RE-speed sells a coil-over kit that allows you to use the stock perch.

I'm working on my own Ground Control install right now too. Thanks for posting your progress. It's nice to see how someone else is doing it. I really like those Teflon sleeves that you made. Would you have any interested in making me a pair? I'd be happy to pay you for them. It looks like you turned them down on a lathe? Let me know if you would be willing or not. It drives me nuts how those threaded collars are able to just rattle around loose on there.

Jamie

Yes I turned them down on a lathe. I could make
Some for you, i have a little material left for another set.
I'll send you pm

for the sleves you could also order some of this stuff from mcmaster-carr

option 1.http://www.mcmaster.com/#8585K64 This stuff is polycarbonate slightly oversize on the inner diameter but it should work.

option 2.http://www.mcmaster.com/#8705K71 This stuff is polyethylene its slightly undersize on the inner diameter but if you heat it up it should slip over the stock shock tube.

both these option would be cheaper than having me machine you some sleves and probably would be faster.Im not a machinist by trade i just have acces to a lathe at work so sometimes i play around and see what I can make.just throwing some options out there.

the ground controll sleves are 2.060 ID
the stock shock body is 1.780
for your refrence

Sweet thread!

Dumb question, does the top of the spring not touch the top spring perch until it's compressed under weight of the car? Do they normally free float as such?

yes

Yes, once you switch to lowering springs the springs will always free float like the pics above.