Who here has the Ground Control Coil Overs installed? Do these give you a real bumpy ride or do the eibach springs help alot?

 

That's one of the only reasons why I'm hesitant about ordering them... I saw 'em at nopi for pretty cheap.. Where are you looking?

I'd also like to know if they're bumpy.


Or we could always order the ones from mazdamotorsports for like, $1000+ lol

 

hey! you can check out www.protege5online.com for that stuff. mitch sells those at a pretty good price. you can ask him about the ride too.

 

I have a set of the GC Coilovers installed on my PR5. I used the stock struts and have the coilovers set at the highest setting. The ride became a little stiffer compared to the stock springs; however, the ride is still very comfortable and not very bouncy. Pics can be seen HERE

If you have any other questions, let me know. Do check out www.protege5online.com to see what kind of deal Mitch is running. He seems to be working hard on getting specials on parts for our cars.

 

I went with the MazdaSpeed adjustable struts and Eibach Prokit springs. I was especially pleased with the adjustable struts. They're expensive, but they improved the ride and handling of the car much more than just the Eibach springs. The stock Protege struts are better damped than most other factory econocar struts, but still not enough for most aftermarket springs. Coil over sleeves are more useful for creating the look you want at a show than they are for performance handling. True coil overs are excellent for handling, especially if they incorporate adjustable struts. Just my $0.02.

 

I think the GC coil overs are the best. They use the Eibach springs & seem to do a good job with keeping the sand & salt & bad stuff out. I havent installed them yet so I cant say they are great but from research & talking to other people they seem to be the best. I would suggest at a later time replacing your stock struts with new ones. It would give a better ride even without the coil overs. The stock ones arent that great. And I do have them for sale for 369.00 (retail is 400.00).

Mitch
Protege5online.com

 

Am I right by assuming that the GC coilovers replace stock struts, but you still have to have a spring in addition. If I am not right, please correct me. I am trying to understand how all of this works.

Thanks

 

GC Coil overs replace your stock springs with lower Eibach springs (a better spring than your stock) and you keep your stock struts. Although it would be wise to replace your struts at the same time you put your coil overs on (save you time & trouble in the longrun) You're stock struts may last for a while longer but they will need to be replaced.

 

There is a common misconception that Ground Controls or Skunk2's coilover system's are a fully integrated system, that is totally not the case or they would be like $1400.00 for a true system.

The GC's are just a treaded sleeve that slips over the strut housing above the lower spring perch, then a threaded collar screws onto that sleeve to make your ride height adjustments. It uses an ERS, Eibach racing spring, which is a linear spring rate and can be changed for different purposes. If you cutoff the lower spring perch you can effectively lower your vehicle even more, just be careful with the die grinder. Don't grind through the weld, that's what will hold the sleeve in place.

It is definitely a good idea to replace the struts at the same time, but unfortunately your are extremely limited on your options. I spoke with a Tokiko Rep at SEMA and he said that the prototypes are produced and will be released in January most likely. They only made the Illuminas, no HP's.

If your keep your ride height the same, but with higher spring rates, your car will probably handle better. But with stock struts and HR's in mine, it handles way worse. The valving of the struts is not built for that much loss of travel.

Later, Rishie

 

I just got my Eiback Pro kit in and will be installing them this weekend so I will let you know how the ride changes(hopefully for the better). I talked to the tech rep from Eibach, and since I only have 3,400 miles on my car(by the time I replace the springs) he said that it should not wear out my stock struts that much faster. He did however recommend that I upgrade to Tokico struts later on and I will once I get more Dinero.

 

Jesse, like you said, the lower you go with coil-overs, the closer you get to the bump stops. Those will make a huge difference in the ride and handling.