Need help for getting GC and Koni - Honda Prelude Forum

Dongoesby · 03-22-2006, 06:32 PM

I have been looking for this combination for a long time, and now finally I'm ready to lower my car

(my front bushing is damaged, so taking this chance to fix it at the same time) However, I went to the shop today, I noticed that the combination of GC and Koni is not comparable to Tein Basic. (BUT I remember it was even put into comparasion with Tein Flex, wasn't it??)

Anyways, I couldn't make a decision now, and I'm overwhelmed with misleading informations. I really need help from you guys. I'm looking for comfort and handling. The shop owner claims that even Tein Basic will have better comfort and handling than OEM, and also over takes GC w/ Koni. Since GC is a universal spring, and Koni is not adjustable (right?), this combination makes no competition for all Tein coilovers? (BUT in NTPOG's website, the FAQ says there is a Koni specificly for GC? http://www.ntpog.org/reviews/groundc...dcontrol.shtml

)

What should I get for a good ride without worrying about "what is that squeeking sound coming from", "why is it so bouncy", etc. First, I know I need a top pillow mount which is offered in Tein but not GC w/ Koni, so should I take GC off my list now? And Tein Flex and SS cost over 1000~~ (550 is around what I'm aiming for, and 700 tops

)

Need help now! All expert or personal experiences welcome!!

KB798 · 03-22-2006, 07:18 PM

Each of those manufacturers make a wide variety of products - from non-adjustable things to adjustable things. Now to help clarify things for you, when people refer to Koni, they're usually referring to Koni "Yellow" dampers. These dampers are adjustable, meaning you can set how stiff you what them to be. Ground Control coilovers use springs that are made by Eibach, but it allows you to adjust how high or low you want the car to be.

Koni does not make dampers specific for Ground Control - it is the other way around. When you order from Ground Control directly or through another manufacturer, they will ask you what dampers you'll be using the coilovers with. Based on whatever you choose, they'll send you an adapter that goes on the body of the damper which is customized for that specific application. The adapter is a threaded, metal tube that allows you to adjust the height of the drop, and it's fastened onto a C-Clip at the bottom of the damper (at least this is for Konis).

The Tein Basics are only height adjustable, and does not allow you to change the settings of the damper. From what I've read on here and from others, the ride is pretty stiff and can be rough for daily driving.

If you're looking for comfort, then I wouldn't go with pillowball mounts. Ground Control makes upper mounts for their applications, but OEM ones are fine too. I'm using them, and I haven't seen or noticed any problems. Squeaking can be caused by anything, so I wouldn't be so worried about the coilovers causing them since most of the time, from what I've seen, it's a bushing that needs to be replaced or something like that. Bounciness is caused when the springs and the dampers aren't working in harmony - dampers aren't rebounding properly to a stiffer spring, or the dampers are too stiff for springs. The beauty of adjustable dampers is that it allows you to customize the ride to your likings, so that you can achieve whatever type of smoothness you'd like.

For $550, you'll be hard pressed to find something you're looking for unless you go with used parts. If you can, save up some more money to buy whatever you'd like.

BionicKris · 03-22-2006, 10:54 PM

I also have the Koni yellow/GC combo and I just use the OEM mounts. My ride is fine- firmer than stock but not choppy or jarring, and ther is no bouncing or squeaking at all. I agree with KB798 in that you have the adjustability of the Koni dampers where you can fine-tune the ride. The GC's also have specific spring rates set for your car model, unless you specify exact spring rates for racing, auto-x, etc.

Before I bought mine, I talked to a guy at a car show with a set of GC's and he asked me to come back over to him while he was adjusting the ride height for his drive home (it was slammed for the show). I saw firsthand how easy it was, and was sold. I then walked directly from his car to the truck from the parts shop sponsoring the show, and picked up a set right then.

For the price you can't beat the ride, performance and adjustability. I adjust the ride height when I put my 15" wheels with snow tires on in the winter, and readjust the ride height back when I put on my 17"s in the summer. The adjustments are very easy to make, and you normally don't have to even touch the damper setting when you make ride height adjustments. (At least I don't). I would definitely recommend the Koni yellow/GC combo to anyone for a good, all-around street setup at a great price.

BionicKris

Dongoesby · 03-24-2006, 11:41 AM

Thanks KB798 and BionicKris. Now I'm back on track for getting GC and Koni

Do you know where I can get them for a good price (and correct items)? I know there is a package for 700 in shox.com

MNludeDVR · 03-24-2006, 12:16 PM

I picked up my GC/Koni Yellows for 775 shipped with custom rates from a sponsor on HT.com. It was 765 shipped for the off the shelf rates for GC. I looked on shox.com and can't find the package for 700. 765 shipped was as cheap as I could find.