GM DR

Ok so this is my first post on this page. So I am looking into buying coilovers for my 2002 Camaro SS SLP #546, the ones I am look at are Ground Control and KW. I am thinking of getting Ground Control over KW.
What I am looking for is comfort and performance, oh yah quality too. Yes I know when you lower a car it a harsh ride, but some are more harsher then others. So who has Ground Control and who has kw let compare to two.
Thanks.

JD_AMG

Im pretty sure ground control doesn't make actual coilovers for our cars, just a sleeve kit to make the height adjustable with a shock you want to use.
What kind of performance are you looking for, handling or launching?

UMI Sales

iTrader: (1)

Here's a couple affordable options to consider;

http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...Path=7_137_100

http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...ex&cPath=7_338

The biggest advantage to coil-overs is the ability to adjust ride height to your preference.

With the proper spring selection the ride quality will not be sacraficed.

If you are looking to upgrade the handling, selecting a lower rate spring that gives a cushy street ride won't be the way to go.You will need to decide how much handling your willing to give up to achieve a "soft" street ride.

As mentioned above application of the car is a huge factor in determining what will work best for you.

If you have any questions or need info and pricing please feel free to give me a call here at the shop.

Craig

blackandgold

iTrader: (2)

If you're in the KW price range I'd recommend you stick ridetech in the running as well.

Corvett z07

iTrader: (2)

The ground control kit should be the more forgiving of the two, but after seeing some KW's in action this summer, wow, those things can perform. I asked him about them and he said, "a little too stiff for autocross, more of a track suited coilover."

Agreed with blackandgold, Ridetech makes some quality products, although I don't have any experience with them so I can't comment on them

dailydriver

...and possibly UMI's new Afco based set ups as well.

I have the GC coil over conversion kit on my front Koni double adjustables, but IF I had to do it over again, I would opt for one of the above set ups for not much more coin (if not the same coin).

brigade24

I'm assuming the primary purpose for your ride is street driving and you want height adjustability...

if you are set on coil overs...KWV3 (only the fronts are actual coil overs) or ridetech (actual coil over in all corners) are your options...for now. both will do the job.

I've got a ground control kit in my car with single adjustable konis. if you plan on running konis with a ground control kit, a "modification" is required to the front shocks to allow the sleeve to slide over the shocks. This "modification" will most likely void your warranty on a set of not so cheap koni shocks. Koni shocks are also limited with the spring rate they can handle so if you plan on autoxing or lapping down the road, it is something to keep in mind...Another thing I find frustrating with GC is once the collar is tight against the spring, the sleeve will start to spin on itself even if the car is unloaded.

The KWV3 are very nice and high quality with a price that reflects that. I personally prefer ridetech because you can have the valving set to the spring rate you plan on running which is great for someone who competes. the problem is if you are not planning on utilizing the tech either of these products have to offer...2Gs is some relatively serious coin for height adjustability.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Apples and Oranges. And as an aside, when the AFCO built UMI stuff is done I'll be carrying them too, since I have been the one doing the tuning on the valvling But we aren't quite there yet. And there will be options in those kit on various shocks some better suited to certain jobs than others. I also carry Ridetech too.

I digress.

Ground Controls aren't really what I'd call a coil-over setup, but a conversion. They take a bit of work to fit on Koni's if you want adjustable shocks. They are easier to fit on non-adjustable shocks but then you have a shock that's not so hot and certainly not able to be tuned to dial the car in. KW's are a complete kit which have adjustable shocks, in fact DOUBLE adjustable shocks. They also have things like Stainless bodies so they stay looking nice. And the rear spring they use, don't come loose at droop like the GC stuff (which uses pretty cheesy, but functional, rear springs). They are just on a different plane and not a direct comparison, and you can see that in the price.

Also those two aren't coil-over in the rear, but have weight jackers that sit in the stock location. Not saying that's a bad thing per se, it's not. Just making you aware the rears are not actually coil-over shock setup.

dailydriver

Yes, I can fully vouch for the above, and it is the main reason I dumped the GC weight jackers, and Suspension Spring Specialists set up for your rear springs at the time (I just WISH they were the Hypercoils, instead of the Vogtlands ).

GM DR

Thanks guys all your points are helpful. I will have to do my homework before I buy.

What other coilovers are there that as good or better.
Thanks

JD_AMG

Unfortunately no. All other coilovers for our cars are drag oriented (viking, strange, afco, QA1) and are not in the same ball park as a Koni, let alone a KW or ridetech coilover.

dailydriver

...or are priced at, or even MUCH more than the total current worth of most of our f bodies per set, for the full race, premium set ups (Moton, Penske, Ohlins, Reiger, etc,).

Supercharged111

iTrader: (1)

I prefer the feel of a more stiffly sprung car when the dampers are properly matched. Just slapping a stiffer spring on a stock busted *** shock and lowering it will make the car bouncy and it just won't feel planted. When the motion of that stiffer spring is properly controlled, the car feels better than stock in every way IMO.

JROC

If I remember correctly back to the 90's GC made budget "C/O's" (if you want to consider them that) for Honda's and budget Japanese imports. KW makes high-end suspension pieces for Porsche's, GTR's, and factory Viper ACR components, etc. I don't know for sure, but I would definitely think that a KW C/O setup would be better than a GC setup.

dailydriver

Yes, I would definitely agree with that, as long as the springs used were matched with the proper damper valving, and/or range of adjustment (IF adjustable KWs).

As a plus, you get that cool stainless steel damper body on the KW products.