Ground Control/ Suspension Questions

[Brockley]

Ok, I am doing my suspension in the next week, so I need to get some info.

If I were to go with Impreza AGX's and ground controls, how would the adj. work on my wagon (97GT)

Looks Like That combo would be about $460 (AGX's) $400 (GC's) so about $860

Whiteline Control Springs ($260 if the group buy goes through, $315 if ava. anywhere) so AGX's + Springs $750+

Tein/ Ksport/ D2 Coilovers ($800-$1100)

some better Ideas?



also, with the ground control setup, how well would this fit/ride? anyone ever used them on a legacy wagon? It seems like the ride height would be at max height about 1.2 or lower, and down from there. any problm with spring preload? I've ridden in a GF with KONI's and GC's, and it was nice.

Any other sugguestions? I've been reading around the forums for a few days, and just wanted some advice!

Thanks!

[Huffer]

The adjustment is the same - 8 way in the front, 4 way in the rear. The AGX's are notorious for having inconsistent valving when adjusted though.

You won't be able to use AGX struts with Legacy-specific springs unless you have Legacy spring perches to re-use. Tophats *should* be the same.

You will have saggy butt if you use Impreza springs, though a spacer could help with that.

Koni's are inserts - Pat Olsen put inserts in his BD struts and ran them for a time. They are very good - but it means you have to hack up a strut housing.

[Brockley]

Yea, I've actually aleady done the cutting and install of Koni Inserts on for my friends GC, but he never installed them... needed money and sold them.. lol

Nasioc and RS25 people seem to like BC Racing Coilovers, anyone here have experience with them?

Seems like for $1100, you get a decent coil, Fully Threaded (so you dont lose spring pre-load when you lower the car) and many springrates.

I still havent found out if I could use camber plates on agx setups? I dont see why not, but wanted to clarify that.

[Huffer]

You can use camber plates - they're simply top-hats really.

[Brockley]

good deals... but anyone have EXP with BC Racing Coilovers here? I've read alot about them on NASIOC, but lots of those guys seem like they wouldnt know the difference between any given suspension setup... lol

[deadlydave]

good deals... but anyone have EXP with BC Racing Coilovers here? I've read alot about them on NASIOC, but lots of those guys seem like they wouldnt know the difference between any given suspension setup... lol

BC parts are made by the same company that builds the Megan Racing coilovers I have. Many refer to these as the 'cheap' brands. I honestly love my MR's, but they were built specifically for a BT, whereas a retrofit to a BD/BG/BK from some other car may not work so well.

[Brockley]

the GC8 ones should fit no problem, since every other GC suspension fits.

You like the Megans? the thing about all cheaper coilovers seems like everyone that has them loves them, and most have a good experience with them. Then, everyone that hasnt even ever ridden in a car with coilovers (D2's or Bistiens, or between) comes online and talks about how some guy one time told him that they will blow up in 5 miles of use, and they are cheaply constructed.

From what I've seen/read online, Megans and BC's look like they have a great build quality, and the ones I drove on were really nice.

what spring rates do you have? is it a harsh ride where you live?

[rougeben83]

ok, what are you trying to do exactly? Using Ground Control coilover sleeves will allow you to use whatever 2.5" springrate you want; it's a universal part. A lot of race teams and aftermarket coilovers use these kinds of springs.

ie. you can make it as stiff or as saggy as you want, and as low or as high as the strut will allow it to be.

[AussieDan]

the GC8 ones should fit no problem, since every other GC suspension fits.
Err, no. GC rear tophats use a different bolt pattern and won't work. GD on the other hand is a direct swap.

With camber plates the adjustment will be off because the front bolt pattern in the BD/BG is the same as the GC. The GD spacing is the same but is rotated so the camber adjustment won't line up 100%. In my opinion this isn't a totally bad thing as it allows you to dial in more caster when you crank up the camber.

[Brockley]

sorry, I meant the GC ones work since I already own Cusco Rear Camber Plates... forgot to mention that ;)

The actual strut movement would be closer to the BK with GC struts than GD struts, correct?
GC rears are smaller bolt pattern. But, I would rather get GC Coils, since the front camber plates will be correct for my car... and wouldn't the GC ones be closer to the correct length than the GD ones? i.e. If I put GD ones on my car, the max height will be lower than my stock by alot, but GC would have it be about 1/2 inch higher, right? that seems like what i've seen from GC struts vs GD struts.

[rougeben83]

sorry, I meant the GC ones work since I already own Cusco Rear Camber Plates... forgot to mention that ;)

The actual strut movement would be closer to the BK with GC struts than GD struts, correct?
GC rears are smaller bolt pattern. But, I would rather get GC Coils, since the front camber plates will be correct for my car... and wouldn't the GC ones be closer to the correct length than the GD ones? i.e. If I put GD ones on my car, the max height will be lower than my stock by alot, but GC would have it be about 1/2 inch higher, right? that seems like what i've seen from GC struts vs GD struts.

Like I said, you can chose whatever springrate you want with the GC coilovers. You don't even have to stick with the rates they give for either car. You can order the springs in 5 different lengths and rates in increments of 50lbs from Koni, Eibach, and a bunch of other manufacturers...

[AussieDan]

I think the confusion here is that when we say GC we mean GC8 Impreza not Ground Control, at least I do!

Yes, Ground Control springs with GC or GD struts would work and will give you some degree of height adjustability though you will be affecting the preload unlike coilovers with adjustable lower perches.

I suspect that you'll find the GC struts underdamped for the additional weight of the Legacy. Right now I'm running 04 STi assemblies on my car and it sits pretty much like stock I'd say:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/10/DSCF2581JPG-1.jpg (http://photos.phpwerx.net/cars/Legacy/Swap/2008-10-30_Mostly_Done/800x600/DSCF2581.JPG.html)

I did have issues with the height adjustment on the Tein Flex coilovers I had (not high enough in the front) but it seems that may have been an issue with the coilovers rather than a difference in upper mount height between the GD and BD chassis.

[Brockley]

so, with the choice of either, would the GC8 or the GD impreza struts be closer to the correct length for a bk? or are they the same length?

[Brockley]

anyone know if there is a difference in the travel/length of GC8 vs GDA fronts or rears? as in, would either provide a closer fit than the other? I know both work, but is their a difference?