Which Ground Control Kit??

[protégébob]

All right, so I've decided to finally do something with my suspension, and I've decided to go with the s/r struts and the ground control coilover kit. My question is which part number should I go with, 4025 (escort, pro, 323, mx3) or the 4030 which is the zx2 part number? From the gc website it says the zx2 kit has about a 1/4in more adjustment then the other. Any help is greatly appreciated since I'm kind of a noob when it comes to this stuff.

oh and forgot to say, I'm gonna stick with the s/r factory spring rates for the coilovers.

[protégébob]

anyone?????

[superdave]

Bob, I'm not sure how dimensionally different the s/r struts compare to the stock (diameter of body)... but my first instinct would be to get the zx2 GC's.

If you want I can compare both kits next tuesday when I'm back at work.. let you know about any and all differences between the two...

[therieldeal]

i was told that if you buy the 323/pro kit you have to bore out the top hats so they fit the s/r struts. however... this is the kit i have and i didnt have to machine anything, so i dont know :/. the guy who owned the kit before me may have had them machined, i bought the kit unused but preowned .

i too would go for the zx2 kit if i was buying a new one.

-jon

[Skuce]

With the S/R struts you have to knockl off the dust sheild on the strut body to get the sleeve to go on.
I would also suggest some sort of steel ring going on first cause the welds of the factory spring seat put uneven pressure on the sleeve body and make cause it to crack (happened to one of my sets...new sleeves were around $17.00 from GC)

As for the top hat issue. The strut rod dia is 2mm larger than the 1991-1996 Escort/Protege style BG struts. The later 97+ BG's all had the larger strut shaft with a strut bearing to match. (new "Steel" ZX2 bearing are $23.00 from ford each...the regular 3rd gen Escort ones are cheaper since they are plastic...but still have the needed dimensions)

[therieldeal]

does GC sell any sort of metal rings?? i know some of their kits for other cars actually come with a ring like you are talking about...

-jon

[superdave]

If I were to install GC's I would cut the stock perches off and weld on new ones... would be pretty simple.

We don't have any 4030 kits in stock so I can't compare them...

[therieldeal]

you cant really weld on the strut body though... unless you were able to remove the strut cartridge somehow. i may look into having some support rings machined... slip that down first and let the sleeve rest on it. a steel ring wont deform the way the aluminum sleeve could with all that concentrated pressure at the weld nubs

-jon