Shock Absorbers to go with Ground Control Coilover Sleeves (Not KONI YELLOW)

I am about get a set of Ground Control coilover sleeves (6kg/4kg) and I am looking at my options in terms of shocks.

I am only looking at around a 1-1.5" drop (max) and this car is my daily driver (think around 500-600km's a week).

At the moment I am tossing up between 2 options;

- Koni STR.T (Orange)
- Skunk2 Sports Shocks

Initially I was 100% set on the Koni's being that they have a lifetime warranty. However, reading some reviews they appear to have a history of dying (from bottoming out) when they are paired with lowering springs/coilover sleeves. Also, they are apparently not valved well for heavier spring rates.

Looking at on paper specs, the Skunk2 Sports springs seem as though they will have a better longevity for my purpose, being that they are designed for use with coilover sleeves and higher springs rates. But so far I have not been able to find many reviews of these shocks (from any time after 2008), and I am sure by now the company has addressed some of the manufacturing issues that plagued the first batch.

Does anybody have any experience with either of these combinations?

I am looking for honest opinions, not the standard response of "Get Koni Yellows"

Koni!

Ok so it was standard. Koni and ground control is a proven set up. Ground control kits are made to fit koni shocks. Driven on them and it's an awesome combo with lots of flexibility to up the rates later

koni yellow (sport)

Thanks for the feedback.

Just to mix things up a bit, the sleeves i am getting are different to those that suit the koni yellows. So koni yellows are out of the question. I know that the yellows are a tried and tested setup, but with these springs they will not be an option.

the reason why the str are blowing there guts is that all the stance wank kids slam there rides with the GC sleeves on these shockers which there not designed for, simple fact.

they expect cause its koni it will last, but no, koni srt are just a sports replacement for oem shocks, so for guys like you, 1-1.5 drop is perfect, infact koni even specifically states max drop is 1-1.5 drop

Just because some hektik stance kid said koni srt are shit cause his ride is kissing the floor than blows 2 days later doesnt imply they are a bad shock, far from it, go koni, forget junk2, im pretty sure junk2 are just a rip off designed and rebadge items.

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Originally Posted by mugen_ctr

the reason why the str are blowing there guts is that all the stance wank kids slam there rides with the GC sleeves on these shockers which there not designed for, simple fact.

they expect cause its koni it will last, but no, koni srt are just a sports replacement for oem shocks, so for guys like you, 1-1.5 drop is perfect, infact koni even specifically states max drop is 1-1.5 drop

Just because some hektik stance kid said koni srt are shit cause his ride is kissing the floor than blows 2 days later doesnt imply they are a bad shock, far from it, go koni, forget junk2, im pretty sure junk2 are just a rip off designed and rebadge items.

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Thankyou!

This is closer to the answer I have been looking for. I am not planning on slamming the car. Just dropping it slightly. So junk2 is a no go, I was just wondering whether they are really that bad, or the koni fanboys on Honda tech are just trashing it because it isn't a koni sport.

Also, is it worthwhile to go for the extended top hats while I am getting all the parts together? I am trying to do this well, so that I don't find myself doing it again in a year.

Sorry to kinda go off topic. Instead of using Eibach springs(Supplied with the Ground Control), If i choose to switch it over to Swift Racing springs.. Would they fit?

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Originally Posted by neut

Sorry to kinda go off topic. Instead of using Eibach springs(Supplied with the Ground Control), If i choose to switch it over to Swift Racing springs.. Would they fit?

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Why?

Eibach are used in all types of racing. I don't see the benefits in doing so

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Originally Posted by UkuleleGod

Thankyou!

This is closer to the answer I have been looking for. I am not planning on slamming the car. Just dropping it slightly. So junk2 is a no go, I was just wondering whether they are really that bad, or the koni fanboys on Honda tech are just trashing it because it isn't a koni sport.

Also, is it worthwhile to go for the extended top hats while I am getting all the parts together? I am trying to do this well, so that I don't find myself doing it again in a year.

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No need for extended hats, again reason why koni has extended hats is for the sole purpose for those who wish to lower there ride but still retain the same shock travel, but for small drop like 1-1.5 honestly doubt u even need to think of extended hats at all, if oem shocks can cope with a small drop, im sure the koni srt will still behave as good as it is when dropped abit. I havent seen any car needing extended hats unless they plan to drop signifigantly.

I cant say for sure about skunk2 parts, but i guess its really hit n miss, they have been in the game for a good number of years so surely they must be doing something right, but imo koni have the reputation out there, not just in street but in racing so gotta ask ur self is it worth spending more on quality and known parts or just the typical street stuff

Some guys say there good budget, than others say other wise.....

Although there coilovers have been known to be bouncy, poor valving to suit the spring rate would b my guess

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Originally Posted by neut

Sorry to kinda go off topic. Instead of using Eibach springs(Supplied with the Ground Control), If i choose to switch it over to Swift Racing springs.. Would they fit?

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IF the ID is the same, I guess so...

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Originally Posted by UkuleleGod

Thanks for the feedback.

Just to mix things up a bit, the sleeves i am getting are different to those that suit the koni yellows. So koni yellows are out of the question. I know that the yellows are a tried and tested setup, but with these springs they will not be an option.

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Hmmm, if you're planning on running 6k/4k then I'd definitely recommend Koni Yellows and perhaps have them revalved to suit. Koni Orange pretty sure won't be able to handle 6k/4k 'well' and I'm not 100% if Koni can revalve the Koni Orange [STR.T]

If you hadn't already bought the coilover sleeves then I'd suggest Bilstein as a good alternative to the Koni. Have you bought sleeves to suit the OEM shock diameter? If so I'd assume they won't fit the Bilsteins anyway, due to different shock diameters.

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Originally Posted by neut

Sorry to kinda go off topic. Instead of using Eibach springs(Supplied with the Ground Control), If i choose to switch it over to Swift Racing springs.. Would they fit?

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No reason you can't. I'll be doing this to use some of the springs I have lying around.

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Originally Posted by DreadAngel

I
Hmmm, if you're planning on running 6k/4k then I'd definitely recommend Koni Yellows and perhaps have them revalved to suit. Koni Yellow pretty sure won't be able to handle 6k/4k 'well' and I'm not 100% if Koni can revalve the Koni Orange [STR.T]

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I've heard numbers of 500lb/in as a comfortable limit of the Koni Yellow, roughly 9kg/mm. I wouldn't revalve at the threadstarter's proposed rates, seems like it would be right in the middle of the Koni's happy range.

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Originally Posted by UkuleleGod

I am about get a set of Ground Control coilover sleeves (6kg/4kg) and I am looking at my options in terms of shocks.

I am only looking at around a 1-1.5" drop (max) and this car is my daily driver (think around 500-600km's a week).

At the moment I am tossing up between 2 options;

- Koni STR.T (Orange)
- Skunk2 Sports Shocks

Initially I was 100% set on the Koni's being that they have a lifetime warranty. However, reading some reviews they appear to have a history of dying (from bottoming out) when they are paired with lowering springs/coilover sleeves. Also, they are apparently not valved well for heavier spring rates.

Looking at on paper specs, the Skunk2 Sports springs seem as though they will have a better longevity for my purpose, being that they are designed for use with coilover sleeves and higher springs rates. But so far I have not been able to find many reviews of these shocks (from any time after 2008), and I am sure by now the company has addressed some of the manufacturing issues that plagued the first batch.

Does anybody have any experience with either of these combinations?

I am looking for honest opinions, not the standard response of "Get Koni Yellows"

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6/4 is heavy...?

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Originally Posted by chargeR

I've heard numbers of 500lb/in as a comfortable limit of the Koni Yellow, roughly 9kg/mm. I wouldn't revalve at the threadstarter's proposed rates, seems like it would be right in the middle of the Koni's happy range.

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Sorry I typed Yellow, meant Orange XD

i m running F10 R6 on koni race which has been running like a dream (off topic tho)
every shock has their optimum range of spring rate so its yr HW to check it out
theres no coilover kit off the shelf is designed to handle a ground kissing drop
if u r looking for a performance drop, go for the koni combo or bilstein shocks if u hv the budget
if u r looking for a stance-the-fk-out drop, get wtever cheapest and change it every 6mnths lol
another good choice i recommend is the KW V1 if u just want sth off the shelf, good for daily and hv good quality

Go Koni.

6/4 is pretty light, won't be that stiff but will be stiffer than stock. Stock I'm pretty sure is 4/3 and most aftermarket coilovers are at least 8/6.

You know they created bump stops to stop them from bottoming out?

just sayin....

They also sell extended top haps to go very low and extend shock travel.

So I would just stick with the Konis.

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Originally Posted by dougie_504

Go Koni.

6/4 is pretty light, won't be that stiff but will be stiffer than stock. Stock I'm pretty sure is 4/3 and most aftermarket coilovers are at least 8/6.

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Yeah, I just had a look at that. It seems like quite a few people are running stiffer springs on their cars with the same shocks. So I think I will probably go with the koni's.

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Originally Posted by grifty

You know they created bump stops to stop them from bottoming out?

just sayin....

They also sell extended top haps to go very low and extend shock travel.

So I would just stick with the Konis.

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Yeah, it is looking like koni's are they way. The question is whether I want to go with the extended top hats or just go their bumpstops. I will be piecing it all together in the next few weeks, and will be sure to post some before/after pics.

I reckon install them with your standard top hats and see how that goes, if it isnt great then get the extneded top hats. You will only loose an extra 1-2 hours labour if you decide to install the extended top hats later.

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Originally Posted by DreadAngel

Hmmm, if you're planning on running 6k/4k then I'd definitely recommend Koni Yellows and perhaps have them revalved to suit. Koni Orange pretty sure won't be able to handle 6k/4k 'well' and I'm not 100% if Koni can revalve the Koni Orange [STR.T]

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This isn't entirely correct, Koni SRT.T can handle ground control OTS rates, how do i know? Because I'm running on them and its been 3 years and still no negative signs yet. it all depends on your driving habits if you treat the daily roads as a 'circuit' and go in mid air and stuff then yeah it won't last very long but if your driving them normally it lasts a long time. I been in all setups throughout my ownership: lowered, stance and now i'm in the middle of the 2 setups, they still run good and its not too stiff.
My cousin had the same setup Koni SRT.T/GC Coils OTS rates and his one only lasted 2 months because he went airborne at 100ks.

And as for skunk2 sport shocks, again their not as bad as everybody says it is, a mate of mine has skunk2 sport shocks/skunk2 coils for 4 years and still going good. He loves it because he loves the stiffness (yes they are a very stiff combination).

So yeah if its just a daily man SRT.Ts or Skunk2 will do.

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Originally Posted by mattsrea

This isn't entirely correct, Koni SRT.T can handle ground control OTS rates, how do i know? Because I'm running on them and its been 3 years and still no negative signs yet. it all depends on your driving habits if you treat the daily roads as a 'circuit' and go in mid air and stuff then yeah it won't last very long but if your driving them normally it lasts a long time. I been in all setups throughout my ownership: lowered, stance and now i'm in the middle of the 2 setups, they still run good and its not too stiff.
My cousin had the same setup Koni SRT.T/GC Coils OTS rates and his one only lasted 2 months because he went airborne at 100ks.

And as for skunk2 sport shocks, again their not as bad as everybody says it is, a mate of mine has skunk2 sport shocks/skunk2 coils for 4 years and still going good. He loves it because he loves the stiffness (yes they are a very stiff combination).

So yeah if its just a daily man SRT.Ts or Skunk2 will do.

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I guess this is a valid point here, the driving I do is mostly daily duties with the occasional weekend cruise. To match these springs and struts I have ordered a set of ground control soft progressive bump stops, considering the drop I am going for (around 1") the shocks should be able to hold up just fine.

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Originally Posted by UkuleleGod

I guess this is a valid point here, the driving I do is mostly daily duties with the occasional weekend cruise. To match these springs and struts I have ordered a set of ground control soft progressive bump stops, considering the drop I am going for (around 1") the shocks should be able to hold up just fine.

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Oh well then in that case Koni SRT.Ts will go well or if you want that little bit extra ontop for damper adjustable get Tokico Illuminas. They go really well with the GC's and have 4 levels of damper.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Tokico-HP...item3cd4f315a4

Think their an extra $100 from Koni SRT.T