Visited Ground Control today!

[Blue-Civic-Hybrid]

Originally Posted by eq1

fyi, I didn't find the Monroes to be any upgrade from stock, even from my old, used stockers... There's a set of Monroes that I think are almost the same, maybe a tad shorter, but they're heavy duty and made for cabs. I saw them in a long parts list somewhere. I'll try to find those...

Please do EQ1... I will gladly experiment with those shocks if you happen to find the part number...

[Blue-Civic-Hybrid]

Originally Posted by GuySmily

Definitely need new shocks. Might have GC do something custom for me - sounds like they build custom shocks all the time. I guess the challenge is finding inserts that work with the super short travel that our cars need.

I would post pictures, but I didn't take any because my ride height looks completely stock. I'll post after I shoot some more.

Guy, yes they do and they work great with Koni. The only reason was the price that stopped me in my tracks. I beleive they quoted me right about $1500 for a set of custom valved shocks from Koni.

But let me know if they lowered the price, I am still interested in a complete Koni yellow adjustable system for the Insight.

[eq1]

Originally Posted by Blue-Civic-Hybrid

Please do EQ1... I will gladly experiment with those shocks if you happen to find the part number...

I looked at the list, but the ones I was thinking might work have 3/4 inch less travel, 3/4" less compression 1.25" less extension... I don't know, when I was dealing with the shock issue maybe there was something about these measurements that I understood to not make much of a difference. But they look too different to me now. But the part number was 66152, Monroe gas-magnum shock for cabs. I think I searched and found them at Summit Racing or something like that, maybe for $100-150 each? Oh, these are rears only...

[GuySmily]

I'll talk to GC when the time comes to get new shocks. (Actually, it's already here - one of my front shocks was a little oily on the outside)

With a lowered car, we need less shock travel anyway, right?

[GuySmily]

Lowered the car some more today. But first, some serious business:


Front wheels off. Rear wheels can stay. Up on jack stands, all four corners:


Loosening the set screws:


Lowered to ~4 threads showing at the bottom. I always try to push the silver perch down before taking it off the jack. Also notice how little travel there is now (the distance between the bump stop and the shock body):

[GuySmily]

Pulled out the rears and wrapped the bump stops with tape to eat up the free play:


Two ways to get the tubes onto the bump stops. On one side, we hammered the tubes onto the bump stops before installing in the car. On the other side, we set the tube (and spring) on top of the bump stop and lifted the wheel to press everything together.


Easiest way was to line the spring up on top first, then scoot the bottom to line up the bump stop holes:


Here's how it looks when it's together. Notice the orientation of the upper insulator:

[GuySmily]

And what you've all been waiting for. Here's how the car looks.


The front - couple fingers gap:


Rear - completely hides the H logo:


It's probably my imagination, but it does feel like I'm leaned backwards a little bit. We'll see what I think when I go to work tomorrow.

The car is still really soft compared to my MR2, but it still provides a major improvement in both looks and driving confidence.

[Blue-Civic-Hybrid]

Excellent, each complete turn of the GC perches lowers or raises it .25 of an inch.

Great pics and it's nice to see other people taking the plunge with this coilover setup. So far, I've lowered mine almost like yours (1/2 inch all around) and I plan on lowering it another .25 inch soon.

I did drive mine with a slight rake (stock hieght rear to .25 lower in front) to it before but it did not handle or have as much comfort as it does now. Don't worry about the sag look, I just measured mine multiple times and it's just an illusion as far a I can tell!

I am jealous of your blue Insight since mine is just the plain silver/grey.

[02insight]

so how can one order these from ground-control? They dont seem to be listed on their site. Do they have to be special ordered by phone?

[GuySmily]

My top purchase requirements were that the car be blue and MT. Glad I stuck to my guns on that.

Adjustment is soooo nice and easy. Especially the back, since the wheels and skirts can stay on.

I think the next matter of business is to attempt corner balancing.