Visited Ground Control today!

[GuySmily]

Originally Posted by 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?

I told them they need to update their website. I'm gonna stop by there later if I can get off work early enough.

Give them a call. I know it sucks using the phone in today's internet-dependent society, but they're awesome people to talk to. Tell em you saw Rusty's post.

[eq1]

Originally Posted by GuySmily

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

Well, with shorter, stiffer springs you wouldn't need as much travel as stock and, in fact, less droop travel would be desirable, so the shorter spring doesn't come loose... Here's some specs for the Monroe 5752, which sort of works as a cheap replacement for the stockers, and these 'cab' shocks, 66152, I mentioned which might work:

5752: compressed length=8.625", extended length=12.75" (that's more than stock as I recall), travel=4.125"
66152: compressed length=7.875", extended length=11.25", travel=3.375"

The main thing's probably travel, and it's likely that your rear springs don't compress smaller than (7" minus 3.375" =) 3.625". Plus, you should be bottomed-out on the bump stops before the spring fully compresses, so you would need even less travel than that... But then, these are only a prospective rear shock option, probably better to get a matching set front and rear...

Ha, here's a link to the 66152 at Amazon - only $39:

Amazon

Amazon

Stock shock specs from http://www.insightcentral.net/forums/204729-post62.html
compressed length=8.86", extended length=11.8" (for comparison to specs for 5752 and 66152 you need to subtract 4cm from the 'extended' and 'compressed' figures noted on the pict at the above link).

[GuySmily]

Originally Posted by 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?

Sorry, apparently I skipped over your post. Been emailing them back and forth today (so I can upgrade to stiffer springs), and they let me know they put the kit on their website.

Ground Control - Coilover Conversion Kit - 1999-2006 Honda Insight

edit- Also, you do not need to send in your rear bumpstops in - they have some available for the rear. Trying to find out the details.

[Blue-Civic-Hybrid]

Did they ever get the poly rear bumpstops made?

I found some on this site but they are not tall enough to poke over the GC sleeves...

[GuySmily]

I'm guessing so. Guess we'll hear back on Wednesday.

[ZE101]

This is GREAT NEWS!!!!

...but it would be sooo much nicer to have a propper shock absorber in the kit too!!!!

I hope they are not gonna remove the spring kit out of there sortiment till summer! I definitely want one!!!

[TRI]

The kit would be interesting if it would work with the stock shocks. According to the springs rates it doesn't look like a perfect match. 420 lbs/inch in the front is very high. What are the stock spring rates of an Insight?

[GuySmily]

The stock shocks do have a tough time keeping up. I don't even think the springs are all that stiff - it's very soft and cushy, at least compared to my MR2 on Teins.

I was going to drop off my suspension bits at GC for shock R&D tomorrow (well, today), but I've been way too busy to pull them off. I'll see if they want the entire car - I don't need it since I still have the MR2.

The rear shocks are easy since the wheels don't even have to come off, but I definitely am NOT a fan of macpherson / "coilover" design anymore when it comes to service.

Going to see about getting helper/assist/tender springs for the front as well. I have an issue with wheel lift / unintended burnouts on the insane driveways around here. I'm hoping to fix that by having the entire length of travel sprung (instead of running out of spring after the first 2" of travel).

[TRI]

Please remind that the stiffness of a suspension is primarly set by the shocks valving and not the spring itself. What you observe and describe (unintended burn-outs) is a front shock absorber that is completely overwhelmed by the very stiff spring, 420 in an ultralight car with less than 60:40 weight ratio is simply insane and very track-orientated. Do you have a video how the car behaves over bumps even at small velocity?
I'm pretty sure Honda used a very low spring rate in the front, below 200 or so. Would like to hear exact results. I wish GC had chosen a less stiffer spring for such a ultralight car.

[ZE101]

Any new developments?