GC: 500F/550R vs 600F/650R

[rand49er]

Thanks to another member here, I made the swap today to the stiffer setup.

Yes, it's stiffer. No, it's not dramatic. Yes, it could very easily be a daily driver. And yes, I love it!

With the exception of not having FG2s, this is the way the car should have rolled off the assembly line. Bumps are very tolerable, and cornering is flat and with purpose. Someone (maybe Chef?) was talkin' about 750F/800R, and I could see that setup working very well indeed. Guys/gals, this GC setup is nice. Anybody on the fence should just do it.

(BTW, I knew before that I wasn't a mechanic, and thank goodness I'm not working as such. When I had installed the GC originally, I left the five bolts holding the upper control arm/shock mount assembly LOOSE (driver side), and I mean LOOSE! Holy crap, I'm glad I hadn't driven it much since then. Sometimes I do some really bonehead things. )

[Seattle CTS-V]

Originally Posted by rand49er

Someone (maybe Chef?) was talkin' about 750F/800R, and I could see that setup working very well indeed.

I have the 550F/600R setup right now and wish I had gone stiffer. The car still has a noticable sway...though I believe too stiff could decrease weight transfer and lessen traction?? I'm thinking that the 600/650 won't meet my expectations though and would love to hear if a 750/800 improves track performance or kills it.

[Chef]

I have the 600/650's and am thinking Penske or 700's for sure - When we go this fast and the shear weight on road courses I still feel the body shift which just assists the rear gettin' loose.

I went on a trip with an unamed car club here and drove to Payson from Scottsdale going 125-145 through curves and sometimes would get the oh shhhhhiat almost lost it feeling. Tight suspension is the only way for extreme speeds and cornering in this car.

Chef

[rand49er]

Having now experienced the 600/650 setup, I really think that the 700+ springs will not only be better at those high speeds but still be acceptable as a DD.

125-145 and on curves no less ... !

[Chef]

Having now experienced the 600/650 setup, I really think that the 700+ springs will not only be better at those [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]high [COLOR=blue! important]speeds[/color][/color][/color] but still be acceptable as a DD.

125-145 and on curves no less ... !

Don't get me wrong these coilovers are nice but just need to be tighter. The curves were the slight bending curves through mountains not sharp twisties but still made me feel it

[lunarx]

Chef, what shocks do you have?
With the weight our cars need to manage at each corner I can see how extra firmness in the suspension would be a good thing.
I just never imagined such drastic changes from the stock spring rates would be needed.
Perhaps it's the shocks that need improvement.

[Feffman]

Originally Posted by Chef

I have the 600/650's and am thinking Penske or 700's for sure - When we go this fast and the shear weight on road courses I still feel the body shift which just assists the rear gettin' loose.

Chef:

Has anyone heard anything from Penske about their suspension set up?
I dropped them an e-mail about two weeks ago and still no answer. I figured they may not be interested in selling the shocks/springs set up.

Feff

[Chef]

That's why Penske may be getting a call or these Sachs racing? coils are most likely not the end all for sure - It's definetely a combo -

[rgd]

Originally Posted by rand49er

Thanks to another member here, I made the swap today to the stiffer setup.


Someone (maybe Chef?) was talkin' about 750F/800R, and I could see that setup working very well indeed.

That woulld be me!
Sometimes I do some really bonehead things. )

And, that would be me!

Which brings me to a post I started yesterday then pushed the wrong button and, wammo it was gone. Yes 750/800 springs are stiff but I am sure they will work well on the track. I will know sometime Sat morning after my second session at Laguna. I don't care to be one of the guys that spins on the first session. Happens every time out!

Anyway about the post I was/am going to do. I will post a new thread because it is worthy of the attention (I think) so others don't do this to themselfs as I did.

Thanks,
rgd
thread will be titled "Hotchkis/Ground Control/Endlink" 101 or Endlinks for Dummies

[Feffman]

Originally Posted by Feffman

Chef:
Has anyone heard anything from Penske about their suspension set up?
I dropped them an e-mail about two weeks ago and still no answer. I figured they may not be interested in selling the shocks/springs set up.

Penske? Penske? Has anyone heard from Penske?

Feff

[Chef]

Penske? Penske? Has anyone heard from Penske?

Feff

Also - more info on those racing Sachs too?

[rgd]

FYI... 750/800 awsome! Honestly not at all bad as my daily driver set either.

[Kingpin08]

on Ground Control's website, would the street performance be 500/550, the hot rod caddy be 600/650, and the autox-track day be 750/800?

[thebigjimsho]

I have 500/550 and I find that to be the perfect mix of street and track...

[trukk]

Originally Posted by thebigjimsho

I have 500/550 and I find that to be the perfect mix of street and track...

Jim is a wussie though

-Chris