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I remember those baking headlight days.... and someone was brave enough to start baking taillight to smoke it from the inside later on
That was the first retrofit I ever did - I used TSX projectors and two ceiling fan canopies that I polished It worked pretty well. I think they're still going strong, 10 years later.
I never did get to make the clear diffusers for the running light. I made the molds but could never get the pour right without introducing bubbles.
The deed is done - the Ground Control coilover conversion has been installed. I also tossed on some Superpro fixed camber plates, which add 1.4° of negative camber.
Ride quality/handling: I haven't put many miles on it, but so far the car rides just as good as it did stock, just with a little less squat on acceleration. There are no weird noises with the camber plates either, which is a welcome relief. The additional camber makes turn in surprisingly quick, though I haven't really pushed it yet.
Adjustment process: GC mounted all of their adjusters low for ease of access. You don't even need to take a wheel off to adjust heights - just jack that corner up, crack the lock screw loose, and spin the adjuster. The rear is even easier - jack the car up and spin the adjuster from the bottom of the LCA; no lock screw required (they use square cut threads that essentially lock the adjuster in place when load is placed on them).
Install Notes: Installation was straight forward but time consuming. All in all it took me about 6.5hrs, with the front taking up most of the time. If I were to do it again, I'd expect it to take about 4 hours. The 2x4 method for getting the struts out of the knuckle seemed sketchy at first, but it works and works well.
Other Notes: I'm waiting on new, longer adjusters to come in for the rear since they're not allowing the rear to go any higher then it currently sits. While it looks good, it's too low for my tastes (especially if the springs settle any more).
The second photo shows the 19x8 Pretorias (@SamDoe1 ) with a 10mm spacer, running the standard 235/35 tire. There appears to be room to add another 5-10mm of spacer, but I'll probably just end up running 245s or 255s.
Lastly, I wish the kit came with a dust boot. The factory dust boot is too large, and wouldn't fit inside the spring. I may take a look at aftermarket boots just for piece of mind.
I'll be getting an alignment once I get the ride height to my liking - hopefully within the next week. I don't drive a whole lot, so I'm not too worried about tire wear in that time.
I also tossed in Tuxmats a few weeks back. They look so much nicer then the Weathertech mats, IMO:
Mod List - P3 vent gauge w/ performance timer pack - CQuartz UK Ceramic Coating
- VW671 3D printed front license plate mount
- BMW rear license plate mount (gets the plate off of the paint)
- Audi S3 resonator delete kit - ECS Flush Kit (10mm/17.5mm spacers) - Intake snorkel trimmed - Snow grate removed from factory airbox (removed) - Weathertech Window Visors (not my favorite, but they help with wind buffeting when the windows are cracked) - Raceseng Sphereology shift knob - ECS front to back and side to side short shifter - 42DD shift cable bushings - OE VW shift cable bracket - ECS shift cable bushings - ECS SS clutch line - Homemade adjustable clutch pedal stop - Removed swirl valve and bleeder block check valve - PowerFlex hybrid dog mount insert - RocEuro stabilizer bar - VW Homelink rearview mirror - Euro low profile rear headrests - Southpawboston OBD Eleven glovebox holder - Eurodyne Maestro Stg2 - Llumar Formula One ceramic tint, 35% - Forge Motorsports turbo blanket - APR boost tap - D-docks cell phone dock - Superpro 22mm rear sway bar - Acexxon rear reflector deletes - VW aspherical sideview mirrors - Integrated Engineering downpipe, coated by SwainTech - SRP aluminum pedals - Euro Dynamic Taillights - Dieselgeek shifter shaft bushings - Dieselgeek Super Pin - Southbend Stage 3 Daily clutch with lightweight flywheel - Fluidampr - iABED billet rear main seal - Black Forrest Industries stage 1 motor and transmission mounts - Baun Performance front mount intercooler - Burger Motorsports open element intake & turbo inlet - VW 12v outlet LED flashlight - Motul Gear 300 transmission fluid - Euro power folding mirrors - Tuxmat floor mats - Ground Control adjustable springs (adjustable from 0 to -1.5" from stock) - Superpro fixed camber plates (-1.4°) - Many coding tweaks
Last edited by civicdrivr; May 14, 2019 at 08:17 AM.
Yeah, I wish they weren't so pricey...
I'd rather get the roof bars for that much cash!
they are hot though and previous owner slapped A4
all weather mats in mine which doesn't bother me much
but the passenger side one is starting to crack sooooo
you know, any excuse to buy things for the car.
Those mats look really nice. Never heard of those before.
I think it's an optical illusion - the front is about the same height as the rear, but because the front is less flush, it looks higher. I may replace the 10mm spacer in the front with a 15mm spacer to hold me off until I get wider tires.
I love the mats too. I had the factory all weather mats but my girlfriend somehow always found a way to get dirt, rocks and mud everywhere else but the mats. These keep everything contained
it is a preferred VAG product, I agree
I fancy myself inside of it pretty often too.
Going fast.
and slow...then fast again. Over bumps...taking curves.
Putting in gas...sometimes spilling a little. Oops.
it is a preferred VAG product, I agree
I fancy myself inside of it pretty often too.
Going fast.
and slow...then fast again. Over bumps...taking curves.
Putting in gas...sometimes spilling a little. Oops.
I use my 1/4" craftsman ratchet...it fits perfectly and holds it open
I didn't want to mess up the tip on the wrench. Plus it was nice popping the socket off the wrench and leaving the socket in the knuckle, holding it open.
But can we talk about that dumb knuckle design for a moment?? What's wrong with just bolting the bottom of the strut to the knuckle??
I think it's because once you release it, it'll stay up while you align everything else?
But yeah...
and you should see the design on the B8 rear spring perch...fucking biggest pain in my
ass to swap a spring on this. And I've now done it 3 times.
Oddly, the tip on the craftsman has held up...and I basically only use my
snap-on ratchet anyway. Because Posh Spice.
the A3 was like that too...
the S4 is not. You have to compress to remove and install while trying to avoid the rock guard
and align top and bottom rubber while also using a pry bar to push down on the LCA and give yourself
clearance. Absolute HELL.
No sir, the ratchet fits usually...at the most I used a pry bar to spread it enough to put the ratchet in. Literally perfect
width.
A lot of people on the forums use the 1/4" ratchet tip as well as a spreader. It works, from what I've read. The rear on the Golf was pretty easy - just gotta remember to disconnect the sway bar, or it's going to fight you the whole time.
Also, I reached out to Ground Control because I've yet to receive the new adjusters. They told me that after reviewing their info on the setup, they are sending me a taller spring instead. They said using a taller adjuster would put too much strain on it, potentially leading to failure. The new spring should be here by the end of the week. Once that comes in, I'll be raising the car just a little bit. It rides a little too low for my comfort, and especially for my driving style
LMAO,
your answer is always don't raise it!
Fuck that...aside from the fact that it was $300 back in my pocket...the ride being even all around and it looking classy instead of tucking tire
AND being able to hoon without worrying about hitting something or bottoming out was worth it enough to me.
I'm right there with you J - I drive the car hard and regularly drive in areas with construction, potholes, and old cobblestone roads. I just want to raise it maybe 1/4". I'll see once I get the new springs for the rear.
I can promise you if you look hard enough in the last decade...you'll find multiple threads and posts where I'm calling people big fat juicy pussies for stating what I just stated.
I retired from the low life
I'm right there with you J - I get driven hard and regularly drive in areas with construction, potholes, and old cobblestone roads. I just want the first 1/4" in me. I'll see once I get the new springs for the rear.
Happy 30k posts!
It is nice to actually be able to drive on all the roads and not risk mechanical failure over some potholes. Still pansies though.
To be honest with you, a bit part of having springs on stock shocks over coilovers is the ride is very good with German dampers.
In addition, I like not having the option to continually dial in more low front, more high rear, more low rear, more low front...used to drive me nuts.
I still have some body roll but I'll likely address with some stiffer sway bars.
Getting an alignment today too.
To be honest with you, a bit part of having springs on stock shocks over coilovers is the ride is very good with German dampers.
In addition, I like not having the option to continually dial in more low front, more high rear, more low rear, more low front...used to drive me nuts.
I still have some body roll but I'll likely address with some stiffer sway bars.
Getting an alignment today too.
the stock struts on these aren't bad at all. Even lowered the amount that I am, the ride is pretty comfortable. Plus, keeping the adjustable suspension modes is a bonus. I could switch to the Bilstein DCC replacements, but not many people run them, so reviews are scarce.
I've replaced the rear sway, which made a difference. I may swap the front, but that requires dropping the subframe. Not sure I want to do that yet lol
Originally Posted by CCColtsicehockey
Since we were talking yesterday I figured I would help out
The blue definitely gets my vote. The bronze - or at least that shade - doesn't look right to me.
But yeah...I really want to address some house things first, so I'm good with the OEM+ look right now.
I think someone used a filter on the picture of the bronze. I have never seen them look like that in any other picture. I agree though the blue look great.
I hear you though. I have put off car mods a lot lately to do items for the house. Not something the old me would have done. I keep building car plans in my head and then spending on house mods instead.
I hear you though. I have put off car mods a lot lately to do items for the house. Not something the old me would have done. I keep building car plans in my head and then spending on house mods instead.
and I enjoy the house mods more.
Sometimes I wonder how much more I'd be able to do to the house had I not put all that money into cars in my teens and twenties...but then I wouldn't have met you guys, so I'm ok with the struggle right now
Originally Posted by SamDoe1
That Golf TSI is boss!
What wheels are those? I probably can't afford them but curious anyway.
It worked pretty well. I think they're still going strong, 10 years later.
@SamDoe1 
) with a 10mm spacer, running the standard 235/35 tire. There appears to be room to add another 5-10mm of spacer, but I'll probably just end up running 245s or 255s.
the stock struts on these aren't bad at all. Even lowered the amount that I am, the ride is pretty comfortable. Plus, keeping the adjustable suspension modes is a bonus. I could switch to the Bilstein DCC replacements, but not many people run them, so reviews are scarce.
