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Which one? Skunk2 or GC Adjustable Coilovers?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Justdidit, Nov 15, 2012.

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Skunk2 or GC Adjustable Coilovers?

Poll closed Nov 17, 2012.

  1. Skunk2

    2 vote(s)
    66.7%

  2. Ground Control

    1 vote(s)
    33.3%
Multiple votes are allowed.
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  1. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    ~$350 Ground Control - Spring Rate: Moderate - maintain closer to stock (saying this modestly) ride as possible.
    Part #:8070.01

    ~$272 Skunk2 - Spring Rate: Harsh - much stiffer ride.
    Part #:517-08-245

    Not many if not only one person has done this mod, so asking this question may be a shot in the dark...but give me some opinions and why. Thank you!
     
    #1 Justdidit, Nov 15, 2012
  2. Agent J

    Agent J Hypoliterian

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    go for the stiffer one. i'm always willing to sacrifice comfort for a bit more grip. :)
     
    #2 Agent J, Nov 15, 2012
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  3. maestro8

    maestro8 Nouveau Member

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    Which shocks are you pairing these springs with? Are these both constant spring rate coils, or progressive rate? How much greater is the rate on the stiffer spring? Give us something to work with besides part numbers here...

    If you haven't upgraded / aren't upgrading your shocks along with the stiffer spring, you're going to lose grip every time you hit a bump. I'd look at a coil-over setup if grip is your goal.

    If height is your only goal, then a spring-only swap is fine, and stiffness doesn't matter.
     
    #3 maestro8, Nov 15, 2012
  4. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    I was thinking of the Skunk2 because of price and I don't mind losing comfort for better handling.

    Staying w/ stock shocks for now.

    I provided part numbers because I haven't found the info your asking about yet.

    These are adjustable Coilovers sleeves...

    GroundControl Part #:8070.01
    [​IMG]

    Skunk2 Part #:517-08-245
    [​IMG]

    The issue is height, Coilover sleeves will allow me to go much lower than the available springs I've found. 1.4"F & 1"R isn't gonna cut it. Especially in the price range of either of these sleeves.
     
    #4 Justdidit, Nov 15, 2012
  5. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Until I feel that the struts are needed to be replaced I'll stick w/ what I have. It shouldn't be a big deal to swap out the springs with these sleeves, so when the time is right or their needed, I'll swap out the struts as well. When I don't have to pay someone for the labor of the install, I'm in no rush to do the Struts just yet.
     
    #5 Justdidit, Nov 15, 2012
  6. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Ken@Japan said the below specs about the spring rates- (Not sure how to convert newtons or really what this means)

    Touring Prius front=24N, rear=28.5N (5.39/6.29lbs ??)
    Standard Prius front=24N, rear=30N (5.39/6.74lbs ??)

    GC website doesn't even say what the rates are but it looks like you can request whatever you want...:
    Ground Control - Coilover Conversion kit, 03- Toyota Matrix/Vibe

    Skunk2 - Spring Rates F/R - 446/335 lbs/in
    Skunk2 Adjustable Coilovers Toyota Matrix 517-08-2450

    It looks like the Tokico HPs are fairly decent for a strut swap...Toyotechwv did the swap on his. Look to be stable with +2" Drop. Part#s LF - HB3237, RF - HB3238, RR - HU3765, LR - HU3765 - Fronts don't fit but rears fit perfectly:



    The KYB Excel-G are not designed for lowering but more of OEM replacements. Part #s - 333388, 333389, 341322, 341322
    Excel-G Kit for Toyota Prius (2004-2008)
     
    #6 Justdidit, Nov 15, 2012
  7. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Since there aren't many options for Front strut "upgrades" except KYB GR2/Excel-G - which i feel is more of an OEM replacement, not made for lowering. I have been determined to find a resolution. I wasn't sure what Toyotechwv mean't be the below statement... I thought, "how could this not work"...

    More digging w/o having the cars actually apart to compare, I found this online:

    Matrix & Corolla Hub on Left, Prius on Right
    [​IMG]
    You can see that the Matrix/Corolla hubs are smaller than the G2 Prius.

    Since "Prius70" was able to create servicable struts, going lower. . .inserts. . . | PriusChat - why couldn't this be done to create a performance strut using a Bilstein, Koni or even the Tokico's...

    What do you think?
     
    #7 Justdidit, Nov 16, 2012
  8. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Better Picture...
    [​IMG]
     
    #8 Justdidit, Nov 16, 2012
  9. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Hmm... only one vote!?
     
    #9 Justdidit, Nov 16, 2012
  10. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Grr... I hate being impatient... I may just grab the Skunk2.

    Found it a little cheaper yet and discount coupon on Shipping with no Sales Tax.

    Sub-Total:$258.06
    Shipping:$10.11
    Order Total:$268.17
     
    #10 Justdidit, Nov 16, 2012
  11. maestro8

    maestro8 Nouveau Member

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    You're asing a bunch of eco-modders how to build a race car. What did you expect?
     
    #11 maestro8, Nov 16, 2012
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  12. silentak1

    silentak1 Since 2005

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    IMO, Skunk2 is a much better quality product that Ground Control... I can't believe GC is still around... hope you can live with the rattles though.
     
    #12 silentak1, Nov 16, 2012
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  13. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Couldn't find much about the Skunk2 Springs except - Spring Rates F/R - 446/335 lbs/in, I know that GC uses Eibach springs with custom rate of springs but nothing other than that.

    As far as the rattles, what do you mean?
     
    #13 Justdidit, Nov 16, 2012
  14. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    #14 a_gray_prius, Nov 16, 2012
  15. silentak1

    silentak1 Since 2005

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    Well, my Prius seems to have rattles here and there, but i guess some people don't have random rattles. If GC is using Eibach now, then that's worth considering. What kind of springs is Skunk2 using now? Are you planning on upgrading the shocks as well?
     
    #15 silentak1, Nov 19, 2012
  16. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Ya, no current rattles here.

    Not sure what springs Skunk2 are using but I was at least able to find the spring rates...

    As far as shocks... KYB Excel-G struts are the only 'upgrade' available (I actually believe they produced the OEM struts for Toyota, but I haven't confirmed this) that I can find and they aren't designed for lowering. Monroe has a set... blech.. Rear Tokico HPs HU3765 (fits the Matrix) will work but the fronts aren't swappable due to the spindles having a smaller fit than the Prius. See the below post from earlier:

    As I mentioned prior, "Prius70" has done some work that looks promising see this thread: going lower. . .inserts. . . | PriusChat - May look into doing something like this b4 I bite the big one an just do a full Megan Coilover Setup for $880

    [​IMG]
     
    #16 Justdidit, Nov 19, 2012
  17. maestro8

    maestro8 Nouveau Member

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    "Coilover" doesn't mean "just springs"... coilovers are paired spring-shock combinations.

    When you pair a stiffer spring with an OEM shock, you're going to have a unmatched spring / damper pair. If the spring is significantly stiffer than the OEM spring, then the strut won't be able to dampen the spring's more forceful oscillation. Your suspension will turn into a set of pogo-sticks.

    This effect will be enhanced if you stiffen the spring even further by compressing it. A fully-threaded set of coilovers will allow you to adjust ride height without affecting the spring / sacrificing suspension travel. do not know if the Megans offer this.

    End result: less grip over bumps. I'd go with the full set if I were you.

    I've got adjustable Konis on my track car and non-adjustable Koni coil-overs on another of my cars. They're the cat's pajamas. Paired with a space-frame chassis, it's like driving a one ton go-kart...
     
    #17 maestro8, Nov 19, 2012
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  18. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    I'm fully aware that "coilover" doesn't mean "just springs" - which is why I also said these were coilover sleeve options.

    Had this been a completely lousy choice for "Toyotechwv" in chosing them for AutoXing, I probably wouldn't have looked in this direction. However, with stock front shocks (because of whats available in this $ range) and the option to upgrade with Tokico rears, w/o spending almost twice as much for a full matched pair as suggested, this seems like a valid choice. IF after this has gone thru rigorous testing and hasn't proven itself worthy, I'll upgrade to a Full Coilover Setup and choose between the currently available options of the Megans for $880, the TANABE Sustec PRO-NF Coilovers for $1000, the TEIN Super Street Damper for $1670 or the HKS Hipermax LS+ coilovers for $1900.

    Until then the $443 setup w/ Skunk2 sleeves and upgraded rear Tokico HPs will suffice.
     
    #18 Justdidit, Nov 19, 2012
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  19. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    #19 Justdidit, Nov 19, 2012
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  20. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    WTH.... discontinued!?

    Looks like I may have to go with the GC as it seems Skunk2 isn't stocked by anyone and drop shipped directly from the MFR who has discontinued the item.
     
    #20 Justdidit, Nov 27, 2012
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