Strut Mount and Camber Plate Comparison

[uberchris]

I just installed the Ground Control hybrid plates. It was a little weird and required some emails to support, so I made a quick video how everything goes together. Hopefully a good addition to this thread: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22dnrlga4is

[bavarian3]

I just installed the Ground Control hybrid plates. It was a little weird and required some emails to support, so I made a quick video how everything goes together. Hopefully a good addition to this thread: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22dnrlga4is

thanks for this. would like to hear your feedback on them. any noises, clunks, weirdness driving around town?

[uberchris]

thanks for this. would like to hear your feedback on them. any noises, clunks, weirdness driving around town?

I got it aligned and corner balanced today and my next track day is tomorrow, so I only have feedback on the installation and street performance:

• There are definitely some new pops and clunks during parking-lot-speed maneuvers
• At speed, there is really not much difference for most bumps with one exception: rumble strips are INCREDIBLY LOUD.
• Setting the alignment on the front was a huge pain. Despite what the GC website says, there is no way to access the camber bolts without at least loosening the strut mounting bolts. Minor trackside camber adjustments are absolutely not an option.

[cobra]

I just installed the Ground Control hybrid plates. It was a little weird and required some emails to support, so I made a quick video how everything goes together. Hopefully a good addition to this thread: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22dnrlga4is

I wish more people made informative videos like this. My observations:
-I think you installed the springs right, it's better for the helper spring coupler to hit the metal before coil binding the helper so it doesn't cock to one side. In reality unless you're jumping your car you will probably never actually extend the helper spring except when working on it. Otherwise I'd be worried about it getting caught on the edge of the body.
-Very weird you had to modify the threaded portion to fit the swaybar mount, kind of an unfortunate oversight by GC. Would it be feasible to stack washers under the adapter to raise it up so no modification is needed?
-Did you compare the stack height of the GC camber plate to the stock one? Despite the threaded adapter taking up some length, I think it's also shorter overall so hopefully you didn't lose travel with these parts?
-You might want to consider running the BMW reinforcement plates since the GC plates put all the forces through a smaller area than the stock mount.
-The main spring does not look like it has very much travel. You should check that it won't coil bind given your travel and ride height configuration.
-Check your bump stop position relative to the body at ride height. You might find that it's touching or nearly touching.

I have these same GC plates. I was worried about added NVH but didn't really notice much. I didn't like that for a near-stock alignment setting, the adjustment is all the way at the limit. Eventually went back to stock.