https://www.3sgto.org/blogs/620-2fnloud 3000GT Stealth GTO Forum en Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:48:04 GMT vBulletin 60 https://www.3sgto.org/images/misc/rss.jpg https://www.3sgto.org/blogs/620-2fnloud https://www.3sgto.org/entries/86-ECS-Coil-over-Suspension-MOD-(part-3-of-3) Wed, 22 May 2013 16:12:24 GMT *Installing the front Ground Control sleeve kit to the struts.* The assembly of the rear struts is pretty straight forward with only one word of... Installing the front Ground Control sleeve kit to the struts.

The assembly of the rear struts is pretty straight forward with only one word of advice on assembly per the instructions for the rear Ground Control kit: put both "O" rings on first, then the threaded sleeve.

I was doing one from the bottom and one from the top, problem was that the threaded sleeve kept lifting from the base washer after I put the crimp cap back on the strut:


Yeah I put scratches on my pretty sleeves, I tried four times trying to get the sleeve to sit properly, oh wells still works as it should.

Even after putting both "O" rings on then the sleeve I had a small bit of play, I just stood on the gold adjustable spring base and it slide down properly. Once you have the sleeves sitting properly and the caps back on the struts, take a moment to measure the strut rod, from the top of the cap to the top of the thicker part of the strut rod should measure about 8-3/8". You will want to make sure that both measurements are equal.

once that is done place the bump stop on the strut rod:


you are now ready to place the thrust bearing and spring assembly on the strut. Once that is done, you are ready to install the Tein rear plates. Below is a layout of how to install the various hardware pieces that came with the Ground Control kit and Tein pillow mount:



Listed hardware as it is laid out in the photo:
M-14 x 1.5 nut (had to buy)
M14 split washer (had to buy)
Shortest spacer bushing (comes with Tein pillow mount)
Bushing insert (comes with Tein pillow mount)
Tein pillow mount (comes with Tein pillow mount) duh
Medium spacer bushing (comes with Tein pillow mount)
Small washer (comes with Ground Control kit)
Large washer (comes with Ground Control kit)___________Longest spacer bushing (OEM bushing, not needed)

The top two are the replacement nut and split washer I needed to get to fit the ECS strut, yes I know they are not coated, but they are also inside the car. Also note the long silver sleeve in the lower right hand corner. That is not needed in the assembly of the rear strut system.

Once all assembled torque the top nut to 14-18 ft-lb:


Then you get the joy of adjusting the bottom spring perches to achieve the desired ride height. I would recommend 1.5"-1.75" drop are a maximum drop. Some strut travel is preferred ;)

All comments have been disabled on this blog. Once the selected spring rates and lengths have been finalized, comments will be allowed. ]]> 2fnloud https://www.3sgto.org/entries/86-ECS-Coil-over-Suspension-MOD-(part-3-of-3) https://www.3sgto.org/entries/85-ECS-Coil-over-Suspension-MOD-(part-2-of-3) Mon, 20 May 2013 13:28:24 GMT Installing the front Ground Control sleeve kit to the struts.

Place the front threaded collars on the perch with one of the 1-1/2" x 5" rubber strips between the strut housing and collar; be sure that none of the rubber strip finds it's way underneath the collar.


Now while pulling on the remaining rubber cut it right at the top of the threaded collar, after it is cut it should retract right into the collar like so:


The rubber will assure that the threaded collar will not rattle against the strut housing.

Now place a bearing washer on the adjustable spring perch:


Then the thrust bearing:


Finally another bearing washer:


This will prevent binding of the springs; this will be done on all four struts.

Now replace the strut caps that were removed earlier. Remember, do not go "full retard" with the force used. Then place the bump stops over the caps. A bit of spit makes sliding the bump stop much easier.


Now place the two washers that came with the Ground Control kit and two of the SAE I.D. 9/16" washers and one I.D. 5/8" split washer over the end of the strut-rod. This is needed because the Tein pillow mounts are not as thick as the OEM strut mount; these are used to make up that difference.


The other option would be extend the threads on the strut rod and eliminate the extra washers; time was not on my side so this is the route I went.

Now place the Tein pillow mount kit on the strut assembly. The order is: First the collar, then the strut plate, then the strut rod nut. Carefully start this by hand to assure no cross threading.


After you have tightened the strut nut as tight as you can by hand you can, torque the nut to 56 ft-lb (78 Nm) per the service manual. You will have to use a pair of slip-joint pliers to keep the strut rod from spinning. If you do this at the highest point of the strut rod you can be assured that the "chew marks" left will not affect the seal of the strut;the bump stop will prevent that part of the strut rod from entering the strut housing.

You might use some of the inner-tube wrapped around the strut rod to prevent marring of the strut rod. This completes the front struts for installation on the car. You may have to raise the gold adjustable collar up high enough to allow for tire clearance.


On to part 3

All comments have been disabled on this blog. Comments can be left on part 3. ]]> 2fnloud https://www.3sgto.org/entries/85-ECS-Coil-over-Suspension-MOD-(part-2-of-3) https://www.3sgto.org/entries/84-ECS-Coil-over-Suspension-MOD-(part-1-of-3) Sat, 18 May 2013 19:04:40 GMT The whole scope of this project was to attempt to make the factory ECS suspension system as close to a coil over system that a person could do... The whole scope of this project was to attempt to make the factory ECS suspension system as close to a coil over system that a person could do without losing the ECS feature.

A HUGE "Thank you" goes out to Chris (Anyonebutme) for I was just a "schmuck" with a "crazy idea". He did all the suspension measurement and calculations in this endeavor, without his time and knowledge; this would have of never come to be.

Parts required
4: ECS struts (2: front, 2: rear)
4: Tein Pillow mounts (2: front, 2: rear)
1: Ground Control sleeve kit (Spring info TBA)
4: Tender springs (Spring info TBA)
4: Helper springs (For after all spring rates & lengths have been finalized)
4: Spring dividers (For 2.5 I.D. coil springs) (Can be omitted once spring rates & lengths are established, and springs are welded together)
4: Koyo Torrington NTA-4052 Needle Roller and Cage Thrust Assemblies
8: Koyo Torrington TRA-4052 Thrust Roller Bearing Washers
2: Machine bushings (washers) I.D. 2-1/8" O.D. 3-1/8"
6: Washers SAE I.D. 9/16"
2: Split washers I.D. 5/8
2: M-14 x 1.5 nuts
2: Split washers I.D. M-14
2: 1-1/2"" x 5" strips from an inner tube
4: 2-1/2" I.D. 3-1/4" rubber rings (cut from inner tube)
8: 8" Zip ties

Preparation for assembly
(A list of things that I needed to do before I could assemble the struts)
1: Verify that all the collars and sleeves from the Tein rear pillow mount kit have a 9/16" opening; if not send them out to a machine shop or drill them out yourself to a 9/16" opening.

Also verify that the nuts and split washers included with the kit will fit the rear strut rod, if they do, then you will not need the M-14 x 1.5 nuts and I.D. M-14 split washers that I listed in the "Parts required" list.

Due to lack of a drill press I took these to a local machine shop
NOTE I did NOT gain anything by removing the factory spring perch. I recommend not doing this. NOTE
2: Cut off the spring perch of the front struts

First you will want to knock the crimped cap off the strut using a hammer and a nail punch. This will take some force but refrain from going "full retard" on the poor thing, OK?

You want to cut right above the welds:


I was able to do this in about an hour (both struts) just using my Dremel and Dremel-brand reinforced cutting wheels. The off-brand were breaking and wearing down too fast, it took two brand-name wheels to complete the cutting.

Now test fit the machine bushing to the welds; note any high spots and file them down to create a flat surface using a metal file. This may take many test fittings but is well worth the effort.

An afterthought is to wrap a wire tie around top of the weld to allow a scribe or other mark before cutting.

3: Grind a flat spot on the machine bushing, you will grind the bushing to about half of its width, ending up like so:


This is to ensure clearance with the tire.

4: Spray paint front struts and Machine bushings gloss black

Mask off the strut rod and paint the areas of metal exposed by grinding and filing.

Once done you will have accomplished this:


Now if you are not willing to cut the spring perch off, you can just insert the threaded sleeve like so:


But, you are losing about an inch of thread because the perch is in the way, plus the threaded collar is sitting about half an inch higher than if you remove the perch.

5: Grind bump stops to a smaller diameter to fit between the spring dividers

I just spent time at my bench grinder reducing the O.D. to the point that it could freely fit between the spring dividers.

While you are altering the bump stops you might as well cut them down to the recommended lengths noted on the Ground Control installation instructions.

6: Cut out the various rubber pieces from an inner-tube.

For the rings, I used my old drafting template to draw the circles needed to cut out the rings. The I.D was 2-1/2" and the O.D. was 3-1/4"

Assembling the combo springs
Now you are ready to assemble the struts without having to modify or alter anything else.

I started by pairing up the tender springs and main springs. Not that it matters but I placed the tender spring on the bottom, then a spring divider, then the main spring. Use 2 zip ties to keep these springs together. I placed them 180 degrees across from one another making sure that the ties were located so as to keep them from being easily pinched by the spring.


Finish by placing one of the rubber rings between the main spring and the appropriate top hat.


An assembled spring combo will look like so:


On to part 2 :w00t:

All comments have been disabled on this blog. Comments can be left on part 3. ]]> 2fnloud https://www.3sgto.org/entries/84-ECS-Coil-over-Suspension-MOD-(part-1-of-3)