Lowering ride height

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carlospena96
Posts: 62
Joined: Sun Sep 21, 2014 5:43 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat 124 spider

Lowering ride height

Postby carlospena96 » Sun Apr 09, 2017 10:37 pm

I will like to drop my car a little bit now that I'm replacing ball joints and bishings on the control arms, cutting the springs is so tempting, if I cut, how many coils do I cut?

PhillySpider
Posts: 325
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:51 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000
Location: New Hope, PA

Re: Lowering ride height

Postby PhillySpider » Mon Apr 10, 2017 1:16 am

just put on some weight and get a fat girlfriend :)

Akgriffith
Posts: 103
Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2016 9:05 pm
Your car is a: 1977 and 1970 Spider

Re: Lowering ride height

Postby Akgriffith » Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:17 pm

Not sure where to cut the springs, but Allison's Automotive has lowering springs. Anyone here ever use them? I know I think about lowering my car too.
Alex Griffith
1977 124 Spider - Slowly coming together

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joelittel
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Posts: 1013
Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2011 6:53 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 FI
Location: Evanston, IL

Re: Lowering ride height

Postby joelittel » Tue Apr 11, 2017 8:51 am

Cutting springs was a hot topic a couple years back. If you search you'll find many conversations and just as many opinions.

I do believe there were posts that spelled out what was cut off and the results rendered.

I have koni shocks and Vick's lowering springs on an '80 with blade bumpers.

The ride height evened out nicely and dropped just a touch lower but I'd like it to sit even lower yet.

If possible, please post measurements before and after.

vandor
Posts: 3996
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
Location: Texas, USA

Re: Lowering ride height

Postby vandor » Wed Apr 12, 2017 1:52 am

the proper way to lower a car is to install lowering springs. The only time it'd be ok to cut springs is on the rear of a 1975-85 Spider, as the factory raised the rear end to meet bumper height standards. Not sure exactly how much to cut, probably about one coil. Maybe start at 3/4 and see what that gets you, then go in 1/4 turn increments.

Of course I have our progressive lowering springs on my '71. For a long time I did not want to change the stock springs, as I assumed the lowering springs would noticeably worsen the ride. But when we started developing our lowering springs I tested three different sets on the car and left the last iteration on for good, as the ride wasn't worse than stock. Likely that is because of the rear progressive springs.
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town

gtmedley
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2017 4:06 pm
Your car is a: 1974 Fiat 124 Sedan 1400 OHV Euro model

Re: Lowering ride height

Postby gtmedley » Wed Sep 20, 2017 6:04 pm

One of the best and least expensive ways to lower your car is...Photoshop. :) You can get the proper aggressive stance -- and see just how bitchin' your Fiat can look. And no damage to springs or oil pans.

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johndemar
Posts: 716
Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:12 am
Your car is a: 1976 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Phoenix

Re: Lowering ride height

Postby johndemar » Thu Sep 21, 2017 8:14 am

vandor wrote:the proper way to lower a car is to install lowering springs. The only time it'd be ok to cut springs is on the rear of a 1975-85 Spider, as the factory raised the rear end to meet bumper height standards. Not sure exactly how much to cut, probably about one coil. Maybe start at 3/4 and see what that gets you, then go in 1/4 turn increments. .


Well, I put the progressive springs and yellow koni's on my bumperless 76 and the height is perfect.
Cutting might fit the budget better, but the lowering springs are the way to go.
76 Fiat 124 Spider
One owner since July 20, 1976
Amadio Motor, Jeannette, PA

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Odoyle
Posts: 440
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:06 pm
Your car is a: 1983 Pinafarina Spider
Location: CA

Re: Lowering ride height

Postby Odoyle » Thu Sep 21, 2017 1:58 pm

Let see some pics :D

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royn
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Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2014 1:33 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: 2864 Fall, Norway

Re: Lowering ride height

Postby royn » Sat Sep 23, 2017 6:46 am

Here a some photos before and after lowering the car.
Image

I changed the wheels, but you will see that the car is lowered to europeen spec.

Image

I bought lowering springs and shocks as a set from Germany. I see that Allison Automotive and other vendors sell the same set in the US.
Theese springs are progressive springs and I have had no problem with bottening up. The ride is not stiff, but firm and very accurate.

Image
Image
Image
royn
1982 Fiat Spider 2000


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