Lowering Springs

[retrophit]

Are the spring rates correct in that chart? I can’t believe the eibachs are significantly softer than stock.

[MadFiat]

Are the spring rates correct in that chart? I can’t believe the eibachs are significantly softer than stock.

I used what sources I could find...

NeuF publishes their spring rates.

Eibach does not.

For Sportline, Eurocompulsion posted rates several years ago pretty authoritatively. No reason to doubt what they posted - I added the source link. ProKit is a little bit more unclear. What I had listed as a source for ProKit when I look again it didn't really specify which it was, and they were tested numbers not numbers from Eibach.

Source for Sportline spring rates:
http://www.fiat500usaforum.com/showthre ... post645689

I couldn't find a verifiable source for the Pro Kit spring rates so I removed those figures.

[JustPeachySav]

Probably a stupid question but, lowering springs on stock 500T struts? I know it's not ideal but am I going to die? And I can add Koni rears down the road right? Or find some used Abarth shocks and struts w lowering springs? I love my egg just not the wheel gap lol.

[MadFiat]

Probably a stupid question but, lowering springs on stock 500T struts? I know it's not ideal but am I going to die? And I can add Koni rears down the road right? Or find some used Abarth shocks and struts w lowering springs? I love my egg just not the wheel gap lol.

The springs being stiffer will overpower the struts too easily and cause bounciness. You won't die, but it will be a very unpleasant ride, and the struts will wear out early also making it even worse.

The Abarth front struts can usually handle a little lowering, but the rears typically need to be swapped out for Koni Yellow to avoid bounciness.

One good option is to find a pulloff Abarth suspension, that will get you a little lower. Then to level you can cut maybe 1/2 coil from the rear if you want to level the car without lowering it significantly. Yes these are straight cut springs so you CAN cut them as long as you don't use heat.

It's recommended if you're going lower than an Abarth that you need Koni's all around or coilovers.

[JustPeachySav]

It seems if I'm going to spend the money on springs and Koni's I might as well just buy coilovers then. Then on that note how bad are V-maxx coilovers cause they are on sale?

[NGEN]

It seems if I'm going to spend the money on springs and Koni's I might as well just buy coilovers then. Then on that note how bad are V-maxx coilovers cause they are on sale?

If you go with coil overs, I would go with vogtlands - I can get you a set of those. If you go springs and struts, then go with neu-f springs and konis

[MadFiat]

Text from the Wiki article has been copied to the original post here.

[MadFiat]

Updated Madness springs as their offerings and descriptions have changed since article was originally written.

[sportfan]

One thing not mentioned is if you change to lowering spring is getting adjustable sway bar end links so you don't preload the sway bar.

[texanbrit]

One thing not mentioned is if you change to lowering spring is getting adjustable sway bar end links so you don't preload the sway bar.

Very true, especially with the bigger drops.

Is it the consensus that lowering also causes the boots to tear, or is that just a FIAT feature?