Improving High Speed Stability

Fiat 500s with Terbows.
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retrophit
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Improving High Speed Stability

Post by retrophit » Tue Feb 19, 2019 1:11 pm

Hey fellas... any tips on improving high speed stability in our cars? I try to keep my tire pressers on-point but over 85 MPH my car gets really squirrely; even worse if there is weight in the trunk!

My car is not lowered (nor will it ever be).

Lucas.
2013 500C Abarth
All the mods!
Instagram: HIS3ONX

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Damnyoutaco
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Re: Improving High Speed Stability

Post by Damnyoutaco » Tue Feb 19, 2019 1:25 pm

Do you have an upgraded rear bar?

Ranked in terms of biggest difference made to feel/stability:
1) Vertical braces - I see you already have those
2) Horizontal brace
3)Upgraded rear bar

I also have Koni yellow sport shocks waiting to be installed, they should help with high speed stability as well.
Corsa Forza tunnel & vertical braces
Neuf rear bar
AAD shifter with CF 595 Turismo shift knob
Cavalino NACA + extractor
MPX axel back exhaust
GFB DV+
Koni yellow sport rear shocks
Euro Fiat coupe bump stops
R1 Eline drilled rotors F/R with Hawk 5.0

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retrophit
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Re: Improving High Speed Stability

Post by retrophit » Tue Feb 19, 2019 2:41 pm

thanks man, I will look into that stuff. I will also check the torque on the El Gato braces; make sure they haven't backed out.

Do you have lowering springs? Do you plan to install them with the Konis?
2013 500C Abarth
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Instagram: HIS3ONX

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Damnyoutaco
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Re: Improving High Speed Stability

Post by Damnyoutaco » Tue Feb 19, 2019 2:55 pm

retrophit wrote: Tue Feb 19, 2019 2:41 pm thanks man, I will look into that stuff. I will also check the torque on the El Gato braces; make sure they haven't backed out.

Do you have lowering springs? Do you plan to install them with the Konis?
I have no plan for lowering. I snowplow enough at stock height haha. The rear bar helped combating high way cross winds too. The car just feels sturdier overall with all the bracing.
Corsa Forza tunnel & vertical braces
Neuf rear bar
AAD shifter with CF 595 Turismo shift knob
Cavalino NACA + extractor
MPX axel back exhaust
GFB DV+
Koni yellow sport rear shocks
Euro Fiat coupe bump stops
R1 Eline drilled rotors F/R with Hawk 5.0

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retrophit
Posts: 128
Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2018 10:34 am
Your Car's Year / Make / Model: 2013 Abarth 500C
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Re: Improving High Speed Stability

Post by retrophit » Tue Feb 19, 2019 3:30 pm

When you say "horizontal brace" you mean like this?

https://www.speedmotive.com/select-make ... rame-brace
2013 500C Abarth
All the mods!
Instagram: HIS3ONX

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Damnyoutaco
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Re: Improving High Speed Stability

Post by Damnyoutaco » Tue Feb 19, 2019 3:39 pm

retrophit wrote: Tue Feb 19, 2019 3:30 pm When you say "horizontal brace" you mean like this?

https://www.speedmotive.com/select-make ... rame-brace
Yep that's the piece! I got mine from Corsa Forza. I am not sure if the DNA ones have the same design. The CF ones fit under the stock splash shield. (Note some folks haven't had the best experience dealing with CF. YMMV)
Corsa Forza tunnel & vertical braces
Neuf rear bar
AAD shifter with CF 595 Turismo shift knob
Cavalino NACA + extractor
MPX axel back exhaust
GFB DV+
Koni yellow sport rear shocks
Euro Fiat coupe bump stops
R1 Eline drilled rotors F/R with Hawk 5.0

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MadFiat
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Re: Improving High Speed Stability

Post by MadFiat » Wed Feb 20, 2019 6:49 pm

I know you're not lowering, but dropping the BACK only about 1/2" will actually help a lot, even if you leave the front at stock height.
2015 Rosso Abarth 5MT - MAD FIAT - EC Phase 2 + Supporting Mods
2015 Granito Lucente 500T 6AT - Projecto Estupido
2017 Fiat 124 Spider 6MT - Another one???

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retrophit
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Re: Improving High Speed Stability

Post by retrophit » Wed Feb 20, 2019 7:29 pm

I don’t doubt that, but my ride height in the rear isn’t too bad. Maybe it’s the 50lb steal framed child seat that sits back there?
2013 500C Abarth
All the mods!
Instagram: HIS3ONX

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retrophit
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Re: Improving High Speed Stability

Post by retrophit » Sun Mar 10, 2019 4:01 pm

I had a NeuF bar and the Corsa chassis brace installed on Friday. Huge difference. The car is much stiffer and more stable. Thanks for the recommendation!
2013 500C Abarth
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Instagram: HIS3ONX

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texanbrit
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Re: Improving High Speed Stability

Post by texanbrit » Mon Mar 11, 2019 10:14 am

retrophit wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2019 4:01 pm I had a NeuF bar and the Corsa chassis brace installed on Friday. Huge difference. The car is much stiffer and more stable. Thanks for the recommendation!
That's great to hear. Just watch it if you overcook a corner now, it's likely to not give you the predictable under-steer Fiat wanted, but try to throw the tail out instead. Much more preferable response in my book but if you're not expecting it......
2013 Abarth 500c (NGen Turbo'd) - Isabella
2012 500 Pop (broken, engine rebuild on hold) - Popabella
2014 500L (Daily workhorse) - The Hulk
2013 Abarth 500 (broken engine, current project) - Abby

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