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May 23, 2022 17:34:18 GMT
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I'd like to take an inch of the ride height of my fiat 850.
It's coil sprung all round but lowered springs aren't available.
I can't alter the mounts or seats, nor do i want to cut the original springs.
Is there a guide or rescource out there that gives spring dimensions and load ratings etc?
What other options are out there?
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May 23, 2022 18:23:02 GMT
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IIRC, grizz had some custom made a year or so ago for his Galaxy |
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May 23, 2022 18:28:19 GMT
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IIRC, grizz had some custom made a year or so ago for his Galaxy Evening, Off the shelf (Ebay items, custom for Galaxy) However…… metalshapes is online…… He may know more. |
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May 23, 2022 18:53:27 GMT
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Coil springs on all 4 corners? Are you sure about that? Apart from the 850 based van's and racers with a Abarth front A-arm conversion. they usually have a transfer leaf spring in the front. The A-arm conversion is used with coilovers, so rideheight is adjustable with one of those. If you still have the leafspring, lowered springs with reversed eyes are available. As well as lowering springs for the rear. For my Fiat tuning parts I go to Scuderia Topolino in Germany. www.abarth-online.de/epages/62098439.sf/en_US/?ObjectPath=/Shops/62098439/CategoriesHe can probably get you what you need. |
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May 23, 2022 18:58:28 GMT
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A quick look at his page gives these options for lowering a 850.    He also has shorter upgraded shocks, etc. ST is run by Michael Feyl, a good guy to deal with... |
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May 23, 2022 20:11:10 GMT
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It's an 850t, van based camper so it has coils all round.
I'll get a good look at that tomorrow thanks.
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May 23, 2022 20:29:42 GMT
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I think that means you have the same rear suspension as the regular 850 Sedan/ Coupe/ Spider.
So the lowering springs & shocks should work.
I believe the front suspension is based on the old Fiat 1100 ( coil springs)
So probably no off the shelf parts.
A quick google search seems to show converting it to coilovers would be doable, though...
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May 23, 2022 20:33:42 GMT
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And/or ( depending on how far you want to take it ) completely start over with Fiat 124 uprights & brakes.
That would give the added bonus of discs in the front...
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May 23, 2022 20:38:15 GMT
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I may end up going coilover front.
There is a disc brake upgrade on the cards but I'm not sure I want to reconfigure the whole front end.
Commonly available panda discs and calipers should be easily adaptable.
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May 23, 2022 20:41:50 GMT
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One more thought...
I ran severely chopped 900T rear springs in my 1000TC racer, before I went to coilovers on all 4 corners.
Which was a much stiffer spring than the Fiat 600 spring I started with.
( no doubt because it was so much shorter, but it also had a thicker wound coil.
So you'll have to keep that in mind...)
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May 23, 2022 20:49:08 GMT
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Oh the springs are well chunky front and back.
I guess they're built to take a bit of weight.
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May 23, 2022 20:55:53 GMT
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Yeah, so probably close to the 900T springs I started with, then..
You'll have to be careful not to put in too soft of a spring, even with upgraded race springs...
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May 23, 2022 20:57:50 GMT
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Any race shop should be able to put your springs in a spring rate tester.
So at least you'll know what your starting point is...
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May 23, 2022 21:19:15 GMT
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Something else that may be useful to you is what I did on my 1958 Fiat 500 Nuova. I got racing springs that were too short to work, but did have the spring rate I wanted. Then I got adjustable platforms they sell for Oval Track Camaro's www.speedwaymotors.com/AFCO-Adjustable-Spring-Spacer,49203.html?sku=10620187&utm_medium=CSEGoogle&utm_source=CSE&utm_campaign=CSEGOOGLE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwu2ehMX29wIVzwytBh02LQlXEAQYASABEgKlQfD_BwE And adapted them to fit the car ( so they fit without having to modify the car )   So now I can set the rideheight and cornerweights in the rear. ( in front I'm using a reversed eye lowering spring) |
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May 23, 2022 21:20:09 GMT
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Link didnt work. Speedway motors. Part # 10620187 AFCO Adjustable Spring Spacer  |
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Ritchie
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 765 
Club RR Member Number: 12
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May 24, 2022 15:36:20 GMT
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Any race shop should be able to put your springs in a spring rate tester. So at least you'll know what your starting point is... If you have access to a pillar drill you can work out the rate with a set of bathroom scales on the bottom. |
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May 24, 2022 16:20:15 GMT
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www.coilsprings.co.uk/ can make you a set of springs to whatever rate and fixed length you like. Their website isn't an HTTPS secure one so it flags up with a security warning, but I've used them and they're good (admittedly a while ago). Can always ring them and do it via phone if you're concerned. They've got a spring database as well, so may well have the specs you need. If not, as metalshapes says you can get them measured.
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Last Edit: May 24, 2022 16:20:37 GMT by biturbo228
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