Just a question: When I was looking at springs and shocks the only advantage I could see for coil-overs is that they free up some space under the front wheel arches, which could be useful if you want bigger than 17 inch wheels.

Are there any other reasons to go for coil-overs?

Coil-over suspension is becoming ever more popular for car enthusiasts looking to improve their car’s handling and looks. Replacing your vehicle’s suspension with a well-chosen coil over suspension kit has many advantages. Coilovers are more compact and lighter weight than stock suspension; offering reduced unsprung weight and more space for larger wheels – with more negative camber settings.

Using coil over suspension also means that ride height is fully adjustable to suit each car and driver’s needs. Height adjustment becomes crucial in motorsport and drifting when setting up corner weighting or differing front/rear heights for drag racing. For street use, coil overs offer the advantage of being able to safely lower your car for good looks and great handling.

Slightly better than my explanation was going to be Doc.................."because it looks good"

Forgot about that... Yep it also looks good

Doc, your explanation was so good I thought that it came from a manufacturers marketing material!!!

I was quite impressed with that too

I'm not sure that the weight saving can be that great for the Barchetta because the shocks and springs don't weigh that much anyway. I could pick a shock and spring up in one hand without much effort. On the other hand, every bit helps!

Main benefit(s) are that you can easily adjust the ride and they 'tighten up' the ride by being a single unit...........

OK, so I finally did it - yesterday afternoon I replaced the stock springs on LRB with Eibach Pro's, apparently a 30mm reduction in height but I cannot see it myself!

What I can say is it has transformed the handling of the car immensely, she feels much tighter and a lot more sure-footed, I am very happy with the result. The funny thing is that the ride is no harsher than before, the new springs were stiffer and lower, she is handling much better, feels a lot 'tauter' in corners but is still very comfortable.





I have to admit that I did put a call or two into Doc but all in all this is a very easy mod, takes patience, a strong arm, loads of WD40 and a hammer!!

I have added a 'how-to' guide to the 'guides' section of the forum, take a look and give me your feedback, if it needs updating or clarifying I am more than happy to do so.

https://www.fiatforum.com/barchetta-guides/129623-spring-replacement.html

I would say to all of you out there on std springs, go to this place and order a set then put aside a Saturday afternoon to do the job - like the HID upgrades you will not regret it!!

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Klapper-Autoteile-Express-Shopping

Your rear shocks are not OEM Fiat shocks LRB. The front look stock. See now you have a new part on the B does it not make you want to clean up all the other bits? (Or is just me being sad HEHEHE )

docorangepeel said:

Your rear shocks are not OEM Fiat shocks LRB. The front look stock. See now you have a new part on the B does it not make you want to clean up all the other bits? (Or is just me being sad HEHEHE )

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Spot on, front are stock but the rears were replaced 2 years ago!

I am slowly working my way around the car, my biggest challenge is that its my daily car so I am flighting a loosing battle. Once I get my employment status sorted out things may change, depending on what I do next I may have a co. car or buy a banger for running to the station and back in - LRB would then have half a chance of staying clean for more than an hour at a time!!

Colour coded spring compressors, how sad is that??

And EXCUSE ME LRB!!!
You could have eaten your dinner off the underside of my B compared to yours in the pics, shame on you!!

Good to see your making progress LRB. They look good, bet you cant wait to get all for corners done and the car back on the road

Mark

superspotter said:

Colour coded spring compressors, how sad is that??

And EXCUSE ME LRB!!!
You could have eaten your dinner off the underside of my B compared to yours in the pics, shame on you!!

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I had been out in the rain before fitting them - never usually THAT dirty!!

OZ Seicento said:

Good to see your making progress LRB. They look good, bet you cant wait to get all for corners done and the car back on the road

Mark

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Hehe - out shopping today (life of the IT contractor, Monday is now a 'shopping day'!!), even in the wet there is a HUGE difference in the cornering - this really is a mod that's worth a couple of hours and £100!!!!

I was about to say they work even better with the Bilsteins, but I don't actually know that as I didn't try with only the springs!

I didn't notice any height change, despite using a ruler. However think it is a little lower now that they've had some weeks to settle.

Front looks lower but the back seems to sit the same, give it a few weeks and I hope it will settle..........

Look what I spotted when I was driving through Windsor today - another Italian left hooker..........







Always loved these but 24k is a little out of my price range, also not convinced that it would be any more fun than the b!!

Glad you like and can feel the difference, always makes it worth while.
Nice find, though im afraid I prefer the one with the roof, lovely car.
That one is actually an ex Northern Ireland car too I think, definitely seen it before
Good work

Mark