Has anyone had any experience with the Abarth Lowered Springs-kit? Is it worth trying: does road holding really improve that much and how much does the kit affect the comfort? Are speedbumps a very big problem?
Thanks in advance.

Mauriel

Abarth Springs

Hi,

I've had Abarth Springs fitted to my HGT from new, having felt that the standard springing is too soft.

Although you can get much cheaper from a third party company, I chose the Abarth ones partially because I didn't want to compromise the warranty.

They are progressive rated so, at a cruise, you won't notice much difference in ride quality but around corners, the more the springs pack down you will notice much improved responses.

No-one I ask seems exactly sure how much they lower the car but I estimate around 25mm/1". Although not the lowest (most spring sets seem to lower by around 40mm+) you will not be able to heave over speed bumps. I usually have to slow down to around 15-20 mph for them. Also, watch out when parking up to kurbs.

Another tip to improve resopnses: use the fully laiden handbook preasures; 2.7bar front, 2.4 bar rear (for the HGT). These preasures also seem to help the tyres last longer.

Finally, tyres: I recommend Michelin Pilot SX-GT.

Abarth kit

Hello Simon:
I really appreciate any other impressions about your Abarth springs.
Where have u bought them? Can i purchase them online? any place you could reccomend? just abarth site?
Here all the Fiat Bravos sold in Argentina, were put 1 inch (20mm) higher to make them ride "better" on our shitty streets, but the car behaves weird at high speeds cornering on highways( rolls too much). (I think the gravity center is too high).
The original fitted springs are hard, but the car ride height is not as it should be ... and the look, well, it's more like a 4x4 than a sport car.

About tire pressure, if i do maths right 2.7 bar = 37 psi . I know, and my spanish manual says the same (2.5 + 0.2), but don;t u think that's too much??? I put 33 psi and the car behaves better, but it's quite bumpy, you know....

Best regards, keep in touch

Gonzalo
Buenos Aires - Argentina

PS: fit a K&N 57i Induction kit and have fun!

Abarth Springs

Hi Gonzalo,

I got the springs from my Fiat dealer here in Britain. Check out your local dealer.

However, perhaps the ride height and road condition problems you describe are the reason the kit might not be so readily available in Argentina, which would be a real shame.

I stick by my tyre pressures. I must make it clear again, though, that my car is the HGT model which features the 2 litre, 5-cylinder engine from the Coupé. A heavy lump compared to the usual 4-cylinder configuration for this type of car.

At the standard pressures, when straightening up after sweeping 60+mph (80+kph) corners, you can tend to feel the outside front squashing slightly out of shape which is more disappointing than worrying. At the pressures I describe, this dissappears and the whole car sharpens up. Perhaps, unfortunately, the road condition problems you have to suffer may make your car 'bobble' too much, which would be another great shame.

The springs and tyre choice/pressures combination improve the car markedly. Even the ride quality improves despite the car becoming slightly stiffer. It really should have been sold like this from the start. Also, the standard set-ups tendancy to roll a little is curbed but not totally subdued. This is one area I would like to tidy up further in the future.

Thanks for the hint on the K&N induction kit. I have been thinking about fitting one. When I've finished the finance on my car, I think I'll treat myself to one!