Bravo (Classic) Bravo hgt daily driver

Fair enough... I had assumed the same size as the other models. I'm pretty sure the Mareas had slightly taller tyres, maybe the same as yours...

I thought maybe a previous owner might have "bigged-up" his tyres.

I think 20v marea is supposed to have 195/60R15 iirc.
Ran 195/65R15 on mine and it didn't rub (and speedo was 100% on).

Neverth said:

I think 20v marea is supposed to have 195/60R15 iirc.
Ran 195/65R15 on mine and it didn't rub (and speedo was 100% on).

Click to expand...

The 20v Marea tyres sizes changed for the later models

147 20v models had 195/55/15
155 20v models had 195/60/15

The marea 20v that had a sport pack fitted had 205/50/15 tyrs

I've seen your wanted ad for the missing standard alloy wheel... does the fact that they are off the car in the photo imply that you have now fitted the Coupe wheels?

Been quietly beavering away:thumbup: been putting bits on that for some reason I'd removed....:screwy:

Decat been removed with standard, resonator box put back in before TB.

But mostly doing brakes.



After a quick clean up...

Not sure about the calipers but easy to change


Also did rears


Picked up another set of standard hgt alloys so have a full set plus spares.....will get them refurbed at some point.
Also picked up some tyres for the 16v turbo wheels.

Did find a puddle of water in the boot in the wiring channel so thinking its from sunroof.gonna have to have a look see.

Wanting to replace shockers next, ,, I know billies and eibachs are the best or coilovers but just can't stretch that far.

Seen some KYB dampers at reasonable price....not best in world but worse ones out there.
Also wanting to lower by 40mm seen usual suspects of Apex, PI,Spax,Cobra lowering springs, am rather tempted by some Lesjofors..??

Any one have any recommendations for either springs or dampers....???

Well since the HGT already has "special" lowered suspension, I wouldn't lower it anymore - especially since the rest of the car has been restored nicely to standard. Let your coupe turbo wheels be your "custom" feature...

KYB are fine - slightly sportier than other "standard" shocks - but Bilsteins can be affordable, especially if you pick the correct range - e.g. B4 instead of B6.

Did try to find some coupe 20v turbo standard springs as shorter and stiffer than hgt's but still fiat part...? Presumed use the same dampers??

Spring Details:

Bravo hgt front

• Fitting Position: Front Axle
• Suspension: for vehicles with standard chassis
• Spring Design: Coil Spring
• Parameter: AC
• Diameter 2: 12,25 mm
• Diameter: 175 mm
• Number of Coils: 4,9
• Length: 440 mm

Coupe front

• Fitting Position: Front Axle
• Suspension: for vehicles with standard chassis
• Spring Design: Coil Spring
• Parameter: AC
• Diameter 2: 13 mm
• Diameter: 177 mm
• Length: 410 mm
• Number of Coils: 5,1

Bravo hgt rear

• Fitting Position: Rear Axle
• Suspension: for vehicles with standard chassis
• Spring Design: Coil Spring
• Parameter: AC
• Diameter 2: 11,75 mm
• Diameter: 124 mm
• Length: 304 mm
• Number of Coils: 5,75

Coupe rear

• Fitting Position: Rear Axle
• Suspension: for vehicles with standard chassis
• Spring Design: Coil Spring
• Parameter: AC
• Diameter 2: 12,25 mm
• Diameter: 125 mm
• Length: 270 mm
• Number of Coils: 6,1

So from above presume they would lower the hgt by approx 30mm also be stiffer with it and keeping fiat parts? I did think about it.....

Well in all proper suspension kits lowered springs go together with shortened dampers, so I would expect the Coupe Turbo to have shorter shocks to go with its springs - not the same as HGT or standard Coupe.

I would have thought that "optimised standard" would be the way to go with your car, especially since you have bought some more correct HGT alloys as well as the Coupe turbo ones with new tyres now.

See how it looks and runs on your new wheels, and then decide if lowering would really give you any benefit...

I think Adrian Bravo is happy with "standard" Bilstein suspension in his 1.8 - not sure which ones he bought or what he paid though...

Had some issues with mot failure due to brake lines and handbrake.

Ended up changing all four corner lines and flexi's....stripped cables down and flushed through adjusted up and flew through retest. Back on the road again.

Just the suspension to go through next....that'll be major mechanics done for a solid base car...fun starts after that with the engine....mmm

Ooh forgot but been looking at detailing products so gonna be doing a bit of paint correction and the likes.