General 35mm Pi Springs – My Experience

[MF-Racing]

Yesterday I fitted my -35mm Pi sports lowering springs to my 2004 1.6 3 door Stilo. Thought I’d just let you know what I’ve found…

Fitting

I fitted them my self, and to be honest it was quite easy but a bit physical and hard work! Getting the front shocks off the car was easy apart from how tight the bottom strut bolts were. Changing the springs over was a bit nerve racking as it went all over when tightening the compressors up, the Stilo springs are really really long so I had to use 4 of them on each spring to get it off. I also changed the top bearing and rubber mount but I’m not sure if this needed doing (£100 from the dealers as well!), just did it to try to rule it out as I’ve got a knocking from the front end.

Refitting was easy, apart from having to use two jacks to lower the car back down as it was now too low to get my trolley jack out from underneath it!

The rears were really easy, 20 mins per side. One bolt and just pull the old ones out and push the new ones in!

Handling

The car feels 100 times better now! Much much less body roll, it turns in and holds a line much better. Makes the car feel solid and put together! It also feels like it has better grip on the front end, with less understeer in the wet. Would recommend those who doesn’t like the soft Stilo handing to do this mod asap. It is a bit harsher over the bumps but not too bad. Well recommended!

Looks

I think it looks really good, not too low and not set in 4x4 mode as before! Might have to be a bit careful over curbs etc buts its not that bad. It has levelled the car out as well which makes it look better. Before and after pics below!

I'd just like to say thanks to PNL for all the advice! Cheers

 

[minimad99]

Looking Good mate,
The best mod i've done to mine so far!! Don't forget to get a 4 wheel alignment done, as your steering geometry will be out now you've lowered it.

Don't scrimp though, get a proper computer laser aligned one done.

Has your knocking stopped?

 

[MF-Racing]

Looking Good mate,
The best mod i've done to mine so far!! Don't forget to get a 4 wheel alignment done, as your steering geometry will be out now you've lowered it.

Don't scrimp though, get a proper computer laser aligned one done.

Has your knocking stopped?

Cheers mate

Nope, the knocking has not stopped (if anything its worse with the harder springs!). Dont have a clue what to change next. I'm think lower suspension arms?

I'm gonna wait a few days untill everything has bedded in untill I get the wheel alignment done. Just need to fine some where round West Yorkshire that does it :idea:

:slayer:

 

[Argonought]

Interesting post.

100% agree with improvement in looks but wouldn't agree that handling is radically improved. Fairly sure a well driven Stilo on standard suspension would be able to keep up with a lowered Stilo (on Pi springs) and indeed might even have the advantage on some surfaces (due to spring/damper mismatch). However, the car does generally feel & handle better and aligns itself better to middle pedal driving styles (standard suspension :shakehead ).

In a very odd sort of way this actually makes the Stilo less fun to drive. The handling of the standard suspension can be either completely dire or superb depending on your driving style which therefore constantly keeps you on your toes :devil: Obviously, if you don't need this type of excitement, then there are going to be people who take a completely opposite view to this.

Living with Pi lowered springs

• I've found no issues with speed-bumps (provided you do slow down)
• Dropping off kerbs is however a major problem (which to be fair can also be a problem on the standard suspension for high kerbs)
• Expect to bottom out on narrow twisty bumpy roads.
• Full load carrying capacity remains as good as original.

I've also found the springs to creak slightly more than the originals (but this really is very minor and I can easily live with it)

 

[minimad99]

You say it's worse...... i hope you torqued everything up to the correct tightness, LOL

How were the drop links when you removed them, these can knock badly as can the lower wishbones, or track rod ends but droplinks are only about £13 a side, i'd change them next.

Did you put the spring catcher back on? I had a knocking from the catcher hitting my Eibachs. I just took them off.

 

[Argonought]

Nope, the knocking has not stopped (if anything its worse with the harder springs!). Dont have a clue what to change next. I'm think lower suspension arms?

That's a real bummer having invested £100 to sort it :bang:

Mine was purely a spring change and nothing else.

 

[MF-Racing]

You say it's worse...... i hope you torqued everything up to the correct tightness, LOL

How were the drop links when you removed them, these can knock badly as can the lower wishbones, or track rod ends but droplinks are only about £13 a side, i'd change them next.

Did you put the spring catcher back on? I had a knocking from the catcher hitting my Eibachs. I just took them off.

I changed the drop links about 3 weeks ago - no difference
I can't feel any play in the trackrod ends or the wishbones
Nope, left the spring catcher off



LOL, everything is torqued up nice and tight . Its only very slighly worse, and I think that is because the springs are harder so the whatever is moving to cause the knocking is doing it more now.

 

[MF-Racing]

That's a real bummer having invested £100 to sort it :bang:

Mine was purely a spring change and nothing else.

Tell me about it mate :bang:

 

[bozzy]

In a very odd sort of way this actually makes the Stilo less fun to drive. The handling of the standard suspension can be either completely dire or superb depending on your driving style which therefore constantly keeps you on your toes :devil: Obviously, if you don't need this type of excitement, then there are going to be people who take a completely opposite view to this.

I must have had a dire one Argo because when I put the Eibach's on it became a different car. Standard springs surpresses any opportunity to throw it around anything like one with decent springs. Less fun to drive? never.

 

[Argonought]

I must have had a dire one Argo because when I put the Eibach's on it became a different car. Standard springs surpresses any opportunity to throw it around anything like one with decent springs. Less fun to drive? never.

Don't get me wrong Bozzy, with the Pi springs you can certainly throw the car around more and there's no getting away the car is far more stable if you do hit the brakes half way through a bend (which in my books is sloppy driving).

Substitute the word 'fun' for 'challenging' and you'll get a better feel for what I'm trying to say

 

[alpinepg]

My PI springs are fine too.....easily fitted and a marked improvement in looks and handling, but I wouldnt say 100% better.
MF, why are you thanking PNL?.......he told you to buy Eibachs!!
As for the knocking noise......thats tough, very difficuly to find. What you need is a garage with a 2 post lift that can get the whole car off the ground with no weight on the suspension then have a real go at checking everything.

 

[MF-Racing]

MF, why are you thanking PNL?.......he told you to buy Eibachs!!

LOL, I know but they were out of my budget as i'm getting a GSR kit for it as well. He helped with lots of good advice on my 'Knocking' thread about the strut bearings etc. Not that it made any difference! LOL

 

[PNL]

MF, why are you thanking PNL?

Oh Alpine :nerner: :wave:

 

[alpinepg]

Oh Alpine :nerner: :wave:

 

[MF-Racing]

Just gave it a good wash and fitted Fiat blackout blinds, looking sweet now! :slayer:

So, we are left with lower suspension arms or trackrod ends that could be knocking. I can sort of 'feel' it through the pedals when it knocks. I'm thinking suspension arm?

 

[alpinepg]

I would reckon it probably is the suspension arms....you cant normally feel trackrods through the pedals.

 

[nidza]

Quite intresting thread.

I've found KoNi adjustable suspension, including 4 new -35mm springs, and 4 gas shock absorbers (adjustable). It's quite intresting having the suspension you can set up yourself?

Anyway, what is the general opinion about KoNi? What I've found so far is that it's quite a successful all kind of suspension solution company. I'm not in rush for doing customization, but!

I'm a bit afraid of spring braking, which can be quite dangerous on freeway driving 100mph. It's better to prevent then sorry.

Anyway, my second question is regarding the shock absorbers? I know that it is better to put new absorbers also, which match the springs, but is it really necessary? My last car had aftermarket complete solution (monroe gas-matic), and, besides it was quite stiff, it was very fun to drive. The car was absolutely different with new suspension. Much easier to drive, handle and brake.

How to tell in one word... Completely obedient! Soft suspension lags a bit, although the passenger like the feeling of riding on a boat (it looks like now driving my JTD), but I would prefer a little stiffness if possible, thank you.

Actually, I would prefer stiff suspension, but not -35mm. Looks too much, maybe -10mm, and not more!

 

[Argonought]

Several members have raved about upgrading the standard shocks but keeping the standard springs. This doesn't solve the spring breaking issue but it will maintain the ride height whilst, by all accounts, improving the handling.

BTW, if you check the spring break polls you'll notice spring failure almost always occurs at low speed and at the start of a journey.

......and you should have the catcher fitted anyway

 

[nidza]

Let me find first where to fit catcher here in this hole of the world.

It's quite strange that it brakes when driving slowly? What a hell is the difference for suspension the speed you drive? Strange.

Anyway, what's the percentage of braking the springs? I beleive it's not that numerous issue, if they're not solving the problem? Huh, lots of thinking, maybe I should just spit 500€ for KoNi magic, and drive safely (and more fun). Just don't like that -35mm number in KoNi catalogue.

 

[Argonought]

You can live with -30mm to -35mm if you use good roads but it's not fun if the roads are bad.

One road nearby has sunk a bit and if I don't really slow down for it then the under tray whacks the road