Tuning Lowering Springs?

[hendinho83]

Hi All,

i've done a search but can't find this question answered...

Do the FIAT 500 Abarth Springs fit the 'normal' 500? if so do they lower a standard 500 and by how much?

My Car: Fait 500 TwinAir Plus

 

[RUI]

They will lower it by not a lot. Best buy a set of springs that will do the job properly.

 

[hendinho83]

i had read (but can't find where now) that they were a 30mm drop on a standard car??

I'll find some other springs if i have to.

 

[loveshandbags]

i had read (but can't find where now) that they were a 30mm drop on a standard car??

I'll find some other springs if i have to.

If you looking to drop the car 30mm the Eibach springs (Pro version) seem to be the 'way to go'. You have quite a lot of cost in fitting them and then getting the car 'calibrated'. Ideally the shocks should be changed to a better quality one. IMHO I would leave the car standard because of the 'pump stops' since on the European 500 there isn't that much suspension travel. A comparison picture is posted on Fiat500USA.
Get the impression that the Abarth ones drop the suspension around 20mm whilst the esseesse springs are 30mm to the standard 500. Some A500 guys use eibach in place of the esseesse because there are hard to get. Some are of the view that the esseesse springs are terrible unless you fit the Koni FSDs.
On the 1.4 the car sits 10mm lower than the 1.2 & the TA and the shocks are slightly shorter. I'm very happy with the ride on my own pre 2010 (it has no ARB) and with the 16s fitted with Contis feels very sure footed. If you are going to drop more with a stiffer suspension it would be preferable to have a 'heavier' car.
The more I looked at it the more I thought it wasn't worth it.
If you have 15 inch wheels you could consider fitting 16 inch wheels which can give the impresson that the car is lowered and perform better but with a mpg penalty. For a TA on 16s it is probably 'over tyred'. You could also consider fitting better shocks particularly at the rear. Mono gives 'comfort' whilst twin tube are more performance orientated and a set can be sourced very reasonably.

 

[306maxi]

i had read (but can't find where now) that they were a 30mm drop on a standard car??

I'll find some other springs if i have to.

Just remember that an Abarth weighs more so even though the springs may give the Abarth a 30mm lower ride height, a 1.2 (for instance) won't ride as low on the same springs due to the weight difference..