Technical Suspension

[Barchettinha]

Morning All

I have been trawling the forum ( thanks all who have written exhaustively on all topics) re suspension
As I posted , my recently acquired Barchetta has a kidney juggling ride.
It sits on 205/45/16(yes I know they should be 195:s but they were on the car and I will wear them out before changing). My understanding is that the car ride height from floor to top of wheel arch on those tyres should be between 620&630 mm with OEM suspension? (Can anyone confirm)? Mine rides at 560mm front and back, so this probably explains a lot
If the above is true then looking at the Eibach spring kit which says it drops the car 30 mm then the car would ride at between 590 and 600 mm, which would help with ride compliance.
If I go the Eibach route are Bilstein B6 shocks really necessary? I will only be using the car on the road and doubt I will be fiddling with hardness and recoil, so I thought I could get away with B4's and save a few euros for the next part of the project
Anyone have real world experience on this? Appreciate all feedback, need to do something before all money is spent at the chiropractor, not on the B?
TIA

 

[bugsymike]

Before retiring from the motortrade I came across many cars that had been lowered using "coil over kits" along with low profile tyres etc.
All gave a ride as you describe.
My personal preference is factory suspension setup with maybe a stiffer shock absorber set up if felt necessary.
However apart from that, a lot of natural ride comfort is lost with low profile tyres as the sidewall is unable to absorb the bumps, so I would increase the profile as much as possible without compromising tyre clearance and gearing/speedo etc.
Another thing I felt the benefit of whilst still keeping good ride and positive cornering was the "black poly suspension bushes" in place of the soft factory rubber ones.
In the late 60s I used to race karts with slick tyres and no suspension at all , they cornered very well, but I certainly wouldn't want to drive any distance on them these days.

 

[Barchettinha]

Before retiring from the motortrade I came across many cars that had been lowered using "coil over kits" along with low profile tyres etc.
All gave a ride as you describe.
My personal preference is factory suspension setup with maybe a stiffer shock absorber set up if felt necessary.
However apart from that, a lot of natural ride comfort is lost with low profile tyres as the sidewall is unable to absorb the bumps, so I would increase the profile as much as possible without compromising tyre clearance and gearing/speedo etc.
Another thing I felt the benefit of whilst still keeping good ride and positive cornering was the "black poly suspension bushes" in place of the soft factory rubber ones.
In the late 60s I used to race karts with slick tyres and no suspension at all , they cornered very well, but I certainly wouldn't want to drive any distance on them these days.

Many thanks, I would like to keep tyres as per OEM but a compromise suspension set up is needed!

 

[bugsymike]

Many thanks, I would like to keep tyres as per OEM but a compromise suspension set up is needed!

So maybe increased suspension movement/travel.

 

[Barchettinha]

Yes, that's what I am thinking. However, the car was bought like it is and I don't know what original ride height should be except from anecdotal information on the 'net, don't want to shell out on an updated suspension and find i have the same problem, hence the question initially.
As it is , the suspension is counter fast driving as I am always waiting for the next pothole
If this is the reality of any lowered kit, then I am better going back to OEM and a decent set of shocks

 

[bugsymike]

Yes, that's what I am thinking. However, the car was bought like it is and I don't know what original ride height should be except from anecdotal information on the 'net, don't want to shell out on an updated suspension and find i have the same problem, hence the question initially.
As it is , the suspension is counter fast driving as I am always waiting for the next pothole
If this is the reality of any lowered kit, then I am better going back to OEM and a decent set of shocks

That is my thoughts , but obviously best to confirm yourself.
I have seen some with adjustable spring heights that the aluminum locking threaded rings were so poor that they were just waiting to collapse.

 

[Barchettinha]

Yes, I don't think I will go the coilover route, here in Portugal, everything has to be homologated or the car fails it's MOT. So , it is confirmation of original ride height then I can go from there

 

[s130]

Our 2005 B is all original / OEM, tyres, springs, shocks and bushes.

I find nothing wrong with the handling, grip, and the ride is firmer than my 500X and the 500X handles very well as well.

As it seems you plan on road driving then I would put the car back as totally standard.

A help in your decision making is to find someone near to you who has a standard B is good order and arrange a drive, with correct insurance cover or on a private road. You my find / be surprised at how good a stock B is