Too Low

[SAC]

Dear All,
I've just bought a Bravo HGT. Car's great apart from a few minor irritations. However I'm a bit of a novice and I think it's been lowered as the front end keeps grounding on bumps and drain covers. Can anyone tell me how to tell if it's been lowered and also whether I can raise it a bit? Also what would help the fuel consumption most, removing the K&N air filter or the twin stainless steel exhaust kit (bit OTT really but it does sound great)

Cheers SAC

 

[Phil Lee]

Too low?

Sounds like it could be lowered, especially if the car has an induction kit and exhaust! If there is 2-3cm or less space between wheel and arch then I would say yes for certain. Making it high again would be very costly as you would have to replace the springs at least, if the previous guy changd shocks then you could be in for a bit of a shock yourself.....

The exhaust backbox itself will not change the fuel consumption, but the induction kit will to some extent, depending on type, fitting etc. Bascially sucking in more air to burn the fuel by default means that fuel consumption will be higher for better performance. At the same time though, you don't have to drive to the limits and the consumption should be ok.

My advice is to leave everything. I've never heard of anyone converting things back to standard after they bought it. Its just too expensive! (I;ve done it teh otherway round on my HGT

 

[SAC]

Tah

Cheers for the response Phil. I'm pretty sure it has been lowered. The springs are red, does that mean anything? I do like the way it handles but when the sump guard (I think) hits every bump it does get on my tits a bit. I think I'm just a bit paranoid that what was really a spur of the moment purchase is going to hit me hard in the wallet. If I could stop it scraping the floor I'd be much happier. Maybe I should have waited for a standard model. The other thing is that I don't get to drive it that hard because I'm worried about the fuel consumption. Catch 22

 

[Phil Lee]

catch 22

sounds like you did buy in the spur of the moment mate. If you don't like high consumtion, driving hard, and lowered cars, then one thing not to buy is a modded Bravo HGT! -
Red Springs could be Eibach (like mine) or Abarth ones (which are Eibach anyway) - definitely lowered!!!

Have fun - its worth it!

 

[SAC]

Wallet

Do you have a rough idea of price to get it raised just enough to clear some of the smaller bumps? Ball park figure? I do love it but I need to sort out the things that irritate me before I can enjoy it. I might change the air filter though just to stop the fuel needle falling quite so quickly.

Do you think I'd have any problems selling it on with all the mods attached?

Cheers for your help

 

[Phil Lee]

raising suspension

basically if only the springs were changed, then you would need to change the springs back to either

- original springs (about 2inches clearance wheel to arch)
- other brands of springs which you know are not as low as the current one (which if it is Eibach, is strange, because I don't have ANY problems with mine at all)

springs could be about £100 - £150, plus labour of about £100 to change. The tracking will need to be adjusted so add on another £35 - mega bucks!!!

Another thing is that if it is Eibachs you're on, it is either your bodykit that is too low, or the guy has put in shocks aswell, which sometimes lowers the car further (lets hope its not the latter - ££££££!!!)

Get the car checked out - is it really that low? - its not worth the money to change it - at all!

Taking the filter out would help, but only a little, with mine I get 200 out of a tank before the light comes on as opposed to 220, so only 10%.

where are you based? in London?

 

[SAC]

HGT Worries

Not far from London, Tunbridge Wells. I've got a friendly local mechanic who I think I'll get to look at the springs. It might just be the country lanes near us. There's some kind of plastic guard underneath the car like a small front spoiler that keeps grinding on the bigger bumps.

The same mechanic will do the cambelt for £300 if I give him the car for the week. Fiat quoted £700 plus parts.

 

[mike]

wadhurst

i live in t wells and iv got 17" on my car...always going on country lanes....nevery heard of the front rubbing thou....

anyways....what i was going to say is my machanic used to own a fiat garage and knows everything about them...so if u wanna go there....he's really cheap and knows his stuff....

mike

ps where do u live?

 

[Ryan]

To Mike/SAC

I work in TW and live near it. I have a Black fully loaded HGT, S98, 17's, Powerflow.

At 31k on the clock i'm thinking it would be suitable to start thinking of changing the Cambelt ....i dont want to give fiat the satisfaction of ripping me off.

Can i have the names of your mechanics?

Help is greately appreciated!

 

[SAC]

HGT

I live in T Wells so Wadhursts pretty close. If you can pass on the name of your mechanic that'd be cool.

I'm starting to get a bit confused as on-one else's seems to be bumping. Although it does seem to be a bit lower at the front then the rear.

Also does anyone know where to get a rear window fitted? It only works on the middle 4/5 bars as the others have broken down.

PS I would give the name of the mechanic I use but I do know for a fact that it took a lot of arm twisting to get him to contemplate doing the cambelt. He doesn't fancy doing it and only agreed due to me using him for years. Sorry I can't be more use!

 

[Steve]

FAO SAC......

Mate, just before you commit yourself to opening your wallet, i dont suppose the scrapping / bumping could be the lower tray protecting the engine mount?

Mine came away at one side last year on a dual carrageway, i though i had got a box or plastic bottle caught undernieth the car when i drove over speed humps and stuff.

Get it up in the air and take a look.

The Red spings though certainly mean modified suspension

 

[SAC]

Cheers

Cheers for that Steve I'll have a look!

 

[Nick]

Window

Before you go to the expense of replacing your window, you could try bridging the breaks in the bars with conductive paint. You used to be able to get it from Halfords. Use masking tape down each side of the strip for a neat job. You may need to rub down (slightly!) the ends of the breaks to give a good conductive surface for the paint to adhere to.

I tried it years ago and it worked fine

 

[DAN]

BACK BOX

HI
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING TAKING OFF THE BACK BOX AND SELLING IT, IM INTERESTED MATE!