Styling What to do??

[Dukeman]

I need some good advice on what to do with my GPS M-Jet. I would like to improve the road handling so am considering lowering but can't decide if just springs would be good enough or need the dampers as well.

I've seen lots of threads about just springs -mainly Eibach sportlines- but has anyone experience of shox as well?

I would also consider changing the wheels from the standard 17" to maybe 18"'s again in light of changing springs what are the limitations on sizes. Can I opt for 18" wheels but keep the same tyre size less the profile as standard in order to prevent rubbing on the steering components etc?

I'm not looking to turn this in to a boy racer thing but the handling is a little suspect on corners when driven spiritedly

Tyres also need changing very soon so it would be a good time to do this, any advice examples would be appreciated.

 

[Dom130]

Springs do make a decent improvement in handling. I can only speak from experience with sportlines. But they are good. Shocks and springs and coilovers would obviously be better but you are talking big money. Go for lightweight wheels if possible, with abit of width on them. Could always go up a size in tyre width to maximize tyre surface on road.

 

[punto_matt]

Id get sportlines then decide for yourself whether you want uprated shocks. Id try and stick with 17s aswell and as Dom says go for a lighweight option which is 7/7.5j so you can fit some wider tyres onto it.

 

[Dukeman]

Any suggestions for lightweight wheels/ make etc?

 

[Ffoxy]

Biggest issue with handling of the 1.9 MJet is the weight of the lump

Even with good springs and dampers it carries a lot of mass & kinetic energy which wants to go in a straight line, only solution really is to mid-mount it maybe... so it turns around the lumps mass rather than having to swing it round if you get my drift (scuse the pun) not really practical.

 

[punto_matt]

Any suggestions for lightweight wheels/ make etc?

Team dynamics pro race 1.2, OZ Ultra leggeras, Compomotives, Speedline.

 

[Dom130]

Theres too many to list really.

Go and have a look on the net and take your pic

There all similar enough weights

 

[Dukeman]

Biggest issue with handling of the 1.9 MJet is the weight of the lump

Even with good springs and dampers it carries a lot of mass & kinetic energy which wants to go in a straight line, only solution really is to mid-mount it maybe... so it turns around the lumps mass rather than having to swing it round if you get my drift (scuse the pun) not really practical.

Yep I understand but as you say not practical and I'm not looking for a project just something simple and you can notice the difference pretty quick and of course relative low cost I note you used to ride the Suzuki, as my name suggests I have a Ducati so do understand unsprung weight etc. Thanks anyway.

 

[ChrisUK]

OZ superleggera's for the win .

I had some 17" ones and they were less than half the weight of the standard 15" fiat alloys :slayer:

 

[Dukeman]

OZ superleggera's for the win .

I had some 17" ones and they were less than half the weight of the standard 15" fiat alloys :slayer:

Gulp, got a quote for 18" at around £1500 complete I can almost buy another car for that Nice wheels but a little too pricey for me.

 

[punto_matt]

Any decent lightweight wheel that is 18" will be £1000+ with rubber.

 

[grande bolt]

you want coilovers really the sportlines are good, but the front end sits a lot lower than the rear with them and with all the weight at the front that wont help. if you want a cheap upgarde get sportlines + forge braces + light weight wheels (second hand off ebay ) + good tyres = .
got my team dynamic 1.2 17'' for £370 with toyo t1r on all round, off ebay.

 

[Dom130]

you want coilovers really the sportlines are good, but the front end sits a lot lower than the rear with them and with all the weight at the front that wont help. if you want a cheap upgarde get sportlines + forge braces + light weight wheels (second hand off ebay ) + good tyres = .
got my team dynamic 1.2 17'' for £370 with toyo t1r on all round, off ebay.

Thats a bargain, good tread on tyres?

 

[grande bolt]

yer mate the kid had a 250 bhp corsa b . the one had a bit of hard cornering and a bit of blistering but other wise as new.

 

[Dom130]

yer mate the kid had a 250 bhp corsa b . the one had a bit of hard cornering and a bit of blistering but other wise as new.

kinell. c20let?

 

[Dukeman]

you want coilovers really the sportlines are good, but the front end sits a lot lower than the rear with them and with all the weight at the front that wont help. if you want a cheap upgarde get sportlines + forge braces + light weight wheels (second hand off ebay ) + good tyres = .
got my team dynamic 1.2 17'' for £370 with toyo t1r on all round, off ebay.

Sounds good to me, that is the intended path. Just had to get two new front tyres which were over £200 fitted so I may have to wait for the wheels but will definitely get the sportlines although I was offered some new old stock SPAX coilovers fitted for £200, problem is I can't see if they are for the Grande Punto, the guy in the shop seems to think they will fit any punto!