lowering my f430... new springs or stock?

The benefit to aftermarket will be the spring will be much firmer. You can get lowered springs already. You can lower it with the stock set up, the only thing is you'll open yourself up to the potential of rubbing.

 

You still agonizing over this?

I'll add one more thing. Euro ride height is lower than US. Do you honestly think Ferrari uses two different sets of springs for the US vs Euro market?

Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

 

I don't think they do but I wouldn't be totally shocked if they had 2 sets.

That said, go with Novitec springs. They are very well sorted for the 430. I'd also suggest adding spacers as well as the wheels will look way too inboard with the stock location. I like the 10mm for the 430 but others like going wider. Also get the car aligned after. And the car will settle after a few hundred miles so you might have to have it slightly raised.

 

im lowering mine using the stock springs - I don't want to drop it too much

 

I don't want it too low, but I have heard from some that when you lower it on the stock springs, its soft.. can bottom out over dips etc. and I only want to do this once, that's why I was asking .. thanks

 

that comment doesn't make a ton of sense to me - every spring has a capacity compression...ive had cars with aftermarket springs that habe also bottom out etc...the European cars are delivered lower than ours so I have no issue using the oems....if I wanted to go lower than they can go then id go aftermarket

 

About 15-20 mm is all you want to lower using the stock springs, and that is quite a bit lower. Problem with lowering more than that is not the springs, it is getting the shock absorbers out of their optimum operating range. Not to mention, dragging on a bottle cap someone left on the road. Lower than that, aftermarket springs should be used.

Make sure someone who knows Ferraris does the job, because he will need shims to adjust camber and then also set toe front and rear.

 

did u do this yet? go .5 inch, not a full inch.

 

Bob- That should be a unique look.

 

I lowered the front with stock springs, went down about 6 turns which made the car look fine. Problem is the stock springs are very soft and the front now rubs like crazy (just been to France, two up with luggage)
I have now realised the stock springs are a compromise, designed to provide a comfortable ride without bottoming out. To get the low look, you will certainly need to install stiffer springs (Novitec/ Scuderia or whatever) but the ride will be much harder..
I'm about to wind mine back up by 4 turns this evening.

 

Mine rides great . I lowered it 22mm with stock springs. I bottom the front bumper way more than I like since then. The look is just right. Maybe a 18 mm drop would be best.

Fortunately our roads are good here. I would probably suggest stiffer springs if your roads are poor and a lot of steep entrances and exits off the road are present.

 

I have the H&R and yes it lowers it some but did not change the ride quality and definitely helps while driving and handling the sharp turns.

 

im going .5 instead of .7 inches.
1 was def too much

 

I did 0.75" on stock. Looks great and handles better at the track.

 

Can anyone explain how to lower the stock springs? Do you just turn the spring collar down a bit with the specific tool? This will actually compress the spring less.

 

In a word 'yes'. Not quite so simple in practice as the spring is under compression, so you will need to use spring compressors before you can wind the collar down. It only compresses the spring less when the car is of the ground. Once you put the wheel back on and take the car off the jack the spring is compressed by the same amount. Apparently the ration is about 1:1.7 (1mm of change in spring length = 1.7mm of clearance change). I could be slightly out with that number so don't hold me to it.

GG

 

Ihave a new set of h&r spring new on the box if you are interested send me a pm

 

I would recommend having a shop do it. Afterward you're going to need a front and rear alignment.

 

Curious .... Has anyone un-lowered their F430? Mine was lowered by the dealer years ago and I am considering to reverse the work. Why? Simply because my S.O. will be driving it soon or next year when the weather gets better. I navigate the speed bumps, drive aisles and dips in the road well but I know my S.O. won't. I've been quoted $2k for un-turning the collars and an alignment by the dealer. Does this sound reasonable?
Thanks

 

H&r with scud spring perches. Like butter and handles on rails. Best of both worlds.