Adjusting ground clearance of the TR

Hi, I have been a lurker for some time now, and am thinking of buying a 1990 Testarossa. I am looking for the ground clearance in cm / inches of the TR? I now it has been discussed a couple of times but I have not found what I am looking for, yet.

The one issue I have which may be a problem is approach angle/ground clearance to a speed bump. What do you do except approach it at a very sharp angle? I would like to raise the car to clear the obstacle and after that lower it again. This in my opinion would be ideal.

As I live in the Kalahari in South Africa, the normal day to day vehicle is a Toyota Land Cruiser pick up (which 75% of all people here drive). I also drive a Land Cruiser 80 so have never had problems with approach angle until now…….

Is there some way that the vehicle can be lifted via air pump and air bag combination and what shocks will be able to accommodate this lifting of the vehicle. All I could find when going back in history on the forum is these threads:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60595&highlight=height
and this
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86377&highlight=height
and this
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=177727&highlight=height

All these threads are very old. Is there any new system that is ideal for the TR. Does anyone have part numbers of the airbags and coils or maybe can refer me to someone? Eibach does look the closest to what I am looking for.

Thanks in advance.

 

Thanks guys, you have put my mind at rest. I would like to still get the measurements if possible and would be greatly appreciated. I would then be able to see if these speed bumps are less or more than what I hope them to be. They seem to be average height, and to the sound of it then I would not have a problem. So please JohnMH, Thanks!

Baie mooi motor Melvok. Ek is baie lief vir die 512. There unfortunately not to many of those available here.

Hi Jagbuff, yes the Kalahari extends into RSA and then becomes the Richtersveld and the Karoo. Very dry and arid place with annual rainfall about 300 -450mm per year. The roads are long and straight (have to dodge Springbok and other antelopes that roam free though).

Have been through maun to Moremi and Chobe a couple of times. A must on anyone's bucketlist.

Our nearest other town is 145km from me and the next one 260km. So it will be a blast!

 

Thanks guys, all this gives me a good idea at what I am looking at. It would appear that the 512 is about 1 - 1½ inches (2 -3cm) lower that a TR. Please correct me if I am wrong. Is the black valance or lip (I am not sure about the proper terminology here so help if I’m not correct) on a 1990 TR a big part to replace or as simple as the pics by Malvok and what is it made of?

It seems to be only the lip that gets damaged every time. As the 512’s valance is a complete unit, there is nothing one can do to maybe shorten it, but is it possible to shorten the TR’s black valance? Or maybe fabricate a proper one from fiberglass as per deangpsx8’s description.

If possible can someone please measure the high from ground level to the bottom of the nose? Is it 8 or 10cm or maybe more?

Melvok, why do you specifically say the 512 is “veel betrouwbaarder” that the TR? Is it with reference to all the later upgrades such as the diff carrier and quill shaft and a few other upgrades? I know it is 100% more car for 50% more money.

There is a 512 now available but it is left hand drive, and left hand drive vehicles are frowned upon here in RSA. So I am thinking of hunting for another year or so to see if I can’t get my hands on a 512, but they are very scarce here………