Lowering the 458 Italia?

Absolutely not! If anything it rode better.
The tech who did my car at FOA came in third place in Ferrari's last International competition for techs. It was held in Italy. It involved knowledge, skill, and driving parts. So, when he tells me something I usually feel it is likely to be accurate. With that, he explained to me that the optimal performance for the suspension occurs when the tie rods are horizontal. Meaning if suspension is too high (as is standard configuration) the inboard mounting point is higher than wheel end. So, if you lower the car so that everything is horizontal you are in the sweet spot of performance. I went a little lower so that theoretically my outboard (wheel side) is higher than inboard. Never the less, ZERO loss of compliance. Road clearance, yes. Ride alteration, no. You also lean less in corners with car down.
I have also mentioned many times in similar posts, the factory set up is frequently NOT at correct factory settings! My car before it was lowered was 10mm higher than what the factory calls for. I called it Jeep height. So, you have to do the measuring before you lower it to know how much each corner has to come down. You cannot assume "x" number of shock turns or "x" mm of drop is "correct". If your car was high like mine you will need more. If lower than "correct" you will need less drop.
I also put delrin skid plate on for further protection. I have a screwed up driveway and just pulling out of bay scrapes it. I love my builder!
Anyway, 10 - 15mm of drop from recommended factory setting is "ideal" per the uber tech. I went down an additional 10. Car looks and rides great. But, front end is low and more care than usual is needed over speed bumps, etc.
Best
Randy

 

Hi Randy, good comments imo, nice write-up ! You mention installing a Delrin skid plate.

Any more info on that please, cannot find it at their website.

 

+1 Randy; Mel you can ask your dealer about the skid plate: I got my skid plate
from mine xoxo

 

Hi Mel!
I think the only advantage of getting older is that people allow you to repeat yourself! So, at the risk of being redundant about this topic, here goes.
The delrin is actually a 3/8 inch sheet of hard kevlar. It was primarily used by the guys who track their cars so that the curbing wasn't hitting the painted/soft underbelly. He then figured it would protect street cars from similar fates. He then started putting it on regular customer cars. I have been using it since '06 on my, at the time, 430.
Anyway, the tech custom cuts it to fit under whatever car he is working on. He then lines up the existing chassis holes that the factory under tray bolts to and puts corresponding holes into the kevlar. He then counter sinks the screws into the kevlar. 2 things are accomplished. (1) the screw/bolt heads are no longer hanging down like they do in standard factory spec. It protects them from being sheared off/damaged. (2) By using the existing holes, no drilling into the car is required. Unfortunately, he cannot pre-cut/prefab the kevlar to fit any 458. Or, for that matter other series as he says that there is enough variation from car to car to make it impossible. On this last point I always have to wonder if it is true. Ferrari is sloppy in some areas so it is possible. On the other hand, wonder if he doesn't want his "pattern" copied.
Will try and find pics of this mod and post.
I am sure guys who prep "race" cars around the world could do this in their sleep. I mean how hard could it be to tape some construction paper under the car, mark where the holes are and then trace around leading edge of front air dam? Cut out the holes, trim the paper at the leading edge of the car and, voila, a pattern is made.
Best, Randy

 

Randy, I was told 19mm was maximum drop I could do with the stock springs. How did you drop additional 10mm on your stock springs?

 

I wish I could tell you the answer!
I do not have the lift kit which can limit the drop.
I know I am down more than an inch down so more than 25mm. I believe with the delivery spec being off, I did a drop of nearly 40mm. The first 10 were a gimme and the next were below factory spec.
Forgot to mention that a 4 wheel alignment is a must after lowering.
Best
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That looks really good Randy. Thanks for the pix. I'm waiting to pull the trigger on the Novitec springs and wheel spacers. Can't wait to lower this bad boy! Or should I say "my hot girl"!

 

Looks great!!! Don't drop her more on the stock springs; you are
low on thread count!! xoxo

 

You most probably have the lift system, in that case you can drop the car
a very very max of 20mm (max 15mm recommended), thus in your case Novitec/KW's
are the answer which will instantly lower the car approx. 30mm, leaving you plenty
of thread in the coils.

To complete the look I would add Novitec 20mm on all fours if you don't go
over 30mm lower and 15mm front the 20 mm back if you go lower than 30mm
(more than 30mm not recommended: scraping dangers from front tires in inner front fenders
unless you modify the front inner fender spoiler screws).

To top the look off you can increase negative camber by 1 degree in the front and 0.3 degrees
in the back, your dealer should have the shims to do the work

pics when done please!

 

Looking forward to seeing your car lowered

 

Thank you for the advice. I'm not sure I understand the "negative chamber" but will ask the Ferrari dealer. I was thinking of 30mm dropall around? I don't have a lift system. Was planning to get 15mm front and 20mm rears for wheel spacers. Will definitely show pictures afterwards. I appreciate everyone's advice on this forum!

 

Yes, the service department must be very profitable.

 

Just lowered 30mm all around and added 15mm(front) and 20mm(rears) wheel spacers. All on Novitec springs and spacers. Clearance seems to be fine as I had no scrapes pulling into the driveway. I think it looks a lot better! As you can see in the background, big thunderstorm was approaching so lighting was not very good from certain shots. After/Before pics.
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Duy, Looks absolutely fantastic! Glad we went with the 15/20mm spacers too, really gives it that hunkered down stance. Can't wait for you to put some miles on her and feel the difference in the ride quality. Let me know if you need anything else

I just lowered my 488 today on the Novitec suspension and I'll post some reviews when we do the intro thread on the car!

 

Front left and rear right look to me a bit lower than FR and RL, respectively. That's looking at pictures 1, 3 & 4. Visual effect of picture, uneven driveway maybe?

Anyway it looks gorgeous, congratulations!

 

Yes from the pictures it looks uneven and it 'a due to the driveway. Uneven on all four corners so not a good depiction. When I got it in the garage, I measured from the center caps. They looked even exception for the right front off by 1/8 inch. I'm wondering if I should take it back for them to correct. 1/8 inch is so small that I don't think it matters? Should I get this corrected?

 

3mm (1/8 inch) definitely not an issue. Might even compensate with the driver weight front left. Just enjoy that beauty!

 

Cant wait to see more photos Duy!

 

Actually it's the other way around. Right front is higher so it will make more of a difference on the driver side. I've asked them to correct it. Will wait for appointment. I know 1/8mm if not a big deal but I'm a little OCD

 

very nice set up, looks great.

i just bought a '14 458 with front lift...which won't allow much more than 20mm
i find the car is jacked up and looking for options to lower.

what is the ball park cost and install for the Novitec system?

where do you buy the spacers?

thanks in advance.

 

Talk to Alex from Tag Motorsport. I got a deal for $2500 for Novitec springs and spacers. Got a local independent Ferrari shop to install for $1K instead of $2.5K from Ferrari of Seattle. What a ripoff.

 

New to the forum. Picked up a 2010 CPO, one owner car with 4500 miles a couple months ago. Just had my wheels and H&R Springs installed. Really happy with the stance now. I also have the lift kit. 20x9 fronts, 21x13 rears. Will do a full post when car is home and better pics taken.
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If you are as OCD as you say, I might make your little crazier than you want to be. Having lowered a few of my Ferraris I can tell you that when it comes to measuring things, these cars are sadly not always assembled perfectly. Blasphemy, I know. But, true.
So, because of this, you need to measure any height settings from the frame to the floor. This is really the only way you will know if car is truly level/equal at all four corners/side to side. Also, make sure tire pressures are equal before measuring. An over/underinflated tire can also change things albeit slightly. Lastly, alignment after lowering is a must.
Regardless, your car looks great.
Best

 

Randy, my mechanic said the proper way to measure height is from center cap of wheel to frame. That way you remove any variables like tire pressure. That's what I did. But to make exactly accurate, I used the bottom of the wheel center cap to the frame. Center cap maybe different if you don't center it exactly on each measurement. Also depending on your eye level you maybe off 1/8 inch. So either I'm off 1/4 or 1/8 inch, I've asked him to readjust. Wonder if you still need to do alignment for only one wheel?

 

In regards to measuring, my tech (who literally placed 3rd in the most recent Ferrari International tech competition) used the frame. I watched him while he did it. I can't say your way doesn't work. Just wondering how you go from center cap to frame as they are not in the same plane. Meaning, some sort of device would need to be used to get around tire and still keep a straight line. Either way, as long as he is using a non-variable/consistent reference point I cannot believe all is not good.
In regards to alignment, I was saying that after a lowering, an alignment is mandatory. I shouldn't comment on the one wheel tweak changing the settings. It is above my knowledge base. I would assume - and I could be wrong - that just checking to make sure alignment is still correct can't be as involved as doing a full alignment. I think/hope your tech should be able to tell you if he thinks it is necessary.
As always best of luck.
Randy