New springs and spacers | FerrariChat

New springs and spacers

Discussion in '348/355' started by Extreme, Dec 19, 2012.

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  1. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

    May 26, 2010
    2,515
    Northern Utah
    Full Name:
    Erick
    #1 Extreme, Dec 19, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Just got done installing H&R sport springs along with Hill Engineering 15mm spacers on all four corners.

    I really like the way it turned out the ride is better than I had expected, although I haven’t had a chance to get into any cornering yet.

    The 15mm spacers push the corners out just about perfect I guess you could go with 20mm spacers and roll the fenders if you wanted to be perfectly flush.

    H&R advertises the springs will lower the front 1.2 inches and the rear .8 inches.
    I actually got 1.0 inches in the front and .5 inches in the rear. So they are not quit as advertised but the spring perches could be easily adjusted to get it even lower.

    What do you think?
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    Shurik355 likes this.
  2. MAD828

    MAD828 F1 Rookie

    Oct 8, 2011
    2,639
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Elliott Caras
    Looks great. Once the springs settle they will be as low if not lowere than the quoted figures.
     
  3. WATSON

    WATSON Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 9, 2010
    23,905
    WI
    Man that car looks nice.
     
  4. F355steve

    F355steve Formula 3

    Apr 9, 2008
    2,089
    Honolulu - Seattle - Okinawa
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Are you planning on getting it aligned and corner balanced now? That extra cost is what is making me debate doing this.
     
  5. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,636
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
    Full Name:
    Tim Dee
    Looks fantastic !!!!!!!!


    What size tires you running? What brand spacers lug nuts?

    I need to know LOL
     
  6. drftfan

    drftfan Formula Junior

    Jan 12, 2011
    357
    Orange County
    Full Name:
    Jamie
    Oooooooohhhhhh I like!
     
  7. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

    May 26, 2010
    2,515
    Northern Utah
    Full Name:
    Erick
    Tires are Michelin pilot sports F 225/40/18 R 265/40/18

    Spacers and Lug bolts are from Ricambi I think they are Hill Enginering

    I'm glad everyone likes it.
     
  8. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

    May 26, 2010
    2,515
    Northern Utah
    Full Name:
    Erick
    I think I will get it aligned but not corner balanced.
    For a street car is it needed?
     
  9. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,636
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
    Full Name:
    Tim Dee
    #9 SoCal1, Dec 19, 2012
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2012
    Yes do it !!!! Big difference to get a good starting point

    EDIT..Almost forgot, drive it until the springs settle, a few good rides will do it
     
  10. Prancinghorse17

    Prancinghorse17 Karting

    Oct 14, 2012
    118
    CFL
    Looks awesome! Question for OP: we're your stock springs Eibach or have an Eibach logo on them? Want to settle a debate with my dealer that some early 355s had stock springs by Eibach.
     
  11. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,741
    The ride height is adjustible front and rear by turning the spring perches. You can raise or lower the car to your hearts content. However note: the understeer/oversteer relationship is governed by the rake. Raise the rear if you want more oversteer, lower the rear if you want more push.
     
  12. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

    May 26, 2010
    2,515
    Northern Utah
    Full Name:
    Erick
    Car is a 99
    I see no Eibach logo or markings on the springs just the words Gagnola Monza and what I guess are part numbers.
     
  13. F355steve

    F355steve Formula 3

    Apr 9, 2008
    2,089
    Honolulu - Seattle - Okinawa
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Did you need any special tools beyond a spring compressor to swap them?
     
  14. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

    May 26, 2010
    2,515
    Northern Utah
    Full Name:
    Erick
    Nothing special... The entire shock spring assemblies are removable and then I made a homemade spring compressor using my work bench and a bottle jack. Worked like a charm once I figured out how to do it.

    I didn't even think about it until now or I would have made a "how to thread".
     
  15. F355steve

    F355steve Formula 3

    Apr 9, 2008
    2,089
    Honolulu - Seattle - Okinawa
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Good to know. Spring comressors are cheap (less that $35) so I may just pick one up and do this this winter.

    Are you happy with the current height? It looks from the pictures like the front has a little more wheel well gap but I can't tell how the rack of the car is compared to stock.
     
  16. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

    May 26, 2010
    2,515
    Northern Utah
    Full Name:
    Erick
    Stock the car sits with a bigger gap in the front than the rear and same when it's lowered. The smaller diameter front tire probably accentuates this.
    It's possible to lower the front more but it's already only 4.25 inches off the ground to the skid plates.
     
  17. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,055
    USA
    +1. I think you would want to measure the height front and rear using the points listed in the WSM and at least keep the front/rear close to even in the amount of drop.

    I just had my ride height adjusted again recently during my major service and the rear was found to be a bit lower than the front...partly due to the slightly smaller diameter Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, 285/35/18. They raised it up to be even it with the front height.
    And BTW, I had the front raised about 2.5 or 3 years ago, due to the front springs settling about 20mm. Anyone else noticed this? FoS says I am out of adjustment range on the shocks, so if the oem springs settle anymore, I will need a new set of springs. (I happen to have a spare set off a 14k mile 355 spider thankfully)
     
  18. MicroFirm

    MicroFirm Karting

    Dec 6, 2010
    231
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Frank
    My from springs have settled as well. They (FoD) put weights in the drivers and passenger sides and measure the heights. The front lowers down more than it should. They said they could try adjusting them but think it's out of room for that. I'll probably get them replaced next spring and do a 4 corner ride height and weight adjustment then. At that point I will have a 100% factory new car with everything working perfectly.
     
  19. Rothbauer_Racing

    Rothbauer_Racing Formula Junior

    Jan 11, 2007
    442
    Full Name:
    Röthbauer GmbH
    Erick,

    Who did you order the H&R Springs from? I like the Red! The ones I see listed for sale all show blue? My car is a 99 as well. When you have time let us know how they perform on the road, etc...

    ciao,

    SRR

    www.rothbauer.us
     
  20. J. Salmon

    J. Salmon F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 27, 2005
    4,367
    VA
    Once the coilovers are off, you can borrow spring compressors from any auto parts store (Advanced, O'Reilly's, etc).

    Don't mess around - if they slip, they can kill you. Not exaggerating.
     
  21. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,055
    USA
    Thank you for the feedback. While I have been trying to ensure my car is set up correctly, I have also noticed every other F355 I see at local gatherings is lower than mine, sometimes a lot lower...I suspect there maybe something going on with the factory springs...not sure if that is considered "normal" or if they are all just sacking out. Add another item to the maintenance list I guess... ;)

    I will say that since I started paying attention to this three years ago, I no longer scrape/drag my bumper skid plates on every driveway ramp. I still take them slowly and at an angle, but no more contact.
     
  22. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

    May 26, 2010
    2,515
    Northern Utah
    Full Name:
    Erick
    I ordered them through TH Motorsports on sale the day after Thanksgiving.
    Like you said the picture was of blue or black but the springs arrived in red. I was pleasantly surprised although it doesn’t really matter as you can’t see them unless you peak inside the wheel well.
     
  23. Kaivball

    Kaivball Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2007
    35,997
    Kalifornia
    Looks really nice

    Kai
     
  24. Turbo Ron

    Turbo Ron Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    262
    West Los Angeles, CA
    Full Name:
    Ron Stavis
    I just installed 12mm spacers front and rear of my f355 with longer lug nuts. I think they look just right.
     
  25. Rothbauer_Racing

    Rothbauer_Racing Formula Junior

    Jan 11, 2007
    442
    Full Name:
    Röthbauer GmbH
    Where is the best place to source longer lug bolts for 15mm spacers using F355 Challenge Wheels?

    Ciao,

    SRR
     

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