458 - Lowered 458 Italia Photos | FerrariChat

458 Lowered 458 Italia Photos

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by axlesofevil, Feb 23, 2021.

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  1. axlesofevil

    axlesofevil Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 14, 2012
    1,669
    San Diego, CA
    So I've seen a few threads about lowering the 458. While there are pictures, most of what I've seen have shown before/afters from different times of day, different angles, just generally poor quality, etc.

    I wanted to share with the community the best photos I could get from my car. Unfortunately they're at slightly different times of day, but it is what it is.

    I lowered mine 20mm (0.75") which I think is a decent amount. It may be able to handle another 5mm or so but I'm going to leave it as is.

    Before album: https://imgur.com/a/pCdUNGv
    After album: https://imgur.com/a/kGeildX

    And a few good pics:

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    Hopefully this will help someone someday.
     
    mdrums, spyder625, Baitschev and 16 others like this.
  2. ShadowLAP

    ShadowLAP Formula Junior

    May 15, 2017
    544
    SW Suburbs of Chicago, IL
    Full Name:
    Lawrence P.
    I like the new look. The lowering looks practical for the street and not "slammed". Good choice. What did you do to lower it?
     
    harrisonwebb likes this.
  3. axlesofevil

    axlesofevil Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 14, 2012
    1,669
    San Diego, CA
    Thank you! I installed Novitec springs and set the ride height to about 20mm lower than stock. My car has the front axle lifter so you have to use aftermarket springs like Novitec. You can't adjust the factory springs.
     
  4. Mikael-F360

    Mikael-F360 Formula Junior

    Apr 3, 2017
    751
    Finland
    Full Name:
    Mikael E.
    The OEM coilover nuts seize up very easily when adjusting them. You got lucky because it didn't happen. Good job, car looks great!
     
    cole328 likes this.
  5. cole328

    cole328 Formula Junior

    May 9, 2014
    882
    So subtle in appearance, but makes ALL of the difference.....makes you wonder why the car didn't come that way from the factory...nice job! Curious..any change in the handling characteristics?, or is this all cosmetic?
     
    GT2goneF likes this.
  6. viperf430

    viperf430 Rookie

    Feb 12, 2015
    14
    Orlando FL
    That is the exact amount I want to lower my 458.
    I'm confused though. I have been looking at lowering my 458 spyder ( with front lift). I have seen multiple 458's lowered in person with the Novitec springs and it was too low for my taste. ( much lower then yours)
    How did you lower it only .75 inch with the Novitec springs? I thought you could only lower it by that amount by adjusting the stock springs.
    Can someone confirm that you can not lower the 458 with a front lift by adjusting the stock suspension?
     
  7. Mikael-F360

    Mikael-F360 Formula Junior

    Apr 3, 2017
    751
    Finland
    Full Name:
    Mikael E.
    You CAN lower with stock springs even if you have front lift. But you can lower only 15mm. That is the limit. Without lift you can go down 50mm if you wish. But that is madness.
     
  8. axlesofevil

    axlesofevil Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 14, 2012
    1,669
    San Diego, CA
    I can tell you that the handling was not adversely affected. I haven't really driven it much except around town so I can't report too much on the at-the-limit characteristics. The primary purpose of lowering was for aesthetics. Any handling benefits is a nice bonus.
     
    spyder625 likes this.
  9. axlesofevil

    axlesofevil Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 14, 2012
    1,669
    San Diego, CA
    Novitec springs are adjustable. You can go very low and basically "slam" the car but I wouldn't recommend that. I think the 20mm area is the perfect balance of good looks and performance/scrape avoidance.
     
  10. Borrow’d Mine

    Borrow’d Mine Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 28, 2019
    807
    Florida
    Spacers? 15/20 perhaps
     
  11. axlesofevil

    axlesofevil Formula 3
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    Jan 14, 2012
    1,669
    San Diego, CA
    No spacers. Yet. I have them on my M3 and like them there. Maybe I’ll do them soon.
     
  12. VelocityTexas

    VelocityTexas Formula Junior
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 21, 2019
    308
    North Texas
    Full Name:
    Bryan
    Bryan S, spyder625, GT2goneF and 5 others like this.
  13. axlesofevil

    axlesofevil Formula 3
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    Jan 14, 2012
    1,669
    San Diego, CA
    Nice. Yeah looks good. Maybe 30mm+ for yours. I think they can handle a good amount of drop without looking "slammed".
     
    spyder625 and VelocityTexas like this.
  14. Giallo27

    Giallo27 Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 21, 2020
    213
    Full Name:
    JB
    Can someone tell me what’s the spring rate N/mm of these novitecs?

    Thanks
     
  15. axlesofevil

    axlesofevil Formula 3
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    Jan 14, 2012
    1,669
    San Diego, CA
    I'm fairly certain the spring rate is progressive. To account for the lowered ride height the spring rate increases as the springs compress.
     
  16. synergy

    synergy Formula Junior

    Aug 5, 2007
    508
    Austin Texas
    Full Name:
    Chris
    I have had Novitec springs on my 2015 458 for 6 years now and have had a great experience, no issues whatsosever and the ride quality is fantastic!
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    14RE458, GT2goneF, Flea7 and 3 others like this.
  17. ridege55

    ridege55 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    May 9, 2017
    1,329
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    John
    Stunning! Love the color, the wheels, and the stance.
     
    spyder625 likes this.
  18. MacDemarco

    MacDemarco Rookie

    Aug 11, 2019
    34
    Full Name:
    Mac Demarco
    Curious, why didn't you lower it more since you have the front axel lift? I'm thinking of lowering mine a tad bit more when i get them
     
  19. axlesofevil

    axlesofevil Formula 3
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    Jan 14, 2012
    1,669
    San Diego, CA
    The axel lift only works up to 25mph as you know. And living in a city there are lots of bumps and ruts and dips and potholes to worry about. I didn't want to go too low.

    And I've actually scraped the car just driving on normal twisty mountain roads. Give the car enough lateral Gs and it scrapes a little >_<

    A friend of mine went down about an entire inch and he's got 100k miles on his car, so it must not be the worst thing. :p
     
    GT2goneF likes this.
  20. spyder625

    spyder625 Formula Junior

    Jun 16, 2017
    717
    NJ
    Full Name:
    Mike
    looks great
     
  21. PCJR

    PCJR Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 31, 2007
    253
    PA
    Novitecs, 20/21” HRE
     

    Attached Files:

    spyder625, Baitschev and GT2goneF like this.
  22. ilko

    ilko Karting

    Aug 20, 2008
    150
    Boomhauer, r6elmo, spyder625 and 2 others like this.
  23. MrJason

    MrJason Rookie

    Jul 23, 2020
    25
    Beautiful, what wheels are those?
     
  24. GT2goneF

    GT2goneF F1 Rookie

    May 28, 2020
    2,861
    Southern California
    Love your stance.
     
    VelocityTexas likes this.

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