Novitec 296 GTB

i wish I realized that before ordering the spring sets from them...

 

I had their springs on my 458 back in days, I think Novitec use KW and rebrand them.. Maybe someone here know better, I dont think KW give the spring rate to anyone

 

I understand that. I just wish that they made it right. As is, they are unbalanced compared to OEM ones and that is totally unacceptable (to me). If they were harder all around proportionally it would make some sense. They could at least say something percentage wise. I guess the "secret" will be out once I get the data from my dealership who made the measurements. To me it is just like putting a car on a dyno for measuring "real" hp or putting it on a scale to get the "real" weight... Cannot stay secret...

 

okay... I am getting my car back later today. The mechanic told me some of his results. I will see if he is comfortable that I share them here. So far, it turns out that OEM rates are slighly harder at the rear by 10 to 15% vs front ones. Novitec ones are vastly harder rear to front in the magnitude of over 45%.
These numbers are on purpose vague as I do not want to tell something that I did not measure/see myself. But what this says for sure is that I will remove them asap and have them replaced with custom made springs that my mechanic (who is an experienced one on and off the track for many years) will order for me and my 296 specifically.
Driving "normally" on the road will be fine with Novitec springs but they are certainly not tailored for (my) 296GTB.
I must admit that I was fooled by the nice videos that Novitec put out on the 296 and other Ferraris (and other brands) and mistook them as "proof" that the results and parts used were to be trusted not only esthetically but also "technically". I bought them without asking the right questions...
I sure hope that my experience shared here will lead people on this forum to buy from Novitec with "better" awareness.

 

final result
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these are the specs of Novitec springs for the 296GTB:
front axle: 70-70-200
rear axle: 10-60-80 and 120-70-200

My car was lowered 25mm front and 37mm rear (I do not have the exact number for the rear but it is close enough). It was done so to keep the Ferrari initial height ratio front to rear.

I test drove the car now for a couple of days. Just normal driving on back roads which are "interesting" to test the car even at legal speeds.

Initial feedback: the car is too low and/or the new balance of spring rates is inappropriate. The front bottomed during a small compression. I heard the tire rubbing inside the well. I am going to be very cautious now as this could be bad if it happens while the wheels are not straight (in the middle of a curve for example...).
The car has now a hard time to clear lots of various speed bumps that we often have in slow zones in small towns in Switzerland. I can confirm that even with the lift it is a false good idea to use it as it clearly lowers the rear as it lifts the front with the (much worse) consequence to have the fins at the rear scraping.
As is, the front end also does not feel as nimble anymore. And with the lower side wall on the rear tires, it seems (feels like) that it is harder to accelerate as hard as before with beefier tires.
If I had to do it all over I would stick with 20 inch wheels all around (and not 21 and for sure not 22s). The side walls of the tires is being reduced too much for spirited driving that is a certainty for me. And you clearly risk damages to the nice wheels you bought as the tires will compress with too little left for protection.
I will lower the car by about 10mm less front and rear now.
I will either just put back the original springs (too bad for "ugly" wheel gaps...) or look to order real custom made springs with stiffer specs and the right balance (ratio) front to rear axles that truly allows the car to be lowered, makes it stiffer and still functioning as intended by Ferrari engineers.

 

Hi, New member on FerrariChat. Just ordered 296 GTB and expecting delivery by end of year 2025. I drove the stock 296 GTB for the first time this week and the stock exhaust definitely sounds very good. Perhaps 7/10. I’d like the exhaust to be a bit louder at higher speeds. Anyone here personally have installed the Novitec exhaust and what is your impression? Is there a place in the US that installs Novitec? Thank you.

 

now you have me worried. I checked both their sites before I ordered my setup.
21x9.5 w 255/30/21
22x11.5 w 335/30/22

Ugh, are my tires going to even fit or rub?

 

It would be nice to see TAG respond given they are marketing these parts here. If they and Novi are not standing behind what they are selling that is a big red flag.

 

They are both saying that they never had issues before me. Ya right... And even if that was true (and it is not as I met another guy who returned his setup for his 296 as it did not fit either), I can tell you that as the rubbing was a real issue due to the wrong dimensions they (Tag direct ordered my wheels to Vossen according to Novitec "tested" setup) sold me, they (Tag) refused to acknowledge any responsibility. As for the springs I talked about this in another thread I think... Real disappointment efficacy wise (vs. look/esthetics which I liked).
And as I said
Vossen makes incredibly nice wheels. But you better manage to have the right measurements yourself.
And I would not mess with wheel sizes either as you get lower side walls and this is a real issue as well in terms of ability to use the car as Ferrari engineered it

 

Certainly doesn't help them sell more stuff

 

Does anyone have any experience with this setup. This is exactly the Specs TAG and NOVITEC are showing on their sites. I even went a bit narrower in the front to avoid rub. but now I am spooked.

 

... but let's face it, most Ferrari owners don't give a s**t about how their car is driving, so perceived cosmetic enhancement is the real deal maker.
Unfortunately Ferrari is also aware of this, which begins to impact car designs (design in the broader sense, not limited to aesthetics).