Lowering 296GTB | FerrariChat

Lowering 296GTB

Discussion in '296' started by WSY, Jul 25, 2025.

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  1. WSY

    WSY Rookie

    Jan 19, 2019
    8
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    Hi Everyone!

    First post, just got my 296GTB, what an amazing car, love everything about it except carbon seats too high, haptic is a annoying. But the car is phenomenal, speed, handling, comfort, looks.

    Originally was going to order the Novitec sport springs, but read a few posts regarding how bad it drives. being too soft and not the correct spring rate.

    My car is without AF package with lift. I see someone mentioned lowering factory suspension, is it possible? I took a quick peak, it doesn't seems like they are threaded coilover like Porsche GT cars.

    Appreciate if anyone could share some feedback for a slight lowering.

    Cheers,
     
  2. ntatfas

    ntatfas Formula Junior

    Apr 27, 2011
    294
    UK
    Your dealer should be able to lower the car on stock springs by a modest amount so I would start by asking them what they can do.
     
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  3. cpiguy

    cpiguy Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 3, 2007
    2,161
    Westlake Village, CA
    Full Name:
    Arnie Friedman
    Yes, I had mine lower on the factory springs. Easier task with out the factory lift kit. My dealer was too expensive so I had it done elsewhere. The drop is more than adequate for my liking.

    This is a terrible picture, but the only thing I have for now…
     

    Attached Files:

    WSY likes this.
  4. WSY

    WSY Rookie

    Jan 19, 2019
    8
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    Looks great! How much was is lowered? Drives well?
     
  5. Dbops618

    Dbops618 Formula Junior

    Feb 27, 2017
    442
    florida
    Full Name:
    D. Hernandez
    I don’t have a lift and I have the AF package so I’m scared to bottom out by lowering it
     
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  6. RoadRonin

    RoadRonin Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    May 18, 2020
    518
    San Francisco
    jm2, UBI, mdrums and 4 others like this.
  7. ZubayrC

    ZubayrC Karting

    Apr 1, 2024
    95
    Middle East
    is it not better to lower front and back by the same to maintain the intended rake (aero, handling etc) we're talking mm's so probably overthinking it
     
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  8. RoadRonin

    RoadRonin Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    May 18, 2020
    518
    San Francisco
    Others who have lowered their cars have typically lowered the rear by 13 or 14mm to create a more level stance from front to rear (eliminating the factory rake completely). I wanted to preserve some of the factory rake, so 10mm seemed to be a good middle ground. I then had the car evaluated and aligned by the dealership.
     
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  9. cpiguy

    cpiguy Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 3, 2007
    2,161
    Westlake Village, CA
    Full Name:
    Arnie Friedman
    About an 1/2 inch the front and 1 inch in the back. No issues and no change in ride.
     
  10. cpiguy

    cpiguy Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 3, 2007
    2,161
    Westlake Village, CA
    Full Name:
    Arnie Friedman
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  11. SECRET

    SECRET Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 19, 2007
    1,044
    Maranello, Italy
    Full Name:
    Ferrari Tifosi
    I'm curious what the measurement is from the fender to the ground for you. Would it be possible to share that?
     
  12. cpiguy

    cpiguy Formula 3
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    Oct 3, 2007
    2,161
    Westlake Village, CA
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    Arnie Friedman
    I’ll try and measure it later today.
     
  13. cpiguy

    cpiguy Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 3, 2007
    2,161
    Westlake Village, CA
    Full Name:
    Arnie Friedman
    Ok, the rear is exactly 29” and the front is exactly 27 1/2”. Truth is I don’t remember what it was before I lowered it. Can you give me the stock measurements?
     
  14. E63 BiTurbo

    E63 BiTurbo Rookie

    Dec 3, 2016
    19
    #14 E63 BiTurbo, Aug 9, 2025
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2025
    I recently lowered mine which has the front lift using Novitec springs and can say the car drives great. Fender to ground measurements are 28 1/4" rear and 26.3/4" front.
    Originally lowered 1/2" lower which looked great but was not practical so had it raised 1/2". The car also has 18mm spacers front and rear. No regrets!
    With that said I don't think I would do it without the lift option.
     
  15. E63 BiTurbo

    E63 BiTurbo Rookie

    Dec 3, 2016
    19
  16. WSY

    WSY Rookie

    Jan 19, 2019
    8
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    wow that’s stunning!! When you said originally lowered (which you raised it up after), did you just install the Novitec springs at factory perch height? Or the novitec springs comes with perch? The raise adjustment you made after is with novitec springs + factory perch?

    Also did you noticed any changes in the ride quality like some people had mentioned? Too stiff or soft?

    Thanks for sharing!
     
  17. E63 BiTurbo

    E63 BiTurbo Rookie

    Dec 3, 2016
    19
    I can't say for sure as I didn't do the install myself but I believe the height adjustment was done using the factory perch. I've only driven it twice(maybe 15-20 miles) and really can't tell the difference from factory. Very pleased with the results and would do it again.
     
  18. cpiguy

    cpiguy Formula 3
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    Oct 3, 2007
    2,161
    Westlake Village, CA
    Full Name:
    Arnie Friedman
    Really like your extra drop, just didn’t think it was worth the extra cost. Had Novitec on my F8 and love them. I also went too low on the first try, brought them up about 3/4 of an inch to what I thought was perfect. Lowering the 296 on the stock springs does a reasonably good job, not quite as good as a Novitec, but again substantial difference in cost.
     
  19. E63 BiTurbo

    E63 BiTurbo Rookie

    Dec 3, 2016
    19
    Thank you!... My dealer wanted $2500 to lower mine on factory springs. I got the Novitec done for $3k all in so was well worth the extra cost.
     
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  20. cpiguy

    cpiguy Formula 3
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    Oct 3, 2007
    2,161
    Westlake Village, CA
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    Arnie Friedman
    That’s amazing. My dealer wanted $4k. I got it done for $1700.
     
  21. rxbg

    rxbg Formula Junior

    Apr 11, 2010
    428
    USA
    don't do it if you ever plan on tracking your car fyi
     
  22. Lolom

    Lolom Rookie

    Feb 13, 2021
    1
    Full Name:
    Laurent milchior
    Hi,
    Planning on tracking my 296, just got my car 3 weeks ago.
    Used to drive gr3s and previously a McLaren 720s. The pitch of the 296 is greater than both gt3 and 720s, I suppose lowering the car slightly on the standard springs would help.
    Why do you mention not to lower the car to track it ?
    Wanted an AF but 1. Could not find the right combo second hand, and 2. Need the left where I live, didn t want to break the carbon zero blades every day !
    Thanks for your advice.
    Pic of the current car Image Unavailable, Please Login
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  23. jmX

    jmX Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 8, 2020
    42
    Southern California
    I got quoted just shy of $7000 to lower a 296 by 10mm on the stock springs by Ferrari newport beach. :eek: I said no thanks.

    Has anybody done it themselves? I have the coilover tool that lets me turn the collar. Figure maybe I can just turn all 4 by the same amount and then have the dealership just re-check the alignment, but the price quote really had me wondering if there's some "magic" step required like changing computer settings afterwards.
     
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  24. cpiguy

    cpiguy Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 3, 2007
    2,161
    Westlake Village, CA
    Full Name:
    Arnie Friedman
    It’s a little insulting, but based on what the Ferrari dealer wanted to do it, I had the Lamborghini/Mclaren dealer do it for $1700.
     
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