1988 3.2 USA Mondial Cab ground clearance, Front-4" Rear-5"?? | FerrariChat
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1988 3.2 USA Mondial Cab ground clearance, Front-4" Rear-5"??

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by ownferraribeforedie, Oct 14, 2025 at 7:07 AM.

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  1. ownferraribeforedie

    ownferraribeforedie Rookie

    Aug 26, 2025
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    Jeff Stepek
    #1 ownferraribeforedie, Oct 14, 2025 at 7:07 AM
    Just got a 67k miles 88 USA Mondial cab. The ground clearance spec for what I can find should be around 5 inches. On our car it is 4 inches at the start of the front of the flat underneath just behind the front wheels, to 5 inches at the end of the flat underneath just ahead of the rear wheels. Attached is a photo from several years of the car before I purchased.

    The shocks and springs are original to the best I can determine. The rears for sure as we can see the part numbers and date. The fronts cannot not be read for the springs in the way.

    Can I assume the front springs have weakened? Of course we have a concern that going over any speed bumps (numerous in my areas) the car will scrape or bottom. What's causing the lower front end?. Tires are new and the correct size.

    Anyway to adjust short of new springs and shocks?

    Regarding new hardware, what are recommendations for adjustable coils overs for the car. I do not plan on tracking the car, just want street drivability.

    Thanks
    Jeff
    ownferraribeforedie

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  2. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
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    #2 Alden, Oct 14, 2025 at 7:57 AM
    The lowest point is the bottom of the spare tire well. That usually scrapes first.
    4.5" to 4 3/4" is the generally accepted number for ground clearance.
    If you have one, you ou can try removing the spare from the frunk, that will usually raise the front by 1/2 to 3/4" or so.
    Alden
     
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  3. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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    #3 moysiuan, Oct 14, 2025 at 4:53 PM
    People would probably spend good money to get that stance lowered about 1 inch, with the nice front to back rake!!

    Take driveway curbs slowly and on an angle, even with the higher clearance these are low cars. If your car actually clears the speed bumps, then you are fine.
     
  4. ownferraribeforedie

    ownferraribeforedie Rookie

    Aug 26, 2025
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    #4 ownferraribeforedie, Oct 14, 2025 at 5:39 PM
    A couple of area I travel have at least 4 inch bumps, so I have not tested yet. Honestly I would like to raise the front half inch. Not sure why it is so low. Shocks springs all original and probably tired. At 67k miles I should look at adjustible coil overs. Looking for recommendations that will not make me have to move into a Costco shopping cart due to the cost.
    Jeff
     
  5. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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    #5 moysiuan, Oct 14, 2025 at 6:38 PM
    Most coil over kits seem to be for lowering not raising ride height. Here is one at a decent price, I have no idea if this is a proper set up, it is not a common modification for Mondials. Nicks Forza probably makes the gold standard custom coil overs, and I think has an application for the Mondial.

    https://www.sfracing-usa.com/products/sf-racing-sport-coilovers-1980-1993-ferrari-mondial-f108

    https://www.nicksforzaferrari.net/nff-custom-coil-overs.html

    Your car stance looks correct, in that the wheel well gaps look about right.

    My 1988 3.2 Cab is 5 1/4" at front, 5 3/4" at rear, about 80k km on my car.
     
  6. Alden

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    #6 Alden, Oct 15, 2025 at 6:39 AM
    Did you see my suggestion about removing the spare in the frunk? It weighs a ton and does compress the front Springs enough to bring the front end down about as much as you want to adjust it up.
    Alden
     
  7. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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    #7 moysiuan, Oct 15, 2025 at 8:02 AM
    Are your tires the correct size? Front 205/55 VR16 Rear 225/55 VR16

    The rear sizes are getting harder to find, maybe you total tire diameters are lower than stock?
     
  8. ownferraribeforedie

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    #8 ownferraribeforedie, Oct 15, 2025 at 8:09 AM
    Yes the tires are new and are the correct size as noted. Again I am curious as to why the front is so low when the suspension looks 100% stock. Spring sag? I will remove the spare tire and see what that gives.

    I want to replace the shocks, and of course very expensive, but I talked with Koni and they did advise the shocks can be rebuilt, also expensive and long turnaround times. Also Koni advised me that upon removal I may find there is nothing wrong with the 67k miles shocks.

    Thanks
    Jeff
     
  9. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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    #9 moysiuan, Oct 15, 2025 at 9:01 PM
    The shocks would not affect the height, that would be the springs job. Seems odd to get a 1 inch sag for a car with fairly low milage.

    Maybe there is some wear in the various rubber bushings, or the shock/spring perch bushings?
     
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  10. ownferraribeforedie

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    #10 ownferraribeforedie, Oct 16, 2025 at 5:45 AM
    Agree with the sag of an inch. Well turns out I have another problem at the front. See my new post on having to remove the steering rack due to some slop on the right tie rod, which just started on a recent drive. So yes I will be examining the bushings and might remove a shock and spring to see what we have. I suppose there is a free length dimension for the springs, and need to find that.

    Thanks

    Jeff
    ownferraribeforedie
     
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  11. dsmith

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    #11 dsmith, Oct 16, 2025 at 5:46 AM
    A better comparison might be the measurement of middle of the wheel to the fender lip.
     
  12. ownferraribeforedie

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    #12 ownferraribeforedie, Oct 16, 2025 at 5:52 AM
    Is that a published number for stock ride height?

    Thanks
    Jeff
     
  13. dsmith

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    #13 dsmith, Oct 16, 2025 at 7:16 AM
    I doubt it, but if you are comparing against other people’s cars it limits variables.
     
  14. Alden

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    #14 Alden, Oct 16, 2025 at 4:16 PM
    I just did a thorough look thru my repair manual I did not see any specs for ride height. I'll check my parts manual later.
    I would measure mine for you, but I have 360 wheels and the associated tires on mine, so that probably won't help you.
    Alden
     
  15. dsmith

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    #15 dsmith, Oct 17, 2025 at 5:36 AM
    For center of wheel to fender lip, the wheel/tire size doesn’t matter. That’s why it’s a good measure as a rough check if there is something sagging/worn in his suspension. This assumes stock suspensions. If a few people measure 1/2inch more than his, then it’s likely the suspension is quite worn or has been modified. If they are all the same, then everyone probably isn’t measuring ground clearance the same.
     
  16. ownferraribeforedie

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    #16 ownferraribeforedie, Oct 17, 2025 at 6:41 AM
    I have been in contact with SF Racing as a possible supplier for a set of 4 new coil overs. Turns out at least to the email exchanges I had, installing their front shocks with their factory setting will lower the front end 1" from stock. If a new 88 Mondial ground clearance was 5", then I would end up with 4" which is what I have now with my assumed tired 67k miles car. I just want a stock setup.

    See my new thread on removing the steering rack as the passenger side plastic bushing just failed. While "I am in there" I just might replace all the suspension bushings, as some look a bit tired. Also I will take off the front shocks, remove the springs and see what I got. They may be fine. Also I will check to see where their adjustment is and adjusts back to the factory specs.

    Lots of work ahead.

    Thanks
    Jeff
     
  17. ownferraribeforedie

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    #17 ownferraribeforedie, Oct 19, 2025 at 7:04 PM
    Need the original free length for the front springs for our 1988 Mondial 3.2. Finally got one shock off and the spring removed. The free length as I measured is 479mm or aprrox 18-13/16 inches.

    The only manual I can find for the car is the Mondial 8/QV which lists the free length of the front springs as 418.8mm. Certainly not what I have. Of course the springs could have been replaced at some point but I doubt it as the shocks are original.

    The springs have a red and a while paint mark on the top of the spring. The inside dia of the springs is 85mm which is what is listed in the said QV manual.

    The wire diameter is 12mm whereas the said QV manual says they should be 13mm.

    Can't believe how long they are so are these stock??? Had to make a special spring compressor to get the spring off.

    Again I am trying to determine why the front ground clearance is only 4"

    Thanks

    Jeff
     
  18. Alden

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    #18 Alden, Oct 19, 2025 at 8:25 PM
    Where exactly are you measuring "ground clearance" to get this number of 4 inches?
    Alden
     
  19. ownferraribeforedie

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    #19 ownferraribeforedie, Oct 19, 2025 at 8:29 PM
    Read my initial post where the measure points are specified

    Thanks
    Jeff
     
  20. Alden

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    #20 Alden, Oct 20, 2025 at 6:22 AM
    "On our car it is 4 inches at the start of the front of the flat underneath just behind the front wheels, to 5 inches at the end of the flat underneath just ahead of the rear wheels"
    Ok, I understand. Since the bottom of the spare tire well is lower than the front of the valence/spoiler by about 1 inch or so, your actual clearance is closer to ~3 inches at the front.
    Alden
     
  21. Alden

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    #21 Alden, Oct 20, 2025 at 8:44 AM
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2025 at 8:52 AM
    I just measured the dimensions on my car, I have 18-in 360 wheels and these tire sizes:
    215/45rR18 on the front
    275/35R18 on the rear
    I have my original full size spare and probably 15 lb worth of tools and accessories in the frunk, and a half a tank of gas.
    Bottom lip of front spoiler in front of the wheels 6 1/2 inches
    Center of front wheel to fender lip 14 and 3/4 inches
    Center of rear wheel to fender lip 15 inches
    I've never measured these dimensions on my car before, and I always thought that the rear end of my car was sitting a little high, but it's a quarter inch away from being dead level with the front, with no passengers. If I filled it with fuel it would probably be dead level. It looks higher in photos than it does IRL.
    Looking at the photo in your first first post, your car doesn't seem to sit that low??
    Alden
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  22. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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    #22 moysiuan, Oct 20, 2025 at 10:51 AM

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