308 wheel/suspension update

I recently finished another stage of my '78 US 308's modernization. Installed were 16" Cromodoras off an '85 QV. Bridgestone RE750's, 205/55's on the front, 225/50's on the rear.
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The other part of this update, aside from wheels and tires, were front springs.
The stock units "red code" unloaded measured 13" with a comparative bench rate of 175#, the new springs, from 'Superformance' measured 11 7/8" with a bench test rate of 235#. Altogether the front end is 1" lower, the car sits perfectly flat.

A four wheel alignment was of course performed...Thus far, the handling is much more balanced, and the car feels modern, a MASSIVE collective improvement! New Koni's were installed at all corners last fall. Once I get a chance to really drive the car, I'll report back.

The work was performed by "Group 2 Motorsports" in Seattle, WA. These fine guys from Group 2: Joe, Chris and DeWitt, introduced themselves to me at Seattle's first annual "Eurofest" Feb. '04. In fact, they parked their cars next to my two at the event. I'm so glad they did!
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Thanks, my wife even responded to the cosmetics, "sleeker, not so fat looking." Getting the ride height flat was a real, and simple bonus...no more "wheelie-ing" front end! Yet, it's not lowered so radically that I'd start having more problems with ground contact. Thankfully it happened only once, before this conversion, and that minor scrape under the spoiler is repaired.

 

Yeah, the rear springs are stock. Once summer vacation for the kiddies is over, motorhomes are parked and the temps. cool off, I'm going to take a mountain drive blast for a few days and sort out the results of what's on the car now. So far, so good.

 

I might do the rear springs after the suspension settles in and my drive feedback dictates it necessary. As always, since my toys are my only vices, I might just do it to have all four corners sprung and 'Konied' as new.

I'm on the road, and my b-card file's not with me...I will provide the details when I get home.

Cost with tax was around $400.00, to the Group 2 shop, for the springs. My 308 is the second 308 that's had these springs installed by Group 2 Motorsports...The other local 308 owner had the first set of these springs done, along with a Brembo front brake conversion at this shop. I'll search the archives to see if I can link you to photos of his car.

Okay, starting with post #5, here's the other car that got the front springs.
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10496

PeterB.

 

Howdy, Dave...I'll do that! I'll be back down there for a steering rack, mine has a 'slop spot' in it, as well as leaking oil out into the left tie-rod's boot. Did you do a rack in one of your F-cars? G2 thought you might have, and if so, do you have any advice?

 

Back home for a day or two! Here's the link to the shop in Seattle that can help answer the details of where and how much for the springs:

www.group2inc.com

On their site, at the bottom right, is Joe's e-mail link, he might be a day or two to get back to you, but he will.

PeterB.

 

I can't for sure identify them as "328" springs, the guys at Group2 would have the source they got them from...That would be a great investigative task, to see if the stock"328" springs match what I put on in terms of length and rate, or if they are indeed 328 springs from the bin, marketed as "front lowering springs" for US 308's. It's hard to know what goes on in wherehouses across the pond! PeterB.