Is Lowering a 348 complicated ?

http://deltavee.net/articles/lowering.htm

Pretty straightforward, patience and a couple of special tools.

Best,
Rob

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Lowering/raising the car is straightforward, but setting it up so that it handles well is a lot harder.

Also the 348 does not lie flat, but is pitched with the rear slightly higher.

 

In addition, the amount of rake desired* is dependent of the ride height!

(*) for neutral handling

 

http://www.ricambiamerica.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=lns-0



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The last time I lowered a car that had a fully adjustable suspension, I used 4 scales. Like this:

http://robrobinette.com/corner_weight.htm

However, as the DeltaVee article stated, "If you pay attention and take notes, you won't need the scales, assuming Ferrari set the car correctly from the factory, which they usually do."

In my opinion, adjustments based on visuals just doesn't cut it i.e. the preloads can end up being unequal/unbalanced.

 

Errico - This is a must do mod.

I lowered my car a couple of winters ago and it has been the best thing I could have done. The handling was always good, but it now has more negative camber and it sticks to the road like glue. Mine was lowered half an inch at the front and one inch at the back. I also put on Hills spacers, 25mm rear and 15mm front.

To do this, its much easier to remove the springs and shocks as a unit and adjust the ride height on the bench - they should come out quite easily. The biggest problem will be if the threads on the shocks under the spring perches have rusted so you can't lower the perch on the shock. If that happens, you just have to use a lot of WD40 and use the spanner to move the perch back and forth until it recuts the thread on the shock. Just be patient! Also be very careful to measure the amount of thread visable below the perch. That is absolutely critical so you can reset the perch accurately.

If I were you as your car is coming next week, just drive it and enjoy before you start tearing it apart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All in all, the car handles even better and looks much more aggresive - job done.
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The factory calls for a 20mm stagger front to rear ( challenge cars are 25mm).
Make sure you take this into consideration with any adustments you make to the suspension.......if you want the car to handle.

 

Cars that are 20-25 years old have had plenty of time to sag on the springs. That is, you should no longer believe that they are correctly set up, even if they started out perfectly set up. In addition, the bushings have had plenty of time to deteriorate, and this can change the alignments and ride heights.

 

Yes, and those are more reasons why I prefer to use the scales.

Here's another example:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/understanding-corner-weights/

This example includes a Corner Weight Calculator:

http://farnorthracing.com/autocross_secrets11.html

I should add that although the procedures can be quite challenging it was worthwhile for me.