I would like to lower the spider springs only by 20 mm so its practical for British roads don't mind stiffer springs,can some one practical advice if i can fit CS springs directly on existing shocks or aftermarket alternative springs. Thanks Chris
I went with the genuine 430 Scuderia Springs (steel versions). Relatively inexpensive, and the dealer was more than happy to supply and fit. At the same time I had them install the Scuds Nylon Spring Spacers in place of the Rubber ones, which were a bit tired. I then had the suspension set up as per the Scud (ride height etc). Gave me exactly what I was looking, and of course just right for the roads here in the UK. Part Numbers are: Front Spring (Scud Steel): 256954 Rear Spring (Scud Steel): 257179 Spacer Lower (Scud Nylon): 181408 Spacer Upper(Scud Nylon): 245623 Give those part numbers to your main dealer, and then ask him nicely to do the rest. Car ends up a little stiffer, but no worse than Scud, and simply feels so much better on the road
It can, however by doing that you are slacking the pre-load which results in slightly soggy suspension which can lead to bottoming out and scraping. Better doing it with a shorter slightly stiffer spring, i.e. the Scud's Springs. Just because the body of the Damper Unit is threaded over almost it’s entire length doesn’t mean it is there for a huge range of adjustment. The threading is there to allow the correct pre-load of the Spring to be set. Obviously this then allows you to fine tune to get your specified ride height and corner weights right. Ride height is predetermined by the length of the spring. Manufacturers, in this case Ferrari, give certain specifications for ride heights, but if you look at these specs it is always given with a + or - amount (e.g. 114mm +/- 5mm). The Spring is set to it’s recommended pre-load (a measurement between Spring Platforms given by Ferrari), then you have a certain latitude of adjustment to set the cars ride height. Dropping the cars ride height outside the "specified perameters" by simply unwinding the Platforms reduces the designed pre-load and results in a softer spring rate, and thus a slightly soggy suspension. Of course that means the car grounds out more easily, and also results in excessive pitch and roll when pushed hard (circuit driving in particular). This is why to correctly lower the ride height of your car you should install Springs that are designed to run at lower ride heights. For example Novitec, or H&R, or in this case the genuine "Scud Springs”. The shortest Springs (Novitec or H&R) will have what is effectively built in helper springs to compensate for the shorter length but maintain the correct pre-load. But race cars are really low I hear you say ! Race cars, like the "Challenge Cars” for example, can go much lower because they use shorter Damper Units and Springs designed specifically for the purpose.
You're welcome To answer your previous post, I went with Scuderia settings, which are approx 15mm lower than regular F430. The main dealer, or good independent, will have all the suspension geometry setting info. However the ride height settings are as follows: F430 Coupe/Spider: Front; 130±5 mm, Rear; 153±5 mm 430 Scuderia/16M: Front; 114±5 mm, Rear; 136±3 mm
I'm going to have say.................depends on the size of the speed hump ! However most regular ones should be no problem, just take it steady
