Suggested rear suspension updates/improvements? | FerrariChat
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Suggested rear suspension updates/improvements?

Discussion in '308/328' started by Skewz-me, Nov 15, 2006.

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  1. Skewz-me

    Skewz-me Karting

    Jun 14, 2006
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    #1 Skewz-me, Nov 15, 2006
    I'm a relatively new owner of a 1981 308 GTSI.
    I love to drive it, but it doesn't handle as well as I'd expect.
    Seems like the rear end jumps around a lot, especially on rough roads. Bounces a lot too when I hit bumps in the road.
    Any suggestions for improving the rear suspension?
    Thanks
     
  2. mk e

    mk e F1 World Champ

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    #2 mk e, Nov 15, 2006
    These cars are pretty sensative to alignment. Make sur ethe tire pressure is right and have the alignment checked. It doesn't sound like your shocks are any too good either...maybe replace them first.
     
  3. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    #3 GrigioGuy, Nov 15, 2006
    How much of the rear suspension is still Ferrari? It makes a BIG difference in the advice we can give. Did the conversion use the Ferrari hubs and control arms with a custom CV axle, or did they just cut the back of the frame off and weld in a Fiero clip?
     
  4. Skewz-me

    Skewz-me Karting

    Jun 14, 2006
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    #4 Skewz-me, Nov 15, 2006
    I'm not sure. This was done before I purchased the car. I do know who did it however, and I've spoken to him on several occassions. I believe he said he'd used the entire subframe from the Fiero. I not much of a mechanic. How can I tell?
     
  5. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    #5 GrigioGuy, Nov 15, 2006
    Take a rear wheel off the car and photograph the suspension from a couple of angles. Also take a picture of the suspension from above in the engine bay. Post those pics here and maybe we can figure it out.

    The Ferrari uses a double A arm suspension, the Fiero uses a strut and a lower control arm as I recall.
     
  6. Skewz-me

    Skewz-me Karting

    Jun 14, 2006
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    #6 Skewz-me, Nov 15, 2006
    Man, I really appreciate the help.
    Now that I think about it, I'm sure the subframe is Fiero. Just not sure where the Fiero ends and the Ferrari begins. The Momo wheels on the car have different offsets because the Fiero frame is a tad wider and would have caused the wheels to stick out beyond the wheel wells. Also, I was told the lug pattern is Fiero. The front hubs (original Ferrari) have adapters to accomodate the Fiero lug pattern on these wheels.
    I'll try to take a few pic tomorrow and get them posted.
    Thanks again!
     
  7. walawdog

    walawdog Formula Junior

    Nov 9, 2004
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    #7 walawdog, Nov 15, 2006
    Did you buy this car off Ebay? One good thing about your set up is that you can shoehorn a V-8 in there. I assume you have a Fiero tranny? At least that would give you some more horses!!! As far as suspension goes...I wonder if the subframe is aligned right? How about weight...maybe the suspension is way mismatched now? Hmm...all these problems might go hand in hand with buying a car like the one you got.
     
  8. Grahame

    Grahame Formula Junior

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    #8 Grahame, Nov 16, 2006
    Sorry, I'm confused. You called this a 1981 308GTSi at the beginning of this thread, but it is apparently basically a Pontiac Fiero cobbled together somehow. What exactly is Ferrari at all? Can you elaborate? Are you actually in the right chat group to get your questions answered? Seems you might need to compare the handling to something else - perhaps a Fiero? Whatever, I'm curious to know what you have. Let us know. Pictures?
    Cheers,
    Grahame
     
  9. Skewz-me

    Skewz-me Karting

    Jun 14, 2006
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    #9 Skewz-me, Nov 16, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    It's a 1981 Ferrari 308 GTSI, not a kit car, if that's what you're asking. Years ago I did own a Fiero based 308 replica, so I know the difference.

    I'm sure there are some Ferrari enthusiasts that would say it's not a "real" Ferrari without a Ferrai engine, but I liked it because it's less costly to maintain and the 2.8 provides plently of power for this car. It's also been fitted with a 4 barrel Holley, so it's a real simple set up.
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  10. Skewz-me

    Skewz-me Karting

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    #10 Skewz-me, Nov 16, 2006
    Yes, I bought it on Ebay back in June. Fiero 5 speed tranny. I have also been considering a V-8 as well. I couldn't do it, so I'd have to figure out what it'll cost me to get it done.

    I will say the 2.8 does a good job for this size car. I've driven stock 308's and I don't think there's a lot of difference in terms of speed or acceleration. It's hard to get it out of 4th gear unless I'm on the highway. It'll curise comfortably at 60 mph in 4th gear. In 5th gear, I dont' believe I'm turning any more than 1500 rpm at 60 mph
    How many horses did the original Ferrari V8 have?
     
  11. mk e

    mk e F1 World Champ

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    #11 mk e, Nov 16, 2006
    Now its you strut that are shot. The 308 is heayier than fiero, so the damping and spring rates are probably much less than ideal you realyy need to consider custom shocks/struts/springs if you ever want it to handle right....thats the problem with odd ball creations. That's all the help I can be
     
  12. Skewz-me

    Skewz-me Karting

    Jun 14, 2006
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    #12 Skewz-me, Nov 16, 2006
    What you're saying is there's less weight in the rear of the car to hold it down to the road? I had thought about that. Makes sense.
    It's not a big problem. I live in a rural area and I sometimes drive fast on backroads that are a bit rougher than the norm. I also own a 3000Gt and have been comparing the two. The 3000GT seems to hold the road better on rough pavement.
    Hummm, another excuse for me to try putting a Chevy V8 in there . . .

    Thanks
     
  13. GrigioGuy

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    #13 GrigioGuy, Nov 16, 2006
    Sounds like it's too stiffly sprung and bouncing the way an empty pickup would. Serious suggestion -- try putting a couple of bags of sand in the trunk and see if that smooths the ride. If it does, you know which way you need to go on the struts, etc. Be careful, it might get worse. You don't want to back that into a tree :D

    The earlier comment about rear subframe alignment is important too. You can check to see if the frame is still straight with a friend and a piece of twine -- not perfect, but it will get you close.

    Please post the suspension pics when you get a chance so we know what's there. If it's the Fiero strut suspension, I would point you towards one of the kit car forums. Those guys are used to having oddball weights on a Fiero suspension, and would probably have good suggestions. Alternatively, you may check with the tech section at the Fiero Forum: http://www.fiero.nl/cgi-bin/fiero/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro
     
  14. GrigioGuy

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    #14 GrigioGuy, Nov 28, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017

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