Hi everbody, Got to know if anybody has any experience with the springs from superformance (UK). I bought them, as they where advirtised as being uprated, but now I have got the old springs out, and I noticed that the new ones are 2 1/2" -3 " shorter than the original. We tested both on a press bench and the old springs were 5 KGS stiffer!! I want a better road behaviour of the car, but I do not want to lower my car too much, because of the lack of space (steering circle front wheels). So before I mount these can anybody with these type of springs tell me what their experience is. Have great weekend and safe driving! Ricky
I'm anxious to hear the responses, but I don't know of any U.S. owners who have Superformance parts on their cars... I can't wait to hear your reactions to the new exhuast setup when you get it all installed and on the road. Take care, Aaron
A stiffer spring should be shorter as the softer spring will compress more under the weight of the car. Not sure how you measured spring stiffness; you should compress each to approximately installed height, then zero your force measurement. Next compress each by an equal distance and measure the force required to compress that extra distance. I have a set of these at home sitting next to my 308GTS.
Don is right, a stiffer spring should be shorter. If the springs you received are indeed not as stiff, you could be asking for trouble. Add to that, if the tires are at full droop and the springs can freely wiggle in the mounts you have a problem. As for front tire clearance, the car here is lowered and there is more clearance than you may expect. Especially if you have stock rims (7 inch) whereas there are 8-inch rims here with 225/45 on 17 rims. There is a concern during hard braking if you lower the car a lot and have weak front springs. Stock springs during hard braking makes the front of the car drive A LOT. Superperformance UK is a great vendor and have many years of experience. Are you sure the springs are weaker than old stock ones???
OK guys thanks for your quick comments, I had another remark to the size of the springs. Have the front and the back springs the same height. (I have not taken off the front springs yet). I received springs for front and back, but they look the same to me. The rims are 8" but that should not be of any consequence, as the total height/diameter has not changed. With regard to the measuring. I was told by the mecanic. I didn´t witnessed it, but they are highly recommended as they prepare all type of ralley cars for the whole spanish territory, allthough I had a (my firts) discussion with them on the silent block bushings, he doesn´t want to spotweld them to the A-arms!!!! What can I say, any input will be appreciated Ricky
Can't help on the springs but the bushings must be spot welded. Otherwise the hole in the A arm will wear and eventually destroy the a arm. I think that somewhere on FChat there is a photo of just that occurrence. It just needs a couple of tacks, not a bead all the way around. Gerrit
Just to add my thoughts. I run my gt4 with uprated springs which I got from QV london. Previous to this I had some made up which were uprated over standard. I measured original one against the uprated ones which the uprated ones that is are about 25% stiffer and also lower car you also need to adjust the shocks as well i.e turn them up( I had these fully rebuilt with uprated internals). Also front spring to rear spring rating is different so make sure you fit the right ones. Superformance and Mike Elliot are very knowledgeable in these cars so trust them and speak if you think they got them wrong. I don't really have a clearance issue but the front sometimes catch the arches on bumpy roads at high speeds. Tyres are 225/60/14 all around and I also have 205/55/16 and 225/50/16 as well which seem to be better. The car also has solid bushes in antiroll bars and drop links and you must weld in the A bar bushes. Car handles like a go cart and is absolutely superior to a standard set up and not too harsh( really its a race setup for the road). I also run negative camber alround,but I don't have the settings to hand at present but will measure them for you if you want. Good luck
About the cambers sounds like a good plan. I know about the good reputation of superformance. For the 16" rims I have got the same set up, and I am very pleased with them (tyres Goodyear eagle F1 GS D3). Will have a little chat again with the mecanic tomorrow, but sometimes I feel as helpless as Basil from Fawlty Towers talking to Manuel. Cheers,
Agree, they have a great reputation and have been very pleased with their service on other bits. Alas, can not speak for stock shocks/springs, but as a point of reference with Nick Forza shocks the car has shorter front springs than rear. Photo below is the old stock Nick springs (300 lbs front/ 250 lbs rear). Have since went with shorter springs and 400 lbs front and 350 lbs rear (with zero-rate helper springs). Image Unavailable, Please Login
Not exactly the same car, but, I put Superformance springs on my Dino 246GT. We had some trouble with the front springs being too long, even with the car all loaded up. Upon further inspection, after removing all four corners, we discoved that despite the labels, all four were rear springs. Mike was very stand up about it. As I was in a hurry, I bought replacement front springs from Dennis McCann, and Mike credited me in full for his, and told me to keep and sell te springs on ebay for my trouble. I have tons of Mike's parts in my car. We just rebuilt the gearbox with his synchros and bearings. I have his high compression pistons and rings in my car, and they are great. We're making significant extra horsepower with them, and did not an ounce of trouble with the install. Used his bushings on the suspension, too. DM
I do not think there is a difference in the springs for the 246 and the 308, since a lot of parts were copied from the 246. Well after reading this it could be possible that I received four front springs (maybe your´s?), the front springs have not come off yet, so it is all guessing for the time being, but receiving four springs of the same size and all being 2-3" shorter than the original rear spring makes you wonder.
On mine one pair is ~1/2" shorter free length than the other. But now I've forgotten which is which! :|
