HPE, lowering - suggestions?

[Ghibli]

Hey guys!
My HPE is running on original springs/shocks. I would like for it to come down a bit, maybe 30-40mm. Hard to find springs for it, how have you all done?

Regards
Johan, Sweden

[HFStuart]

Johan,

It's often felt that they benefit from comming down a bit more at the front than at the rear as they motorboat when acccelerating.  40mm might be a bit much at the back!

Betaboyz ( Mark W) used to offer lowering springs I don't know if he has stock at the moment.  It's relatively easy to get springs custom made though. The technical manual gives the spring rates and the uncompressed lengths so you can work out new rates and lengths to give the ride height you want (corner weighting you car helps but it's not essential) then a company like Springcoil can make you new ones for about €100/pair (perhaps a but more nowadays)  they can also test your current springs.  I was told coild springs don't sag over the years unless weakened by corrosion and for me the rates in the manual were very close to the test figures.   I think there's a thread about the ones I had made on here.

Be sure to post before and after pics if you go ahead.

Stuart

[betabuoy]

Hi Johan,
I’ve had lowered springs on and off my Coupe over the years. In the UK, the road surfaces and speed bumps are a nuisance at lower heights. I agree, the cars always look better when lower, but overall I prefer the standard heights.
I fitted a set of new Spax top adjustable shock absorbers (from Betaboyz shop) when I last removed the lower springs and with good poly bushes the feel is great. ‘Motorboat’ during acceleration is not so much of a problem with well set shocks and I’m pulling with 180bhp! IMO the only way to really advance the handling is to go down the bespoke coil-over route and incorporate some camber adjustment but that’s a huge investment.
Hope this helps.
Chris

[Ghibli]

Thanks for your input Stuart! I have checked with Betaboyz, and at the moment they don't make these springs for the HPE. I have thought about having them custom made, I guess that will be the (last) option if I can't find any others.
I think you are right, 40mm in the back is probably too much.

Johan

Johan,

It's often felt that they benefit from comming down a bit more at the front than at the rear as they motorboat when acccelerating.  40mm might be a bit much at the back!

Betaboyz ( Mark W) used to offer lowering springs I don't know if he has stock at the moment.  It's relatively easy to get springs custom made though. The technical manual gives the spring rates and the uncompressed lengths so you can work out new rates and lengths to give the ride height you want (corner weighting you car helps but it's not essential) then a company like Springcoil can make you new ones for about €100/pair (perhaps a but more nowadays)  they can also test your current springs.  I was told coild springs don't sag over the years unless weakened by corrosion and for me the rates in the manual were very close to the test figures.   I think there's a thread about the ones I had made on here.

Be sure to post before and after pics if you go ahead.

Stuart

[Ghibli]

Hi Chris,
Interesting. Well, the road surfaces and speed bumps can be a problem here in Sweden aswell. I have had way too low cars before, and now I also have an Alfetta GTV, quite low and stiff, so I can relate. The Lancia - now, in it's purest original stance - looks amazingly high compared to the Alfa, and I'm not looking for a lowrider. It is just so very high in the original shape. Combined with the trend of the era with the wheels (specially in the rear) being so far in under the car it makes the whole thing look just a little to .... fragile . So a modest lowering will give a better look, but it will still have better ground clearance than my Alfa. You are absolutely right about the shocks aswell, when it comes to handling. Just ordered a set of Spax for my GTV so I know what you mean regarding the investment. I think I will have to wait with that until winter for the HPE... 

Hi Johan,
I’ve had lowered springs on and off my Coupe over the years. In the UK, the road surfaces and speed bumps are a nuisance at lower heights. I agree, the cars always look better when lower, but overall I prefer the standard heights.
I fitted a set of new Spax top adjustable shock absorbers (from Betaboyz shop) when I last removed the lower springs and with good poly bushes the feel is great. ‘Motorboat’ during acceleration is not so much of a problem with well set shocks and I’m pulling with 180bhp! IMO the only way to really advance the handling is to go down the bespoke coil-over route and incorporate some camber adjustment but that’s a huge investment.
Hope this helps.
Chris