Sport Springs and Shocks

[MidLifeCrisis]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and just bought a 74 GTV that needs some work. I probably overpaid, and took on a lot more than I should, but I had to have it (my user name says it all)!

Does anyone know how I can tell if this car has the sport springs in it? Right now it's up on jack stands with the wheels off, and I'm about to replace the shocks. I like the look these cars have with the sport springs, and from what I've read the handling is improved with these.

Also, I've read a couple of threads, and it looks like the general recommendation for shocks is the koni reds (I won't be racing). Are these adjustable and can they be combined with the sport springs?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

[jackr]

are usually red & the Koni reds are adjustable and go well with the springs. I highly recommend the sport springs for handling and bringing the car back down to a nice ride height.

[MidLifeCrisis]

Thanks. My springs are definitely not red, but it sounds like this doesn't necessarily mean that they aren't "sport springs". I've also heard of owners cutting their springs to get the same effect...

When I had the car on the ground, a little weight on the front fender produced a lot of downward motion (a lot more than I thought there should be), with only a little "bounce" at the top after release. It's pretty clear that it needs new shocks, which are in the budget, and I'm hoping someone will tell me how I can assess whether or not it needs new springs. If it needs new ones, I'll force the sport springs into the budget.

Thanks again.

Michael.

[universible]

I'm sure its not 100% accurate, but if the springs are black and cruddy...they're likely stock. Any other color and they're most likely aftermarket..."sport" variety...not sure there....though I haven't heard of aftermarket springs that are just the same as stock.

I really like my Centerline springs with the Koni classic shocks (orange or red...whatever they're called)...

[GTV4EVR]

Some sports springs are yellow. Dave Rugh sells his springs unpainted. I had mine powder coated black.

[MidLifeCrisis]

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like I'll invest in both shocks and springs.

Michael.

[MidLifeCrisis]

OK, so I bought my springs from IAP, and my Koni Classic shocks from ProAmAuto.com (most affordable I could find). I'm about to tackle this project, but was wondering if I can just rent or buy any coil spring compressor, or if I need to find the Alfa-specific tool.

It seems that a lot of the Alfisti have been through this operation before, so I'm hoping someone can give me advice on the best way to approach this.

Thanks,

Michael.

[genericwood]

No need for a spring compressor. Buy some 3/8" threaded rod, nuts and washers. Replace 2 of the spring pan bolts with about 5" sections of the rod. Make sure they are diagonal from each other. Remove the remaining 2 bolts and then begin lowering the pan on the threaded rods until the spring falls out. Replacement is the reverse procedure. It helps to have a ratcheting box end wrench.

I'm sure there is a more complete description on the board somewhere for this procedure.

Erik

[Paradiso]

Welcome to teh AlfaBB and Alfas.
Here's a thread that discusses the threaded rod method for the front springs: http://alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=4737
Be careful, the front springs are VERY powerful and you could get VERY hurt. Take your time and you'll be fine.
Rears are pretty easy, just unbolt the shock, get a jack under the trailing arm and take the stress off the bolt. Remove the bolt and slowly let the jack down.

HTH

John

[paulsle]

You'll like the ride with the IAP springs and red Koni's. I installed this set-up on my GTV 2 years ago. So much more compliant over ratty road surfaces than the Ward & Dean springs and 30 year old konis I had been running. Read over the posts within the thread Paradiso provided a link to and you'll be fine.
A few other details regarding the front springs... The left and right bottom spring pans are of different depths (to compensate for the weight of the driver?), so you may want to mark them as they're removed. Check the pans for serious rust through. If bad I think that they're +/- $35 each for new ones. There are rubber collars at the top of all 4 springs that will possibly be deteriorated / ineffective due to age. I believe that IAP or Centerline sells these. They're not cheap, but the result of having as much new rubber in the suspension as you can manage is really worth it.

[MidLifeCrisis]

Excellent advise from all - thank you. I guess I shouldn't expect anything less from this bulletin board.

Thanks again.

[Alex]

Quote:

... the result of having as much new rubber in the suspension as you can manage is really worth it.

[wano71]

hi there,
am new to this site (and am way over in uk so do not know how many specialists you folks have over there so please forgive if info no use) i am also relatively new to alfas, i am currently in the process of rebuilding a gt junior into a gta replica and am currently on the suspension, i can confirm that some of the best money and time you can spend is on re-bushing your suspension (some of mine is standard, some superflex) i also have koni sport shocks (yellow) and an alfaholics spring kit and uprated front anti roll bar ( the rear anti roll being completely removed with the new uprated springs, this lowers the car about 55mm all round and is suitable for fast road applications, not cheap but worth it if you want the most out of your car. visit www.alfaholics.co.uk to take a look.
sorry for waffling and invading your thread but am hoping to win friends and influence people for when i need advice later on.

[Gary Williams]

I have the Alfaholics fast road suspension on my GTV and love it. That and sticky tires makes it an entirely different car ... for the better.