74 GTV Suspension & ride heighth

[Al Landwehr]

I'm new to this site, so I'm not sure of the process, but here goes:
I've completely rebuilt the front suspension in my 74 GTV. I didn't torque any of the fittings because I knew to wait until the weight is on the car. I let the car down and it's so high in the front it looks as if the car doesn't have an engine in it. I took out the springs and lowered the pans the springs fit in as much as I could; it's a little better. I measured a friend's 69 GTV and from the floor to the highest point of the fender curve is 25 inches; mine is 28 inches. I've been told that Alfa raised the front end of some cars coming into the U.S.A to meet headlight specifications. A friend suggested cutting off the three inches. Another friend said he did that on his Berlina and the ride was really harsh. I have to believe someone else has run into this and can give me some advice. Thanks, AL

[Zunige]

First, welcome to the BB, Al!

This is the for sale forum, so you may want to re-post this question in either the "GT (1965-1974)" forum, or the "Suspension, Brakes , Wheels, and Tires" forum. I'll get you started any way, but what I am telling you is just general knowledge, as I don't own a GTV. The ride height was higher to comply with D.O.T. bumper height and headlight height requirements. 25" tells me that the fender wraps very nicely around the 14" wheel and tire. It's almost as if the fender hugs the tire. That's definitely not the stock set-up. The original set-up is much higher, and much more like your 28", although without a picture it is hard to tell if it is too high. (If I had to guess without a picture, I would say that your set-up height is stock.)

By these days most owners have in fact lowered their cars, precisely because the stock height was high and it looks nowhere as "cool" as the lowered car. When lowering a car people replace the stock springs with "sport" springs, which also improve handling. Have a look at the springs in your friend's car and note the color (black, gray, yellow, or red?) and also see if the wire of the coil seems to be heavier, and if the overall spring seems beefier. I will bet they are. Whatever you do, do not cut coils off of your OEM springs unless you know what you are doing. (Removing one coil is what some people do, and that's pretty safe, but may not be the best for you.) If you cut too much off your spring you will increase the spring rate significantly and will make the spring very stiff, which will give you a harsh ride, similar to that of a track car.

I would also encourage you to do a search in the two technical forums that I mentioned before. There are some very good threads about suspension set-ups.

Best regards,

[Al Landwehr]

Thanks on two counts: 1) straightening me out about where my question belongs; 2) your info on springs, which is very helpful. AL