06-24-2007, 09:19 AM
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This is an old thread, but I searched Eibach and it came up. Basically, there is no "kit" for Alfas. You have to order in length, diameter, and rate. The part numbers will go something like this: 1200.550.850 which would be a 12" free length, a 5.5" diameter, and an 850 lbs spring rate. So you can't get the stance of the Omega car above without asking the owner what he ordered. Or you can do trial and error.
Someone on this BB had ordered some that were (I think) 9.5" long and 1100 lbs. I was looking for that thread to see what the diameter was, and to review a bit about the rates. It's been a while since I read it and needed some review.
I have a set of IAP front springs that I haven't put on the car, and I've heard they are the stiffest of the street springs. I don't know if I really want to put them on. I've heard they are about 1200 lbs. Maybe something a little less, like 1000 or 900.
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Stefano
Concord, CA
iachella [at] gmail [dot] com
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06-24-2007, 06:04 PM
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Dionisios di Fiflos
73 GTV - 81 GTV-6 *R.I.P.* - Jetta vr6 - Honda Hawk GT - Yamaha FZ6 - Yamaha SRX 250
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06-25-2007, 12:39 AM
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Location: Washington State
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Not sure what flavor of Alfa you have or how you intend to drive it, but the Alfaholics offerings are hard to beat. I've had the Fast Road Suspension on my GTV since 2004 and love it. A photo showing the stance is here: http://greend.com/photo_page.htm
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Gary Williams
Washington State
'67 GTV
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06-25-2007, 10:21 AM
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Well, one advantage to Eibach is you order exactly what you want, if you know what you want. The price is generally about $50 per spring, +/- about $5 depending on where you buy. If you knew that the Alfaholics spring was say, 1100lbs rate, you could just order Eibachs 1100lbs rate spring in the right diameter and length and you have the same spring, probably at a lower cost.
In addition, if you want to try something slightly different, you can give it a try.
Sure, many people say just do what the experts have found. This is good advice, but some like to tweak things slightly without going way off. If IAP is 1200 lbs and Alfaholics is 1100 lbs and this is still a little too stiff, one can try a 950 or 800 lbs spring for not too much. (those are hypothetical values by the way)
And yes, if it turns out not to behave well, you have spent the money and some will say, "We told you so". I would always keep this in mind. That doesn't mean you can't try another value and sell the spring that didn't work. If you need to pay someone to install them sure, you may not want to go this route. It could get expensive.
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Stefano
Concord, CA
iachella [at] gmail [dot] com
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06-25-2007, 11:27 AM
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by iachella
you could just order Eibachs xxxx rate spring in the right diameter and length and you have the same spring, probably at a lower cost.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iachella
In addition, if you want to try something slightly different, you can give it a try.
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of course, you would really need to try the original established setup first, to know what you want to change . . .
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Dionisios di Fiflos
73 GTV - 81 GTV-6 *R.I.P.* - Jetta vr6 - Honda Hawk GT - Yamaha FZ6 - Yamaha SRX 250
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06-25-2007, 12:02 PM
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Stefano, if you enjoy the experimentation, more power to you. Hope you let us know what you find out once your car is set up.
Because I lack the inclination or knowledge to play with all the variables -- suspension tuning involves much more than changing springs, as I'm sure you know -- I'm happy with a tried and tested system from people I respect.
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Gary Williams
Washington State
'67 GTV
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06-25-2007, 12:22 PM
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Quote:
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and therein lies the trick. sure, you could pick out someone else's spring rate setup, but how would you know the correct length ?
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you would also be "taking away" money from a valued Alfa community retailer who spent the time and effort to come up with that setup
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Yes again, but if that's not the setup you want....
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of course, you would really need to try the original established setup first, to know what you want to change
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All true, no arguments. It's not the route for everyone. This is just an option for someone who either knew they wanted something that wasn't offered, or wanted to try something different from what was offered. Those preferences come after one is familiar with what is available from the regular sources.
I've often read posts by people who say - so and so spring is too firm, or too soft, bottoms out, looks too low, etc. There seem to be more oppinions than there are setups from the regular suppliers. Right or wrong, someone might (and probably does) want to dial in something other than what is available.
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Stefano
Concord, CA
iachella [at] gmail [dot] com
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06-25-2007, 08:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iachella
All the regular suppliers have different lengths too, are one of these "correct"?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iachella
Yes again, but if that's not the setup you want....
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of course, of course, of course. i'm just suggesting that someone should experience the setups that are "too stiff", "too soft", "too low", etc. to know what it is they want to change. everyone will have a different opinion as to what those mean. softer shocks can also make that "too stiff" a spring tolerable, just like stiff shocks can make softer springs feel too harsh . . . sway bar size also factors into the equation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by iachella
Right or wrong, someone might (and probably does) want to dial in something other than what is available.
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if you can still get springs from AR Ricambi, i do think there is a nice broad range of setups available. they sell softer springs, Alfaholics sells medium rate springs, and IAP/Centerline/race suppliers sell stiff rate springs. if you know what you want, and you can't get it from our invaluable suppliers, by all means - go custom !! 
there are plenty of affordable quality brands of springs out there . . .
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Dionisios di Fiflos
73 GTV - 81 GTV-6 *R.I.P.* - Jetta vr6 - Honda Hawk GT - Yamaha FZ6 - Yamaha SRX 250
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