Shocks and springs for Spider

Ezra · #1 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 08:47 AM

Hello, need to replace shocks on my 85 Spider. Was wondering peoples experience with yellow or red Konis. I have Bilsteins on my Alfetta and they are too firm. Driven a Spider with the red classic konis and they seem very nice. Anyone have experience with the yellows? Also I am thinking of changing the springs so it doesn't sit higher in the front, but I don't want an overly firm ride. Does anyone sell the european springs? I don't know if I want a higher rate spring? thanks

**conedriver** · #2 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 12:18 PM

Ezra,

You could cut a coil off of your front springs to lower the car. This will raise the spring rate somewhat, but nowhere near the 1200 Lb/in of commercially available (front) sport springs. Having said that, there are a lot of satisfied users of these springs. One of the claims is greatly reduced bottoming and nose dive under braking. I'm considering changing to stiffer springs for my '91 Spider for these reasons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezra

Hello, need to replace shocks on my 85 Spider. Was wondering peoples experience with yellow or red Konis. I have Bilsteins on my Alfetta and they are too firm. Driven a Spider with the red classic konis and they seem very nice. Anyone have experience with the yellows? Also I am thinking of changing the springs so it doesn't sit higher in the front, but I don't want an overly firm ride. Does anyone sell the european springs? I don't know if I want a higher rate spring? thanks

**msiert** · #3 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 07:52 PM

I have Koni Yellows and IAP sport springs and like them. The Red's are more of a replacement shock for the stock springs IMO. I have a S-4 Spider which is a bit heavier then the older Spider's

Anejo · #4 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 01:42 PM

Don't mean to hijack the thread... How much lower do the iap springs sit? can you expand on ride harshness over stock? Thanks, Steve

**msiert** · #5 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anejo

Don't mean to hijack the thread... How much lower do the iap springs sit? can you expand on ride harshness over stock? Thanks, Steve

Anejo · #6 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 05:41 PM

Murray, Thanks. that's exactly what I am looking for. I too have the quad top. Does it ride harsh at all without the top on? Is this exactly how it sits in the rear out of the box? Thanks again, Pretty car. Steve

**msiert** · #7 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anejo

Murray, Thanks. that's exactly what I am looking for. I too have the quad top. Does it ride harsh at all without the top on? Is this exactly how it sits in the rear out of the box? Thanks again, Pretty car. Steve

Caroni · #8 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 07:42 PM

Murray, I'm waiting for a clean garage and a bit warmer weather, it is still in the 20's here at night and supposed to snow tonight. ARGHHHHHHH. I want to drive with the top down.

Anyhow... Do you have any pictures of the spacers you used in the front? Even a good description would be appreciated. I SHALL be taking the suspension apart shortly and I'd like to know what I might need to use for spacers. I've seen pictures of the C shaped aluminum ones that other users have commented turn to dust over time. Are these the style that you used to adjust the suspension height or did you manufacture, or have manufactured, something different for that purpose?

Thanks David

**msiert** · #9 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 07:49 PM

Hi David,

That sucks about the weather.

I didn't put the shims in but I will be switching the wheels out in a couple of days so I try to see what they used for you.

Caroni · #10 (**permalink**) 04-24-2008, 10:01 AM

Thank you Murray. I'll look forward to any clues you may be able to shed.

David

**lgbalfa** · #11 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 05:44 PM

see me post regarding IAP springs:

IAP springs finally installed

**msiert** · #12 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caroni

Thank you Murray. I'll look forward to any clues you may be able to shed.

David

ecohen2 · #13 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 05:14 PM

Oh this is the perfect thread for me to ask my question!

I have the IAP springs and Koni reds.. My car bounces all over the place, how do I make it feel more dead or neutral?

If Murray's description of handling like rails, then mine would be handling like a super ball...

Ed

Caroni · #14 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 07:54 PM

Thanks for looking Murray. I now have the both the front and rear suspensions disassembled and lying about all over the garage. The spacers on mine were not to badly corroded and I can see what they look like. For many reasons it will I have decided to reassemble the car with the original spacers for now. I imagine that later on in the summer or early fall I will be leveling the car and making a final aspect adjustment which may require new or different thickness shims. At that time I will most likely turn them on my little lathe. For now I will be happy just to get it all put together and hopefully usable prior to June 3. After that it will be a couple months before I will be able to do much work of a heavy nature.

Thanks again for looking under the car and I'll add my 2 cents worth about spring and shock feel after I'm back on the road.

David

**AlfaDuc** · #15 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecohen2

Oh this is the perfect thread for me to ask my question!

I have the IAP springs and Koni reds.. My car bounces all over the place, how do I make it feel more dead or neutral?

If Murray's description of handling like rails, then mine would be handling like a super ball...

Ed