147 GTA coilovers
Discussion
Hi all,
Figured this was as good a place as any to ask...but having taken the GTA on a 'spirited' drive from Ironbridge to Bridgenorth over the weekend over varying B roads, its become rather apparent that the standard suspension isn't up to much. So much so, I've managed to scuff the front bumper quite heavily under the protruding lip when the road got a bit undulating. As a result, I'm after stiffening it up a lot and was wondering whether anyone can recommend a good set of coilovers?
Now I've seen on various other Alfa related forums that people wax lyrical over KW V(insert number)'s but are these the holy grail? Or will other brands, FK, AP etc suffice and do the job in hand? I know plenty of people in VW's etc who run the latter brands with no complications, but they don't seem too favourable with Alfa owners. Is it a case of people presuming because they are half the price they're half as good? Or do people genuine reason to avoid them - bad first hand experience for example, and not what they've heard from a friend of a friend who spoke to someone who read it on a forum...
I'm not after being able to adjust the dampening to the Nth degree, the car won't see a track, and I'd rather not pay extra for a function I'm not going to use. I'm just after a robust set of coilovers that will preferably lower the back end a bit (as it sits odd in my opinion) stiffen things up and make the car a little more chuckable - it's all a bit seasickness inducing at the moment.
Cheers,
John
Figured this was as good a place as any to ask...but having taken the GTA on a 'spirited' drive from Ironbridge to Bridgenorth over the weekend over varying B roads, its become rather apparent that the standard suspension isn't up to much. So much so, I've managed to scuff the front bumper quite heavily under the protruding lip when the road got a bit undulating. As a result, I'm after stiffening it up a lot and was wondering whether anyone can recommend a good set of coilovers?
Now I've seen on various other Alfa related forums that people wax lyrical over KW V(insert number)'s but are these the holy grail? Or will other brands, FK, AP etc suffice and do the job in hand? I know plenty of people in VW's etc who run the latter brands with no complications, but they don't seem too favourable with Alfa owners. Is it a case of people presuming because they are half the price they're half as good? Or do people genuine reason to avoid them - bad first hand experience for example, and not what they've heard from a friend of a friend who spoke to someone who read it on a forum...
I'm not after being able to adjust the dampening to the Nth degree, the car won't see a track, and I'd rather not pay extra for a function I'm not going to use. I'm just after a robust set of coilovers that will preferably lower the back end a bit (as it sits odd in my opinion) stiffen things up and make the car a little more chuckable - it's all a bit seasickness inducing at the moment.
Cheers,
John
Eibach. (Period).
Set of Coilovers will set you back approx £200 per corner.
I am running Eibach springs on my 156 Veloce and they are brilliant. Have used Eibach for my MK1 MR2 and massive handling difference in the bends. Another option is Eibach springs to start and then add dampers later.
The replacement springs could solve your issue and keep it affordable, then if you need to tweak up some more, get the dampers as a phase 2...not quite going the full coil over route, but £200+ is a better start point than £800+ IMO.... Alfa's tend to sit a bit lower in the nose end. The lowered springs should bring the a.rse down a bit and give you want you want.
Set of Coilovers will set you back approx £200 per corner.
I am running Eibach springs on my 156 Veloce and they are brilliant. Have used Eibach for my MK1 MR2 and massive handling difference in the bends. Another option is Eibach springs to start and then add dampers later.
The replacement springs could solve your issue and keep it affordable, then if you need to tweak up some more, get the dampers as a phase 2...not quite going the full coil over route, but £200+ is a better start point than £800+ IMO.... Alfa's tend to sit a bit lower in the nose end. The lowered springs should bring the a.rse down a bit and give you want you want.
Edited by PJ3074 on Monday 17th October 16:59
Edited by PJ3074 on Monday 17th October 17:04
Some interesting Eibach Goodies and a few special offers
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I came to the same conclusion as you John, but didn't scuff the front bumper like you!
I heard somewhere that the Eibach Pro-Street-S coilovers are just rebranded fully adjustable KWs so my money would be to get them if you can afford them
I think you'll much prefer them because you can adjust them to how your preference
I wish I knew what I told you before splashing out on KW V3s though doh!
I knew of someone who kept standard shocks and springs and went with Eibach ARBs as I understand that it made a HUGE improvement over standard, maybe do that 1st?
I have had Bilstein B8 shocks and Eibach springs on my old 147 twinny, yes I know it's not a 'GTA' but I found that although she handled like a 'go-kart' and surprised a few people BUT I have to admit that she did ride rather firm, only after I changed the ARBs for GTA ARBs that it rode better
SV
I heard somewhere that the Eibach Pro-Street-S coilovers are just rebranded fully adjustable KWs so my money would be to get them if you can afford them
I think you'll much prefer them because you can adjust them to how your preference I wish I knew what I told you before splashing out on KW V3s though doh!
I knew of someone who kept standard shocks and springs and went with Eibach ARBs as I understand that it made a HUGE improvement over standard, maybe do that 1st?
I have had Bilstein B8 shocks and Eibach springs on my old 147 twinny, yes I know it's not a 'GTA' but I found that although she handled like a 'go-kart' and surprised a few people BUT I have to admit that she did ride rather firm, only after I changed the ARBs for GTA ARBs that it rode better
SV
I had fk coilovers on my 156 with a 3.2 motor in it. Overall I was very happy with them, they're still going strong too, 2 years after I sold the car and 7 years after I fitted them, despite them receiving a lot of track (ab)use.
However.... Whilst they still do their job as dampers, they corroded very quickly despite being coated in copper grease from new and after 3 years the spring platforms were jammed solid.
Another Alfa owner who fitted them had one of the platforms break.
I've never liked the progressive rate eibachs - I find the non linear response they give to steering input to be disconcerting.
If I had the money I'd always go for kw v3's but I'm in the market for some coil overs for my 3.2 gt and the fk's may well get my vote again.
However.... Whilst they still do their job as dampers, they corroded very quickly despite being coated in copper grease from new and after 3 years the spring platforms were jammed solid.
Another Alfa owner who fitted them had one of the platforms break.
I've never liked the progressive rate eibachs - I find the non linear response they give to steering input to be disconcerting.
If I had the money I'd always go for kw v3's but I'm in the market for some coil overs for my 3.2 gt and the fk's may well get my vote again.
Bella Smallville said:
I heard somewhere that the Eibach Pro-Street-S coilovers are just rebranded fully adjustable KWs so my money would be to get them if you can afford them I think you'll much prefer them because you can adjust them to how your preference
SV
I've got this set up on mine and, despite only owning the car for a week, i'm pretty impressed. It feels planted and doesn't roll in the corners but also rides pretty well too - not as firm as I expected. I think you'll much prefer them because you can adjust them to how your preference SV
I believe they're only adjustable for height and not for damping though (maybe someone can confirm?) Mine's lowered by 20mm all around but still seems to cope well with speed bumps etc.
tty stick, I've had a look at some 8 year old FK's and one of the spring platforms has broken away and the platforms are about to fail on the other side. Not good.Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff