105 gtv alfaholics suspension upgrade or standard
Discussion
I'm looking at the options to refresh the suspension on a 74 2000gtv.
Is it worth a mild upgrade to one of the alfaholics kits or am I best to replace with new standard kit. I like a spirited drive but don't want to spoil the car. Its fairly original apart from new front springs but feels a bit vague at the back now.
Experience of any of the kits appricated.
Thanks in advance
Ben
Is it worth a mild upgrade to one of the alfaholics kits or am I best to replace with new standard kit. I like a spirited drive but don't want to spoil the car. Its fairly original apart from new front springs but feels a bit vague at the back now.
Experience of any of the kits appricated.
Thanks in advance
Ben
I have the stage 1 Alfaholics suspension, with fast road springs and koni yellow dampers. I have only got round to fitting the springs dampers and front anti roll bar so far, but the difference is night and day! I would highly recommended it. Much less roll in the corners and less wallowy, but not much difference at all in terms of ride quality.
I still have all new suspension arms, steering arms bushes etc to fit.
I still have all new suspension arms, steering arms bushes etc to fit.
Benspickup said:
Interesting to know. The front of mine feels nice and direct but there is something wrong with the back, it feels very vague and crashy.
I only want to spend one if I'm doing it but don't want to spoil the csr by making it harsh so thanks for the feedback.
Have you checked out the condition of the trailing arm and T bar bushes - if its feeling vague may be worth a look I only want to spend one if I'm doing it but don't want to spoil the csr by making it harsh so thanks for the feedback.
I have the Alfaholics fast road kit fitted to 2 of my classic Alfas - a 1750 GTV and a 1600 Giulia. The handling is totally transformed.
I went for the kit B which lowers the car a bit. I think it improved the Giulia more than the GTV. I also have a 1600 GT Junior and 1300 Giulia on standard suspension.
Friends who have driven the cars - and who are much better drivers than me (including one who instructs on track) - have commented very positively over the handling.
I went for the kit B which lowers the car a bit. I think it improved the Giulia more than the GTV. I also have a 1600 GT Junior and 1300 Giulia on standard suspension.
Friends who have driven the cars - and who are much better drivers than me (including one who instructs on track) - have commented very positively over the handling.
Thanks for the top tip. I will put the car on the lift and have a wiggle at the bushes. It's a nice original car with 70.000 miles, perhaps it's not really been looked at on the suspension much.
I'm used to classic minis which I find great fun to drive and very capable with a few tweaks.
Thanks for the feedback on the kits, I guess the coupe will have less weight up high and won't benefit as much being lowered like the saloon. I plan on using the car for spirited road driving but would like to carry my children in it (8 and 11). It doesn't seem.to drive all that well at the moment and I am thinking surely something must be wrong g as everyone seems to rave about how much fun they are to drive.
I'm used to classic minis which I find great fun to drive and very capable with a few tweaks.
Thanks for the feedback on the kits, I guess the coupe will have less weight up high and won't benefit as much being lowered like the saloon. I plan on using the car for spirited road driving but would like to carry my children in it (8 and 11). It doesn't seem.to drive all that well at the moment and I am thinking surely something must be wrong g as everyone seems to rave about how much fun they are to drive.
Yes as mentioned, sounds like the rear bushes are worn on the T-bar and/or trailing arms. The full kits you can buy coke with full replacement bushes for all of the above. So hopefully that would solve your issue. I have yet to fit all of mine, hopefully I will get it done over winter.
Also I would recommend buying new front spring pans, they done come with the stage 1 kit, but luckily I added them as my old springs seats were unusable once I took them off. Also the Alfaholics seats have special cutouts on one of the holes that allow you to fit their upgraded front arb, which the OEM spring seats don’t have.
Also I would recommend buying new front spring pans, they done come with the stage 1 kit, but luckily I added them as my old springs seats were unusable once I took them off. Also the Alfaholics seats have special cutouts on one of the holes that allow you to fit their upgraded front arb, which the OEM spring seats don’t have.
I’d stick to Alfaholics for handling kits. I guess the other options are probably OK, but The Alfaholics kits are so well developed it’s not worth risking anything else IMO.
The live rear axle is always going to be a weak point, particularly noticeable on low speed ride quality where there is a lot of weight moving as it goes up and down, I find it’s better at speed, don’t know why. As mentioned if it’s feeling a bit loose, look first at the trailing arm bushes and replace with High density ( NOT POLLY BUSHES) if that’s doesn’t do it, check the clearance on the reunion bushes.
The handling kits don’t just improve handling, I found a decent improvement on ride quality too. Probably better judged spring and damper ratings.
The live rear axle is always going to be a weak point, particularly noticeable on low speed ride quality where there is a lot of weight moving as it goes up and down, I find it’s better at speed, don’t know why. As mentioned if it’s feeling a bit loose, look first at the trailing arm bushes and replace with High density ( NOT POLLY BUSHES) if that’s doesn’t do it, check the clearance on the reunion bushes.
The handling kits don’t just improve handling, I found a decent improvement on ride quality too. Probably better judged spring and damper ratings.
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