lowering my 4200 GT

[Budapeststu]

Hey all,

Having examined both the Formula Dynamics and Gransport replacement springs route for my 4200 GT with Skyhook, I've finally decided just to have the existing suspension lowered.

I understand that 15mm is a fair amount to lower the car by without anything encroaching on the wheel arches but is that 15mm at the dampers or 15mm on the chassis?

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[conaero]

You need to get the alignment done or you will eat your tyres. I think its best to bite the bullet and get the main dealer to do it for this one.

 

[Budapeststu]

Hi Matt, I'm doing it with Auto Sportiva. From references here I understand this is a respected indy and I'm guessing they should know about the wheel alignment after the car's been lowered. The only slightly worrying thing was their engineer asked me by how much it's safe to lower the car by.

What do you think?

 

[conaero]

Yes, you wont go wrong there. I thought you were still out in Budapest, over here any reputable indie will be fine as long as they use the Hawk system and pre load it correctly.

 

[Budapeststu]

Hawk System? What's that. I have no idea but I want it in my life. I want to be able to tell people my car was connected to the hawk system, it makes it sound like it's being re-armed rather than, I suspect, re-balanced.

 

[Budapeststu]

and yes, I'm coming over to the UK for a 30,000 mile and annual service, MOT, Larini back boxes and sport centre section and the aforementioned lowering. I'm so excited about the trip!

 

[Emtee]

When are you over Stu?

 

[conaero]

Hawk System? What's that. I have no idea but I want it in my life. I want to be able to tell people my car was connected to the hawk system, it makes it sound like it's being re-armed rather than, I suspect, re-balanced.

Sorry stu, got mixed up there a little, I meant Hunter, see this thread, but be aware that most of them dont know how to use it for our cars and wont touch the shims, so best to leave it to an indie:

http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/sho...ments-and-everything-else?highlight=alignment

 

[Budapeststu]

When are you over Stu?

Hey Miles, we should arrive in Kent on the afternoon of Tuesday 20th July. The car will be with Neil at Auto Sportiva for up to 2 days, depending on what needs doing and then we'll stay around somewhere down in that part of the country until Saturday morning. Any chance of meeting up somewhere?

I put a deposit down on my Larini back boxes and sports centre sections today. Free installation confirmed, courtesy of Loz's hard work. I'm soooo excited!

 

[Budapeststu]

Thanks again for the advice, Matt. I'll definitely check with Neil at Auto Sportiva if they can do the alignment with Hunter after the car's been lowered. A respected indy like this should know what to do but the fact that he asked me how much it's reasonable to drop the car by still has me a tad worried.

On that subject am I okay then to aim for a 1 1/4 inch lowering all round?

 

[Emtee]

Hey Miles, we should arrive in Kent on the afternoon of Tuesday 20th July. The car will be with Neil at Auto Sportiva for up to 2 days, depending on what needs doing and then we'll stay around somewhere down in that part of the country until Saturday morning. Any chance of meeting up somewhere?

I put a deposit down on my Larini back boxes and sports centre sections today. Free installation confirmed, courtesy of Loz's hard work. I'm soooo excited!

Hi Stu, meeting up would be a splendid idea, but my work is completely manic at the moment. I'm in New York next week and when I get back there'll be all sorts of **** to sort out, which I think will keep me well and truly shackled, but congrats on the Larini's and I hope all goes smoothly at Auto Sportiva.

 

[Budapeststu]

Hey, not to worry Miles. I'm planning to keep a blog of my trip so at least you'll see what happens in the usual way.

You can always take a drive to Budapest when you're not so busy, it's 2 easy days' journey or one mad man's long night...

 

[Budapeststu]

I still don't have a definitive answer on by how much I can lower the car by and whether that measurement is taken from the chassis or at the springs. Can someone advise?

 

[ENZ525]

I still don't have a definitive answer on by how much I can lower the car by and whether that measurement is taken from the chassis or at the springs. Can someone advise?

Hi Stu,
Sorry don't have a specific answer to your question, but...
I did have a chat with Roberto at Grimaldi Engineering a few weeks ago about lowering my QP,
he said that it needs to be done carefully and by not too much as the car will become 'bouncy' if it
is lowered and the same springs are kept because essentially they are being uncompressed.
Regards,
Enzo.

 

[davidhowson]

I lowered mine by 1.25 inch all round measured from the chassis to the ground. Just enough to get over the speed bumps...just.
I should be having my geo done later this week as I wanted to let everything settle for a few miles first.
Looks so much better and there seems much less body roll in corners but until I get the set up sorted I don't want to push my luck!

-David-

 

[Parisien]

I lowered mine by 1.25 inch all round measured from the chassis to the ground. Just enough to get over the speed bumps...just.
I should be having my geo done later this week as I wanted to let everything settle for a few miles first.
Looks so much better and there seems much less body roll in corners but until I get the set up sorted I don't want to push my luck!

-David-

Just make sure you don't hit your exhaust(catalyst) going over those humps......David! Expensive repair!


P

 

[Maser Sod]

I went 1.2 inches lower on my GranSport, which is already 10mm lower than the 4200. No problems seen.