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[Sprintervention]

Hi,

any help would be very much appreciated.....

Are the springs from a 1987 (Alfa 33 suspension) Sprint the same as the later 1990 onwards 33s. I know that the front strut bearings were different in the later models but were the springs themselves compatible.

If the answer is no then I will probably have a set of 1990 onwards JR lowering springs -30mm approx for sale, they are brand new, sealed and should still be covered by the 5 year warranty.

I knew that yesterday was going to be a bad day!

Regards
Chris
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1987 Alfa Sprint Veloce

[Ken McCarthy]

Chris

As far as I have been able to establish, the front springs decreased in stiffness and the rear springs increased in stiffness over the life of the 33. This was probably to compensate for the addition of the front anti-roll bar on the later cars, which was not on my car originally. My 1985 Sprint had the springs from the 1985 33 (dimensions and rates checked). When I put in the complete engine/suspension unit from a 1990 16V (Series 3), the 16V front springs had sagged and were too soft anyway. I had my original front springs reset about 15mm shorter and fitted them to the 16V suspension. Combined with the 16V anti-roll (sway) bar, this gives very good handling without a hard ride and without any serious negative camber problems. The springs fitted without any trouble.

At the rear, I tried the 16V springs but went back to the original springs but reset about 25mm shorter. This is about the limit before spring capture problems.

Overall the car is about 20mm lower at the front and 25mm lower at the back so has only a slight front down attitude but good handling and ride and not much scraping at the front. I also extended the front plastic bumper down to form a better air dam (spoiler)

Other changes are Koni yellow Sport shock absorbers front and rear and 15x6.5 wheels with 195x50 tyres (Pirelli P6000). Good road car.

Regards
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Ken McCarthy - 16V Sprint

[ChrisC]

On my 88 i bought the Justsuds lowering springs - if it turns out I could have got readily available, cheaper and just as good ones for the 33 ill be unamused Mine has the 33 suspension, but with the different strut bearings (dreamracers if youre reading this it means that those struts will have to be passed on again!)
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Alfa Sprint QV - Gone to a better home and in happier health for it
Silver Lancia Beta HPE Volumex - under restoration

[Sprintervention]

Thanks guys,

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I think that we are agreed that the rates of the original 90 onwards springs may be lower at the front and higher at the rear but that all the springs are physically interchangeable between the models. My JR springs are uprated rate ones anyway.

I am pretty sure that this is the case, at least for the rear as all the rear dampers are interchangeable.

The real reason for asking is to decide whether to rebuild a set of 87 struts with koni inserts, that I have, and whether to use the new set of lowering springs or a set of original ones that I have.

I suppose that I could also dig out a set of coilovers that I have and get the springs sorted, I need helper springs to retain the main springs at the right height.

The car already has Koni rear dampers and Superflex all round, I am trying to find out what size spacers to fit to get a set of 145 Cloverleaf alloys fitted as they are sat waiting to be fitted. 6 x 15in wheels has got to be better than 5.5 x 14in originals.

Life with an Italian car is never simple or dull for that matter, even after 14 years.

Any more info will be gratefully received.
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1987 Alfa Sprint Veloce