Alfa Pages

[CroAlfist]

I'm looking for a set of lowered springs and bumpers for my Alfa 33 1.5 4x4. I dont no is it good do put smaller springs because it is 4WD car.
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.:Alfa 33 1.5 4x4:.

[James Granger]

Generally, lowering doesn't improve handling. I wouldn't do it - complete waste of money.

[John Hansen]

Can't speak for lowered Alfas, but our son lowered his Commodore Ute, and while the ride is firm and the handling may have been improved, the handling now matches an Alfa (sort of), but the ride is rough as guts!! Personally, I wouldn't recommend lowering a car. Another small consideration is that if you need to fit snowchains, it is more difficult (or almost impossible) on a lowered car.
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John H
'87 Alfa 33 QV

[Guest]

I think the trick is to get the correct springs. If you buy cheap ones that simply lower the car it may well be a waste of time and money, but if you went for the more expensive progressive springs so the ride is not too harsh over small bumps, but under hard cornering will reduce body roll, I think it is probably worth doing.

I have a 155 which I plan to lower - concensus is that Eibach are the best choice, but I don't know whether that applies to the 33 aswell.

[James Granger]

Eibach are certainly one of the best brands in terms of quality, but they are also damn expensive. The 33 kit (ref. 1006.140) costs 148.28 pounds and I'm not sure if the springs can be applied to all 33 models.

I was considering a Braspower kit which cost much less - around 120 euros. Here's a link http://www.arparts.nl/braspower.htm

[tvatavuk]

It is not to bright idea (it will quicken wear and tear of 4x4 also I don't know where you live in Croatia but roads all over it are full of holes), but since you've got 4x4 and I presume that you don't drive with it engaged all the time you could live with it.
Eibach would be best choice if it would make springs for 4wd. (they don't go to low and build quality is very good)
As I can see from www.eibach.de catalogue there is only for FWD 33 from 03/90-03/93.
So if yours is one from picture, which looks like series 2, .

So where are you from?
Tino
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Tino Vatavuk
Little black dress which replaced Alfa Romeo 33 S 16v Permanent 4 GMo

[Paul D.]

also don't really think that lowering a 4x4 is ideal cuase the angles of the driveshafts are going out of the way the engineers developped it. Maybe little lowering would be good (max 30 mm). But if you lower I'd advice good quality springs (H&R or Eibach) combined with lowered shocks (koni's etc...) these are matched to eachother and the ride will be less bumpy than just lowered springs. So little lowering with good quality material should give you a sharper ride.

Regards!

Paul D.

[Adam H]

My 1991 1.7ie had been lowered using standard suspension struts at the front, spax shocks at the back and lowered springs. (brand forgotten)

It made the steering response lovely and sharp at the cost of long trip comfort. A trip to the office was fine (5 miles) but a trip to my relatives 200 miles away would mean that we arrived, rested for a few minutes and then got out of the car.

Drinking whilst in the car was a challenge! (without spilling it on your shirt!)

I'd recommend it, and am currently looking for a decent pair of lowering springs for my 16v.

[James Granger]

Remember that the sump and exhaust manifolds are rather low on a standard 33 - lowering by 35 mm would make them very vulnerable indeed especially over rough roads.

[Eddie W]

Hpping to lower two of our cars eventually(max 30mm) withprogressive springs to retain reasonable ride and compliance over bumpier surfaces but added roll stiffness. As I also want to make and fit crossover extractors the question of ground clearance is a worry so I was contemplating making an alloy sumpguard with urethane mountings which would protect both sump and exhaust. Has anybody tried this or got any comments?
Regards Eddie
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A LITTLE FURTHER A LITTLE FASTER

[Matt Stolton]

I have put eibach progressive springs on my P4 project (still waiting for the heads, as we now have to get a full set of valve springs, as the originals were marginal). These have only dropped the car about 30mm, but the 'soft' first bit keeps some compromise for day to day driving, and the stiffer bit helps eliminate body roll around corners.

I have also picked up the fatter anti roll bar (eibach) for the front. This will not overly affect ride too much, but will limit roll in corners.

As with all mods to any car, a standard set up is designed to meet the compromises for the mass market. After market, you can remove as many or as few compromises as you like, but any gain in one department, will have consequences, i.e. better handling around bends leads to a sorer arse over rough roads. It is your choice to the extent that you feel you can put up with.

I don't think the eibachs are that expensive. A 'cheap' set of naff springs is still £100-120, so £150ish for progressive big name stuff is worth the extra. It is only the cost of a tank of juice when all is said and done. As with most things in life you pay your money, take your chances. A lot of the expensive stuff is hype, but a sensible compromise normally exists.
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Regards

Matt

Ex Alfa 33 'GTA' (P4 with Knobs On)
Now cruising in a 166 3.2 Ti!!

[Maze123]

My 33 (vers 2 1.7 IE) is lowered..I think! The shocks are Monroe, but I dont know if this is standard, and the springs are yellow (under the dirt). The undercarriage feels very hard, but I like it that way! But as James Granger says, the exhaust manifold is very low on a standard 33. I have a cross-over manifold on mine, which runs under the gearbox instead of on each side, as the standard exhaust manifold, and I have to be very careful with traffic humps...
But in the future I will get a front stabilizer, which I have heard should be very good in corners and during acceleration!!
Btw, can anyone tell me if the shocks/springs on mine are standard?!

Best regards Mads Jakobsen, DK
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Alfa 33 1.7 16v '88 QV
http://www.bilgalleri.dk/html/gal_visbil.asp?ID=2498

[Roberto]

Maze123
Your springs are aftermarket sports. However, the damopers are only standard repalcement from Monroe, as they don't make sports dampers for 33. Correct me if I am wrong. In the long term, the lower springs will @#$% up the standard dampers. Get yourself some decent dampers!!!

Regrads.
Roberto