Re: Ricambi Super Sport Suspension

[Robert_A_Brady@domain.elided (Robert A Brady)]

My '74 gtv has the ricambi super sport springs and anti-sway bars installed 
on it.  i also have spax shocks.  Comparing this to the stock suspension is 
day and night.  I'm very happy with this combination, although some might 
find the ride a bit stiff.  I've also found that this suspension (perhaps all 
suspensions) are very sensitive to tires when it comes to the tendancy to 
over/understeer.  

For example, with this same suspension and 14x5.5 wheels with Sears 
"Response" tires (185-60) (no flames please :) the car had a tendancy towards 
oversteer.  With hard, old pirelli P6's (I think) in 185-70 size on 14x6 
Ronal wheels, handling was the same, if not more towards oversteer.  A couple 
of weeks ago, with the current Yoko AVSi's (195-65) on the Ronal wheels, the 
car was basically neutral, but would understeer some when diving into turns.  
Currently, with the same tires and wheels, but with the front shocks on full 
hard and the front spring spacers removed (so that the car sits a little 
lower in the front), it now understeers a lot.  Turn-in, however, is greatly 
improved.  One thing to note on all of these cases is that the car WILL 
oversteer, once you've got it rolled over enough (same for the milano, btw).  
When it rolls enough, the inside rear tire lifts a little, causing less grip 
to the rear, and viola, oversteer.

I'm sorry if I've rambled a little too much, but the answer to your question 
is not cut and dry.  I haven't even thrown tire air pressures into the mix, 
yet.  I've found that the gtv is a highly tunable car (in all respects).  In 
general, it is very neutral; a little braking or throttle can make the car 
pivot however you wish.  Mine has the stock upper A arms, and I'd suspect 
great changes in handling with camber changes.  Track tires, in particular, 
like negative camber.  

The only reservation I'd give you about the super sport suspension is to be 
careful about the front anti-sway bar.  It is larger than stock and will put 
larger stresses on the mounting points, which are not that strong to begin 
with.  My rusty '73 gtv had these mounts torn away by the big front bar.  
Some (Orion? ) make a rear mounted front bar that is much better.  It's not 
inexpensive though.

Feel free to ask me any more questions about this, 

bob brady, dvaroc
yardley, pa

- - still tuning......

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