GTV6 Mods

[C M Smith <cmsmith@domain.elided>]

Flames indeed.

The suspension set up used for the Alfetta/GTV6/Milano is just about 
perfect for a road car. In fact, it's not a bad system for a racing car. 
Both Ferrari and Lancia used De Dion in the 50s on their GP cars. Ferrari 
tried it again in the 80s and were encouraged by the road holding it gives. 
Unfortunately, camber and toe changes are too difficult to arrange quickly 
with a beam axle so they retained the double A arm set up, as do all F1 cars.

For low unsprung weight it is tough to beat the torsion bar, coil overs 
don't even come close. For tough, light, predictable rear end geometry, the 
De Dion is simply the best layout available.

Stiffer torsion bars can be arranged, as can stiffer roll bars. Stiffer 
rear springs are also fairly straightforward. Remember that stiffer springs 
need different shock absorbers. These mods should give you plenty to fiddle 
with, and won't wreck the handling which the other proposals are virtually 
certain to do.


Michael Smith
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
91 Alfa 164L, White, original owner

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End of alfa-digest V7 #1467
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