RE: Spider Crawling too Low

["Ian Lomax" <sfalfisto@domain.elided>]

Brian,

You already know the correct answer, your tires are too small.  All your
other options are time consuming or expensive.

1.  You can add spacers under all the springs. It won't cost much, but will
take an afternoons time if you're good with tools.  I think with the small
tires this will look ridiculous.

2.  Get stiffer shocks.  This will help a bit, but probably cost $400 or
more.

3.  Stiffer springs plus spacers.  But in my experience stiffening a spider
too much will eventually fatigue the body structure (200k plus miles on my
71 spider, speaking from experience here)

4.  Larger wheels.  A 15" wheel with 195/60 tires is the stock diameter.
Not cheap, but looks killer.

Those are the obvious choices.  But still might not have saved your hood.  I
did the same damage a few years ago, with stock springs and tires, thanks to
a poorly marked construction site.  I replaced the exhaust and motor mounts
myself, and finally had the hood fixed when it was painted.  A painful
lesson indeed.

Good luck,
Ian Lomax

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-alfa@domain.elided [mailto:owner-alfa@domain.elided]On Behalf Of
Brian Pleet
Sent: Saturday, August 03, 2002 7:28 PM
To: alfa-digest@domain.elided
Subject: Spider Crawling too Low


My 82 Spider is too close to the ground!

After much review of digest postings I decided to buy Dunlop Sport A2s
195/60/14 to replace the 185/70/14s. As expected, the speedometer is off
(but it was already) and the car sits lower and corners much sharper. With
a sump guard I must be careful where and how fast I drive or I will scrape
the bottom. In fact, I travelled safely, to Alfiesta and back to Calgary
AB, all of 4,986 miles without incident.

Two days ago, I didn't notice the RR crossing cover plate which was
sticking up. I hit it hard and the car was lifted in the air. Now I have a
hood with a ding from the inside, a hairline crack in the exhaust header
and a broken fan shroud.

I measured the trim level in the front according to the manual. E is 35
mm  or 150-115. The book suggests 24 +/- 5mm.  The lowest part of the sump
sits 105 mm from the ground and the sump guard has 80mm clearance. I have
no reason to believe that any other part of the suspension is not stock or
broken. New engine mounts are on order.

How can I get more clearance, short of buying higher profile tires?



Brian Pleet
82 Spider
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