Chassis stiffener - Interest but frugal

["Daegrigg (Don)" <daegrigg@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

OK, so maybe there is something here.  But I don't intend to spend big bucks
to become a stiff.  Does anyone have or know of plans for one of these
girdles?

Thanks,

Don
86 Graduate

----- Original Message -----
From: "J. Hutson Hart" <hutsonhart@domain.elided>
To: "Alfa Digest Postings" <alfa-digest@domain.elided>
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2003 12:03 AM
Subject: RE: chassis stiffener - Series 4 Spider


> Well, time to weigh in on this thang
>
> After much hemming and hawing and listening to all of yous and your input,
I
> did the deed and just last week installed a chassis stiffener on my 91
> Spider, and had the distinct pleasure to fully wring it out on the
racetrack
> at Sears Point [Infineon] in Sonoma yesterday.  In road driving, [of which
I
> did rather a lot over the weekend], I found a dramatic seat-of-the-pants
> difference in the overall feel of the car.  It has a more solid and modern
> attitude now, and I found no sacrifice in ride comfort.  The corners of
the
> car continue to do a very balanced job of absorbing road irregularities,
> while the frame just feels more solid and stable.  [It should be noted
that
> in past years I have installed IAP red springs, a heavier rear sway bar,
and
> am running stock shocks, everything otherwise is bone-stock.]  The
handling
> of my car has always been consistent with classical descriptions of the
> same, somewhat soft into a corner until the unibody and suspension takes a
> set, then compliant and smooth as long as you are.  The only drama coming
> when you make any sudden moves with the suspension compressed.  With the
> chassis stiffener though, the difference in character on the track was
> rather more dramatic than the difference on the road.  I found the
handling
> still to be completely neutral, but with noticeably higher limits on what
I
> could both carry into turns and how soon I could dial back in the power.
I
> experienced something akin to a tangible feel of the tires and the
adhesion
> limits right there the whole time.  I honestly found myself contemplating
a
> set of track wheels and stickier tires for next time, since I think I
could
> finally take some advantage of more grip, because the behavior at and
beyond
> the limit was so predictable and solid as to instill real confidence.  A
> complete blast was had by all!
>
> Bottom line is that you can count me as one of the group who considers it
an
> excellent investment, and a fine enhancement an otherwise wonderful
driving
> experience.
>
> Cheers!
> Hutson
> 1991 Spider [white] 133k miles [w/ a few of those on the track]
> --
> to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
> or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided
--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided