Stiffer springs

lee · Post by **lee** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 9:19 am

We all know that the 480 handles pretty well but there is room for improvememt. Some of us go in the direction of lowering and uprated shocks but this has problems when it comes to speedbumps.

So I have been talking to a company who is willing to custom make some springs for us guys and gals for our beloved 480.

They are willing to do

Lowering
stiffening

We could have the standard ride height with stiffer springs designed just for the 480 therefore againing the advantage of low bodyroll but without the problems of speedbumps.

VanDerGraaf · Post by **VanDerGraaf** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 9:37 am

Lee this sounds like a cracking idea!
I personally would favour a slight drop (say 25-30mm) and stiffened as the 480 looks a bit ridiculous at standard height (well many i've seen do at least).
My lesjofors 30mm springs are good and i don't seem to have problems with speedbumps

, but sometimes i feel they could be a tiny bit stiffer.

Any ideas of cost?

Rohan

lee · Post by **lee** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:28 pm

I can't get a price until we decide on what we want from them. We could also get a discount on bulk buying

Murf · Post by **Murf** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:06 pm

I agree,30mm drop but a LOT stiffer

Agwa Moose · Post by **Agwa Moose** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 12:17 am

Fantastic idea Lee!

The springs definitely need to be stiffer, but as for a drop I'm not sure how low to say, what's ok for a 2 litre? I've read on here somewhere that 40 is too low for them but would 30 be ok or would it need to be less?

I would like to get rid of some height off the TT but just don't know what I can get away with

J

Brasco · Post by **Brasco** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 12:53 am

Are we talking progessive coils here or what?

I'd be interested, if it is competitive with the off-the-shelf prices.

lee · Post by **lee** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 9:24 am

they would be progressive and stiff.

As for the prices we need to decide on what we want.

So far it seems people are favouring the -30mm with extra stiffness.

Brasco · Post by **Brasco** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 9:46 am

that's do me.

kitt · Post by **kitt** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:42 pm

i dunno about messing around with my suspension - i would like to but my drivway is so werid its like a massive slope from the road - so if i lower it it will prob get stuck in the middle when i want to park down it!!!! - would mind if the rear was a bit stiffer - is that possible to get stiffer but not lower??

Brasco · Post by **Brasco** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 12:42 am

kitt wrote:i dunno about messing around with my suspension - i would like to but my drivway is so werid its like a massive slope from the road - so if i lower it it will prob get stuck in the middle when i want to park down it!!!! - would mind if the rear was a bit stiffer - is that possible to get stiffer but not lower??

As Catgroom has posted, Volvo did different stiffness of spring.

piper1st · Post by **piper1st** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 10:35 am

I'm actually looking into dropping my turbo at the moment, so this is perfect timing for me.

count me in (price depending).

30mm sounds good (no less), but i'll trust the majority.

Agwa Moose wrote:The springs definitely need to be stiffer, but as for a drop I'm not sure how low to say, what's ok for a 2 litre?

From personal experience in the GT, i wouldn't lower it at all ... i find it hard enough to get over speed bumps (especially the long ones)! But stiffer would defoe be benificial.

hebruins · Post by **hebruins** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:14 am

How is this thing coming along?

Any change on getting some spring that lower 40mm upfront and 30mm in the rear?

Seeing the 480 has a greater wheelarch clearance upfront standard. When I'm lowering it's for the looks, and then it will look better to have almost the same clearance all around

hjkort · Post by **hjkort** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:29 am

Anything is possible.
If there are enough people in Holland, Belgium and Germany wanting a set, then I am willing to compose a set for any 480.
It just takes some time to do some measurements and make a list of the lowering program. I will do this if there is enough interest. (at least 5)

Ettore Bugatti · Post by **Ettore Bugatti** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:06 pm

Be aware that too much lowering modifies the suspension geometry too much and that can give a lot of trouble (dont suspect that 30mm drop will be problematic, but you never know)
In VADIS (or some official repair manula) the orginal springrates are given.

piper1st · Post by **piper1st** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:39 pm

Lee ... me and rohan were talking about this again today ... have you got any further with it? Is there anything i can do to help?

Volvo 480 Club Europe

Stiffer springs

Are we interested????

Stiffer springs