Diagnosing suspension (shock, springs or both?)

[fiasco]

Yeah - I get a LOT of that floaty feeling right now. Maybe the combination of new shocks and the springs from the 75 will be just the ticket.

-- se

[v6spider]

I took a look at the FIAT spider service manual I have and the spider underwent two major weight changes one around 74-75 with the addition of the tube bumpers plus the moving of the battery to the trunk and another in 79-80 with the addition of the 2L engine and more emissions.

With the battery being in the front on the 69 and the 2L engine that was added it is going to be a real close. So the springs from the 75 might just be the ticket. If it is still to spongy and low you could relocate the battery to the trunk. i am doing that with my 72. It is essentially transferring 80lbs from the front to the rear. Well worth it I think.

Again my two bits.

Cheers!
Rob

[spiderrey]

Rob, am i reading this right. transferrring the battery to the back shirfts 80 lbs?

[kmead]

More like 45 to at most 50lbs. The total weight of the car will go up as you need to add a battery box and at least one heavy cable to go to the starter with secondary leads to the alternator and fuse box. The Spider is a little front heavy, 55% front 45% rear unladen (ie without your butt in the seat) which becomes a little closer to 52/48 when you are in the car.

Moving the battery isn't a bad idea, just plenty of work. You may be able to find a later spider at the bone yard and pull its cables for not too much money.

[fiasco]

I'm guessing the 80 lb shift reflects -40 from the front and +40 to the back for a net redistribution of 80 lbs.

-- se

[spiderrey]

Ive thought about that relocation a few times. the effort for me isnt worth the gain. I just use a much smaller battery.

[mdrburchette]

The weight on the early cars are pretty balanced. I weighed mine on our scales and if I remember right, it was within 1 percent difference front to back and left to right.

[v6spider]

The weight on the early cars are pretty balanced. I weighed mine on our scales and if I remember right, it was within 1 percent difference front to back and left to right.

It is... But I think the two liter is heavier than 1438 or possibly 1608 that was originally in the 69. So the move of the battery to the trunk might be helpful in this situation seeing how he currently has the 2L in his 69...

Cheers!
Rob

[kmead]

I based my post on the R&T data from the introduction which placed it at 55/45. I don't know if that included fuel or a driver, both of which would move it towards the rear.

Karl

[v6spider]

I based my post on the R&T data from the introduction which placed it at 55/45. I don't know if that included fuel or a driver, both of which would move it towards the rear.

Karl

Numbers don't lie. In the 1969-72 models they list the weight ratio as 55/45. In the 1973 and up models, where the battery is in the trunk the weight ratio went to 53/47. Funny though the same book lists the Abarth as being 58/42. the standard models are way more balanced it would seem.

Rob