[rwtri]

From the looks of previous threads on the topic, it appears that about the only option for lowering a non-skyhook car is to go with a full coilover setup. Has anyone looked into having custom springs made? Does anyone know where I can find the specs for the stock springs (diameter, length and rate)?

Thanks!

RW

 

[Frankie P]

Maybe Kevin at MVA can help?

I too would be interested in anything that was cost-effective in lowering and stiffening our non-Skyhook equipped cars. So far, the only solution I have found was the KW brand coil-over setup. While it appears to be a quality product, the costs of the parts is at least $2,500.00, plus probably about that much in installation, given the unfamilarity any tech will have with the product. Kevin at MVA, a regular on our forum, may be able to help. It would appear there is at least some demand for this type of product. I would love to hear Kevin's thoughts on the subject of developing a custom spring.

 

[MVP]

KW is the only company currently developing anything. Can new items be brought to the market? Yes, but the only way for an aftermarket to grow is for the community to support it. Fact of the matter is 20-30 people may say they want X product, but when it comes time to collecting deposits and waiting 2-3 months for R&D and manufacturing, suddenly it's only 2-3 people who are still interested. I'm always happy to assist in and talking to my HUGE list of contacts in the aftermarket business and finding quality companies to develop parts for us, but again the support needs to be there. I hate wasting my time, their time, and your time with people who are simply not serious about what they want to do with their car.

This is why the Maserati and Ferrari aftermarket continues to stay at ridiculous prices, low demand + lack of competitors = high priced items that are not readily available.

Think Eurotek ECU, I reduced the price of that item almost 35%, whenever I have the type of buying power of quanity of customers standing behind me, I can contact these manufacturers and bring them down from la-la land into a realistic world. If I had 20-30 non sky-hook owners that were actually serious about springs, I could contact a major spring manufacturer and have them develop a spring for $400-500. But when I have 2-3 customers they have no interest in doing it, and the companies that do will gouge the prices.

 

[rwtri]

I'm ready to roll...

Completely understand your point. I seriously considered the KW setup, but feel its a bazooka when I all I need is a flyswatter. I talked to a spring specialist and they are willing to do a set one-off for around $600, but I don't have enough information to get going. If I had more info on the springs themselves (stock od, id, spring rate, length), I'd let them have a go at it. Although I definitely don't want to have my car on the lift for a few months while I send them my originals for specs and wait for replacements.

It would be great if we could generate enough interest to make it worthwhile for you to tap into your connections. You can count me in for a set (credit card is armed and ready). $400-$500 for a group buy would be a solid deal.

 

[Frankie P]

Frankie P is "In" as well!

At that price point, I too would be interested, all things being equal. I'm wondering, is there a non-Skyhook version of the GS that could serve as a model? Isn't the GS suspended both lower and stiffer than the standard Coupe? For that matter, if there is a non-Skyhook equipped GS, could we simply buy the OEM springs and swap them in? Food for thought.

 

[MVP]

At that price point, I too would be interested, all things being equal. I'm wondering, is there a non-Skyhook version of the GS that could serve as a model? Isn't the GS suspended both lower and stiffer than the standard Coupe? For that matter, if there is a non-Skyhook equipped GS, could we simply buy the OEM springs and swap them in? Food for thought.

According to Maserati NA the Gransport was only equipped with Skyhook.

http://www.maseratiamerica.com/car.aspx?SubSec=Gransport

I'll send an email overseas and see if perhaps non skyhook GS cars were available on the other side of the pond and then go from there. I'll keep you updated in this thread.

Best,

Kevin

 

[iufan993]

I would be interested. I have had a couple of people look at setting up coil-overs, but they all said that there are no guarantees on how it would handle and I got scared. I tracked my car this weekend, and it would be great to be a little lower and stiffer in the front especially.

 

[MVP]

That's 3 people down so far, I've been talking to some contacts to get a rough idea of how many springs we would need to order. The # I was getting was 50-100 now I know 50-100 people won't be interested but if we can get 15-20 at least that shows me that the market is there. I would be willing to stock the remaining 35-80 sets here.