Alfetta Gtv question - springs

[Alfapride]

Hello Alfa 116 aficionados,

I have two questions about the alfetta Gtv rear springs

1 - are the Giulietta springs from the same series interchangeable?
2 - I replaced my rear springs with King springs a year or so ago they are same height but around 20 percent stiffer. I am wondering if this has adverse effects to the handling? Not sure if it's placebo or my imagination but I feel that since I replaced the springs with the King springs the rear isn't as stable on the road as previous it's certainly firmer but maybe not as grippy? If my thoughts are correct I have some guiletta springs original I could swap over if they suit. Anyone with any insights here id appreciate to hear your thoughts? Thanks in advance

[Alfapride]

I'm using bilstein b4 shocks they aren't adjustable. I changed over the originals and since chucked them out as they were sagging so at the time I thought was a good idea to upgrade to the King springs but I'm not sure if the handling is now compromised with the firmer springs. If the Giulietta springs are the same height etc I'd happily try them for comparison?

[carlo rossi]

i thought they were the same spring
and rather than stiffer springs they say gas shocks and the v6 sway bars front and rear are the way to go
I think 2-3mm thicker

[rowan_bris]

Plus stiffer springs and torsion bars.  Are b4s what used to be called comfort and b6 the heavy duty?

[Alfapride]

Plus stiffer springs and torsion bars.  Are b4s what used to be called comfort and b6 the heavy duty?

My understanding was that b4's were the stock design but slightly firmer (original spec) and b6 was heavy duty as you say. my gtv is stock standard everywhere other than poly bushes in some spots and is used just as a sunday car so my main objective here is comfort but a well spirited drive when required. I don't mind the 'firmer' ride that the king springs have given but I feel the back end isn't as 'glued' to the ground as it used to be so i'm trying to understand if firmer springs reduce ability for the car to hold onto the road or not - this answer will help me decide whether to persist with them or go back to originals. I really don't want to go down the route at this stage of changing all the suspension etc to make the car something its not - this car is too original and pure to modify. Thanks again for everyone's input and help

[jazig.k]

i'm trying to understand if firmer springs reduce ability for the car to hold onto the road or not - this answer will help me decide whether to persist with them or go back to originals.

Stiffer springs in the rear with the original in the front will help to give the car more oversteer.

Quick copypasta from http://www.thesmokingtire.com/2012/massive-list-of-solutions-to-understeeroversteer/, a quick googled website.

Understeer Corrections

Drive a different line.
Use weight transfer to your advantage.
Push, plowing, front tires slide out first.
Usually slight under-steer is safer.
Raise front tire pressure.
Lower rear tire pressure.
Soften front shocks.
Stiffen rear shocks.
Lower front end.
Raise rear end.
Widen front track.
Install shorter front tires.
Install taller rear tires.
Install wider front tires.
Install narrower rear tires.
Soften front sway bar.
Stiffen rear sway bar.
More front toe out.
Reduce rear toe in slightly.
Increase front negative camber.
Increase positive caster.
Soften front springs.
Stiffen rear springs.
May need more front suspension travel.
Install wider front wheels.
Use softer front compound if possible.
Use harder rear compound if possible.
Remove weight from front of vehicle.
Add weight to rear of vehicle.
High Speed. Increase front wing down-force.
Too much front brake.
Vehicle may not have enough suspension travel.
Vehicle may have a toe problem front or rear.
Increase negative camber front and rear if possible.



Oversteer Corrections

*Driver may be going in too deep.
*Driver may be getting on the throttle to early.
Loose, rear tires slide out first.
Oversteer can be dangerous, especially at high speeds.
Lower front tire pressure.
Raise rear tire pressure.
Stiffen front shocks.
Soften rear shocks.
Raise front end.
Lower rear end.
Reduce rear track.
Install taller front tires.
Install shorter rear tires.
Install narrower front tires.
Install wider rear tires.
Stiffen front sway bar.
Soften rear sway bar.
More front toe in.
Increase rear toe in.
Reduce front negative camber.
Reduce positive caster.
Stiffen front springs.
Soften rear springs.
May need more rear suspension travel.
Install wider rear wheels.
Use harder front compound if possible.
Use softer rear compound if possible.
Add weight to front of vehicle.
Remove weight from rear of vehicle.
High Speed. Increase rear wing down-force.
Too much rear brake.

[Alfapride]

i'm trying to understand if firmer springs reduce ability for the car to hold onto the road or not - this answer will help me decide whether to persist with them or go back to originals.

Stiffer springs in the rear with the original in the front will help to give the car more oversteer.

Quick copypasta from http://www.thesmokingtire.com/2012/massive-list-of-solutions-to-understeeroversteer/, a quick googled website.

Understeer Corrections

Drive a different line.
Use weight transfer to your advantage.
Push, plowing, front tires slide out first.
Usually slight under-steer is safer.
Raise front tire pressure.
Lower rear tire pressure.
Soften front shocks.
Stiffen rear shocks.
Lower front end.
Raise rear end.
Widen front track.
Install shorter front tires.
Install taller rear tires.
Install wider front tires.
Install narrower rear tires.
Soften front sway bar.
Stiffen rear sway bar.
More front toe out.
Reduce rear toe in slightly.
Increase front negative camber.
Increase positive caster.
Soften front springs.
Stiffen rear springs.
May need more front suspension travel.
Install wider front wheels.
Use softer front compound if possible.
Use harder rear compound if possible.
Remove weight from front of vehicle.
Add weight to rear of vehicle.
High Speed. Increase front wing down-force.
Too much front brake.
Vehicle may not have enough suspension travel.
Vehicle may have a toe problem front or rear.
Increase negative camber front and rear if possible.



Oversteer Corrections

*Driver may be going in too deep.
*Driver may be getting on the throttle to early.
Loose, rear tires slide out first.
Oversteer can be dangerous, especially at high speeds.
Lower front tire pressure.
Raise rear tire pressure.
Stiffen front shocks.
Soften rear shocks.
Raise front end.
Lower rear end.
Reduce rear track.
Install taller front tires.
Install shorter rear tires.
Install narrower front tires.
Install wider rear tires.
Stiffen front sway bar.
Soften rear sway bar.
More front toe in.
Increase rear toe in.
Reduce front negative camber.
Reduce positive caster.
Stiffen front springs.
Soften rear springs.
May need more rear suspension travel.
Install wider rear wheels.
Use harder front compound if possible.
Use softer rear compound if possible.
Add weight to front of vehicle.
Remove weight from rear of vehicle.
High Speed. Increase rear wing down-force.
Too much rear brake.

that's great! fantastic learning there thanks so much. Looks like in the short term i'll play around with tyre pressures to mitigate the increased oversteer but I think the best solution for me will be to return the springs back to stock in line with the rest of the original suspension set up! This seems the easiest route rather than 'upgrading' the whole suspension system to match. Cheers!