Cheap options to upgrade the springs on '81 Giulietta

[Evan Bottcher]

Hello transaxle heroes!

We run an '81 Giulietta as a bit of fun on the forest roads, and also plan to get it out for autocross at some stage soon (waves at Mat).  It's great fun, but the stock torsion bars must be made out of paper clips because it rolls like a rowboat.

What options will (cheaply) fit the Giulietta?  I've heard there are short and long types, but I'm not sure which models have which type, and which diameters.  What about rear springs? 

[Neil Choi]

Hey Evan,

I used GTV6 stuff all around on my Giulietta, cut one ring off coil for height adjustment and stiffening but I think this may not be your concern as you actually want the clearance.  I think the sway bars were from a 90.

Probably $100 for the redundant stuff, they are should be everywhere.  You want the long torsion bars, early model GTV6 I think.

Or spend 400% of the value of the Giulietta on 28-30mm torsion bars and associated bits.

Neil

[Evan Bottcher]

How thick are the GTV bars?

If someone has a list of stock bar diameters I'd create a sticky topic for reference.

[Evan Bottcher]

(I meant to type GTV6 bars)

[Neil Choi]

Of what I know.

GTV 2L 18mm
GTV6 23mm

I am sure others will know more.

[Evan Bottcher]

Thanks Neil,

Sounds like a good option.  I'll hunt around for GTV6 torsion bars and rear springs.

What about the rear springs and sway bars off a 75 Twinspark?  I (sadly) have one of those to wreck. 

[brook308]

Thanks Neil,

Sounds like a good option.  I'll hunt around for GTV6 torsion bars and rear springs.

What about the rear springs and sway bars off a 75 Twinspark?  I (sadly) have one of those to wreck. 

Later model GTV 2 liters also came with 23.5mm long torsion bars. So say a 84 ish GTV 2.0 would also do the trick. The very late ones (85 ish) came with short torsion bars. So long 23.5mm torsion bars are not that rare.

[Joe Falcone]

Hi Evan
try this:
23.5mm torsion bars
22mm front sway bar
21mm rear sway bar
gtv6 rear springs (-coil if needed)
ciao, Joe

[jazig.k]

I have a pair of 23.5mm bars sitting in the shed if you go that way.

[Evan Bottcher]

Hi Evan
try this:
23.5mm torsion bars
22mm front sway bar
21mm rear sway bar
gtv6 rear springs (-coil if needed)
ciao, Joe

Thanks Joe - were do those sway bars come from?  Are they GTV6?  I need to get the verniers out and wander around Maranello Pur Sang measuring all the cars...

[john m]

Thanks Joe - were do those sway bars come from?  Are they GTV6?  I need to get the verniers out and wander around Maranello Pur Sang measuring all the cars...
[/quote]

Evan
you can use everything off a 75 except the torsion bars. The GTV6 rear sway bar will not fit a sedan.

[Evan Bottcher]

Thanks John,

Sorry to be a muppet - hopefully last question:

Are the 75 twinspark rear springs more/less stiff than the GTV6 rears?
What size are stock 75 twinspark front rear sway bars?

[Evan Bottcher]

Checked, the swaybars on the twin spark are 22mm front / 21mm rear so I'm sorted there.

[Mat Francis]

23mm bars at the front, I wouldnt go any bigger if its solely for dirt. Then use the full height TS rear springs. Dont cut them, you'll want every bit of clearance you can get.

Again, if its only for dirt, remove the rear sway bar entirely. (Or if your lazy like me and cbf lowering the gearbox, disconnect from the de dion and cable tie it up against the body).

[Evan Bottcher]

Thanks Mat, sorted myself a set of GTV6 torsion bars tonight.  Given your suggestion I might just uprate the front swaybar and see how it goes.  Like most things this'll all wait for fresh stock of round tuits.