Lowering the Fiat 128 - Part 2 - Front Suspension

How to lower the front suspension of a Fiat 128 by cutting the springs. This is an effective and inexpensive way to lower the front of your 128.
I used trimmed 4 coils off the front springs to attain the ride height I liked. Next I need to find a better solution to either rebuild the front struts which also must include shortening the bump stops.

[@chrisdunworth8720]

IIRC going back 40 years when we used Fiat 128s and 127s in competition. The 127 has identical strut to the 128 saloon only shorter. This size strut was also used in the front of the 128 Coupe & 3P. BTW we used to do the same with the rear suspension. To get these cars to handle ( and stay together) you really need to brace the front chassis legs with a strut ( curved 1" pipe from the antiroll bar mount to behind the TCA inner mount point. BTW they handle better ( less understeer ) if the rear is slightly higher than the front. All to do with roll centers. Great to see somebody still doing work on these fantastic cars

[@ShinyFastLoud]

Great information!

[@John-ve6ms]

I had a 78 128 as well. I used lowering blocks on the rear leaf, but did weight and ride frequency calculations which allowed me to have custom progressive rate springs wound apx 2.5 inches lower. Koni adjustable shocks rear and Koni front struts. Then welded strut tower reinforcements as the towers tend to crack with stiffer suspensions with no rubber donuts at the top of the towers. Having already prepped a 78 X1/9 with full solid heim jointed lowered suspension with solid tower mounts I pretty much already knew the possible fatigue points.

[@ShinyFastLoud]

I have plans to do similar

[@John-ve6ms]

The ride frequency calculations were well worth it. Winding the springs progressively allowed me to dial in a very street comfortable ride, but with cornering the rates quickly increased and limited body roll significantly. I used solid machined heim jointed strut towers and for the swaybar and other bushings I used delrin bushings as the transmitted noise and vibration was far better than the solid metal bushings. The front sway bar was overkill on the roll stiffness in my opinion. By omitting it the car would assume a slightly tail out posture under hard cornering. Look forward to seeing the rest of the project and what engine work you might have in mind. I went with PBS engineering back in the day as a start point with a big valve head. 4-2-1 headers, revised cam profile, lightened flywheel, and balanced. Needless to say 8000rpm is pretty achievable on a regular basis and with the oversquare stroke ratio a rev limiter proved a good investment. Oh and don't forget either a dry sump or I used an Alquati cast aluminum pan as that oil pick up will go dry at the worst time. @@ShinyFastLoud

[@rivenmotors7981]

Dude you are flying through these! I can't believe how long that spring was. When you were saying cut four coils -I was shaking my head but it looks great. Keep rocking it

[@ShinyFastLoud]

Thank you!

[@williamk5998]

It looks great. I love the right height, however, I think you may have terminally affected the ride quality, and the handling as well. I suspect you would be better off if you got some lowering springs, although I don’t know how hard they are to find for that car at this point. I suspect Italian eBay.

[@ShinyFastLoud]

@@williamk5998 i absolutely agree. I need lowering springs or coil overs so the front suspension regains some travel.

[@ladislavkovarik8978]

Tady tyto fiaty se mne vždy líbily, jo, Fiat je Fiat, a rally obzvlášť. Divák z Moravy, Čechy. Zdravím a dík. Ahoj. 😊

[@SokemRokemRobot]

I think you cut too much coil off. Those tires might hit the fenders when the suspension is working on roads that aren't smooth. The stance looks very good, and it will probably handle nicely, if the tires don't hit the fender.

[@ShinyFastLoud]

Probably did. I sourced a set of X1/9 struts I will be installing soon to hopefully make it more usable,

[@NalleNilson]

I did it the same way but I shortened the bump stop tube as well to allow more suspension travelling. How did you manage without helper springs? The stock shocks pistons are too long for that much lowering.

[@rivenmotors7981]

Hey I'm modding a set of rear X1/9 struts into coilovers. Do you need some shorter bump stop upper spring perches? You can have them for free.

[@ShinyFastLoud]

I appreciate the offer but I recently picked up a set of x1/9 struts which will be going in soon.

[@alastairwatson3201]

What effect has lowering the front had on steering geometry and response? I like what you’ve done but am not sure if I’ll try the same on my ‘77 3P until I know if it affects the steering too much. Thanks.

[@ShinyFastLoud]

Not really sure yet but from what I've read the actual suspension was designed for a much lower ride height than what ended up coming from the factory. So the geometry is much improved. I think this instance may be a little extreme which is why i'm going to switch to x1/9 struts...I'll report back when I do a proper road test.

[@alastairwatson3201]

Thanks. I have spare rear X1/9 coils that I’ll use on the front, in conjunction with the ATV studs on the rear, depending on how yours goes. It’s reassuring - and makes sense, too - about what you say about ride height. Mine sits so high, I honestly thought someone had deliberately jacked it up. 3” sound a lot but that’ll only put it back to what looks natural.