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Old 01-05-2008   #1 (Post Link)
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FK lowered suspension 147 GTA

Have just fitted FK coilovers to my GTA and the results are very impressive. The price was very reasonable from Rimstyle at £565.00.
Quality is good from the German brand.

The dampers are fixed but the ride height is adjustable. I have dropped the front by 20mm and the rear by 40mm.

The damping is much firmer but not too hard and the car is more chuckable into the bends and feels less likely to run nose-wide. Decreasing the ride height mainly at the rear has lowered the centre of gravity - the standard suspension makes the back end stick up in the air which aggravates the pitching and rolling effect.

The lowered ride height causes the plastic undertray to catch on speeds humps, but an aluminium tray has been ordered from Autodelta which should do the trick.

Just need to get the tracking checked now.....

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Old 01-05-2008   #2 (Post Link)
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Re: FK lowered suspension 147 GTA

Glad your happy with them mate. Don't forget to jack the car up and wire brush the threads on them every so often, or you'll find they corrode and stop being adjustable (like mine!)
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Old 02-05-2008   #3 (Post Link)
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Re: FK lowered suspension 147 GTA

Cheers Pud. The threads are stainless so i'm hoping they won't corrode too much. Also I try not to use the car too often or in the wet, so the GTA love affair will last forever.......
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Old 02-05-2008   #4 (Post Link)
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Re: FK lowered suspension 147 GTA

I'll get a photo of the threads on mine for you. Corroded to f**k, don't rely on them staying adjustable.
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Old 11-05-2008   #5 (Post Link)
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Re: FK lowered suspension 147 GTA

Sounds like Alfiee's got the FK Silverline ones which are indeed stainless steel, so in theory, corrosion shouldnt be a worry. For peace of mind tho Alfiee, its probably worth putting some grease on the threads just to make sure.
Sounds like you (Alfiee) lowered yours similar amounts to me i.e. more at the back. This meant that my headlight beams were a little high, requiring some adjustment to bring them down, which i havent done yet but will get round to.

Pud, have you seen wot the blurb says about your FK's;

'Zinc Plated for protection against road salts' hahahaha.

POLL: Twin or Quad Zorst?......
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/poll-...n-or-quad.html


Boss 'o swings

Last edited by bacon : 11-05-2008 at 19:58.
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Old 11-05-2008   #6 (Post Link)
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Re: FK lowered suspension 147 GTA

I really hope they don't corrode, but these have only been on for two years.. I dunno, I think I'll go back to shocks and springs when I can afford it but that won't be for a while. I'm getting an oil cooler kit put together at the moment too, as I've noticed the coolant temps have gone up with the bit of hot weather we've had.
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Old 13-05-2008   #7 (Post Link)
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Re: FK lowered suspension 147 GTA

Originally Posted by Pud237 View Post
I really hope they don't corrode, but these have only been on for two years.. I dunno, I think I'll go back to shocks and springs when I can afford it but that won't be for a while. I'm getting an oil cooler kit put together at the moment too, as I've noticed the coolant temps have gone up with the bit of hot weather we've had.
Sorry to hijack your thread...


Out of interest, what is your oil cooler setting you back$$$ and what does it look like. Would'nt mind one for my GTA, cos Dubai is flipping hot in summer...

post some piccies Pud237
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Old 13-05-2008   #8 (Post Link)
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Re: FK lowered suspension 147 GTA

Don't make the mistake of thinking stainless steel doesn't corrode, it does, it just more RESISTANT to corrosion due to a higher chromium content dependent on the type of stainless steel (and there are MANY types).

When I was an engineer we sometimes had walk in jobs where people wanted things tidying up and often it would be somehting like a stainless threaded bar that was either corroded or had chemically welded itself to another component.

Best thing to do is ask the manufacturer what is best to ensure lubrication of the thread, could be as simple as spraying with WD40 every once in a while.

And Alfiee... PICTURES
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Old 13-05-2008   #9 (Post Link)
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Re: FK lowered suspension 147 GTA

KW have found an angle that hits a little below the belt against their competitors on this...

KW Suspension salt spray test.


Adjusting them every now and then helps keep the threads shiny, even for just that reason without altering ride height.
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Old 13-05-2008   #10 (Post Link)
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Re: FK lowered suspension 147 GTA

Originally Posted by Stephen Manjai View Post
Sorry to hijack your thread...


Out of interest, what is your oil cooler setting you back$$$ and what does it look like. Would'nt mind one for my GTA, cos Dubai is flipping hot in summer...

post some piccies Pud237
You've already got an oil cooler... theres a direct air feed to it from the left front bumper. There's one on the other side for power steering cooling!
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Old 13-05-2008   #11 (Post Link)
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Re: FK lowered suspension 147 GTA

Originally Posted by GhostyDog View Post
Don't make the mistake of thinking stainless steel doesn't corrode, it does, it just more RESISTANT to corrosion due to a higher chromium content dependent on the type of stainless steel (and there are MANY types).

And Alfiee... PICTURES
cheers ghosty, i was probs on my way to making that mistake. haha. but i was gonna wack some white grease on anyway.
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Old 13-05-2008   #12 (Post Link)
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Re: FK lowered suspension 147 GTA

Originally Posted by Caldo Bollente View Post
KW have found an angle that hits a little below the belt against their competitors on this...

KW Suspension salt spray test.


Adjusting them every now and then helps keep the threads shiny, even for just that reason without altering ride height.
Reassuring to know that my KW V2's are the Inox ones, nice one.
i'll still wack some white grease on em anyway
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Old 13-05-2008   #13 (Post Link)
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Re: FK lowered suspension 147 GTA

Originally Posted by Stephen Manjai View Post
Sorry to hijack your thread...


Out of interest, what is your oil cooler setting you back$$$ and what does it look like. Would'nt mind one for my GTA, cos Dubai is flipping hot in summer...

post some piccies Pud237
Like Joe said, your GTA already has one.. Does the 166 3.0? I know the GTV 3.0 does..
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