Fiat 131 Abarth replica suspension

[Walezy]

Is there anyone interested in having a complete suspension made for that car? It would use b6 bilstein struts, front and rear wishbones(uniball links). The struts would be custom made coilovers etc.
The suspension will require some welding on the car to make it fit but you would get all neccesary parts to do it. It will not include the differential as there are few options to choose from(BMW, ford etc.).

Some sample pictures

[mirafiori76]

If you can make it look like the original stuff then i am your man. Otherwise i will make it myself 

[Walezy]

I will not make it the same as it will be problem to source original hubs, CV joints etc. This is just to make a quick rally car(or a road car if a lack of comfort is not an issue for the user). I did my suspension twice so i have all measurements and tools to make it from scratch and to make it working well enough to be able to make stage times better then some new 4x4 rally cars(unfortunately not easy to do it and not every car). Just to prove it i made stage time on Kamionki 3:38s and subaru Impreza WRC 2000year made there 3:28s so not that bad compared invested money on both cars and about 30 years of development(mine vs works teams)

[mirafiori76]

Walezy,

I understand. One must have the original parts to make exact copies. I am already copying my parts for my second car. Especially swing arms on the rear are difficult to make. Finding the right joints is another chapter 
 

[Walezy]

The wishbones are not that big problem, also the joints are easy to make(relatively) if it is changed for rose joint as this is much more suitable for a rally car. I can get originals to make copies but i think that it is not worth that much trouble with copy of original design, it will probably not be quicker but may cost more due to much higher cost of making new castings of the hubs and some more tooling for the wishbones.

[mirafiori76]

You're right. The wishbones are relatively easy to make. It's the small parts that cause problems. Starting with finding them anyways...

[Walezy]

I have a friend that has group 4 car so it is not a problem to get the parts for measurement but as i say i am not willing to offer a copy of original suspension so why bother with it. I can do a good suspension that will give the car proper handling so if anyone is interested then let me know.

[miro-1980]

Tom and Mike ,

You guys may recall I still probably have a spare full set of rear suspension (all except the diff and the diff hanger) including arms, axis, hubs and CV joints.

But this is darn expensive stuff. One ball joint contemporary replica alone is some 250 GBP.

I imagine that contemporary replica of original suspension set would run you in excess of  5-6 K GBP for rear alone, and that excludes the diff and shock top mounts. The complete front, rear,  diff with all the parts would run you at least 15 K GBP.   

If interested I can offer it , but my advice is this: go with Tom. He has build it before for 131 Abarth and has the experience and knowledge how to do it right. Tom can build you a suspension which will look fine and work even better  ...

Re: your group/class regulations. I assume that you need to meet special requirements in order qualify. If you share them with Tom I ma sure he can meet the requirements.
   
Miro     

[mirafiori76]

Miro,

As you know i have a perfect example to copy. Because i like originality i will make copies of the parts i already have. Ofcourse i can not make everything myself, so i do have to buy parts as well. Anyway, it's expensive in the end.

[jeffgordon]

Can you give some price with only struts to rear, and complete set to front, or just front set?  I?m using original type solid rear axle, so can you make right mounting type to struts?

[mirafiori76]

Jeff,

Front and rear suspension from Abarth are completely different to standard cars. There is no part the same. I guess you have to search for parts, that will fit, yourself. There is  a lot possible.

[Walezy]

I did not noticed the reply. please email me at walezy [at] proaxer [dot] com and we can set up the details.

[jeffgordon]

Mike, I know they are different, but there is nothing you can't make to fit, right? It is hard to find any straight fit special parts to 131 these days. Thomaz, I will email you shortly, I think you also have my email address cause I bought bodykit from you..

[mirafiori76]

Jeff,

It sure is. For plain 131's it is, let alone Abarth parts. But there are parts from other cars that may fit rightaway. You just need to put them together. Or find them anyways. With parts from Fiat, Lancia and Lada there is much possible.

[miro-1980]

 jeffgordon,

I have recently moved from stiff axis to Abarth rear suspension and have spare Bilstein struts  i used on this rear suspension.

Interested ?

Miro

PS: I am in the process of moving to full front Abarth suspension  (just need to resolve the front brake calipers position and proper size (2x 38 calipers) on the rear as well as the habdbrake. Once this is done I will have a full set of front adjustable front suspension for 131. Hope this will be done in a  about 5-6 weeks.

Interested ?

Miro