131 suspension race mods

[Testament]

has anyone modified their 131 front suspension link system to be similar to the abarth setup?

i.e. having a separate radius rod rather than using the anti roll bar for fore/aft location?
the abarths had a setup like this and it is a relatively common setup for ford escort race cars (they run a similar front suspension setup)

standard 131 setup


131 abarth setup



also does anyone know if the abarth track control arms were different castings/forgings (maybe different length?) to the regular 131 arms, or if the sway bar attachment was just welded to the top of the regular 131 arms?

[sid131]

that is a very similar set up to my celica ta23

[djape1977]

separate radius rod on abarth is exactly the same as on 132. front mounting bracket too. probably the abarth guys used what they had ready made

[Testament]

what about the rear end? anyone have any comments on rose jointing everything back there?

[miro-1980]

Hi,

This is the very next project for this winter.


I have almost everything and will be rebuilding the rear to install my original Abarth diff.

Will record progress and problems as they come along ( and probably seek advice . Hope to have it done by next season.

I also want to change the front to 132 , like djape says, but  still have not found 132 suspension I could rip my parts from .

Miro,

PS: If anybody has done it sound off , we want to hear about it and see some pictures

M

[miro-1980]

separate radius rod on abarth is exactly the same as on 132. front mounting bracket too. probably the abarth guys used what they had ready made

Do you by any chance have pictures of 132 suspension?

Or better yet access to it ?

I am still looking , but have not fount it.

Miro   

[djape1977]

after some thinking, i've come to logical conclusion that those radius rods you guys are dreaming abouth are also same on argenta and 125, and therefore for you Miro shouldn't be a problem to obtain since they most likely exist on FSO 125 and polonez.
however, there's a catch: mounting points on 132 and 125 are welded to the chasis, unlike on 131 abarth and are almost impossible to remove undamaged. therefore, mounting point on the front chasis leg for 131 will have to be fabricated, from 4mm sheet metal. also, rubber donuts are usually shot on scrap cars, so that bit will have to be sourced new. they were the a major pain to replace on my 132 several years back, since nut that holds it all in place is usually rusted solid in place and only way to undo it is to heat it up with a blowtorch which means that rubber will burn out

[miro-1980]

To make things even more confusing let me share a picture of 131 abarth corsa front suspension picture. Can anybody tell me why the difference?

[miro-1980]

Guys,

 I am getting confused !

I am attaching two drawing from 131 stradale , showing the fronts suspension elements.

Now If you please tell me if the 128 coupe 132 front elements can be used , and which ones.

Note the drawing does not include the mounting bracket.

[Walezy]

Here is what i have done to my car:
front - TCA are longer than OEM 55-75mm(stradale or group 4 wheel arches). I installed compression struts and made mounts for it in front. Different sway bar is used and connected in different with drop link to the attachment point on TCA(on the photo)
all rosejointed.

Dampers - Opel astra gsi bilstein B6 strut inserts
14,5 mm thick springs

rear- wishbones rosejointed front strut inserts from opel astra gsi bilstein B6, front hubs from vw golf(not enough for honda engine - axles brake too often so now installing thema v6 hubs with axles, hope it will be enough).
All works really nice and the car is much faster then i can drive it.

I used to have the stiff axle rosejointed but this does not help too much, lot better is to make independent rear suspension. Not too difficult to make and the handling is much better(how it works can be seen for example here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRUpxx3rePo )

[djape1977]

ok, now i can se much more clearly than on first two pics in this topic.
fiatfactory - you're right, its not from 132. looks similar only.
125/132 part can be modified to do the job.
ther's two very diferent setups obviously. "civilian" version with rubber bushings and full race spec with uniball joints

[miro-1980]

It looks like rubber busing ( stradale type) should be easier to replicate.

I am seriously looking at this s i am modifying rear to stradale specs. But I still have no idea how does 132 and 125 look like. Anybody has pictures / drawings ?

Miro 

[sid131]

so anyway lads who owns the red car in the 2nd pic with the rotten chassis leg? so the abarth got the same rust treatment as the very expensive 131 sport? bloody joke i reckon & i have the proof with a brand new inner valance, Fiat you should be very ashamed !!

[miro-1980]

Steve,

Thank you very much indeed !!!

This is exactly what I needed. In fact I just spoke to a friend who has 128 coupe and he is shipping the mounting brackets to me on Monday ! 

As you said rod will have to be manufactured. I believe a proper quality of steel is required ( like stabilizing bar of proper diameter from Mercedes 124 ).

This way I am on my way to getting a 131 Abarth type front suspension. The only thing I need to figure out now is where to get the connectors for the stabilizing bar to connect them to the lower arm. Such connectors I think were used to be in heavy machinery like tractors , etc. Need to work on it .


 Thanks again.

Miro

[turb]

The mounting point of the sway bar on the lower arm of the Stradale setup, is it cast in one with the lower arm, or has it been attached some how? i.e welded/bolted?