alfasz.yourbb.nl

philip · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 115 Location: United Kingdom

I beginning to think the rear of my car could do with a bit more body control.

Apart from rebuilding the shocks (and would it be possible to make them adjustable?) is there any alternatives choices that can fit - even if it means losing the height adjustable mechanism?

Simon_SZ · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 124 Location: Switzerland

Any luck finding an alternative? I don't have any input myself.

robinsz109 · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 20:17 Post subject: Suspension alternatives

Hello Philip,

I have three (identified) examples in my database.

Japanese SZ number 152 is equipped with an adjustable system made by Japanese car / tuning / race company scuderia oldtimer (www.s-oldtimer.com).

Dutch car 502 uses a custom made Intrax system, a Dutch producer of suspension systems (www.intraxracing.nl). This system is fully adjustable but has lost the hydraulic height adjustment.

Ex UK car (now Malta) number 591 uses an Eibach system, see a topic on this forum of a few weeks ago when it was for sale on ebay.

I know of a number of race modified cars (especially Japanese) but I do not have the specific numbers so can not relate to anything specific. Some of them were also modified by Scuderia Oldtimer.

Regarding overhauling the original set, I suggest you contact Eduard. According to my info Koni does not do overhauls anymore but Eduard might know the qualified persons that could help you.

Hope this info helps.

greetings,

Robin Leus.

frankalfa · Joined: 05 Jun 2010 Posts: 78 Location: holland.

Hi Philip, what do you mean by 'more body control'? Less bodyroll while cornering?
In that case revalving/rebuilding/upgrading the shocks will not solve that issue. Stiffer anti roll bars (front and rear! Only rear will give a very tricky transaxle on wet track!) will do.

Last year I spoke to the owner of #502. He is very pleased with the custom made Intrax system but uses the sz for trackdays only.

I think that installing such a system will make the car kind of unusable for the more every day/sundayafternoon trips, dampened too hard and maybe too low for most speedbumps?
Besides that will replaceable parts in the suspension be worn out a lot quicker as it is a set-up with track use/race car components as a base.

Kind regards,fRank
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SZ No. 044

philip · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 115 Location: United Kingdom

Hello Everyone,

Thanks Robin for the intrax racing link, that's really interesting - I will drop those guys an email.

Simon, I'm talking to Koni UK's official service centre at the moment and they believe they can overhaul the shocks and possibly add adjustment to them. They want a couple of close up photo's, so I need to take one of the wheels of the car this weekend and take a picture or 2.

Frank - It's not bodyroll that's the problem, but controlling the vertical motion of the car. It's bounces up and down a bit to much in some circumstances. My other Alfa has adjustable koni's and i've got used to setting the shocks up to really control the car nice and tightly and it now shows up the SZ - and it's only a lowly 145!

wrinx · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 243 Location: United Kingdom

Harry_sz · Site Admin Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 276

You do not need the height adjustment for the rear, it is only the front bumper that is the problem of course.
But an original overhauled system would be best of course. For normal use at least.

philip · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 115 Location: United Kingdom

Still work in progress...

Does anyone have a photo of where the rod goes into the top of the body by any chance?

robinsz109 · Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 16:13 Post subject: foto's of rearshocks

Hello Philip, have you tried the AlfaWorkshop site ?
A lot of pictures and service info by Jamie and his team.

Robin

philip · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 115 Location: United Kingdom

Hello Robin,

Yes I pointed the Koni guys to that site and also managed to get underneath another car last weekend to take a few photo's, plus sent a couple of scans from the manual, but they insist they need to see where the rod goes into the body.

I think I just need to get the shocks off the car and over to them.

Cheers

Philip

philip · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 115 Location: United Kingdom

Well I've had my rear shocks rebuilt and the difference is quite marked - the back of the car is far more controlled and doesn't keep bobbing up and down all the time - it's just flat and calm.

They were rebuilt by one of the official Koni UK service centres - Sportline Suspension and they turned them around very quickly once they understood how they worked! The hydraulic lifting mechanism causing a bit of a problem.... Interestingly enough they had another set of SZ shocks there for a rebuild too.

wrinx · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 243 Location: United Kingdom

Would it be insensitive to ask how much the rebuild cost per shock?

I've a horrible feeling one of mine is a bit weak on the front Rolling Eyes

wrinx
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philip · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 115 Location: United Kingdom

Steve, the pair were £146 + VAT and carriage which I thought was pretty good. I don't know whether that costs varies on the amount of work required or whether the fronts are any different to the rears.

The contact at Sportline is Graham.

Simon_SZ · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 124 Location: Switzerland

Wow, sounds like a great price to me.

philip · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 115 Location: United Kingdom

Hi Simon,

Yes I thought it was pretty reasonable.

By the way does anyone else get an annoying pop up everytime you log into this site?

Regards

Philip