International Lancia Forums

Hello Huib.

Yes good points about the unsprung weight issue; I am sure that Lancia were very aware of this - which is one reason why the Fulvia feels so good!

When I had some special dampers made for the front of my coupe, I was able to measure the unsprung weight; this is because I have solid bushes and rollers instead of the rubber as spring mounts (you could use a S1 car as there are no Silentblocs on the wishbones): I jacked up the spring and weighed the rest and this was taken into account when the valving for the dampers was designed. The result is that I have a firm-handling car with excellent ride; it is the dreaded speed humps that never fail to amaze my passengers, the car sailing over them (much better than either of my sedans by the way!)

Paul

Yes Neil,

very fairly put. I agree with Huib and yourself that unsprung weight is excessive; the whole Fulvia is too heavy. If I were a lottery winner, then the hubs would be of aluminium alloy, the leaf springs composite and the rear axle also aluminium - with hubs and brakes more suitable for the size of the car - i.e. like an Uno Turbo say. In fact I have considered modifying a Uno Turbo rear axle to fit a Fulvia. It would have to be boxed but otherwise I think that the brakes and hubs would be perfectly adequate. The S1 Dunlop rear caliper weighs about 5.5kg, so we have a total of about 27lbs - almost two stone (!) flapping about at the ends of the axles. Had I ligtweight rear brakes, then I would not have to worry about the diet!

Of course with about 65% of the weight at the front, front braking is very important and it has to be said that all Fulvias have excellent braking (provided the Dunlops work of course) with the S2 brakes being exceptionally good. S2 front calipers weigh about 4.7kg each so inboard mounting would be an advantage, but changing the pads would be an even worse job than it is at present. And with so many Fulvias being apt to get a bit oily in that area (when the gearbox input shaft bearing gives up AGAIN (!) it may be best to leave the calipers where they are and pay the price.

On my coupe I have used FIAT Coupe 20V turbo calipers and 310mm ventilated discs on aluminium alloy bells; this lot weighs about the same as the standard set-up. However I have to use 15" wheels which are only just big enough, but much too heavy. If only there were 15" Cromodoras!

Paul