FIAT 124 SPIDER SUSPENSION UPGRADE

Using Eibach Pro-Kit springs and Whiteline front and rear Anti-roll bars.

Recently Balance Motorsport completed an installation on a 2018 Fiat 124 Spider. You'll probably be aware that these are based on the MX5. Some reviewers have said the Fiat 124 lacks Italian Brio. Well this car was fitted with a Ragazzon Exhaust which definitely gave the car lots of Brio! The FIRE derived MultiAir engine is an excellent unit, and with the extra character from the exhaust makes the car much more appealing.

In addition in White with the Red 124 graphic on the side, this is a much better looking car than the Mazda. I'd seen the Abarth 124 Version at Autosport this year and for my money it's trying a little too hard.

The customers aim with this 124 was to drop the ride height a little and reduce body roll. The FIAT 124 already uses different springs and roll bars from the Mazda. Supposedly the springs are softer and roll bars stiffer. Unfortunately the customer found the car was a little bit too soft and he wanted to sharpen it up with an Eibach Pro Kit

I suggested that together with the Spring kit it, would be a good idea to go with Whiteline's uprated rear and front adjustable anti-roll bars for the FIAT 124.

The logic being that roll control is best left to the Anti-roll bars. Although lowering and using progressive springs like those found in the Eibach kit, the reduction in roll is small compared to fitting uprated antiroll bars.

Once the customer had decided which parts he wanted he ordered via the website and we delivered directly to him. he then arranged for the installation. This is where the fun started...

I knew from the book times that the front antiroll bar would be more difficult to do than most cars. Unfortunately I made a mistake by going on Mazda book time, as FIAT could not give me the official time. Removing the front bar on the FIAT required, not only the steering rack to be undone, but also the radiator shroud to be removed, boost hoses to be removed, and various bits of wiring as well. Even then, extricating the bar is much like completing a Rubiks cube. All in all, a real fiddle, but once you've got the front bar out of the way, you've then got to get the larger Hollow Whiteline bar in place. Which is even harder than removing the old bar ! Once done though,  the rest of the job is relatively straightforward.

Although I don't believe in joy riding customers cars, on a brief test run around the estate to make sure there were no knocks or rattles the car felt very stable and pointy. I hoped that the customer would like it as well.

So it's always nice when you get a positive review

"Hi, just driven home after having eibach springs and whiteline arb’s fitted to my Fiat 124 by Balance ... what a difference to the handling, Absolutely chuffed !! ... top job, very helpful and lovely fellas ! Highly recommended ... now saving for the next mod, I’ll be in touch soon Julian ! Thanks very much"

The next step will be a remap which we will be arranging. All in all, he now has a car with handling as sharp as the ABARTH version, without shouting so loud.

So if you have a FIAT 124 Spider and you want some well judged modifications to make it like an ABARTH but keeping the FIAT DNA then please get in touch.