[Orion]

I picked up a set of H&R springs for the 124 from Madness Autoworks in Long Beach, CA. Eric was SUPER helpful and patient with all my questions. The install was more simple that other cars I have worked on, although we had some tight spaces for the rear assemblies, but nothing too difficult. Things are much easier with a lift and air tools, so I was glad that I could take her over to my buddy's shop. I also picked up a set of 15mm spacers from Madness at the same time, but as it turns out, they are the "Pain in the Butt" to install spaces, by which I would have to pound out the stock studs and replace them with the extend studs, which I was not going to do. A quick call from to Eric, and he told me to come down and test fit another set of 15mm or try the 20mm. I am going to head down there (I am about 20 min away) this Saturday and see what works/looks best.

As for the springs by themselves, I am pleasantly surprised with the ride quality as compared to stock. Naturally, I expect a firmer ride, however, the H&R springs only made the ride about 10% - 15% stiffer. It is hardly noticeable from stock, and my wife does not feel the difference at all. As for the looks, I am happy with the drop. It went from a solid 4 finger fender gap (my scientific unit of measurement) to a 1.75 - 2 finger gap under the finder. I think with the spacers on to fill out the wheel well with the flush wheel, the look will be solid.

Big thanks to Eric @ Madness for all his help.

 

[james.today]

Nice! I just ordered the springs myself - looking forward to the install. How do you feel about them now?

 

[socal1200r]

I upgraded to 17x7.5s, +40mm offset, with 235/40 tires. Had to use 10mm spacers to clear the front Brembos, and the combination of the wider wheel and spacers pushed the wheels right to the edge of the fender. I think any spacer over 10mm is going to require longer wheel studs, which like you've said, are a PITA to install if you're not expecting it.

 

[Fiatbreath]

Looks great, can’t wait to do mine.

 

[Greg]

They look great. I have been advocating these springs for some time. In my view they are the ideal springs for a fast road 124.

Greg

 

[Fiatbreath]

Greg, I purchased the progress springs from you that I have not installed yet. Can you explain the difference in springs?. My car is a street car only. Comfort and stance is what I want.

 

[Greg]

Greg, I purchased the progress springs from you that I have not installed yet. Can you explain the difference in springs?. My car is a street car only. Comfort and stance is what I want.

I really can't. I haven't had a chance to try the Progress Springs, nor have I ever seen them. (They ship from EC in New York, my shop is in Tulsa). I went with H&R on my own car because I knew they would be what I wanted, and they are.

Greg

 

[XtremeRevolution]

Usually when I swap springs I end up needing an alignment. Did you need one after getting these on?

 

[socal1200r]

Did you trim the bump stops, or leave them alone? I'm thinking real hard about getting a set of H&Rs, but was wondering if the bump stops should be trimmed to compensate for the lowered height?

 

[Greg]

Did you trim the bump stops, or leave them alone? I'm thinking real hard about getting a set of H&Rs, but was wondering if the bump stops should be trimmed to compensate for the lowered height?

With the H&Rs I did nothing but put them in. I did not trim the bump stops. The only other suspension mod I did while I was in there was put in a set of Eibach anti-sway bars.

Greg

 

[68wooley]

@Greg - did you ever hear back from H&R as to why their website says the springs are not for the Abarth? Looks like the OP has no problem with them.

 

[socal1200r]

@Greg - did you ever hear back from H&R as to why their website says the springs are not for the Abarth? Looks like the OP has no problem with them.

Madness has H&R springs listed for the 124, retail $369 / their price $205.

https://shop.500madness.com/fiat-124-spider-lowering-springs-by-hr-pid4369

These springs would give me the drop I'm looking for, and not having to trim or replace the bump stops is a plus. And the price is making it hard for me to NOT buy them, lol...

 

[68wooley]

Madness has H&R springs listed for the 124, retail $369 / their price $205.

https://shop.500madness.com/fiat-124-spider-lowering-springs-by-hr-pid4369

These springs would give me the drop I'm looking for, and not having to trim or replace the bump stops is a plus. And the price is making it hard for me to NOT buy them, lol...

Yeah, but if you look at H&R’s website, they have a note on the Sport Springs for the 124 that says ‘not Abarth’.

 

[socal1200r]

Yeah, but if you look at H&R’s website, they have a note on the Sport Springs for the 124 that says ‘not Abarth’.

Good catch...wonder if that's because the Abarth has Bilsteins, and the springs won't fit those shocks?

 

[Greg]

@Greg - did you ever hear back from H&R as to why their website says the springs are not for the Abarth? Looks like the OP has no problem with them.

No, I never got an answer from them. I think it's simply because they never had a chance to verify fitting on the Abarth.

Greg

 

[68wooley]

Good catch...wonder if that's because the Abarth has Bilsteins, and the springs won't fit those shocks?

Doubt it - the OP’s car is an Abarth. I suspect Greg has it right - they just never tried it.

 

[socal1200r]

Doubt it - the OP’s car is an Abarth. I suspect Greg has it right - they just never tried it.

Right again...went back to page 1 and reread the original post...well lookee there, pictures of the springs on Bilsteins, lol! So I guess that answers my question, so the H&Rs are at the top of my short list for springs. Hard to ignore the savings on those springs from Madness...

 

[james.today]

What’s the part number for these? I ordered some and they shipped me the Miata springs - H&R lists a different part number.

I’m guessing they’re not the same

 

[socal1200r]

What’s the part number for these? I ordered some and they shipped me the Miata springs - H&R lists a different part number.

I’m guessing they’re not the same

https://shop.500madness.com/fiat-124-spider-lowering-springs-by-hr-pid4369

 

[james.today]

Yeah. That’s what I ordered - from madness. They shipped me Miata PN springs - even verified that the part numbers on the spring don’t match the ones in the first post of this thread.

Called H&R - and yes the springs are different.

Called madness and they said they do it on purpose cause they’ve tried both and like the Miata ones better - wtf right? On the first call they said they were identical.

They’re correcting it, but either way seems a bit odd. Either it was a mistake and they wanted to try to talk their way out. Or they actually know two different versions exist, say that they’re selling one but purposefully ship another because of personal preference.