172 cup suspension on a 1.4 8v mk2 ph1?

[jstring]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to Clio ownership, or at least my girlfriend is, having just bought a 1.4 8v mk2 (v reg).

It has a broken front spring, so I am going to have to get the spanners out to fix it. I have the chance to purchase the springs and dampers from a 52 plate 172 cup.

My basic question is, Will these fit OK? I am assuming that differences in the bolt spacing of the hub to front strut fixing will be the main problem, but are there other issues? Are the spacings different? If the struts won't fit, I assume that I could just use the springs, but is the difference in height too much for the stock shocks on a 1.4?

I have many questions and obviously a lot to learn. Please help a newbie.

 

[jstring]

Looks like I have answered my own question. My bolt spacing will be54mm and the 172 cup has 58mm. Amazing what you can find on t'internet.

Still interested to know whether just using the springs is a viable option.

I'm sure that more stupid questions will follow.

 

[DrR]

No to all of it. I think they will physically fit but won't be a nice car to drive.

 

[pinky]

Yeah..went to put my dampeners from my 53 plate on my nephews W reg and they are totally different..but the springs were ok.
Europarts sell 35mm drop springs for about £60.

 

[jstring]

Thanks DrRollo. As a newbie, I am interested as to why that would be so. I figured the cup suspension would just be an improvement. Why would it make things unpleasant?

Not questioning you. Just interested to learn.

 

[jstring]

Thanks Pinky. This is a good forum. I can't keep up with the responses!!!

It's looking like a bad idea overall then.

I'm not mad keen on lowering the car although 30mm might be OK. I am a bit tempted because it seems to be possible to get four lowering springs for about the price of two standard springs. But then I think "mmmm Eibachs would be good" and the budget runs away again!!

I thought that 2nd hand cup suspension might be a good halfway house. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

 

[pinky]

This is what it looked like on 35mm drop springs...

 

[jstring]

Oh, now you are tempting me. That's not fair . Looks nice.

 

[pinky]

I have 60mm Pi suspention kit on it now..and to tell you the truth ..it aint much lower.

 

[DrR]

Thanks DrRollo. As a newbie, I am interested as to why that would be so. I figured the cup suspension would just be an improvement. Why would it make things unpleasant?

Not questioning you. Just interested to learn.

Springs will be harder, and a 1.4 engine is alot lighter, and the 1.4 dampers won't match the cup springs.

Just what i've heard from being on here.

 

[stu-172]

Eibach Sportlines would look awesome! They'll set ya back bout 140 tho!