Mangusta stock ride height specs

8MA1244 Euro Mangusta has lowest part of rocker panel are 7 inches from the ground tires are 245/50R15 and 305/50R15

Denis

Thanks for the info. I did note a six inch height at the bottom corners of the rocker panels but I cannot recall the size wheels fitted to the factory wheels. While the profile of the car looks good at six inches, I am concerned with the clearance at the bottom of the bell housing because of the missing skid plate. I will likely bring it up another inch all around.

Bayani, I just looked at a '69 Mangusta on a lift, and the lowest point in front was the bottom of the front E-brake pulley! Goose skid-plates are looong out of production but a local fabricator could whip one up for you if someone took a photo of their part. I think Steve L has one....

Thank you sir. I did find a photo of the skid plate.

Here's a pic of the car at six inch ride height with driver. Looks good.

Incidently, the really vulnerable part is the bottom of the aluminum bellhousing in the middle of the car- at 4" of height stock. I got a 'Goose bellhousing and ZF in for repairs one time that had SNAGGED A MANHOLE COVER at 60 mph. The bellhousing and bottom flange of the ZF tore off, dropping the ZF to the ground. Car was nearly wrecked as the driver fought for control.

After disassembling and jigsawing the pieces back together with a TIG welder, the repaired diff case AND bell housing then needed to be remachined 'cause welding heat warped them into potato chips... Not a cheap easy repair for the poor owner. Skid plates are GOOD!

All the Mangusta photos show the pinch weld at the bottom of the car to be horizontal for body attitude. Once you get the rears set to the bell housing height that you can stand you can then position the fronts.

Be careful of the front clearance to the wheel openings in full turn and jounce. Also, the front wheel openings are in different positions
in plan view to the tires, on my car anyway.

What are the diameters of those tires?

DICK RUZZIN

I don't usually contribute to the Mangusta forum, I don't own one, I've never worked on one.

But I thought I'd chime-in here with just a thought about rear ride height. Based on the Pantera, and what I believe was the strategy of the folks at the De Tomaso factory, I would guess (emphasis on the word guess) when the Mangusta's rear ride height is set properly the half shafts are probably parallel to the ground?

Yes, no?

I would also guess the half shafts angle slightly forward, just as they do in the Pantera.

Yes, no?

There's an engineering reason for this, and its not because they were trying to keep the car as short as possible.

quote:

Originally posted by Dick Ruzzin:
All the Mangusta photos show the pinch weld at the bottom of the car to be horizontal for body attitude. Once you get the rears set to the bell housing height that you can stand you can then position the fronts.

Be careful of the front clearance to the wheel openings in full turn and jounce. Also, the front wheel openings are in different positions
in plan view to the tires, on my car anyway.

What are the diameters of those tires?

DICK RUZZIN

Thanks for he tips. The tires are BF Goodrich 215/60/15 Front and 295/50/15 Rear.

The cars has been set aside temporarily until We can get time on the alignment rack. Need to make final height adjustment and alignment. I wonder if Hunter has the alignment specs for the Mangusta in its database.

Forget any historical alignment specs. Your tires are so different they are irrelevant.
You need an alignment technician who really understands the alignment dynamics, probably one who understands race car set-ups.

mor referance my cars alignment numbers are on >MangustaInternational.com< for BFG 235X60X15 front (since switched to 225X60X15) and 275X60X15 rear but you have different tires. Your front tires may be too wide.

Did you figure out the proportion of tire patch for weight on the wheels front to rear?

DICK RUZZIN

Tire size preference was the owners choice mainly for fitment and availability. The 215/60/15 front tires are narrower than yours. On inspection, no rubbing or wear shown in the front wheel well area prior to the shocks being replaced. We will know for sure on the road test once the ride height and alignment is sorted out. The owner thinks I am over analysing the whole thing. He's owned it since new and is mainly street-driven. I guess he is not a performance driving kind of guy, just a street cruiser.

My current set-up is 225X60 in the front (24.1 Dia.)and 275X60X15 in the rear (28.2 Dia.).

From an appearance point of view this is the best that I have ever had on the car.

I just went through this my self as the wheels were powder coated. Wheels and tires were matched for run-out then dual plane balanced. The tires are BFG TA Radials, much better than the old ones, same brand. The tires have been reengineered since Michelin bought BFG. They look better and are very good on the road. Ride also good.

The suspension is VERY sensitive and responsive to balance, etc. It is worth being careful about. I tried several front tires before settling on the ones I now have, even a 225X50 for the front.

Dick Ruzzin

Dick 225/50 or 225/60 ?

225X60, much better ride motion and less impact harshness than the 225X50s, a better match to the rear 275X60s.

Dick Ruzzin