| Author | Message | ||
| Steven Jones (N24re)
New member Username: N24re Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2002 |
All F355s are good cars...regardless of what you here. I have yet to see a 95 with the mystery valve guide problem...and I've seen a ton of them. Buy the newest car you can afford, and PLEASE have it tech inspected by someone not involved in the sale of the car. Do all the scheduled services, and drive the car! That's it....no mystery to it...they are just machines that need to be driven Good Luck! Steve Jones www.sportauto.cc | ||
| Michael Yip (Mightyslash)
New member Username: Mightyslash Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2002 |
I've driven a 98 F355. It was perfect, no problems. | ||
| Modified348ts (Modman)
Junior Member Username: Modman Post Number: 137 Registered: 11-2001 |
Big calipers and rotors with good venting is a must. I removed the ft. mini useless driving lamp/ combo turn signal and modified it by using smaller ones to route air duct to the brakes to cool it off.On the passenger side where the A/C radiator is was a challenge to route around that and I'm considering removing the A/C unit out since it's a piece of •••• anyway. My rotors got worse and started to get small hairline cracks in them. I already had to turn the rotors twice due to hard braking before turns. I'd like to upgrade the brakes if I decide to make it a full track car only. | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
New member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 4 Registered: 4-2002 |
I just got back from Texas World Speedway on the 1.8 mile course. The Ferrari groups ran 45 minute sessions. On the second day, at the end of my endurance (about 30 laps) there was a single time that the brakes felt worse than barely warm. My C4 Vette would have cooked its brakes in 3-4 laps. The brakes on the F355 are pretty top notch. The Challenge brakes are another step towards the front. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 129 Registered: 8-2001 |
Andrew, the 95 model year Challenge cars can be driven on the street here in the US if they are equiped with catalytic converters. My car was set up for the Challenge series and therefore does not have them installed. All other model years in the US come without VIN# numbers and are therefore not street legal nor can they be converted. Regards, Jon | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
New member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 36 Registered: 10-2001 |
Thanks Jon ! thats great to know that there is a Ferrari which is actually overbraked. i agree with you there is never enough braking power . Do you only use your 355c on the track ? or can you drive it on the roads in the USA ? ( i live in france , and here you can drive it on the streets. ) Thanks for all the info. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 127 Registered: 8-2001 |
Andrew, The brakes are the same ones used on the 333SP's for short races (they use different discs for 24 hour races). The have also been used at times on the F40 LM/GT/GTE models. The brakes are awesome. I can run 1-hour sessions at Watkins Glen and Summit Point Raceway with absolutely no fade. I use Pagid Orange and Pagid Black pads (carbon). The rotors have been know to crack after hard use but for the most part they last fairly long and take an enourmous amount of abuse. Some of the Challenge drivers felt that the 355 Challenge was "overbraked" though I don't agree (like horsepower, you can never have too much braking power in my opinion). When they went to the 360 braking system they used superior brake ducting and cooling on the 360 Challenge cars and therefore did not see the need to use drilled rotors. But after the fiurst season the Challenge drivers petitioned FNA and Ferrari SPA to change the rotor design because they were going through two set of rotors (sometimes three) per race weekend. Regards, Jon P. Kofod  | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
New member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 34 Registered: 10-2001 |
Jon , how are the brakes on an intensive track day use ? Do they fade fast ? I read that the challenge brake system is the same as the F40 LM ? | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 126 Registered: 8-2001 |
My 95 F355 Challenge has been relatively problem free except for the headers which had to be replaced (after being welded several times). I have put about 10,000 miles on it of which 80% are track/race miles. When the car was stock it seemed to sound better (as other's have noted) than the later year cars. The OBDI can be tuned a bit with different chips (just don't expect the 40-50 hp gain some people claim). You can get another 10-20 hp with a better exhaust. On the OBDII cars a chip will actually decrease performance. Regards, Jon P. Kofod | ||
| Cmparrf40 (Cmparrf40)
Junior Member Username: Cmparrf40 Post Number: 150 Registered: 3-2002 |
Rob, i really have a waiting list on that 355, but I will let you know! I need a FERRARICHAT Racing sticker across the the windshield of my transporter. I would hate to go to FCA/LA without it! Let me know when you get some. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 1399 Registered: 12-2000 |
Chris, I've seen you peek interest at the 360, make sure to call me first, if you ever decide to sell the 355. | ||
| Cmparrf40 (Cmparrf40)
Junior Member Username: Cmparrf40 Post Number: 149 Registered: 3-2002 |
I have a 95 with 14,000 trouble free miles, (except for a timing belt/bearing that was damaged). Our Ferrari shop has not witnessed any evidence that 95's have more (or less) problems than any other year. They do seem to make the most horsepower, I have a lot of laps at different tracks, I pass more than pass me... A good car is one that has been well maintained, I would reccomend any year, but 95's sure sound nice with a tubi! Oh about 2 ignition systems, only way to go. Ask any 348 owner, if you lose a ECU you can still get home. OBDII, call a wrecker! | ||
| Scott A. B. Collins (Scott)
New member Username: Scott Post Number: 33 Registered: 6-2001 |
When I was researching this, this is what I found out: 1) 95's are OBD I, 96 on is OBD II. This is a theoretical advantage, as things such as a not completely tightened gas cap won't illuminate the check engine light. 2) 95's are more complex--they are set up as two 4 cylinders--thus they have 2 ECU's, 2 mass airflow meters, etc.--more to break, and more expensive to fix. 3) 95's had issues with spark plugs and Oxygen sensors, especially if shut off before they reached operating temp. The fix is to install hotter F40 plugs. 4) Exhaust manifolds can crack--effects multiple years, but 95's, being older, and if more miles, are more likely to have this issue. 5) There are assorted update issues (fuel lines, for one) that should have been fixed under assorted recalls. Any Ferrari dealer can run the VIN and see if the appropriate updates have been done. 6) There are rumors about cylinder liner, valve guide, and steering rack problems uniques to 95's. Couldn't ever confirm or deny this. 7) 95's are supposed to have a stiffer throttle--thus harder to modulate--part of the issue is dryed out grease on parts of the throttle linkage. 8) 95's do make the most HP and supposedly sound the best stock. The Ferrari mechanics I talked to would NOT buy a 95--they would buy a 96 or later. Having said that, I talked to a lot of 95 owners who have had no problems. Good Luck--Scott P.S. It is worth reviewing the FORZA 355 buying guide article as well | ||
| Ryan M. Kehoe (Ryanab)
New member Username: Ryanab Post Number: 9 Registered: 3-2002 |
Most Ferraris in their entry year have many problems and should be avoided. The later years had most of the problems sorted out. I would go for a 97 - 99. Good luck. | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
Intermediate Member Username: Bretm Post Number: 2159 Registered: 2-2001 |
95 is the best. Most HP and the only one with a stock exhaust to die for. I would imagine a tubi would make it even nicer if you like their sound. They did have valve problems though so make sure any you look at have records from FNA as being checked/fixed. | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
New member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 32 Registered: 10-2001 |
is the 95 a bad choice ? i read it was very troublesome. |