| Author | Message | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 368 Registered: 4-2002 |
Everything on the F355 is better except the steering. (my opinion) | ||
| Justin Randall Kenyon (Kenyon)
Junior Member Username: Kenyon Post Number: 149 Registered: 10-2002 |
So what is better F348 or F355 overall that is ?? | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 350 Registered: 4-2002 |
My F355 steering seems overboosted. I try to be very precise in my steering inputs, but the lightness of the F355 steering effort allows little road bumps to impart themselves onto the steering wheel by unequally disturbing of my arms. Higher effort would be welcome. | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 988 Registered: 6-2001 |
Justin: The power steering affect the feel in the 355. Despite that loss, you can drive the 355 much faster than the 348 because Ferrari improved the suspension in the 355, added quite a bit of power, and made the chassis much stiffer. Art | ||
| Modified348ts (Modman)
Member Username: Modman Post Number: 447 Registered: 11-2001 |
When I had my 348 with 18" AVS sports with HRE 545's which were 7lbs lighter than stock was the best thing that was done for the car as far as handling and mass rotation is concerned. High speeds to 170. no problem, no jitter, and feels stable as if going only 100mph. also with neg camber too and no wheel spacers either. It is still to this very day my favorite handling car as it was very predictable and can be tossed around without error. If you got problems in handling at high speeds, all I can say is do what some of us did to make our 348 stable in high speeds and handling. Hope it's not driver problems.. It seems that the AVS sports is the top choice for the 348, can't go wrong, it's my favorite tire for the car and it lasted longer than I expected. | ||
| Justin Randall Kenyon (Kenyon)
Junior Member Username: Kenyon Post Number: 130 Registered: 10-2002 |
I have never driven a F355. So you are saying the feel through the steering wheel on the F348 is better then the F355 ??? | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 984 Registered: 6-2001 |
The one thing that I don't like on the 355 is the power steering. I liked the 348's feel a lot better. The 355 handles quite a bit better than the 348, but neither is a slouch. Art | ||
| Justin Randall Kenyon (Kenyon)
Junior Member Username: Kenyon Post Number: 128 Registered: 10-2002 |
I have been told the handling and feel on the F355 is better then the F348. | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 349 Registered: 4-2002 |
"No power steering on 348's" And I (for one) would be glad if the F355 did NOT have power steering. | ||
| Justin Randall Kenyon (Kenyon)
Junior Member Username: Kenyon Post Number: 121 Registered: 10-2002 |
No power steering on 348's | ||
| Jason Williams (Pristines4)
Junior Member Username: Pristines4 Post Number: 141 Registered: 12-2002 |
Alittle OT, but do the 348's have power steering? | ||
| Matt Lemus (Mlemus)
Intermediate Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 2327 Registered: 8-2002 |
JL, you forgot the disclaimer | ||
| martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
Member Username: Mw360 Post Number: 802 Registered: 5-2001 |
Jean-Louis If you send me ([email protected]) your email address, I will send you exact info for Ferrari shirt. Faye | ||
| martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
Member Username: Mw360 Post Number: 798 Registered: 5-2001 |
Jean-Louis, Faye is going to send you the speedgear link so you can surprise Julie.Regards. | ||
| Jean-Louis (Jlm348)
Member Username: Jlm348 Post Number: 373 Registered: 11-2002 |
Yes Martin- LOL How is Faye doing- My girlfriend can not stop talking about her shirt. She wants one. Hope all is well and to see you and your wife again. | ||
| martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
Member Username: Mw360 Post Number: 797 Registered: 5-2001 |
Jean-Louis, That was 130 Km wasn't it? | ||
| Jean-Louis (Jlm348)
Member Username: Jlm348 Post Number: 372 Registered: 11-2002 |
I brought the car up to 130 today on the freeway-it was only for about 30 seconds, but it felt solid. Ken it just had a fresh engine out service 500m miles agol. They changed all belts and seals. And I agree that it is good preventative maintanance to have them done every 10 years. | ||
| ken rentiers (Rentiers)
Junior Member Username: Rentiers Post Number: 63 Registered: 2-2003 |
Ric is right. Your front tires have sat around for ten years getting flatspotted and decomposing. For God's sake put on a fresh set that matches the rears, I wouldn't drive the car 10 mph until then. New belts too - rubber has a finite lifespan, unless you want to introduce Mr. Valve to Mr. Piston. It WILL happen if you do a significant amount of warp travel on old belts. I think that's a motor-out service on a 348, Ric will know, but it's very much cheaper than a rebuild. -ken- Anyone buying a low-mileage Ferrari 10 years old should factor in the cost of a major service before serious use of the car. | ||
| Justin Randall Kenyon (Kenyon)
Junior Member Username: Kenyon Post Number: 113 Registered: 10-2002 |
My 1994 348 has 275/35/18" on the rear and 225/35/18" on the front with 30mm spacers all round. The car handles like its on rail tracks. On a other point - I have removed the front discs and put on the Italian make TAROX brake discs. They a new ceramic disc. EXCELLENT stopping and work when cold. www.tarox.com These are as good as Brembo | ||
| Robert Callahan (Rcallahan)
New member Username: Rcallahan Post Number: 48 Registered: 7-2002 |
JL. 130? are you crazy? Nobody goes that fast in a Ferarri. slow down and your problem is solved. jest trying to help. bbob | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 755 Registered: 12-2001 |
Agree he should change the tires, ASAP. My 94 348 spider used to lighten-up in the nose at high speeds, too. Remember a dealer had a customer complaining about a little looseness in the front end of a 550 at speeds over 160; dealer was in a quandary about how to sort out the problem. Car got tanked by the owner's son before they came to grips with it. PS: P Zeros used to sing on the 348, but then, i would keep them very fresh, and replace them often. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 534 Registered: 1-2002 |
Tires are a wear item, as are: brake pads, rotors, brake fluid, clutch's, motors...oh, man, I need to stop tracking my car. | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 253 Registered: 11-2002 |
I agree, ten year old tires are not worth keeping, they age whether you drive on them or not and their performance declines. You have an imbalance because of the relative age of the tires. Tires for the front to match the rear will help greatly, along with alignment. | ||
| Ric Rainbolt (Ricrain)
Member Username: Ricrain Post Number: 487 Registered: 2-2002 |
"The front tires are 10 years old, but are in mint condition" Whoa! Hey, that's a little long in the tooth. Just because they look good doesn't mean the perform like they're supposed to. There are too many factors to say whether or not it is THE factor, but I'd replace those before I went another step. Then make sure the alignment is good. Of course, I buy 4-8 sets of tires per year, so I'm kind of use to the expense.  | ||
| Jean-Louis (Jlm348)
Member Username: Jlm348 Post Number: 371 Registered: 11-2002 |
Thank you everyone for all of your suggestions. The front tires are 10 years old, but are in mint condition, no cracks, over 70% tred left. The rear tires are 1 month old with less then 500 miles on them. I think that I am going to play around with tire pressure for the next couple of weeks. I then will see about having the car aligned and then have the camber checked on the car. | ||
| neal (95spiderneal)
Junior Member Username: 95spiderneal Post Number: 84 Registered: 3-2002 |
i think everyones missing the obvious here. no need to get involved with suspension settings when your running 9 year old tires! these must be replaced regardless of mileage due to age. i had same issue with my 95 348 spider and i almost spun it driving it home for the 1st time. i was very concerned that it was tail happy esp compared to my last car which was also porsche. solution was kumho mx tires 275/40 rear and 225/45 front on stock rims. incredible transformation on the street and on the track for comfort and performance. | ||
| Reiner Kaiser (Reinerkaiser)
Junior Member Username: Reinerkaiser Post Number: 58 Registered: 2-2001 |
Martin, I have a regular TS, with Speciale (I believe) Carbon/kevlar seats. Ron, I'd love to come to one of the drives, but right now my car is banged up (was rear-ended on the freeway) and is being fixed... but hopefully will be able to join one time as soon as it's fixed! | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 252 Registered: 11-2002 |
Martin, you may be mixing camber with toe. There was a max allowed camber setting: 2.5 deg front and 3.0 rear. No restrictions to toe, though we ran toe out in front (10 minutes out total) and lots of toe in (45 minutes total) in the rear. On F40's with Goodyear slicks, I run nearly 1.0 degrees (not minutes) toe in in the rear suspension for stability in high speed cornering. I highly recommend for 348 to stick with factory settings for alignment. I agree that the chassis is ride height sensitive, though part of that is perceived because messing with ride height and not resetting camber and toe will cause big issues. | ||
| Ron Shirley (Easy_rider)
Junior Member Username: Easy_rider Post Number: 195 Registered: 12-2002 |
Reiner, your profile indicates that you live in L.A. Do you monitor the So Cal section of this forum and have you thought about coming on some of our drives? We have them about twice per month. Last Sunday we went up past Santa Barbara and had a nice lunch also. On Sunday, of course, is the Ortega Run of the FCA. Our little group is informal, but we have a great deal of fun. I hope you do join us. There is a thread in the So Cal section for contact info if you want to be kept informed. http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/167223/186853.html?1045680456 I hope to see you Sunday or sometime soon. Ron | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 3869 Registered: 5-2001 |
Reiner is that a one of Speciale? Love the seats. What is your VIN? I am keeping a registry for 348s. | ||
| Reiner Kaiser (Reinerkaiser)
Junior Member Username: Reinerkaiser Post Number: 57 Registered: 2-2001 |
I had lots of problems with handling on my 348 until i switched to 18 inch wheels with Yokohama Sport AVS tires, car handles really excellent now (I believe I have 295s rear) | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 3868 Registered: 5-2001 |
Jean-Louis, try putting wheel spcers on your car. Look at my 348 from the rear and you will see the immediate difference. Also have the toe-in looked at. I think in Challenge the toe-in was set to negative 1 as a max allowed. Eats up tires but great handling on the track. Straight speed is probably better at 0 toe. Stiffening shocks does a lot. Lowering the car is a very effective way but kills you in parking lots and other "obsticles". Spacers is really a big help. 30mm rear and 15mm front.   | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 345 Registered: 4-2002 |
I have an F355 that used to have a similar problem (but didn't show up until the 145+ range) In addition to having the basic wheel alignment performed, get the ride height checked. These cars are very sensitive to seemingly trivial ride height changes. My car had the same issues; at high speed it would dart back and forth giving an unconfident feeling. If I tried to feed any steering input while brakes were applied, the car would feel like it wanted to snap spin (it never did, but it felt that way). It ended up that my front end was 4mm too low and my rear was 2mm to high. These little changes made a world of difference transfroming the car from a scary animal into a calm animal. After a day at the track (TWS) I can also report that the ar has lost none of its quickness in turnin, but has lost all of its twitch. You can find my story in a thread called "Tale of the twitchy F355" on this site. | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Junior Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 249 Registered: 11-2002 |
Jean-Louis, what you describe sounds very much like an alignment issue and / or tires. My first thought is toe is not set "in" but possibly "zero" or slightly "toe out", which will cause an instability as you describe. It's probably close, but slightly off, if it were way off you'd feel it as wandering at lower speeds. Tires that have worn because of misalignment will exacerbate this condition. There were two mods to 348 suspension: One is the relocation of the upper rear inner control arm mount 20mm lower than previously. This was done in 1993, search for this topic and you will find Dr. Ferrari gave the assembly numbers when this change occurred. This modification improves the handling dynamics in cornering, and does not have an effect in straight line feel. Second, is the wider rear track width accomplished with higher offset rear wheels on Speciale and Spyder, beginning in '93. No others were so equipped, not even Challenge. Theoretically, this modification will improve overall grip by reducing weight transfer in cornering, but IME this improves the look of the car more than handling. Definately do an alignment, and possibly look into a new set of tires. Make certain your tires are properly set to recommended pressures. | ||
| Craig Williams (Craigw)
Junior Member Username: Craigw Post Number: 73 Registered: 4-2002 |
Jean Louis, my 94 GTS does exactly the same thing. | ||
| Jean-Louis (Jlm348)
Member Username: Jlm348 Post Number: 368 Registered: 11-2002 |
Thank you everyone for your suggestions Ric Great Picture in your profile, | ||
| Ric Rainbolt (Ricrain)
Member Username: Ricrain Post Number: 485 Registered: 2-2002 |
348's are very alignment sensitve. I've been in my 348 up to 140-ish and the car was rock solid. I've lowered the car about 1" all the way around and have more rear camber than is called for by the book. Before the "mods" it was a little scary at times. | ||
| James Angle (Jimangle)
New member Username: Jimangle Post Number: 34 Registered: 9-2002 |
Maybe you have a suspension/steering rack bushing that is faulty. That could cause a weird handling problem at high speeds, when you need that extra stability. | ||
| Jean-Louis (Jlm348)
Member Username: Jlm348 Post Number: 367 Registered: 11-2002 |
Art, Unfortunately I do not have the money to upgrade to a 355 right now, and I actually prefer the cheese grater sides. I think tomorrow I am going to check the tire pressure and possibly get the car aligned. Maybe I am just paranoid going that fast. The car handles like a dream in turns, and goes straight as an arrow (hands of steering) at speeds under 125. | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 975 Registered: 6-2001 |
Jean-Louis: One of the changes to the 348 in 93-94 was to widen the rear by about 1/2". That apparently was a minor correction that helped the cars. Aparently your car has something else wrong. I'd get the shop manual, make sure that all of the dimensions are correct, the tire pressures are exact and see how it handles. The S01s are no longer being made, and I'd think about the Pirellis since they are a bit more stable. A good alignment shop should be able to ensure that you have the correct settings. I don't want to say this, but are you sure the car hasn't been damaged in an accident? That could cause the problem you are describing. If all else fails, trade it in on a 355. The major difference between the two is the handling. They fixed the problem with the 355. Hope you get this solved. I had one of these, and I liked it a lot, except for the rattles. | ||
| Jean-Louis (Jlm348)
Member Username: Jlm348 Post Number: 366 Registered: 11-2002 |
An Alignment is something I haven't thought of. The front tires are original and still have a lot of tread. The car will go very straight and solid up until 120. | ||
| John (Modenaf1fan)
Junior Member Username: Modenaf1fan Post Number: 133 Registered: 11-2002 |
when they change ur wheels you are suppose to get an alignment | ||
| Jean-Louis (Jlm348)
Member Username: Jlm348 Post Number: 365 Registered: 11-2002 |
Maybe I am paranoid. Everytime I hit above 130 MPH in a straight away. I feel like the car is gently floating and moving right and left a couple of centimeters or inches.And I have to gently correct Its kinda scarry. It fells like it is really windy outside and the wind is gently moving the car. Here is the stats on the vehicle: 94 348 Spider 7800 Miles (true mileage car). Less then 500 miles on New Bridgestone tires S01. These are same tires that were on the car when sold new. I know that later they went to Pirellis. I am not an expert driver by any means, but I remember driving a porsche 145mph and a Lotus 160mph, and remembering them to be a lot more solid. Can someone please tell me if this is normal for a mid engine car, what the tire pressure should be? If maybe the place that put the tires on did not balace properly, or maybe the shocks need adjusting. Thank you in Advance. JLM |