| Author | Message | |||
| Jeff (Jeff_m)
Junior Member Username: Jeff_m Post Number: 137 Registered: 9-2002 |
Nice work, what a homework assignment!Are you still happy with both, or are you eyeing something new? | |||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1136 Registered: 11-2001 |
mitch - if you were doing a 0-100 run, i don't think you'd be in sixth gear at 80. my gut says you'd be in fourth (maybe fifth), and the chart seems to bear that out as being the right place to be - not sixth. in the USofA, sixth gear is only there for moderating your gasoline consumption, IMO. the only track i could imagine using sixth on would be one of those super-banked speed-test tracks like that Honda track they did the 550 endurance tests on. doody. | |||
| Manu (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 738 Registered: 2-2002 |
Nice one Doody - very very interesting stuff and to be honest quite acurate too IMO!!! | |||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 705 Registered: 4-2002 |
The chart I just posted indicates that a F550 has about the same thrust (acceleration) at 30 MPH as it does through 120 MPH. The engine seems to be falling down on power as you accelerate from 80->90 (in 6th gear) and then comes back alive from 95->105 (also in 6th gear). Can any F550 drivers substantiate this? | |||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 704 Registered: 4-2002 |
I redid the thrust graph (same data as before) but this time with air resistance set up to consume all available power at max velocity.  There the extra legs of the F550 really show up at higher speeds. Where the F355 (without air resistance) looks equal from 120-150 with air resistance the F550 just plain walks away. From this data, it apears that the coefficient of air resistance is better on hte F550 than on the F355. | |||
| Robert J. Steinhagen (Bob)
New member Username: Bob Post Number: 17 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks for the comparison. Very accurate. I have been comparing the two for a year trying to figure out which to buy. Bought the 355! I am now a mid engined guy! | |||
| Norman (Storminnormin)
Junior Member Username: Storminnormin Post Number: 139 Registered: 7-2002 |
Very impressive Mr. Doody. Very impressive. That superimposed 355/550 graph was quite eye opening!! I knew there was a good reason for getting my 550 instead of a 355!! | |||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1131 Registered: 11-2001 |
stellar stuff, mitch! many thanks for crunching those numbers - neat data. doody. | |||
| David Stoeppelwerth (Racerdj)
Junior Member Username: Racerdj Post Number: 233 Registered: 1-2003 |
Mr Doody- You prepared the best comparison between the two cars I have ever read. I really enjoyed reading the report! | |||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 697 Registered: 4-2002 |
Mr Doody was kind enough to send me his TQ curves for the F355 and F550. I massaged this data through eXcel (using gear ratios, tire sizes, car weight, and peak HP) and ended up with the following thrust graph. I normalized the graphs to 1.0 Gs for the F355 acceleration (although 0.98 Gs is closer to reality).  It looks to me like the F550 should walk away from the F355 at any speed (except in the range of 150-170 MPH.) In addition, the F550 should be able to smoke the tires throughout 1st gear and across the TQ peak in second. (that is: the thrust is greater than 1.0 Gs--a typical number for the traction limit of max performance tires) | |||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Intermediate Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 1832 Registered: 6-2001 |
A very good job. Thanks. Art | |||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 692 Registered: 4-2002 |
An impressive job by mr. Doody. I have to ask for one clarification, though. The combined graph showing 355 TQ versus 550 TQ needs to have each TQ curve divided by the weight of the vehicle, and multiplied by the rear end ratio* to show 'what the driver feels' with respect to the engine power. Is there any way mr Doody could create such a comparison and attach it to this conversation. What would be a better demonstration would be to show the normalized thrust curves for both cars in all gears as a function of MPH. TO get a normalized thrust curve, take the TQ curve, multiply by the gear ratio, multiply by the rear end ratio, divide by rolling radius, and divide by the weight of the vehicle, and then convert (RPMs) to MPH. Showing both normalized thrust curves on the same graph would show exactly where the 550 is faster than the F355. | |||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1736 Registered: 1-2002 |
Nice job, Dood. | |||
| Dr. Shelbee (Shelbee)
Member Username: Shelbee Post Number: 329 Registered: 12-2002 |
Impressive Doddy  Two thumbs up Shelbee | |||
| David R. (Rodsky)
New member Username: Rodsky Post Number: 43 Registered: 3-2003 |
Great article - thanks for taking the time to write it and share. These are the two I would pick between and although I am leaning towards the 550, the 355 spider has elements that are very attractive. | |||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1127 Registered: 11-2001 |
thanks all for the kind words! good to know it's at least entertaining ;-) jhl963 you ask some good questions. let me answer the second first, since that's easier. when i started my 355 search in the fall of 2001 i considered a 550 instead. however, since i knew i was trading the 996 C2 Cab, i was focused on another drop-top. plus 550 prices were still relatively high. it wasn't until i got to about the 18 month mark on my 996TT that i started seriously considering trading that, which triggered the 550 decision. as to the tougher question, if i could only have one of them, i think it would be the 550. more torque. more storage space. better ergonomics. more comfortable in general. more appropriate for my geography. more secure (cutting canvas is easy). no engine-out majors. less conspicuous (relatively speaking). it'd be a painful separation though. whart i keep the miles down by living in this climactic hell-hole we call "New England" ;-) seriously though, i didn't have the 355 for the full season in 2002; and i've only had the 550 since 12/02 and it spent two months in storage over the winter. trust me - i'm working on it ;-). i'm trying to take the summer off, which will result in all sorts of day trips and runs down to the cape. 355 seats i've gotten a couple comments on this, so wanted to clarify. the 355 spider seats absolutely do not suck. they simply are nowhere near as nice as the 550 seats, and the 355 GTS and GTB seats are much nicer as well. doody! | |||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 618 Registered: 9-2002 |
A thoroughly pleasurable (and informative) read, Doody! And as you've clearly realized, that picture is classic! ;) --Dan | |||
| BJ (Bjkim)
Junior Member Username: Bjkim Post Number: 114 Registered: 10-2002 |
Wow great comparison. Thanks~ | |||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Intermediate Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 1830 Registered: 6-2001 |
Thanks Rob & Doody. Very nice comparison. Art | |||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 635 Registered: 11-2002 |
WHart, You're absolutely right. That was one of the reasons why I felt that a publication with articles like these would be awesome. Let's keep it non profit and do it on free time. Doesn't mean the publication needs to go out every month. I'm not just fooling about this stuff. After starting my latest company I got my ether up! I'm ripe for another project! With the variety of cars and experiences it should be a piece of cake to do something like this. Organizational nightmare, mind you, but content dream! Granted not all writers will be as good as "the village idiot's ( still cracks me up)" but that's what editors are for. Cheers | |||
| wm hart (Whart)
Intermediate Member Username: Whart Post Number: 1152 Registered: 12-2001 |
Very nice piece Mr. D. The subjective "feel" for the car is usually what i wind up re-reading in the best reviews. Having had the advantage of owning these (although i don't know how you keep the miles down), you are in a much better position to assess them than the "professional" journalist who only has the car for a very limited time. I think there is a knack to driving every car right, whether its a Subaru or a Ferrari. Since you obviously know these cars, your views are more about the car than the reviewer's lack of familiarity. Yeah, i guess a review that tells me how easy a car is to drive the first time i get into it might be useful for car rental purposes, but doesn't tell me much about the ownership experience. I also think that Ferrari having paid for all the glitches speaks volumes about the company, however much we begrudge them on other issues. Its always hard to judge your own writing after the fact, but i think you did a great job, and kept my interest. | |||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5042 Registered: 12-2000 |
Well, once I get the FC software updated in a few months the next project will be things like... 1) Official site historians and various tech consultants. 2) Registry and other database driven applications that can benefit the Ferrari community like parts xref. 3) More publications like the one Mr. Doody just did. The goal is to start with a small core team that will eventually be on salary. I think this is the only way to do it, you want a professional site, you have to have professional people. | |||
| Jordan (Jhl1963)
New member Username: Jhl1963 Post Number: 23 Registered: 6-2002 |
So, if you could only have one? Also, you obviously find them different enough to own both of them, what else was considered when you got the second one? | |||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1126 Registered: 11-2001 |
Rob, Kennyh - Thanks for getting the file up for download. Stickanddice - I do have some spare time on my hands, but remember that this took two months to finally get here! Here's my original post dated 03/27/03: http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/251280/224317.html?1051573683 Happy to answer any questions folks might have that didn't make it in here - just post or email me. Doody! | |||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 631 Registered: 11-2002 |
Should we have some sort of FChat publication? I do nothing all day than pick my nose and check stuff online and run errands. I'd be interested in starting something like it. With enough sponsor help we might get it rolling free! Anyone? Anyone? Cheers | |||
| adrian low (Audionut)
Junior Member Username: Audionut Post Number: 88 Registered: 4-2003 |
Wonderful and precise. Subjective yet very objective. Thanks!!! | |||
| Jordan (Jhl1963)
New member Username: Jhl1963 Post Number: 22 Registered: 6-2002 |
Super, where do I send my $3.95 as your article is infinitely more interesting to me than anything I have read in any of the standard issue auto magazines as of late Great article!!!!!!!! Jordan | |||
| Tyler (Bahiaau)
Member Username: Bahiaau Post Number: 744 Registered: 12-2001 |
Doody, thanks! Very nicely written and informative. You had me laughing out loud at the end of the second page! | |||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 614 Registered: 11-2002 |
Doody, you have even more idle time than I do. Very nice article. I'm in the middle of it right now and am thoroughly enjoying it. Cheers | |||
| Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Member Username: Kennyh Post Number: 919 Registered: 8-2001 |
And if that doesn't work I had it hosted here: http://www.geocities.com/kenny_herman/doody.pdf (It'll save FerrariChats bandwith) | |||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5039 Registered: 12-2000 |
At the request of Mr. D...
BTW, his article is just awesome! | |||
| Eric Vartanian (Evartanian)
Junior Member Username: Evartanian Post Number: 212 Registered: 3-2002 |
Look forward to it! | |||
| Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Member Username: Kennyh Post Number: 918 Registered: 8-2001 |
Doody, if you'd like me to host it on my server, send it over! [email protected] | |||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1123 Registered: 11-2001 |
With apologies for the delays, I have finally finished the writeup. In retrospect, this was entertaining, but kinda silly. Hopefully someone will find it interesting . The PDF file is too large for me to post (there's a 250KB limit), so I have asked Rob to post it here. Hopefully I haven't been presumptuous in my request! Please Rob?!?!?!? Doody! |
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