| Author | Message | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 144 Registered: 8-2001 |
Norm, Actually you can do some amazing things with photoshop these days. Hell I can put a Dino in front of a 333Sp on the banking at Daytona. All kidding aside the M5 is no match for a well driven 355, 360 or any Challenge car. I do on occasion pass a 355 or a 348 if it's not being driven very well. I can also dispense with most 308's and 328's even ones driven well. The motor has 282 cams on the intake side and 272 on the exhaust. The car has roughly the same power to weight ratio as a 348 and about the same acceration times (my M5 will do 0-60 in 5.8, 1/4 in 13.8). The 348's have a huge handling advantage (as do the 308's and 328's and any other Ferrari) but my 350mm brakes with Porsche GT2 calipers even things up a bit over stock Ferrari brakes. I have considered putting a newer generation M5 engine with 340 horsepower or dropping an enlarged V12 from a 7 series. Korman BMW has dropped a 5.4 V12 in one of these cars and enlarged it to 6.1 with about 450 hp. That is one mean monster that can really catch people by surprise. by the way I don't discriminate, here is a picture of my beast leading a Porsche with one sinister looking rear wing! Regards, Jon P. Kofod  | ||
| Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member Username: Irfgt Post Number: 1191 Registered: 2-2001 |
With a failure that quickly I would look into re-engineering the idler pulley to use a similar or the same bearing that I use on my timing belt system. The factory bearings are JUNK. If you can send me one of your old bearings I can get you some made that will LAST and be inexpensive. There is absolutely NO excuse for this to happen on a properly installed part whether it is raced or not. That bearing does not know it is on a race car. | ||
| Norm Plaistowe (Normp)
New member Username: Normp Post Number: 32 Registered: 11-2001 |
Look at Jon leading all those Ferraris!! He must be running a Toyota Supra motor in that BMW....Norm | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 143 Registered: 8-2001 |
Well word arrived and I am not happy. Half off the labor and full price for the parts. Still in negotiations with a counter offer to FNA and FOW. As it stands this is not acceptable. Will let you all know the final outcome/offer. Regards, Jon P. Kofod | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 141 Registered: 8-2001 |
Here is a picture of the beast!  | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 140 Registered: 8-2001 |
Martin, I actually have a second track car though it can't compare to a Challenge car it is fun to drive and it really surprises people when they realize how fast a 15 year old four door BMW can be made to go. My 1988 M5 is totally track and race prepped and makes about 300 hp and weighs about 3100 pounds (stock 88 M5 makes 256 hp and weighs 3400 pounds). http://registry.bmwe34m5.com/HTMLFiles/JonPKofod.htm | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 1989 Registered: 5-2001 |
Jon, you need a 2nd track car that is all  | ||
| John Cortina (Johncort)
New member Username: Johncort Post Number: 42 Registered: 3-2001 |
Matt, I hope you get over your jet lag. I look forward to having you show me the fast way around the Glen as this will be my first event there. I will be there with my 328. John. | ||
| John Cortina (Johncort)
New member Username: Johncort Post Number: 41 Registered: 3-2001 |
Matt, I hope you get over your jet lag. I look forward to having you show me the fast way around the Glen as this will be my first event there. I will be there with my 328. John. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 139 Registered: 8-2001 |
Matt, It better be resolved by then! I am already missing the FCA event at VIR on May 4th. I will be at the Trackmasters event on May 29th and 30th and then the Ferrari Owners Club the 31st through the 2nd of June. Do you know anything about the Ferrari Owners Club? I don't know much about them but Jamie Ross made a small speech about them at the driver's meeting on Monday. Seems many of the same people that run in FCA are trying this group out. I am confident that FOW will come through. They already know that my threat to take business elsewhere is not a bluff. I trailered the car to ALgar two months ago to have a Tubi header and exhaust system installed. Algar did it in 9 hours while FOW was telling me it would run 20 hours labor. I even told them ALgar could do it in 9-10 and they didn't think I would take my business elsewhere. Hope to have things resolved by mid-March. By the way, you really misssed it this past week at Summit. Geoff Brahbams IMSA 1000 horsepower Nissan GTP-ZX Twin Turbo was there along with a Chevy Spice GTP car with 700 horsepower. Unlike the 333SP that is usually there these two guys knew how to drive them. They were running low to mid 1:13's and rumor has it hitting close to 180 down the straight. I was doing the event in my BMW M5 and they would pass me so fast that I kept checking to see if they hadn't peeled the numbers of my door. 1000 HP, bet that would be really nice at the Glen. See you at Trackmasters! Jon | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 107 Registered: 3-2001 |
Johncort, I am trying to be at the glen, instructing, for the 6/7th. I hope to be over jetlag at that time. I will have my squidracing trailer there. As its easy to spot, please stop by and say hi. Jon, I will be at that trackmaster event. Will you be there? Actually, I guess it all depends on how the tensioner situation is resolved, huh? | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 138 Registered: 8-2001 |
Yes indeed I meant the belt tensioner! Will be meeting with the folks at FOW tomorrow. Matt are you going to be at the May Trackmasters event that is right before the May 31st-June 2nd Ferrari Onwers Club? I talked with Jamie R. yesterday at the FOW event. At last count there will be at least two dozen challenge cars present. Will need to stock up on slicks, pads, and rotors. Regards, Jon | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 813 Registered: 9-2001 |
A 355 does not have a chain tensioner ? | ||
| John Cortina (Johncort)
New member Username: Johncort Post Number: 40 Registered: 3-2001 |
Matt, What track will you be at on the 6/7th? Watkins Glen?? I am attending a track event there on those days. John. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 1962 Registered: 5-2001 |
I am sure that when Jon is mentioning the chain tensioner he means the belt tensioner. The tensioner is at the front of the engine and can only be replaced when the engine is out. This is a regular preventive replacement item for a 30K service. I would do it at 15K, or everytime the engine comes out. and yes Jon, that is bull they are blowing up on you. How stupid can they be if you spend that kind of cash at their service dep. I would have taken the car in right away and possibly given you one of my cars till this one is fixed. | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 106 Registered: 3-2001 |
Hey Jon, Matt here.... You know, I know, Allie knows, we all know.... that is a crock of sh*t that you could have blown the chain tensioner in 950 track miles. It is clearly defective. I mean...come on....a tensioner??? Not a rod or bearing, but a tensioner. I have 7,000 miles of all track miles on my car, and have put 10's of thousands of track miles on my other Ferrari's, and with regular checkups, have NEVER (knock on wood) had a major motor issue. LETS STOP THE CHARADES BOYS, AND DO THE RIGHT THING HERE. Step up and eat it. Jon, Im leaving Sydney this coming tuesday, and will be on the track on the 6/7th. Looking forward to seeing you. | ||
| Joseph Caretti (Pino)
New member Username: Pino Post Number: 6 Registered: 4-2002 |
Jon, I too deal with FoW on a somewhat regular basis. I own a F355 F1 that I had some problems with, but have always been treated fairly at FoW. Just out of curiousity, where is the chain tensioner in a 355? Aren't they belt driven cams, or am I missing something? | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member Username: Magoo Post Number: 2558 Registered: 2-2001 |
After reading that it should read "the biggest part of your problem" | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member Username: Magoo Post Number: 2556 Registered: 2-2001 |
Jon, I think you have solved the best part of your problem being on a first name basis with the G.M.. Good luck. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't a train. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 136 Registered: 8-2001 |
Magoo, Thanks for the advice. I know it's an uphill battle but I know the owner and GM personally and run with him at track events and he is a pretty reasonable guy. I will speak to him becasue as you pointed out I will get nowhere with the head honch in the service department. I called two former FOW Ferrari machanics, one of whom built my CHallenge car when he was at FOW and he said the same thing no way it should wear out that quickly. However, that being said both former mechanics said that the service department will say, "...it's a track and race car and these things can happen...". They pointed to a 360 Challenge car that had a brand new engine put in it last year with only 10 miles on it and it blew a up at VIR. FOW at first was not going to pay anything for it. The junior service manager did screw up though because I specifically asked him if they way the car was driven had any effect on the tensioner and he said "no" so they can't claim it's a wear part like a clutch or rotor that can be abused by the driver. I have spent nearly $100,000 there in the past three years (service department alone, not talking about the cost of the car). I will make it a point to let the GM know that if this isn't resolved to my satisfaction I am taking all my business elsewhere. I realize that some of the Challenge regulars that race in the series spend $100,000 on a few races but the flip side is that I am not a customer that brings his Ferrari in twice a year for an oil change. They will miss my revenue somewhat. I will start calling other dealers on Monday and let you know what I have found. Regards, Jon P. Kofod | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member Username: Magoo Post Number: 2554 Registered: 2-2001 |
Seems like we were here once before on a similar thread. Jon, I don't have a 355 but I can tell you that no way would it wear out in 1000 miles. A number of things could have happened, like the bearing was defective, the chain tension was too tight, the technician screwed up the tensioner when he tightened the chain. All these are maybes but one thing is for sure, No way could you have worn that tensioner out in 950 miles. I can see it now, You are going to have to take a position of defense. Doesn't your R.O. have a parts and labor warranty on it? This is going to be a long drawn out one unless you talk to top management and get it straightened out. I would call other dealers, document the conversation and ask them the average life of the bearing and if it should wear out in 950 miles. Then I would put this in writing and mail certified return receipt to the owner and G.M. of the dealership. Normally these things never get past the Service Dept. anyway. It is only a start but it is a start and a documented one. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 135 Registered: 8-2001 |
Just had an engine service 8 months ago including a new chain tensioner (less than 1000 miles on the new one). Ferrari of Washington did the work and are now claiming the new one is worn out after only 950 miles. They wanted to charge me to take the engine out again and replace it and I am furious about it. No way I am paying labor. My thinking is that the part has to be either defective or installed improperly. The timing chain tensioner on my M5 lasts nearly 100,000 miles. I would at least expect to get 25,000-30,000 miles on a F355. What do most of you think about this and have any of you 355 owners (Street or Challenge) had similar problems. My original tensioner lasted nearly 10,000 miles of which 7,000 were track miles. Regards, Jon P. Kofod |