| Author | Message | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 120 Registered: 3-2001 |
Hey Art, No, mine are ok. That is not an uncommon of a problem though. I hear its difficult to remedy, but there are a couple of techniques out there. Update: The car is back together, and it sounded great!! Changed belts, tensioners, bearings, hoses, rotors, repaired the belly pan with a fiberglass repair kit, and did an overall inspection. Tomorrow I will finish buttoning it up, and give it a good washing up! I have to tell you all...THAT WAS A LOT OF WORK!! Not that it was all that difficult, but it was hard, and exacting work. Those mechanics do work for their money. Now that it has been done, I will have good peace of mind that when I am out on the track, spanking the SH*T out of her (LIKE SHE LIKES IT), everything is in order, and that I have done everything I could to ensure all goes well. TOTAL BILL: All the belts, tensioners, bearings, rotors, pads, hoses, oil filter, all fluids.......$2,300. TOTAL HOURS WORKED: Main service including remove and replace unit, belts, hoses, fluids, replace rotors, pads, repair under belly with fiberglass repair kit.....35 HOURS. PEACE OF MIND: PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 483 Registered: 6-2001 |
Matt: My 355 is undergoing 30k service, and we found that the exhaust manifolds had cracks in them. Since their $3000 each, were trying to repair them. Everything else seems ok. Did yours have this problem? Art | ||
| Chris A. (Asianbond)
New member Username: Asianbond Post Number: 25 Registered: 5-2002 |
Matt-didn't mean to hijack your thread to get into a 348-NSX debate, sorry. Guys-let's drop this whole NSX-348 debate, it's not going to get anywhere, trust me, I tried my best to be rational. I really don't want to start WWIII. Chris | ||
| Chuck Rine (Chuck348ts)
Junior Member Username: Chuck348ts Post Number: 116 Registered: 5-2001 |
OK, let's have all of the 348 bashers show themselves! | ||
| Tenney (Tenney)
Junior Member Username: Tenney Post Number: 171 Registered: 2-2001 |
Gotcha, Hugh. Now combine that with the widely accepted fact that Enzo would have called it a Dino and that it was, literally, the red head's step child, and the 348's status in the all-important F-Car hierarchy (among purists) is a bit of a bleak one. I always kinda liked them, though. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Junior Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 131 Registered: 1-2002 |
Personally, I believe that the reason 348's get so much flack is on account of Luca di Montezemolo being quoted as naming the 348 "the worst Ferrari ever built", and that resonated with many people, contributing to the black sheep status of the 348. | ||
| Chris A. (Asianbond)
New member Username: Asianbond Post Number: 23 Registered: 5-2002 |
Mark, it basically boilds down to preferences and the personal reasons why one chooses one marque over another. They couldn't understand that point, nor wanted to accept the possibility that another car was better in other areas. Whatever, it was fun sparring with them. Trust me, I didn't love 348s until I drove one. You're right, wouldn't want to start a forum battle, best not to alert Jon, Martin and other 348 faithfuls about this thread. | ||
| Mark Lambert (Mlambert890)
New member Username: Mlambert890 Post Number: 22 Registered: 4-2002 |
Well, Honda obviously can't be compared to Ferrari. The Ferrai mystique and heritage are two qualities that cannot be duplicated and they are a big part of what you pay for. Automobiles *can* be subjectively compared in terms of their abilities, however. It certainly is possible to compare performance and handling limits and characteristics. It is even possible to compare subjective qualities such as "feel" and "driveability". In the end, no car can *be* a Ferrari, but I don't see how that makes subjective comparisons of two automobiles so outrageous... | ||
| Noelrp (Noelrp)
New member Username: Noelrp Post Number: 40 Registered: 8-2001 |
I am sorry, I just dont understand this ... comparing honda over ferrari. I still dont get it. <eom> | ||
| Mark Lambert (Mlambert890)
New member Username: Mlambert890 Post Number: 21 Registered: 4-2002 |
Hey now Chris... I wouldn't call it a "major battle" really, and there is a lot of cross-pollination between these two forums so no cross forum trouble starting for you!  Seriously, there are, without a doubt, some NSX bigots on the NSX forum, but that's to be expected, no? Trust me when I tell you that you're mainly getting flack because you owned your NSX for a very short time and made some statements about it that sound off (the NSX sounds like it may have not been sorted out). Plus, you are comparing the NSX to a 348 of the same year which always invites a lot of debate. Either way, I'm pretty confident that I can speak for all of NSX Prime (and most of the male population of the earth) when I say that we love Ferraris... It's just that not everyone loves the 348 I'm glad you're happy with it though and wish you all the best! | ||
| Chris A. (Asianbond)
New member Username: Asianbond Post Number: 22 Registered: 5-2002 |
TWA, I personally disagree, I much prefer the 348 over my NSX, I found the 348 to be a more precise machine in handling, responsiveness and feel. Only after I read the 355 buyer's guide did I realize the major improvement over the 348, however at curent prices it costs double the 348. Nevertheless, for about the same money I prefer the 348 over the NSX. I'm currently waging a major battle on www.NSXprime.com on this exact topic. | ||
| TWA (Exoticars)
Junior Member Username: Exoticars Post Number: 72 Registered: 8-2001 |
To Chis A., the 348 and 355 are vastly different and, in fact, it's probably the largest jump between Ferrari models I can think of. You took a step backwards in all around performance going from the NSX to the 348 although the 348 is a very nice car. 355 would have been a more parallel choice. | ||
| Paul Prideaux (Paul355c)
Junior Member Username: Paul355c Post Number: 59 Registered: 10-2001 |
Matt, it sounds like you have a successful major service on your hands. Today I just ordered a set of gas slotted directional rotors and brake pads from Chris S. of Squidracing. I can't wait to try them out on my 355C. I am running Brembo now. Keep up posted on the first test drive of your car. | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 118 Registered: 3-2001 |
Chris A. to be honest, there is a greater performance difference between the 348 and the 355. There is not as big of a difference between the 355 and 360. The 360 is a great car (IF IT WOULD ONLY HAVE A REAR WING), but I dont think it is worth that much more money than the 355. Bang for the buck, the 355 is great. Chris Wrenh Turner, Im sorry but I dont have any photos available to post. Update: I installed new rotors today and repaired my belly pan with a fiberglass repair kit. I put in gas slotted (10 slots) heat treated, directionally veined rotors. The timing belts, hoses, bearings, tensioners, etc will be installed tomorrow, and then the reinstall of the motor proceeds tomorrow as well. So far, so good (knock on wood). | ||
| chris (Wrench_turner)
New member Username: Wrench_turner Post Number: 20 Registered: 5-2002 |
any chance you can post pictures of the service in progress, Matt? That would be great to see... | ||
| Chris A. (Asianbond)
New member Username: Asianbond Post Number: 20 Registered: 5-2002 |
I noticed that the 348 and 355 are quite similiar cars except for body panels, interior style, p/s and power output. So I guess the 355's higher power output gives it the edge. I absolutely love my 348C, cannot believe the value I got for the money at half the price of a 355, the performance difference certainly does not justify the price difference. Frankly, after test driving the stock 348s, I think they are quite bland, the Challenge exhaust is worth its weight in gold to me. Great thing is that now I can skip upgrading to a 355 and go straight for a 360 or 550. I think the 348C supposedly puts an extra 20hp to 320hp. I owned a NSX prior to buying the 348C and been on the www.NSXprime.com site sharing how I much prefer the true supercar feel of the 348C over the NSX. Based on the responses I got you would think the NSX was the holy grail of supercars. I can't believe how closed minded those guys are. Now if they only know and experienced what we have........too bad for them, they'll never know..... | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 117 Registered: 3-2001 |
Jon, I have driven that 348 competizione at the Glen. The owner asked me to take him out in it. It was such a blast. The car is set up beautifully; on rails. Stiff, responsive, and loads of power. You are right, power to weight ration was very good. | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 116 Registered: 3-2001 |
Hi Chris, Well, I feel that the main reason that the 355 Challenge Car as well as the street version is faster than the 348 Challenge version is horsepower. The 348 Factory Challenge Cars were reported to have 300 hp. I think the reason for the higher hp (versus the tb or ts) was due to the free flow exhaust. Also, the factory would dyno all the motors and put the best in their Challenge Cars. I think that we are talking around 5 or so hp in any case. The 355 street version comes from the factory with 375 hp. Without touching the motor itself, I would presume the Challenge version is higher than that due to the decreased backpressure of the exhaust system. In addition most all of the 355 Challenge cars had their timing advanced, which produced extra hp. 355 Challenge owners also changed their transfer gears to give them better 20 - 80 mph performance. So all in all, with those reasons, (REMEMBER, DRIVER QUALITY HAS TO BE A CONSTANT IN THIS EQUATION) I think that a 355 Factory Challenge Car, as well as the street version, will always be faster than a 348 Challenge Car. Mind you, I had two 348 Challenge Cars, and loved both of them. They are awesome cars, and I had a great time sliding them around trying to thrash 355 Challenge Cars out on the track. I do not pretend to be the second coming of Schumacher, but this was more of a driver issue than anything else. I looked at your bio, your car looks great! | ||
| Chris A. (Asianbond)
New member Username: Asianbond Post Number: 17 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks guys. Matt-what do you think is the reason for the 6-7 seconds faster time for the 355 challenge? Would it be a valid assumption to say that a 348 challenge can keep up with a 355 street car on the track? | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 115 Registered: 3-2001 |
WHEW!!!! Ok, the rear sub assembly is out. No easy task, but not as bad as I thought it would be. It took me 7 hours to remove it. Next time it should be much faster, as I now know what is entailed. I will be looking at the belts this monday, as I wanted to head home after removing it, and not delve into how everything looked. 348 Challenge vs. 355 Challenge......... I will base this on my personal driving, as it is useless to try to compare cars with different drivers. I loved my 348 Challenge Cars (2 of them). I was turning 2:12's to 2:13's at the Glen in the 348. What a predictable, smoothly handling car. It always wanted to give you everything it had. Just ask for it, and it gave it. In my 355 Challenge Car (which I also love), I am turning mid 2:06's at the Glen. I have been told that the track record with a 355 Challenge Car is 2:05:40. Im getting close. The two cars are suprisingly similiar when it comes to handling characteristics. Although I should say that street 355's I have driven on the track, are a bit twitchy when tracking out of corners. This is remedied with a rear wing. At Lime Rock, The best time I got in my 348 Challenge was 1:01:5. I have not been timed in the 355, but I think I should be straddeling 1:00. Jon, I run my fastest laps when I run with the truck guys. If none of the guys were able to keep up with the truck guys, the yellow truck in particular (he is the fastest of the bunch), then they were not going as fast as they have reported. Always funny how much faster some people get when they are off the track. Sort of reminds me of some of our fellow FerrariChaters. And thanks for the compliment. That is what I say about you at Summit Point. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 172 Registered: 8-2001 |
Chris, There were two standard 348 Challenge cars at the event but both were being run in the Blue group which is a notch below the Red group. One of the 348's belongs to Jay Lopez in he is pretty fast. I would guess that a 348 might be somwehere in the range of 4-5 seconds slower though I am not sure. There was one 348 Competizione present but it wasn't being driven hard. That car has somewhere in the region of 375-390 horsepower and weighs 400 pounds less than a 355 C, so in theory it should be a great deal faster. I have only ever seen two of them and they were not being pushed hard. The guy to talk to is Matt Karson (author of this post). He has owned both the 348 and the 355 C. I have seen him hound 355 C's at the Glen so I know the 348 Challenge is very fast. He could tell you the exact differences in lap times. Paul, There is a 3-day FCA event run by Matt's region (Empire State) first weekend of September (Labor Day). I missed last years event but attended in 2000 and 1999. It's a blast. Hope to see you there, if not then the FOW event in September. Regards, Jon | ||
| Paul Prideaux (Paul355c)
Junior Member Username: Paul355c Post Number: 58 Registered: 10-2001 |
Hi Jon. With regard to your question about me and Greg not being at WG, I had a tranny failure one week before WG and I could not get the car back on the road in time. I was heart-broken. I was looking so forward to the trip. I had a new transmission in the car about 3-days after WG and I just spent today at VIR testing and everything is great with the car now. I still want to go to WG this year and the FCA event may the chance. I look forward to seeing you at the track again soon. | ||
| Chris A. (Asianbond)
New member Username: Asianbond Post Number: 13 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Jon, this is out of the blue, but were there any 348 Challenge cars running with you guys and if yes how did they stack up performance wise compared to the 355 Challenge cars? I'm just trying to get a handle on how the 348s compare to the 355s performance wise on the track. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 170 Registered: 8-2001 |
Not likely! I don't want to say nobody did a 2:07 but the 3 or 4 355 Challenge cars that were faster than me didn't seem like they were nearly 7 seconds faster. Certainly Jeff I. in his Speedvision 355 might have turned those times but I am not sure about the rest. Peter U. was turning 2:12's and had a best of 2:10. Maybe Barry Smith did a 2:07 but his car was in the garage more than on the track. The only other 355 C's that were faster than I was a guy named Mitch I believe, driving a dark metalic blue 355 C that looked brand new (like it had never been raced). He was clearly faster than me but it wasn't like he disappeared after one lap. He might have been doing low 2:10's. One other 355 C driven by a short Italian looking guy. His car was a red 355 C with a blue grill and a bunch of Wide World of Cars decals. He was about as fast as Peter. Only other car was a fire engine red 355 C that looks similar to mine with two yellow center stripes (I recognized it from the 2000 Challenge Series). Driver had a beard and looked like Michael Andretti, though I was never on the track with him. Keep in mind that I ran in Blue on Friday, so someone could have clocked a 2:07 but no one on Saturday or Sunday seemed that fast when I was on the track. You truck buddy's were clearly faster than any of the 355 C's on the track when I was out so that might give you some indication of the times. Don't worry I think you lap record is still safe. I am sure all those guys will be back on Labor day so then you can be sure if they are running those times. Regards, Jon | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 114 Registered: 3-2001 |
Thanks Paul, my buddy manages a 10 bay auto repair shop. So its like a kid in a candy shop with access to the equipment there. Jon, I hear you pal. Pay a little now, so I dont have to pay a lot in the future (I hope). I am going to remove the rear assembly tomorrow. I will update this to let you know how it went. Jon, by the way, it seems as if a lot of people are turning 2:07's at the Glen with the 355 Challenge Cars. Is this true? That is some of the feedback I was getting. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 168 Registered: 8-2001 |
Matt, Man that sounds like a lot of work. I got tired just reading your post. That "little squealing" could be major trouble. You are doing the right thing by checking it out now rather than $30,000 later when it collapses at 150 mph on the back straight at the Glen. Are you going to the Lime Rock FCA event or the Glen event on Labor day weekend? Paul, I didn't see you and Greg Owens at the FOC event at the Glen a few weeks back. We had about 12 355 Challenge cars at the event. Regards, Jon P. Kofod | ||
| Paul Prideaux (Paul355c)
Junior Member Username: Paul355c Post Number: 57 Registered: 10-2001 |
I did belts and bearings on the 308 I used to have but I have yet to do it on my 355 Challenge car. I understand that you are to put on the new belts, set the belt tension, let it sit overnight and re-set the tension. I don't know any more specifics, though. I pulled the engine out of mine last year and the hardest thing was unhooking and re-hooking the cooling hoses and power steering equipment at the front of the engine. Furthermore, you will need an engine dolly to remove the engine (in the subframe) as a unit while the car body is 36" off the ground (bumper off). Best of luck. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 2189 Registered: 5-2001 |
No fair, as a track junky you should know that these repairs are made in the PITS. Only with the on-board tool box.  have fun. I looked at it when mine was done at the mechanic and I must say...never seen so many wires and pipes and stuff...showes you how much I know. | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 113 Registered: 3-2001 |
Ok, its time for preventitive insurance. Im going to do belts and bearings on my 355 Challenge Car. While Im at it, Im going to take a quick look at the front main seal on the gearbox There is a little driping coming out from the front of it after it was rebuilt. Im thinking it is the front seal. New hoses, plugs and all that fun stuff as well. Replacing all 4 rotors at the same time. Pads of course. I plan on 6 hours to get it out. A day to make sure everything is ok, and then 6 hours to put it back in. Im looking forward to it. The car was raced for 2 seasons before I bought it. I respectfully hammer the sh*t out of it on the track, and feel that some preventitive work is cheap insurance. As I dont know the quality of the belt which is currently on, as well as the fact that there is a little squealing (tensioner bearing?), I will buy myself a lot of peace of mind and possibly a lot of wallet savings as well. I will keep you up on how its going. Anybody who has some secrets when they did theirs, feel free to give them to me. |