| Author | Message | ||
| Lee Pierce (Leepierce)
Junior Member Username: Leepierce Post Number: 59 Registered: 1-2003 |
Good God, hearing ya'll talk about your 348's is making my mouth water! I so want a 348. I rented one in Vegas and absolutely fell head-over-heels for the damned thing. I feel it's the best value in a Ferrari, and probably in an exotic car period. But just as my obsession for a 348 was about to turn manic and break our modest household in half, my current 308 fell in my lap. I have been satiated, at least, with the pleasure and privelege of Fcar ownership. But I'm saving...! | ||
| 89TCab (Jmg)
Member Username: Jmg Post Number: 417 Registered: 9-2001 |
For those that went from 2.5 to 2.7, how much did it cost and what were the benefits? (I know the 2.7 is supposed to be more reliable but I have not seen any issues with my 2.5 equiped T Cab.) Thanks, JMG | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 447 Registered: 4-2002 |
Just a reminder: when you get the engine pulled for the 30K, do everything that is not accessible with the engine in the car. Belt bearings, tensioners, rebuild water pump, check all the seals, replace hoses,... Since the 'pull' is the major part of the cost structure of the 30K, once its pulled the rest of the stuff is almost free. For example: compare the cost of a water pump with the engine out of the car ($150+/-) with that of the engine in the car ($5150). | ||
| Craig (Beachbum)
Junior Member Username: Beachbum Post Number: 83 Registered: 9-2002 |
91 348ts, just talked to the mechanic, after 27K and 12 years he said my original timing belt was pretty stretched, everything else looks good, the only thing id want in a 348 would be the 2.7 bosch ignition as opposed to the 2.5, the other upgrades are minor, whats more important is the individual car, what i look for are, all records, reasonable milage, no accidents, original paint, never tracked, original meticulous owner, things like that ive had other sports cars including a 60's group 7 car, owned by the late jerry titus, V8 traco olds with 4 duel throat webers, hewland trans, that car was scary fast, but nothing even comes close to the all around of driving pleasure of my 348, warm evening drives with the top off is almost spiritual, well almost  | ||
| Noelrp (Noelrp)
Junior Member Username: Noelrp Post Number: 221 Registered: 8-2001 |
No, not three years. It should be 5 years or 30k miles (which ever comes first). And yes expect to pay $5000 for the belt service. If you are looking for more performance, the 348 is definitely a good upgrade. I'll have to recommend 1993 and above. Pay the extra 10k or so premium so that your owning experience will be a lot more pleasurable. Do it! | ||
| Collin Hays (Chaysintexas)
Junior Member Username: Chaysintexas Post Number: 69 Registered: 4-2002 |
Thanks guys for the comments so far. Keep them coming. What's this about changing the belt every 3 years? For goodness sakes! Is that really necessary? | ||
| Christopher McCormick (92_348ts)
Junior Member Username: 92_348ts Post Number: 103 Registered: 6-2002 |
Colin-I have had my `92 for almost a year and love it. Aside from the A/C compressor going out, no other problems what so ever. The four biggest updates on the 348 line were: *Bosch 2.5 to Bosch 2.7 ignition (1990) *Double plate to single plate clutch (1991) *Delco alternator to Nippondenso alternator (1992) *Wider track (1993) Good luck, let us know what you decide. | ||
| Tom Lassen (Nzo4re)
New member Username: Nzo4re Post Number: 15 Registered: 3-2003 |
Collin...I've had my 91 348ts since 99 and it's never failed me. Look for black grease dripping from the bell housing. There are seals that will wear and drip grease on the disks, so watch for that. Also, there was a service bulletin on the Alternator. Make sure the update was done. ECUs can be an issue as well as clogged CATs and the O2 sensors associated with them. BTW...Mine's for sale. I'm doing a 30k service right now and have just bought a new set of Bridgestones for the rear. I replaced the clutch and had the flywheel re-packed in 2001. Drop me a line if you want to hear the details. | ||
| Craig (Beachbum)
Junior Member Username: Beachbum Post Number: 79 Registered: 9-2002 |
ive got a 91 348 with 27K, its in the shop right now for the 30K service, first time the belts have ever been done, car runs like a swiss watch | ||
| Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Member Username: Dapper Post Number: 591 Registered: 4-2002 |
I would have thought 3 years would be ok (in fact I vaguely recall reading 3 yrs somewhere), I have heard some talk of 5 yrs but I think that would be stretching it (no pun intended). Way too risky | ||
| MarkM (Zan)
New member Username: Zan Post Number: 15 Registered: 11-2002 |
348s have one long cam belt driving both banks. 355 has two, similar to a 308. More strain on one belt | ||
| Michael Vaughan (Vanimal)
New member Username: Vanimal Post Number: 8 Registered: 3-2003 |
Cambelts...... what is the story, I read that the 348 needs them done every 2 years but the 355 only 3 years, are these the same belts?? is so is it safe to run the 348 for 3 years between belt changes? Byron - Love your challenge car. | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 427 Registered: 4-2002 |
A helicoil is a square steel wire wound in such a way that you can take a stripped thread, drill it out, tap it with the next larger sized tap, and thread in the helicoil, and the inner thread is now the same size as the original. This thread is actually stronger than the original, tougher to boot. Since you don't know what these things are, have a professional do it. | ||
| philip (Fanatic1)
Junior Member Username: Fanatic1 Post Number: 87 Registered: 2-2003 |
Hey guys........I too have a 348 and I'd like to get a helicoil as Byron says.....but a couple questions....WHAT IS A HELICOIL.....where can I get one.......is it just another type of plug?????? Excuse my ignorance... | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
Member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 475 Registered: 10-2002 |
Ooops... that was a slip... corrected it! | ||
| "The Don" (Mlemus)
Advanced Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 3276 Registered: 8-2002 |
B-dawg "I've driven a Carb 308 GTSi...lots of power and very smooth" My car is a 78 Carb GTS. The i in GTSi is for fuel injection. I'll forgive you on this one. Matt | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
Member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 474 Registered: 10-2002 |
Collin, I've had my 348 TB Challenge for 4 months or so... 3000+ miles later, other than a clutch adjustment (initially when I bought it), no major problems. Recently did an oil change and transaxle oil change. Some things to think about with 348's: - Engine oil sump drain plug gets stripped (the fix is to put in a helicoil) - 30k service can be on the pricey side (full engine-out - can cost upwards of $6k depending on where you go) - no major electrical glitches, but don't ever park it downhill in the rain... can cause some electrical shorts! - Later year models have lots of improvements including Bosch Motronic 2.7 upgrades, improved rear suspension, and single-disc clutch (cheaper to replace) - engine compartment is much friendlier to get in/out of (easier access than the 308 IMO) - It is a commonly known problem to have melted or "gummy" plastic interior parts (can be resolved by scraping/cleaning and by swapping out for CF parts) - front lip is low to the ground...expect to do a fiberglass repair once every few years Finding a good mechanic is important for any FCar...not just a 348. If you plan to use a mechanic, expect to pay .50-.75 cents per mile/year on maintenance... but if you're going to do a few things on your own, I'm sure you can expect to pay a lot less. The car isn't totally dependent on computers for tuning, so that makes maintenance fun... and the drive? UNBELIEVABLE. I've driven a Carb 308 GTS...lots of power and very smooth... the 348 to me, feels raw. The steering is tight, the chassis feels stiff, and the car is very controllable. hope that helps. Byron | ||
| Stanley DiGuiseppi (Standig)
Junior Member Username: Standig Post Number: 91 Registered: 5-2002 |
I have 10k on a 90 348ts. I bought it knowing I would have to do a 30k. It almost done. I am having it done by an independent garage that specializes in restorations. Frank comes highly recommended. I decided it was time when I saw the water pump leaking. So we did hoses/fan and cam belts/water pump/valve adjustment filters and etc. Also he found the idler bearing for the the cam gear worn and seized on the shaft so he had to drop oil pan and remove front timing cover to replace bearing. In additions there were bulletins on the cam seals and timing bearing he also did. It was expensive. About 7k when all was said and done. However I figured I would have to put 5k into the car when I purchased it so I wasn't too surprised with the additional. The dealer wanted 5k for must the 30k service which I do not believe included the timimg bearing or the water pump. With new tires already on and new brakes I hope to get at least 5 years with only oil changes. I must say I absolutely love driving this car. | ||
| Scotty (Pzerowaster)
Junior Member Username: Pzerowaster Post Number: 62 Registered: 10-2002 |
I don't think you'll miss your 308 very much if you put yourself in a nice 348. I know it would be nicer to have both! Def. put money aside for a performance exhaust. It was such a killer improvement. The sound almost makes me misty. Best bet is to find one with real recent documented service (belt!) by a reputable shop. Then you'll be all set. I commute 55 miles a day in mine in nice weather. I run it hard and often, and it's been a pure joy. Good luck! Scotty | ||
| philip (Fanatic1)
Junior Member Username: Fanatic1 Post Number: 84 Registered: 2-2003 |
Colin, I have both a 308 and a 348 Speciale.....I've only had the 348 for a short time. Mine is great mechanical shape........definately search for one that you like and is in good shape. Some people say the 348's have electrical gremlins, but then I've heard from reliable sources, even on this F Chat, that say that is over blown....basically all Ferrari's have some little idiosyncracies......here's what I have personally experienced. The 308 has more frequent fixes.....usually the owner can do these himself....the 348 has less frequent, but slightly more expensive stuff. I've heard that the 30000 check up with major belt changes range from 5000-6500 from a dealership....luckily, mine was done when I purchased the car. One thing I can tell you, the 348's performance is lightyears ahead of my 308. No offense to the other 308's out there. Mine is a 1982 308gtsi...that I love....but the 348 has more gusto than that car ever has....I love them both, but if I had to choose.............348 all the way. Good luck p.s. search other threads...there was one about 1 week ago on this exact subject...lots of replies | ||
| Collin Hays (Chaysintexas)
Junior Member Username: Chaysintexas Post Number: 64 Registered: 4-2002 |
My wife says I can get one, but only I part with my 308  First off, I only drive my F-car 1000-2000 per year max. - only on pretty days and only to putter around in. No racing or hot rodding. Are there particular items on the 348 that tend to go bad? What are they, and how much $$$ have you spent on them? How much does a cam belt change with other trimmings cost at a reputable independent shop? Or can independents even handle such? Is it more expensive to fix than a 308? Is it more expensive to maintain than a 308? How much do you 348 owners plan on in terms of yearly maintenance and repairs? |