| Author |
Message |
Charles Gault (Knox_Charles)
| | Posted on Friday, October 19, 2001 - 6:58 am: | |
I have a regular '88 328, not a late '88. I have the concave wheels. I like the concave wheels better too. But I still am trying to figure out how to make the front stick, turn in and steer better. I know how to do this with a Porsche 911 or 914-6, but can't get a handel on the Ferrari. I guess because the Porsches have been raced extensively, chassis performance parts have been developed, but because 308's and 328's have not been raced, this has not been focused on.
I am going to keep trying. I'm in no hurry. I will report my progress (or continue to whine about the lack thereof). |
magoo (Magoo)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 11:15 pm: | |
BobD I agree, Not to knock the wheels you have but I think the concave design always looks better no matter what the application. |
BobD (Bobd)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 8:37 pm: | |
I thought I read that if you have the convex wheels, you have the newer suspension. I don't believe the early 328 wheels will fit properly on the late 88s and 89s with the new geometry.... but I could be wrong.
BTW, I have an 89 with the convex wheels.... and I like the look of the earlier wheels MUCH better. They just look more aggressive. |
Peter S�derlund/328 GTB -88 (Corsa)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 3:05 pm: | |
I have the convex wheels but no ABS. ABS became option in mid-88. I think that the new geometry provided more anti-dive and anti-squat. I'm not sure though.
I'm not sure if I have the new or the old geometry on my 328 -88. The old geometry has about 4 deg caster and the new about 6 deg (I can't find the source for this, it's just in my head). In that case I would not need to modify my suspension to allow more caster. On the other hand the chassi# says that I have the new geometry. Hmm...
Ciao
Peter |
BobD (Bobd)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 11:41 am: | |
I understand there were suspension modifications made to late '88 and '89 328s. Were these changes significant? What was gained? Is it true they went to the convex wheels (in late 328s) because of these suspension mods.... and NOT because of the addition of ABS? |
Charles Gault (Knox_Charles)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - 2:18 pm: | |
Rob, I too am using my 328 as a fast fun street car. I was describing my street driving using track terms to try to get my point across. Like you, I also have a race car, a Porsche 914-6 GT.
I'm going to keep trying to improve the 328 though. I do this with all my cars. I know (hope)that someone else has done suspension development on 328's, and I am trying to make that connection. Before I do anything to make more power, I want the front to grip better. I can handel the rear, and the brakes are good.
I really am enjoying the car, I just can't stop tinkering with it. |
Peter S�derlund/328 GTB -88 (Corsa)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - 2:09 pm: | |
Hi All
My 328 -88 felt very nervous at high speed and very light on the steering before some changes I made to the set up.
Charles, "Also the front seems very "light" at speed and is easily disturbed by road surface changes. As speed increases, it feels lighter and lighter. At anything over 120 it feels very nervous, even in a straight line." It was about the same with my car.
Tires
Front
Was Pirelli P700 205/55 Now Yoko AVS Sport 225/50
Rear
Was Pirelli P7000 225/50 Now Yoko AVS Sport 245/45
Front L/R
Toe
Was -0°19� / +0°27� Now +0°06� / +0°06�
Camber
Was +0°03� / -0°51� Now -0°35� / -0°55�
Caster (modified to allow more caster)
Was About -4-5° Now -6°22� / -6°22�
Rear L/R
Toe
Was +0°02� / -0°02� Now +0°22� / +0°16�
Camber
Was -1°45� / -1°55� Now -1°19� / -1°36�
Lowered the front end 1/2 inch.
New grease in the steering rack.
Shocks: Bilstein Sport. Will change to Konis this winter.
Result:
The rear end just sticks like glue, just like it did before.
The steering is much more heavier now. I have a strange feeling that I must turn the steering wheel more for the same turning radius as before which give a feeling of that I now have less grip but the front end grip HAS improved. I need more, though. The car is VERY stable at high speed (155 mph).
I hope this will help You.
Ciao
Peter |
Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - 1:07 pm: | |
I would say your shocks could definetley use replacement from the sounds of your sensitivity to it's handling. I haven't done this and probably won't because of the expense and it's rare I get it on the track. Your description of the 328 handling is exact and I'm just living with mine at this point. I can't afford two race cars, so I've accepted the 328 is just a very fast and fun street car. |
Steve Magnusson (91tr)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - 9:53 am: | |
Charles G. -- Have you lowered the front end also? (although your tire choice does give a little additional forward chassis rake) -- i.e., does the bottom-to-ground distance increase front to back?
Your question about "tightening" the wheel bearings I think is model/year specific -- the older design with two tapered cylindrical roller bearings can be refreshed (i.e., lubed, preload adjusted), but most later cars now use a single, sealed double-row ball bearing that can't be serviced, only replaced. I'm not familiar with the specifics on your car, but you should be able to check the freeplay in the front wheel bearings regardless of which design by rocking an unloaded wheel top-bottom perpendicular to its rotation plane. |
Charles Gault (Knox_Charles)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - 8:48 am: | |
I have had my '88 328 for 2 months now, and I want to canvass the Board for ideas on front suspension setup. I have had a lot of experience driving and racing mid and rear engine cars. The rear end feels good, but the front needs work. First, the steering feels very imprecise. I am having a hard time placing the front at speed for turn in and apexes. I have to leave a much larger margin for error than I am used to. Also the front seems very "light" at speed and is easily disturbed by road surface changes. As speed increases, it feels lighter and lighter. At anything over 120 it feels very nervous, even in a straight line.
This is what I've done to date: new S 03 tires, 225/45 front and 245/45 rear; front alinement 1.5 deg neg. camber, 3 mm toe-in. There is no front end damage.
The car has only 6000 miles on it, so bearings shouldn't be worn, also the shocks are original. Could the shocks have gone bad from age? Do Ferrari front wheel bearings need to be tightened periodically like Porsche?
Any ideas will be appreciated! |
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