Does anybody know hat year the 400GT changed from Michelin XWX to the Michelin TRX tires?
A 400i Owner's Manual dated 1982 lists the tyres as being Michelin TRX. This article here (by F-Chat member Daytonafan) also gives the date as 1982: http://www.drivecult.com/blogs/grand-touring/ferrari-400-crap-car-or-unpolished-gem
The TRXs may have been introduced on the 400i at the same time as they were on the injected Boxer with the BB512i in 1981? However, the Ferrari web site says late 1982: "In late 1982 some mechanical and cosmetic changes took place to the model. The engine received revised profile camshafts and new exhaust manifolds, which upped the power output by about 5 bhp, and the hydraulic self levelling rear suspension changed to a gas filled system, coupled to new metric rim wheels with lower profile tyres." Ferrari.com: http://www.ferrari.com/english/gt_sport%20cars/classiche/all_models/Pages/article_400_gti.aspx
That sounds good. One of my Michelin fitment guides printed in 1984 it states that the change over was at chasis number 31727 where they changed onto 240/55VR415 Michelin TRX . I would assume that this would tie up with the late 1982 date
I would agree with Nick on this : #31583 , my 400i Auto series one has Pirelli tyres, she's from June'80. #32855, my 5 speed, also a series one, has the TRX, the wheels are slightly different, and she's from May 81.
Been thinking... Unless of course the so called Metric Wheels were an optional fit in 80 and 81 and became standard later, or maybe even they were standard fit on 5-speed 400i series one in 1980 while the Auto still retained their original wheels?
Maybe during 1980 Ferrari started to get supplies of the new wheels while still having some stock of the old wheels so there was some changeover period where cars got one or the other? #31171 was a Sean Bealey car and I know the build was long because he came down to Maranello and changed the exterior and interior colours - as it was going to be used as a demonstrator maybe it also got the new wheels relatively early?
It's been mentioned many times that Maranello would pull whatever off the shelf that day, they weren't fanatics at using up old stock first.
Right, i am trying to get my web site precise, which is not easy. However, what do you think to this:- Ferrari 400GT tyres Ferrari 400 GT cars made between 1976 and 1979 fitted the 215/70VR15 Michelin XWX. The XWX would still be the best tyre for these early carburettor model 400GT cars on 15 wheels Ferrari 400 GTi Tyres The first of the injection Ferrari 400GTi models still fitted the 215/70x15 Michelin XWX tyre. In 1981 at Chassis number 31727, (which was still a series 1, 400 GTi) changed to Millimetric wheels, to fit the new low profile 240/55VR415 Michelin TRX tyres. It is possible that some of earlier series 1 ferrari 400GTi cars also fitted The Millimetric 240/55VR415 TRX wheels and tires as an option, so it is worth checking which wheels you have on your car before purchasing tyres. In 1982 There were some cosmetic and mechanical changes. With reprofiled camshafts and new exhaust manifolds, the power was upped by about 5 bhp, and the hydraulic self levelling rear suspension changed to a gas filled system, this was the 400GTi series 2. The 400 GTi series 2 was also equipped with 240/55VR415 Michelin TRX tyres as standard. any coments before i publish it would be greatfully appreciated. for instance i noticed 300man has Pirelli tyres. do you think these were factory fitment or are they a recent purchase (possibly P4000) also in doing this i'm getting a bit lost in the models: is there a 400 and a 400 GT? is there a 400i and a 400i GT? Is there a 400 GTi? or is there just a 400GT and a 400GTi?
There is a 400 GT (Carb 76-79) and 400i (Injection). There is then a Auto and Manual option for each.
GT means manual gearbox for this series of cars. There was 365 GT4 2+2. 400 Auto (Webers). 400 GT Manual (Webers). 400i Auto. 400i GT Manual. 412 Auto 412 GT Manual.
Correct as always. I have records of TRX fitted cars with serial numbers 200 numbers lower than cars fitted with XWX's.
What Dave said! I remember Dave, John, & Art mentioning this all the time at least a decade ago. My guess is that it wasn't an option but I'll let others chime in. The only options that I'm aware of was the leather vs. fabric headliner & rear A/C (except for one-off cars for oil sheiks). That's what I'd recommend With respect to self-leveling suspension, I'm pretty sure it's the other way around. The Series 2 was upgraded to a hydraulic type system that used auto. trans. fluid & it's fluid reservoir is above & to the right of the A/C compressor (on LHD cars). Speaking of Pirelli's, I always wondered why Enzo didn't equip his cars with Italian shoes 'back in the day' but I'm not up on all the tire specs of back then They never had GT scripted on the cars that I'm aware of. It was either 400 or 400A ('A' for automatic), & 400i or 400iA. The only identifying emblem for that was to the right of the left tail lights.
They never had GT scripted on the cars that I'm aware of. It was either 400 or 400A ('A' for automatic), & 400i or 400iA. The only identifying emblem for that was to the right of the left tail lights.[/QUOTE] Blimey that somewhat throws a spanner in the works. My 1984 Michelin fitment guide clearly calls it a 400GT or GTi and they also list GT on wikipedia. i have found one sales brochure that calls it a 400 and a 400i and I have then found another sales brochure and a parts manual from 1980 called Ferrari 400 Automatic and 400GT. no wonder i feel a little lost with the 400?
OK. Thank you for your help so far. what do you think of this. do you think i'm accurate? Ferrari 400 tyres Ferrari 400 GT & 400 A (400 Automatic) cars made between 1976 and 1979 fitted the 215/70VR15 Michelin XWX. In 1981 at Chassis number 31727, which was still a series 1, 400 Gt & 400 Auto; Ferrari changed to the new Millimetric wheel to fit the 240/55VR415 Michelin TRX wheels. It is possible that some of earlier series 1 Ferrari 400GT & 400 Auto cars also fitted The Millimetric 240/55VR415 TRX wheels as an option, so it is worth checking which wheels you have on your car before purchasing tyres. Ferrari 400i tires In 1982 There were some cosmetic and mechanical changes. With reprofiled camshafts and new exhaust manifolds, the power was upped by about 5 bhp, and some suspension changes. This was the 400i GT and 400i Auto series 2 which was equipped with 240/55VR415 Michelin TRX tyres as standard. Ferrari 400 GT fitted 215/70VR15 Michelin XWX up to Chasiss 31727 in 1981 (check that you have 15 wheels) Ferrari 400 A (400 Auto) fitted 215/70VR15 Michelin XWX up to Chasiss 31727 in 1981 (check that you have 15 wheels) Ferrari 400 GT post Chassis 31727 fitted 240/55VR415 Michelin TRX Ferrari 400 A (400 Auto) post Chassis 31727 fitted 240/55VR415 Michelin TRX Ferrari 400i GT fitted 240/55VR415 Michelin TRX Ferrari 400i A (400i Auto) fitted 240/55VR415 Michelin TRX
I really want to emphasize that a lot of owners have changed out their TRX wheels (because of tire costs &/or lack-luster performance) to the older 15" wheels, the 16" 308QV wheels, or the more modern 16"/17" wheels. Therefore, I stand by my recommendation to request the specific wheel info. from the customer so that the correct tire can be provided. If you're going to keep the list, you may want to add a note when mentioning Chassis #31727 that some slightly earlier cars may have been fitted with the upgraded TRX wheels. I'm not too sure about the TRX wheels being 'an option' before they were introduced on the Series 2 cars, I would make certain of that fact before publishing it A side note: You mentioned on your site that the 240's were also fitted to the 412 & the 512BBi. The 240's were used on the front of the 512's. The rears were 280's.
Found the one place that the 'GT i' shows up on the Series 2 cars...on the blue ID plate at the bottom: Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hmm the 512 it isn't black and white as to what fits what. I should probably do this discussion on another forum. However if you know dates i'd love to know more accurately what fitted what. According to my Michelin Books. it started off as a Ferrari 512BB on 215/70VR15 Michelin XWX front and 225/70VR15 Michelin XWX rear. then it looks like it was called a BB512i and fits a 240/55VR415 Michelin TRX front and rear for a bit but with wider rims on the rear. Then i believe it goes to 240/45ZR415 Michelin TRX GT front and 280/45VR415 Michelin TRX rear. the same fitment as the TestaRossa. It isn't exactly clear in my book
